'Too tall, small face, no heroine will work with you': Amitabh Bachchan says the origin of his famous hairstyle was not for fashion

Amitabh Bachchan’s hair has been almost as recognisable as his voice, towering screen presence and baritone. The long, thick locks, centre parting and prominent sideburns became closely associated with the superstar during the 1970s. But the look that eventually became a signature was not originally created to make him a style icon. It was, Bachchan recently revealed, partly a way of dealing with criticism he faced when he was still struggling to find work. During an interaction on Kaun Banega Crorepati 18, the veteran actor recalled how producers once considered his height and facial features obstacles to casting him. His solution was surprisingly simple: he grew his hair.

Amitabh Bachchan reveals his hairstyle had a practical beginning

Amitabh Bachchan explained that producers would tell him he was too tall and that his face appeared too small. He said he therefore grew his hair towards his temples so that his face would appear fuller. The revelation gives a different perspective to one of Bollywood's most recognisable male hairstyles. What audiences later associated with the larger-than-life image of Amitabh Bachchan began, according to the actor himself, as a response to industry criticism. The actor made his film debut with Saat Hindustani in 1969 and spent his early years searching for a breakthrough. His career changed dramatically with Zanjeer in 1973, after which his screen image and appearance became increasingly influential.

The ‘Bachchan Cut’ became a 1970s phenomenon

The hairstyle that emerged during this period featured thick hair, a slight or central parting and long sideburns that extended towards the ears. The Times of India has described it as the “Bachchan cut”, noting that the look remained closely connected to his Angry Young Man persona for more than a decade. The style appeared across several of his biggest films, including Deewaar, Sholay and Don. The New Indian Express also noted that Amitabh Bachchan's transformation from neatly combed hair to longer sideburns and a wavy mop became a major turning point in men's hairstyles in India. In other words, a hairstyle adopted for practical reasons eventually became part of the visual language of 1970s Hindi cinema.

Who created Amitabh Bachchan’s iconic hairstyle?

Hairstylist Hakim Kairanvi created the famous hairstyle and began working with Bachchan early in his career. Kairanvi's son, celebrity hairstylist Aalim Hakim, recalled in an interview with The Indian Express that his father started working with Bachchan soon after Saat Hindustani. He said his father was responsible for the actor's hairstyles in films including Zanjeer, Sholay, Don, Amar Akbar Anthony and Deewaar. The connection continued for years. Kairanvi's final haircut was reportedly for Bachchan during the making of Mard in 1984.

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From long sideburns to a new Big B

Amitabh Bachchan's hairstyles changed as his screen persona evolved. When he returned to television with Kaun Banega Crorepati in 2000, his appearance also underwent a major transformation. The long-haired Angry Young Man image had given way to a more mature style, including shorter hair and a distinctive beard. The Times of India noted that the change helped introduce a different version of Bachchan to audiences no longer simply the rebellious young hero, but an older, authoritative figure suited to his new television persona. His hairstyle has continued to change over the decades, but the older looks remain deeply embedded in popular culture.

How a flaw became a signature

Amitabh Bachchan's latest revelation is interesting because it turns the story of his famous hairstyle into something larger than a fashion anecdote. At a time when his height and facial proportions were reportedly being viewed as disadvantages, he found a way to alter his appearance. Eventually, the very feature developed to address those criticisms became part of the image that helped define an era of Hindi cinema. His story is a reminder that trends do not always begin with the intention of creating one. Sometimes, a personal workaround becomes a signature and, in Bachchan's case, a hairstyle born out of struggle eventually became the Bachchan cut, copied by generations of fans.