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Portrait of Amitabh Bachchan

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Born in India · Nationality Indian — Film / television / politics / business / taxation / advertising

Amitabh Bachchan

Film, television and entertainment

Documented profile covering 8 controversies, including “2021: Kamla Pasand/pan masala advertisement — health criticism, withdrawal, repayment and legal notice to brand” and “2020: FIR and complaints following KBC question about Ambedkar's burning of Manusmriti”.

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Profile No. 1938 · Updated on 12 October 2026

Portrait of Amitabh Bachchan

Photo: Wikimedia Commons
8Documented controversies
10Sources
0Formal charge · all time
0Conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

01

September–November 2021

2021: Kamla Pasand/pan masala advertisement — health criticism, withdrawal, repayment and legal notice to brand

No legal proceedings

Bachchan faced strong criticism for promoting Kamla Pasand, a pan masala brand, while anti-tobacco organisations denounced the normalising effect of advertising such products.

Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    The Indian ExpressAmitabh Bachchan sends legal notice to pan masala brand as ads continue to air despite contract terminationPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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02

30 October–November 2020

2020: FIR and complaints following KBC question about Ambedkar's burning of Manusmriti

No legal proceedings

A Kaun Banega Crorepati question concerning the text burnt by B. R. Ambedkar and his supporters in 1927 prompted complaints alleging that the programme had offended Hindu sentiments. An FIR against Bachchan and the producers was reported.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    India TodayFIR against Amitabh Bachchan, KBC makers over question on ManusmritiPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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03

April 2016–2018

2016–2018: Panama Papers — offshore documents contradict denials and prompt tax and ED inquiries

Civil / administrative proceedings

The Panama Papers included documents identifying Bachchan as a director of several offshore companies. The Enforcement Directorate and tax authorities examined the information, particularly in relation to foreign exchange rules.

State of the evidence
Documented

Sources · 3

  1. [1]
    The Indian ExpressPanama Papers: Amitabh Bachchan shown as director in offshore companiesInvestigative journalismHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    The Indian ExpressPanama Papers: ED may summon Amitabh Bachchan, kin in forex violation probePressHigh reliability
  3. [3]
    The Indian Express'I'm a law-abiding citizen, cooperating with I-T department': Amitabh BachchanPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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04

assessment year 2001-02–11 May 2016

2001–2016: tax dispute — Supreme Court restores tax authority's power of revision and orders further examination

Civil / administrative proceedings

In a dispute relating to tax year 2001–2002, the Commissioner of Income Tax had set aside the original assessment and ordered a reassessment under section 263. The tax tribunal and subsequently the High Court had ruled in Bachchan's favour.

Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    Supreme Court of India / Indian KanoonCommissioner of Income Tax-I, Mumbai v. Amitabh BachchanCourt decisionVery high reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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05

1984–2012

1984–2012: entry into politics, resignation amid Bofors scandal and later acknowledgement of false implication

No legal proceedings

Bachchan was elected to Parliament in 1984 and resigned in 1987 as the Bofors scandal and media accusations against his family overshadowed his political career.

Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    The Indian ExpressAmitabh Bachchan joined politics for 'emotional' reasons, regretted it immediatelyPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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06

2006–11 December 2007

2006–2007: Barabanki agricultural land controversy — land relinquished and no civil, criminal or tax proceedings

Civil / administrative proceedings

The allocation of agricultural land to Bachchan in the Barabanki district was challenged, particularly concerning his status as a farmer and the land records. He eventually relinquished his claim to the plot.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Protagonist is the complainant

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    Hindustan TimesBachchan off the hook in farmland disputePressHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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07

années 1990–7 February 2002

1990s–2002: ABCL financial crisis and debt exceeding 20 crore to Prasar Bharati ultimately repaid in full

No legal proceedings

Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Ltd experienced serious financial difficulties following its production and events ambitions. Major liabilities included a debt of 20.32 crore rupees to Prasar Bharati, including interest.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    The Times of IndiaBig B clears Rs 20-cr Prasar Bharati debtPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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08

1975–années 1980

1975–1980s: film press boycott of Amitabh Bachchan following Emergency

No legal proceedings

Several film magazines stopped publishing photographs or articles about Bachchan amid suspicions that his closeness to the Gandhi family had contributed to media censorship during the Emergency.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    The Indian ExpressWhen Amitabh Bachchan was banned by magazines during the EmergencyPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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II. Constellation of documented links

  • Linked profile (portrait or initials) — click to open it
  • Line width: number of documented references
  • Hover over or tap a line: controversies and sources

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

List of documented links (1)
  1. Jaya Bachchan3 documented references

III. Has something changed?

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