Amitabh Bachchan, a name synonymous with Bollywood royalty, has a personal life that has intrigued many over the years. The actor, whose relationships have often been in the spotlight, has denied various romantic rumors, including those involving other well-known actresses such as Rekha. However, less known is the tale of Amitabh’s first love, an employee of British Airways named Maya, who marked the actor’s initial romantic endeavor long before his high-profile life took center stage. This chapter of his life, filled with youthful passion and hesitation, unfolded in Kolkata while working for British Airways.
During a discussion on the podcast Meri Saheli, hosted by author and film historian Hanif Zaveri, details of Amitabh Bachchan’s early romance emerged. Zaveri spoke candidly about how Bachchan’s first romance began with Maya in Kolkata. The connection between the duo blossomed into love, instigating a brief but poignant story in the actor’s life. This relationship adds a layer to the icon’s journey, well before the cameras turned their relentless gaze on his personal life.
The tale of Bachchan and Maya’s romance is not just a narrative of passion but also a poignant story of choices and societal pressures. When moving to Mumbai to pursue acting, Amitabh stayed with his uncle, making Maya’s frequent visits cause him anxiety. As his reputation and career began to build, so did his concerns about his mother, Teji Bachchan, discovering this early relationship. Despite Maya’s bold and open affection, Amitabh found himself caught between his heart and the anticipated judgment of his family.
Speaking to Mehmood’s brother, Anwar Ali, who was working alongside Amitabh in the film “Saat Hindustani,” Bachchan divulged his apprehensions about Maya’s place in his evolving life. This conversation reportedly culminated in Anwar advising Bachchan to end things with Maya. Anwar candidly shared, “You won’t be able to spend your life with Maya. It will be difficult for her to fit into the Bachchan family, and as you move forward, more problems will arise.” This candid insight provides a window into the personal and societal constraints that influenced Bachchan’s decisions.
As the romance quietly drew to a close, Amitabh Bachchan’s narrative took a notable turn with his rising career in Bollywood. His life continued to attract intense interest, both professionally and personally. In 1970, during his early days in the industry, he met Jaya Bhaduri at the Pune Film Institute. Their meeting laid the foundation for a celebrated Bollywood couple, with their shared life journey commencing from the sets of “Ek Nazar.” Amitabh and Jaya’s relationship quickly led to a quiet wedding in 1973, orchestrated under a condition by Amitabh’s father, Harivansh Rai Bachchan. Only as a married couple could the two travel to London to celebrate the success of the film “Zanjeer,” marking the start of their ‘happily ever after’.
The story of Amitabh Bachchan’s first love with Maya, although less publicized, remains a fascinating chapter in his life, showing a side of him deeply connected to human emotions and societal expectations. This romance reveals the formative experiences that sculpt the human behind the star, adding depth to his public persona. As Amitabh’s life continued in the limelight—becoming a loving husband and father of two, and later, a grandfather—his past continues to intrigue those who seek to understand the man behind the superstar.
The impact of this untold story is profound, painting a personal narrative of love, choices, and pressures. Amitabh Bachchan’s first love, though not enduring, laid the groundwork of emotional experience that would arguably inform his future relationships. Moving forward, his marriage to Jaya Bhaduri took center stage, as they navigated the highs and lows of a shared life under scrutiny, with their cumulative experiences shaping their journey together.
Overall, Amitabh Bachchan’s first romance with Maya offers a nuanced perspective into the actor’s private world, mostly untouched by public eyes until explored by historians like Hanif Zaveri. This revelation sheds light on the intimate moments that paint a more comprehensive picture of Bollywood’s larger-than-life figures, highlighting how personal beginnings interweave with the legacies of public icons.
