Which Child Stars Played a Young Amitabh Bachchan?

Child stars have had a major contribution in Bollywood, particularly those who played a young Amitabh Bachchan in films.

These child actors mostly took on the young character of Amitabh between the 70s and early 90s.

The popularity of these child stars increased as they featured during a time when the legendary Big B was dominating the film industry. He was at the peak of his career, starring in super hit films.

These child artists mostly worked in films directed by the late Manmohan Desai. Viewers got to see the likes of Master Ravi growing slightly older with each film, playing the young Amitabh Bachchan.

Most of the child stars eventually went onto pursue other fields, with some still acting here and there.

We take a look at some of the famous child stars who played a young Amitabh Bachchan in films.

Master Mayur

Mayur Raj Verma, more commonly known as Master Mayur was born in India during 1964.

He was a very popular child actor, especially with his emotional acting and body language.

Mayur made an excellent debut in Praksh Mehra’s drama film Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978), playing the young Sikandar (Amitabh Bachchan).

Following the release of this film, he became an overnight sensation. His facial expressions came to light in the song ‘O Saathi Re.’

Additionally, he played the slightly grown-up Heera (Big B) in the drama film Laawaris (1981). He features in a scene as a waiter where he dancing to the tunes of ‘Mere Angne Mein’ [In my place].

Mayur then went onto play the young poor Sudhir Roy in Bemisal (1982). In the film, he comes to live with Magistrate Chaturvedi (Om Shivpuri) and becomes a Dr (Amitabh Bachchan).

Other than films, Mayur has also presented and managed several Asian television channels.

Master Alankar Joshi

Alankar Joshi, more famously known as Master Alankar was a popular child actor during the 70s and 80s period of Bollywood.

He became even more famous when he took on the angry young avatar of Amitabh Bachchan (Vijay Verma) in the action drama Deewar (1975).

A group of drunken men get a tattoo artist to write something very nasty about his father, Anand Verma (Satyendra Kapoor) on his left arm about. The artist writes:

“Mera Baap Chor Hai.” [My father is a thief].

This psychologically shatters Vijay and has an impact on his later life. The young Vijay is close to his mother, Sumitra Devi (Nirupa Roy) and younger brother, Ravi Verma (Master Raju/Shashi Kapoor).

After leaving the film world, Master Alankar travelled to New York, USA to complete his higher education in computer science.

Master Alankar has two daughters, Anuja Joshi and Anisha Joshi. His sister Pallavi Joshi is a successful TV actress.

Master Tito

Master Tito appears as the young Amit who is adopted by DSP Shamsher Singh (Shammi Kapoor) and his wife (Nanda) in the crime drama film Parvarish (1977).

Tito as Amit is very caring towards his adopted mischievous brother Kishan Singh (Vinod Khana). Equally the young Amit in police uniform warns Kishan to stop his criminal like behaviour.

Tito next came in the action-comedy Naseeb (1981), featuring as the young John (Amitabh Bachchan). Working as a waiter at Rustom’s (Azaad Irani) food joint, John communicates perfectly in street language with his customers.

Master Tito plays the young village orphan Kishan in the musical drama Yaarana (1981). Big B plays him in his adulthood. Kishan is very close to Bishan (Master Rajesh/Amjad Khan).

The two best buddies enjoy flying kites and getting Jagdish – Jaggu’s (Ranjeet) head shaved off. They both sacrifice a lot for their friendship.

Master Tito also has scenes with Bishan’s mother, Sulochana (Sulochana Latkar) and his mamma (Jeevan).

An adult Master Tito also starred as Tito, Amit Verma’s friend (Aamir Khan) in the romantic drama Love Love Love (1989). Very different from his childhood, Tito has a moustache in the film as he does a workstyle disco with Amit in the track ‘Disco Dandia.’

Master Raju

Fahim Ajani, better known as Master Raju was born in Mumbai, India.

His birthday falls on August 15, 1967, which is India’s independence day. He grew up in Dongri, South Mumbai to academic parents. Raju’s father was a chartered accountant, with his mother being a school teacher.

With many casting agents residing in Dongri, his father had a call to see if Raju was interested to work in Parichay (1972).

Despite Raju’s father initially refusing, he finally did let his son act.

Master Raju portrayed the cute child role in many films. With some experience under his belt, he also took on the role of young Shankar/Bhola (Amitabh Bachchan) in the action drama Nastik (1983).

He features in a devotional song with Baby Pinky/Priyanka. He also has scenes with his Pujari father (Bharat Bhushan), arch-rival Tiger (Master Rajesh – played by Amjad Khan) and Munimji (Viju Khote).

Master Ravi

Master Ravi who is also known as Ravi Valecha was born in India on June 6, 1971. He played junior Amitabh in several Manmohan Desai films and one Ramesh Sippy movie.

In the action-comedy Amar Akbar Anthony (1977), he plays young Anthony Gonsalves. He melts everyone with a sweet dialogue as he tightly holds his brother Akbar (Rishi Kapoor). He utters:

“Chhotu Tujhe Bhookh Lagi Hai Kya.” [Little one, you are hungry aren’t you].

With Big B having a dual role in the patriot film Desh Premee (1982), Ravi played the young Raju, son of Master Dinanath (Amitabh Bachchan).

There is a scene in the film where Raju hides a wallet from his father that he picks from the floor. His father tells him that he should return the wallet to its rightful owner.

In the crime drama film Shakti (1982), he plays the young Vijay Kumar, son of DCP Ashwini Kumar (Dilip Kumar) and Sheetal Kumar (Raakhee).

He initially stars in a few cute scenes with his parents in the film.

But after gangster JK Verma (Amrish Puri) kidnaps him, we see the very best of Master Ravi in some brilliant emotional, brave and terrifying scenes.

He also stars in the action-comedy Coolie (1983), playing the slightly grown coolie Iqbal. His characteristics include a voice sounding like a sore throat.

After working in over thirty films in various languages, Ravi retired from the film industry. He holds an MBA degree in Hospitality and International Business.

Master Manjunath

Manjunath Nayerkar, more familiar as Master Manjunath was born on December 23, 1976, in Bangalore, Karnataka India.

He began his career at the age of three. He came in thirty-two films by the time he reached eleven years of age.

Manjunath of Malgudi Days (1987) fame played the young Amitabh (Vijay Deenanath Chauhan) in the action-drama Agneepath (1990).

He portrays a very serious and defiant character in the film, setting Kancha Cheena’s (Danny Denzonpa) petrol pump on fire.

Following this incident, he delivers a powerful dialogue at the Police Station:

“Aur Woh Kya Tha, Jo Meri Maa Ke Saath Hua Tha, Woh Jurm Nahin Tha?” [And what was that, that happened to my mum, was that not a crime]?

Manjunath has a Masters degree in Sociology from Bangalore University.

Master Amit Shukla

Master Amit Shukla was the lead child artist for Amitabh Bachhan in the superhero film Toofan (1989).

Similar to Amitabh, he plays a double role in the film as Shyam and Toofan.

Following the death of his adopted father Ramesh Kumar (Ramesh Deo) who is a magician, Shyam delivers the famous dialogue.

“Mein Apne Baap Ki Saughand Kha Ke Kehta Hoon, Ke Aik Din Paani Se Nikal Kar, Yeh Jadu Mein Kar Ke Dikhaoonga.”

[I promise my dad, one day I will successfully come out of the water and perform this magic].

Shyam also has scenes in the film with adopted mother Devyani (Sushma Seth) and real father Inspector Hanuman Prasad Singh (Pran).

Master Amit Shukla was medium built with curly hair in Toofan.

There were other child stars who had played a young Amitabh, including Master Makrand in the cult film, Gangaa Jamunaa Saraswati (1988). He undertook the role of eyoung Gangaa in the film.

All these child stars acted brilliantly in their different roles and will always be remembered in Bollywood. They reflected and portrayed various moods, touching the hearts of the audience.