He starred in hit films like Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Don, Kasme Vaade and Trishul in 1978.

And, 27 years later, he starred in Bunty Aur Babli [Images], Sarkar, Black and Waqt: Race Against Time -- all of which saw the box-office registers ringing happily.

If the history of Bollywood is ever written, then 2005 will be remembered as Amitabh Bachchan's [Images] year. Even at 63 years of age, he is an actor to reckon with. This year, his films generated a revenue of over Rs 1 billion for his distributors.

But, no actor has seen the kind of ups and downs in his career that Amitabh has.

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Only six years ago, his company Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Limited was declared in the red. His house Prateeksha -- in Juhu, a west Mumbai suburb -- was in danger of being seized any time by banks.

Everyone thought Bachchan's days were numbered. He proved everyone wrong.

In 1992, after Khuda Gawah, the actor took a break from films. In 1994, he decided to launch ABCL -- a decision that surprised many.

The company planned to do everything -- producing films, distributing them, making music, organising talent hunts across India, etcetera etcetera.

The company organised the Miss World pageant in 1996 and incurred heavy losses. Soon, ABCL started sinking.

Amitabh returned to the silver screen, only to find his Mrityudata become the biggest flop of 1997. His image as an actor took a severe beating. Aamir Khan [Images], Shah Rukh Khan [Images] and Salman Khan [Images] were ruling the box office then and there were no takers for the original Angry Young Man, who was now nearing 60.

Everyone thought Amitabh was history.

'There was a sword hanging on my head all the time. I spent many sleepless nights. One day, I got up early in the morning and went directly to Yash Chopra [Images]ji and told him that I was bankrupt. I had no films. My house and a small property in New Delhi were attached. Yashji listened coolly, and then offered me a role in his film Mohabattein,' Amitabh said after he relaunched ABCL as AB Corp on his 61^st birthday in 2003.

'I then started doing commercials, television and films. And I am happy to say today that I have repaid my entire debt of Rs 90 crore [Rs 900 million] and am starting afresh,' the Big B [Images] added.

Flashback over. 

Amitabh is the most sought-after actor in Bollywood. Every top producer wants to work with him.

To analyse the Amitabh phenomenon, trade analyst Taran Adarsh recalls the words of the late director Manmohan Desai: "Amitabh Bachchan is like a Haley's Comet. A person like him comes once in 76 years. It is only he who can survive in spite of all odds."

Amod Mehra, another trade analyst, says, "No other actor in his place could have survived after seeing such lows in life but he kept going and proved himself."

Why is Amitabh Bachchan so special even at this age? "Amitabh Bachchan is special because he is born special," is filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma's ready reply.

Interestingly, unlike last year when he was playing the second lead or a character actor, 2005 witnessed a completely new Amitabh. Before he was admitted to Lilavati Hospital, Amitabh addressed a press conference for Ek Ajnabee [Images] and said, "I am delighted to know that at this age roles are written keeping me in my mind."

In 2006 too, Amitabh has many films signed up. Besides loads of endorsements and his popular television game show Kaun Banega Crorepati 2.

So, Amitabh fans, don't fret because the actor is taking a break. Next year, you will see him work movie magic again -- with Sarkar 2, Sholay [Images] 2, God Tusi Great Ho, Happy New Year and Babul.