Amitabh Bachchan Recalls Winning the Kendall Cup in 1957

On his daily blog, Amitabh Bachchan frequently ruminates on precious memories of the past, and on Morning Night, the veteran actor penned a note about his theatre days.

Big B honed his acting skills by participating in plays while studying at Sherwood College in Nainital. Amitabh Bachchan wrote, “the Kendal Cup, for Best Actor, Sherwood 1957 for Nikolai Gogol’s ‘Government Inspector,’ where I played the Mayor.. and Ma and Babuji had come for the Founder’s Week to witness it.. at the school hall. Milman Hall. Hollywood made a film of the play called Inspector General.. and Danny Kaye, an exceptional talent, played the main role..” Amitabh Bachchan appears to have received this honour at the age of 15.

Amitabh Bachchan also stated that Geoffrey Kendal, the Shakespearean theatre group’s leader, donated the Kendal Cup. Geoffrey Kendal was Jennifer Kendal’s father, who later married the late Shashi Kapoor.

“Also then was announced the best actor for the Hindi play, a cup donated by Babuji.. calling it the Bachchan Paatr.. paatr is cup.. in Hindi.. the first of its kind in Sherwood.. the play was the ‘Bishop’s Candlesticks,” the veteran actor wrote.

Amitabh Bachchan is recovering at home after suffering a rib injury on the set of Project K.