Amitabh Bachchan has shared a charming slice of his early married life, revealing that wife Jaya Bachchan affectionately called him 'Lambu ji' for many years before his late father, legendary poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan, stepped in and asked her to stop. The anecdote came up during a lighthearted exchange on the popular quiz reality show 'Kaun Banega Crorepati', where the megastar appeared alongside actor Ranbir Kapoor.

The Nickname and Babuji's Intervention

Recounting the story with characteristic warmth, Amitabh explained that Jaya had used the affectionate nickname 'Lambu ji' — a playful reference to his towering height — for a considerable stretch of their early marriage. His father eventually intervened, asking her to either address Amitabh by his name or find a different form of address altogether.

In his own words, Amitabh recalled: 'Kayi saal tak woh humko lambu ji bola karti thi… ji, phir uske baad unko mana kiya gaya Babuji ne kaha ye dekho aise mat bolo ya to naam bolo ya kuch aur bolo to unhone phir naam bolna shuru kar diya…' ('For many years, she used to call me Lambu ji. Later, she was asked not to address me that way. Babuji said, Look, don't call him that. Either use his name or call him something else. After that, she started calling me by my name.')

Height Talk with Ranbir Kapoor

The nickname anecdote emerged naturally from a broader, amusing conversation about height differences between the Bachchan and Kapoor families. Ranbir spoke candidly about how he had long imagined a visual symmetry — himself towering over Alia Bhatt the way Amitabh towers over Jaya — in family photographs.

Ranbir remarked: 'Aur mere zehan mein woh tasveer hamesha aati ki main Amit ji jaisa thoda lamba hoon aur Alia Jaya aunty jaisi thodi choti hai toh height differences bhi achhe lagenge un photo pe…' ('I would always picture it in my mind that I would be a little tall like Amit ji, and Alia would be a little short like Jaya aunty, so the height differences would look nice in those photographs.')

Amitabh responded with dry wit: 'Oho sar bahut zyada difference hai…' ('Oh, there is a huge difference in height.') When Ranbir asked about the exact gap between Amitabh and Jaya, the megastar confirmed he stands at 6 feet 2 inches, while estimating Jaya's height at roughly 5 feet 3 or 4 inches.

A Rare Peek into the Bachchan Household

Public glimpses into the domestic life of the Bachchan family are relatively rare, making moments like these especially memorable for fans. Harivansh Rai Bachchan, one of Hindi literature's most celebrated poets and the author of 'Madhushala', passed away in 2003. His presence looms large in Amitabh's public reminiscences, and the anecdote underscores the affectionate but disciplined tone the elder Bachchan brought to family life.

Notably, 'Kaun Banega Crorepati' — which Amitabh has hosted across multiple seasons — has long served as the rare platform where the otherwise private megastar opens up about his personal history, delivering moments that resonate well beyond the quiz format.

Ranbir's Candid Admission

Ranbir rounded off the exchange with a self-deprecating note, acknowledging that his own height places him 'somewhere around there' in the scale of the Bachchan family — a remark that drew laughter and wrapped up one of the episode's more endearing exchanges. The conversation highlighted the easy rapport between two generations of Bollywood's most recognisable families.