Bachchan, known for his seminal work "Madhushala," joined the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) in 1955 with a monthly salary of Rs 1,000—a significant increase from his previous job at All India Radio (AIR). Bachchan's primary responsibility at the MEA involved translating speeches for the president and vice president. In fact, he coined the commonly used Hindi term 'Videsh Mantralaya' for the Ministry of External Affairs.
