Amitabh Bachchan

Retro 1969–present

The “Shahenshah” of Bollywood, Amitabh Bachchan redefined stardom as the “Angry Young Man” of 1970s cinema and reinvented himself as a revered elder statesman of the screen and of television via Kaun Banega Crorepati. His baritone and screen presence are without parallel in Indian film. His career, now spanning over five decades, is among the most storied in world cinema.

Honours: Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2018); Padma Vibhushan; four National Film Awards; numerous Filmfare Awards.

Filmography

The 1970s–80s

1981

Silsila

Romance Dir. Yash Chopra

Yash Chopra’s lush love triangle, forever wrapped in real-life legend.

1978

Don

Action Thriller Dir. Chandra Barot

“Don ko pakadna mushkil hi nahi, namumkin hai.”

1977

Amar Akbar Anthony

Masala Dir. Manmohan Desai

The template for the lost-and-found masala entertainer.

1975

Sholay

Action Adventure Dir. Ramesh Sippy

The greatest curry western — Gabbar Singh became cinema’s most iconic villain.

1975

Deewaar

Crime Drama Dir. Yash Chopra

The film that crowned Bachchan the “Angry Young Man” — “Mere paas maa hai.”

1975

Sholay

Action Adventure Dir. Ramesh Sippy

The retro touchstone every masala film still measures itself against.

1971

Anand

Drama Dir. Hrishikesh Mukherjee

“Babumoshai…” — the beloved tale of a terminally ill man who lives fully.

Signature Roles

Zanjeer

Piku

Best known for: Sholay · Deewaar · Zanjeer · Don · Amar Akbar Anthony · Piku

Did You Know?

His near-fatal accident on the sets of Coolie (1982) triggered nationwide prayer vigils.
He hosted the first season of Kaun Banega Crorepati in 2000, reviving his career.
Raja Harishchandra (1913) by Dadasaheb Phalke is regarded as the first full-length Indian feature film.
Alam Ara (1931) was India’s first sound film — the “talkie” that introduced song and dialogue to Indian screens.
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) has run continuously at Mumbai’s Maratha Mandir cinema for decades — the longest theatrical run in film history.

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