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Filmfare awards won during his career |
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| Awards |
Film |
Year |
| Best Supporting Actor |
Anand |
1972 |
| Namak Haraam |
1974 |
| Aks |
2001 |
|
| Best Actor |
Amar Akbar Anthony |
1978 |
| Don |
1979 |
| Hum |
1992 |
|
| National Award |
Agneepath |
1991 | |
| "Amitabh Bachchan is, in popular parlance, the king of Indian cinema, most certainly of the commercial Hindi film. The older of the two sons of Harivansh Rai, an acclaimed Hindi poet, and the socialite Teji Bachchan, Amitabh went to Sherwood College, a boarding school in the hill-station town of Nainital, and from there to Delhi University where he earned an arts degree.
His first appearance was in the movie Saat Hindustani [Seven Indians], which did not do particularly well at the box office. Nonetheless, Amitabh was undeterred, and he can be said to have arrived in the Hindi film world with the films Zanjeer [Chains] and Deewar [Wall] . |
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Amitabh, during a groovy rendition of his father's poems |
With his tall and lean looks, Amitabh became emblematic of the new kind of action hero. Whereas his predecessors such as Rajesh Khanna and Dharmendra played romantic roles, Amitabh introduced the motif of the 'angry young man' to Indian cinema. This is at a time, in the mid-1970s, when domestic politics was in a period of great turmoil, student unrest was high, and the employment prospects for educated young men were bleak at best. In Deewar, which furnishes the classic example of the double in the Hindi cinema, he played the role of a mafia don and smuggler opposite his policeman brother, played by Shashi Kapoor. The theme of 'alienation' is further explored in Shakti [Strength], where as the son of a strict police officer (the legendary Dilip Kumar), Amitabh takes to the life of high crime and smuggling.
Altogether, Amitabh Bachchan has appeared in over 70 films, many of them, particularly those from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s, resounding successes. During the shooting of the movie Coolie, he injured himself fatally and had a near brush with death. He married Jaya Bhaduri, herself one of the most successful and accomplished actresses in the Hindi cinema, and it is perhaps telling that, quite in the Indian fashion, she ceased to act in Hindi films after their marriage.
About ten years age he retired from the film world. He then tried his hand at politics. Due to his enormous popularity, not to mention the close association with Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, and members of their family that he has enjoyed, he was elected to parliament with a huge majority from his home city of Allahabad. But his stint in politics did not last long and he was implicated in some scandals. He gave up his seat in parliament, vowing never to be involved in politics again.
Some years ago, Amitabh attempted a return to the commercial cinema, but he has not had the impact that he had in previous years. However, he continues to have an extraordinary public presence in India. It was Satyajit Ray, among others, who found that Amitabh's deep and rich voice, which leaves a lasting impression upon listeners, makes for excellent narration. Amitabh had provided narration for numerous films and cultural programs, and he now also heads an entertainment company. His entertainment company was the principal sponsor of the Miss Universe Contest, held in Bangalore in 1996. In this respect, as in many others, whatever Amitabh Bachchan's lasting contribution to Indian cinema, he has shown himself to be naive, socially insensitive, and politically irresponsible; like most other Indians of the upper crust, he is committed to the proposition that India must become a major player in the world stage, and that opposition to 'globalization', 'liberalization', 'modernization' and spectacular 'world events' is not merely inopportune, but a residue of India's attachment to socialism and tradition.
The Miss Universe spectacle however landed him in troubled waters. He found himself in debt-trap. His media company ABCL was in doldrums. However, with his diligence and friendly terms with a politician friend the big-B has been able to get rid of the liabilities to a large extent. Troubles with finances notwithstanding Amitabh has silenced all his critics with the immense acclaim he has received in his new avataar (incarnation) on the small-screen in the desi (local) version of popular "Who wants to be a Billionaire". The charm of his persona that makes people bedazzled; proven by the fact that even unparalleled prize money and popular stars on many rival channels failed to match 'Kaun Banega Crorepati's' success."
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This simple, yet unique image caught my imagination the moment I saw it for the first time.
It's from Amitabh's movie Khuda Gawah shot in India & Afghanistan; an incredible effort of the immensely talented director Late Mukul Anand.
Here, the image is brought to life using a simple applet that creates the serene 'ripple effect'. |
| Double Role: |
Adalat, Don, Kasme Vade, The Great Gambler, Bemisaal, Desh Premi, Satte Pe Satta, Aakhari Rasta, Toofan, Bade Miyan Chhote Miyan, Lal Badshaah, Sooryavansham |
| Triple Role: |
Mahaan |
| Special/Guest/Friendly Appearances: |
Ahsaas, Bada Kabutar, Biwi No.1 (1999), Chala Murari Hero Banne, Chasm-e-Baddur (1981),Chhoti Si Baat, Commander,Dost, Dosti Dushmani, Garam Masala, Ghatak(1996), Gol Maal, Hero Hiralaal(1988), Jaban, Jalwa (1986), Kaun hara Kaun jeeta (1987), Khatta Meetha, Krodh(1990), Kunwara Baap(1974), Pet Pyar Aur Paap(1984),Soorma Bhopali(1988) and Vilayati Babu. |
| Class Apart: |
Commentary rendered in 'Shatranj Ke Khiladi', 'Hum', 'Tere Mere Sapane'
Sung Shloka in 'Anari No. 1' |
Deadly Combination:
Amitabh has worked with the top bollywood-directors producing electrifying results. Have a look.
| Director |
Films |
|
Hrishikesh Mukherjee |
Anand, Namakharam, Abhimaan, Chupke Chupke, Mili. |
|
Yash Chopra |
Deewar, Kabhi Kabhi, Silsila, Trishul, Kala Pathar. |
| Prakash Mehra |
Zanjeer, Muqaddar Ka Sikander, Hera Pheri, Lawaaris, Namak Halaal, Sharaabi, Jadugar. |
| Manmohan Desai |
Amar Akbar Anthony, Parvarish, Naseeb,Coolie, Mard. |
|
Raj Khosla |
Dostana. |
|
Tinu Anand |
Kaalia, Shaenshah. |
|
Ramesh Sippy |
Sholay, Shaan, Shakti. |
|
Ravi Tandon |
Majboor, Khuddar. |
|
T Ramarao |
Andha Kanoon, Inqulaab. |
|
Mukul Anand |
Agneepath, Hum, Khuda Gawah. |
|
Mehul Kumar |
Mrityudata. | |
Zanjeer "Yeh tumhare baap ka ghar nahin, police station hai, is liye sidhi tahrah khade raho."
Deewar
"Sauda karna to aapko nahin aata, aap is building ke liye dus lakh bhi zyada maang lete, to bhi main kharid leta. Yeh building meri maa ke liye ek tohfa hai."
"Haan, main sign karoonga, lekin main akele sign nahin karoonga, main sabse pehle sign nahin karoonga. Jao pehle us aadmi ka sign le ke aao jisne mera baap ko chor kaha tha; pehle us aadmi ka sign le ke aao jisne meri maa ko gali deke naukri se nikal diya tha; pehle us aadmi ka sign le ke aao jisne mere haath pe ye leekh diya tha..ye.. Uske BAAD, us ke baad, mere bhai, tum jahan kahoge main wahan sign kar doonga."
"Sapne bhi samundar ki lahron ki tarah haqeeqat ki chattanon se takrakar toot jaate hain."
Trishul
"Sahi baat ko sahi waqt pe kiya jaye to uska maza hi kuch aur hai, aur main sahi waqt ka intezaar karta hoon."
"Main paanch lakh ka sauda karne aya hoon, aur mere jeb me panch phooti kaudi bhi nahin hai!"
"Jisne pachees saal se apni maa ko thoda thoda marte dekho ho, use maut se kya darana?"
"Aur aap, Mr R K Gupta, aap mere najayaz baap hai. Meri maa ko aap se chahe zillat aur beizzati ke siva kuch na mila ho, lekin main apni maa, usi Shanti ki taraf se aap ki saari daulat vapas lauta raha hoon. Aaj aap ke paas aap ki saari daulat sahi, sab kuch sahi, lekin maine aap se jyaada garib aaj tak nahin dekha. Good bye, Mr R K Gupta."
"You are right, Mr R K Gupta, yeh contract mujhi ko milegi. Aur haan, mere banaye hue colony mein agar aapko ghar chahiye, to taqalluf mat kijiyega, makaan aap ko mil jayega."
Sharabi
"Moochein ho to Nathulal jaise warna na ho."
"Zindagi ka tambu teen bambuo pe khada hai."
"Do aansoo is aankh se gire, phir do us aankh se. Phir do is aankh se, do us aankh se. Phir do is aankh se, do us aankh se. Kitne huye?...Nau lakh ke haar ke liye, barah lakh ke aansoo? Daddy hote to kehte: Vijay, tumhe business karna nahi aata?"
Muqaddar Ka Sikander
"Govardhan seth, samundar mein tairne waale kuoon aur taalabon mein dubki nahin lagaya karte hain."
"Aur waise hi, main is ko yahan nahi maroonga, warna log kahenge Sikandar ne apne ilake me usey mara."
Kaalia
"Waqt ki bisaat pe kismat ne jo mohre bichaaye the, unka rukh palat gaya."
"Hum jaha pe khade ho jaate hein, line wahin se shuru hoti hai."
"Aap ne jail ki deewaron aur zanjeeron ka loha dekha hai, jailer sahab, Kaalia ki himmat ka faulaad nahi dekha."
"Kallu se Kaalia ka safar shuru."
Shahenshah
"Rishte me to hum tumhare baap lagte hain, naam hai Shahenshah."
Coolie
"Bachpan se hain sar par Allah ka haath, aur Allah Rakha hai mere saath, baazu par hai saathsau chhiyaasi ka billa, bees number ka beedi peeta hoon, kaam karta hoon coolie ka aur naam hai Iqbal."
"Jiske seene mein dil hi nahin, usse dil ka daura kya padega?"
Don
"Don ko pakadna mushkil hi nahin, naamumkin hai."
Laawaris
"Agar apni maa ka doodh piya hai to saamne aa."
"Apun woh kutte ki dum hai, jo baara baras nalli ke andar daal ke, nalli tedi hoti, apun sidha nahin hota!"
Kala Pathar
" Pain is my destiny and I can't avoid it"
Chupke Chukpe
"Jis tarah gobhi ka phool, phool hokar nahi hota, waise hi gainde ka phool bhi phool hokar phool nahi hota"
Namak Halal
"I can talk English, I can walk English, I can laugh English because English is a very phunny language. Bhairo becomes Byron because their minds are very narrow."
Shakti
"Narang saab, yeh kaam koi bhi insaan akele kar sakta tha, basharte ki use bhi meri hi tarah yeh pata hona chahiye ke woh is duniya mein akela aaya hai aur akela hi jaayega, isliye agar usey kuch karna hai toh woh bhi akele hi karna hoga."
"Hamare desh mein kaam dhoondna bhi ek kaam hai."
Mard
"Jo mard hota hai, usey dard nahi hota."
"Tumhara naam kya hai, Basanti?"
"Ghadi ghadi drama karta hai, saala."
Silsila
"Main aur meri tanhaai -- aksar ye baatein karte hai...."
Kabhi Kabhie
"Kabhi kabhi mere dil mein khayal aata hai."
Satte Pe Satta
"Daaru peene se liver kharab ho jaata hai."
Agneepath
"Pura naam, Vijay Dinanath Chauhan, baap ka naam, Dinanath Chauhan, maa ka naam, Suhasini Chauhan, gaon Mandwa, umar chhattis saal..."
"Yeh telephone bhi ajeeb cheez hai -- aadmi sochta kuch hai, bolta kuch hai aur karta kuch hai."
"Pagar badao... pandrasau rupiye me ghar nahin chalta, saala imaan kya chalega?"
Major Saab
"Don't mess with the army."
Sooryavansham
"Sooryavansh ek aag hai jisme doston ke liye jitni jyoti hai, dushmanon ke liye utni hi jwala. Bhoon dalo is kambaqt ko."
The man, the myth, the Indian film legend. A hero for all seasons. Look and admire his incredible enviable career, spanning close to 100 movies.
| MOVIE |
YEAR |
DIRECTOR |
MUSIC |
CO-STARS |
| Saat Hindustani |
1969 |
Khwaza Ahmed Abbas |
J. P. Kaushik |
Utpal Dutt, Madhu |
| Anand* |
1971 |
Hrishikesh Mukherjee |
Salil Choudhury |
Rajesh Khanna, Sumita Sanyal |
| Parwaana |
1971 |
Jyoti Swaroop |
Madan Mohan |
Navin Nischol, Yogeeta Bali, Shatrughan Sinha |
| Guddi |
1971 |
Hrishikesh Mukherjee |
Vasant Desai |
Jaya Bhaduri, Utpal Dutt, Dharmendra |
| Pyar Ki Kahani |
1971 |
Ravikant Nagaich |
R.D.Burman |
Tanuja, Farida Jalal, Anil Dhawan |
| Reshma Aur Shera |
1971 |
Sunil Dutt |
Jaidev |
Sunil Dutt, Waheeda Rehman, Vinod Khanna, Raakheem, Sanjay Dutt |
| Bansi Birju |
1972 |
Prakash Verma |
Vijay R. Rao |
Jaya Bhaduri |
| Bombay To Goa |
1972 |
S. Ramanathan |
R.D.Burman |
Aruna Irani, Mehmood, Shatrughan Sinha, Kishore Kumar |
| Ek Nazar |
1972 |
B.R Ishara |
Laxmikant Pyarelal |
Jaya Bhaduri |
| Raaste Ka Pathar |
1972 |
Mukul Dutt |
Laxmikant Pyarelal |
Laxmi Chayya |
| Sanjog |
1972 |
S. S. Balan |
R.D.Burman |
Aruna Irani, Mala Sinha |
| Abhimaan |
1973 |
Hrishikesh Mukherjee |
S.D.Burman |
Jaya Bhaduri |
| Bandhe Haath |
1973 |
O. P. Goyle |
R.D.Burman |
Amitabh (Double Role), Mumtaz, Kumud Chuggani |
| Gehri Chaal |
1973 |
Sridhar |
Laxmikant Pyarelal |
Jeetendra, Hema Malini |
| Namak Haram* |
1973 |
Hrishikesh Mukherjee |
R.D.Burman |
Simi Garewal, Rajesh Khanna, Rekha |
| Saudagar |
1973 |
Sudhendu Roy |
Ravindra Jain |
Nutan, Padma Khanna |
| Zanjeer |
1973 |
Prakash Mehra |
Kalyanji Anandji |
Jaya Bhaduri, Pran, Ajit |
| Benaam |
1974 |
Narinder Bedi |
R.D.Burman |
Moushumi Chaterjee, Prem Chopra |
Dost |
1974 |
Dulal Guha |
Laxmikant Pyarelal |
Dharmendra, Shatrughan Sinha |
| Kasauti |
1974 |
Arabinda Sen |
Kalyanji Anandji |
Hema Malini, Pran |
| Majboor |
1974 |
Ravi Tandon |
Laxmikant Pyarelal |
Parveen Babi, Farida Jalal, Pran |
| Roti, Kapda Aur Makaan |
1974 |
Manoj Kumar |
Laxmikant Pyarelal |
Manoj Kumar, Shashi Kapoor, Moushumi Chaterjee, Zeenat Aman, Premnath |
| Chupke Chupke |
1975 |
Hrishikesh Mukherjee |
S.D.Burman |
Jaya Bhaduri, Dharmendra, Sharmila Tagore, Om Prakash |
| Deewar |
1975 |
Yash Chopra |
R.D.Burman |
Parveen Babi, Shashi Kapoor, Neetu Singh, Nirupa Roy |
| Faraar |
1975 |
Shankar Mukherjee |
Kalyanji Anandji |
Sharmila Tagore |
| Hera Pheri |
1975 |
Prakash Mehra |
Kalyanji Anandji |
Vinod Khanna, Saira Banu, Sulakshana Pandit |
| Milli |
1975 |
Hrishikesh Mukherjee |
S.D.Burman |
Jaya Bhaduri, Ashok Kumar |
Sholay |
1975 |
Ramesh Sippy |
R.D.Burman |
Jaya Bhaduri, Dharmendra, Hema Malini, Sanjeev Kumar, Amjad Khan |
| Zameer |
1975 |
Ravi Chopra |
Sapan Chakraborty |
Vinod Khanna, Shammi Kapoor, Saira Banu |
| Do Anjaane |
1976 |
Dulal Guha |
Kalyanji Anandji |
Rekha, Prem Chopra |
| Kabhi Kabhi |
1976 |
Yash Chopra |
Khaiyyam |
Raakhee, Shashi Kapoor, Waheeda Rehman, Rishi Kapoor, Neetu Singh |
| Adaalat |
1977 |
Narinder Bedi |
Kalyanji Anandji |
Amitabh (Double Role), Waheeda Rehman, Neetu Singh |
| Aalaap |
1977 |
Hrishikesh Mukherjee |
Jaidev |
Rekha |
| Amar Akbar Anthony* |
1977 |
Manmohan Desai |
Laxmikant Pyarelal |
Parveen Babi, Vinod Khanna, Rishi Kapoor, Shabana Azmi, Neetu Singh, Pran, Nirupa Roy, Nazir Hussain |
| Imaan Dharam |
1977 |
Desh Mukherjee |
Laxmikant Pyarelal |
Helen, Shashi Kapoor, Rekha, Sanjeev Kumar, Aparna Sen |
| Khoon Pasina |
1977 |
Rakesh Kumar |
Kalyanji Anandji |
Vinod Khanna, Rekha, Aruna Irani, Nirupa Roy |
| Parvarish |
1977 |
Manmohan Desai |
Laxmikant Pyarelal |
Vinod Khanna, Shammi Kapoor, Neetu Singh, Shabana Azmi |
| Besharam |
1978 |
Deven Verma |
Kalyanji Anandji |
Sharmila Tagore, Deven Verma (Triple Role) |
| Don |
1978 |
Chandra Barot |
Kalyanji Anandji |
Amitabh (Double Role), Zeenat Aman, Pran |
| Ganga Ki Saugandh |
1978 |
Sultan Ahmed |
Kalyanji Anandji |
Rekha, Amjad Khan |
| Kasme Vaade |
1978 |
Ramesh Behl |
R.D.Burman |
Raakhee, Randhir Kapoor, Neetu Singh |
| Trishul |
1978 |
Yash Chopra |
Khayyam |
Raakhee, Sanjeev Kumar, Shashi Kapoor, Sachin, Hema Malini, Poonam Dhillon, Waheeda Rehman |
| Muqaddar Ka Sikandar |
1979 |
Prakash Mehra |
Kalyanji Anandji |
Rekha, Vinod Khanna, Raakhee, Amjad Khan |
| Jurmaana |
1979 |
Hrishikesh Mukherjee |
R.D.Burman |
Raakhee, Vinod Mehra |
| Kaala Pathar |
1979 |
Yash Chopra |
Rajesh Roshan |
Raakhee, Shatrughan Sinha, Shashi Kapoor, Neetu Singh, Parveen Babi, Sanjeev Kumar |
| Mr. Natwarlal |
1979 |
Rakesh Kumar |
Rajesh Roshan |
Rekha, Amjad Khan |
| Suhaag |
1979 |
Manmohan Desai |
Laxmikant Pyarelal |
Rekha, Shashi Kapoor, Parveen Babi |
| The Great Gambler |
1979 |
Shakti Samanta |
R.D.Burman |
Amitabh (Double Role), Zeenat Aman, Neetu Singh |
| Anusandhan |
1980 |
Shakti Samanta |
R.D.Burman |
Raakhee |
| Do Aur Do Panch |
1980 |
Rakesh Kumar |
Rajesh Roshan |
Parveen Babi, Shashi Kapoor, Hema Malini |
| Dostana |
1980 |
Raj Khosla |
Laxmikant Pyarelal |
Zeenat Aman, Shatrughan Sinha, Amrish Puri, Prem Chopra |
| Ram Balram |
1980 |
Vijay Anand |
Laxmikant Pyarelal |
Rekha, Dharmendra, Zeenat Aman, Ajit |
| Shaan |
1980 |
Ramesh Sippy |
R.D.Burman |
Parveen Babi, Shashi Kapoor, Bindiya Goswami, Sunil Dutt, Raakhee, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Shatrughan Sinha |
| Barsaat Ki Ek Raat |
1980 |
Shakti Samanta |
R.D.Burman |
Raakhee, Amjad Khan |
| Manzil |
1981 |
Basu Chatterjee |
R.D.Burman |
Moushumi Chaterjee |
| Kaalia |
1981 |
Tinnu Anand |
R.D.Burman
Parveen Babi, Pran, Amjad Khan |
| Lawaaris |
1981 |
Prakash Mehra |
Kalyanji Anandji
Zeenat Aman, Amjad Khan, Raakhee |
| Naseeb |
1981 |
Manmohan Desai |
Laxmikant Pyarelal |
Hema Malini, Rishi Kapoor, Shatrughan Sinha, Kim, Reena Roy, Amjad Khan, Pran, Kader Khan, Raj Kapoor |
| Silsila |
1981 |
Yash Chopra |
Shiv-Hari |
Rekha, Jaya Bhaduri, Sanjeev Kumar, Shashi Kapoor |
| Nastik |
1982 |
Pramod Chakraborty |
Kalyanji Anandji |
Hema Malini, Pran, Amjad Khan, Rita Bhaduri |
| Yaarana |
1982 |
Rakesh Kumar |
Rajesh Roshan |
Neetu Singh, Amjad Khan |
| Bemisaal |
1982 |
Hrishikesh Mukherjee |
R.D.Burman |
Amitabh (Double Role), Raakhee, Vinod Mehra |
| Desh Premee |
1982 |
Manmohan Desai |
Laxmikant Pyarelal |
Hema Malini, Parveen Babi, Navin Nischol, Sharmila Tagore, Shammi Kapoor, Parikshit Sahni, Premnath, Uttam Kumar |
| Khuddaar |
1982 |
Ravi Tandon |
Rajesh Roshan |
Parveen Babi, Sanjeev Kumar, Vinod Mehra, Tanuja, Bindiya Goswami |
| Namak Halal |
1982 |
Prakash Mehra |
Bappi Lahiri |
Shashi Kapoor, Parveen Babi, Smita Patil, Waheeda Rehman, Om Prakash, Kader Khan |
| Satte Pe Satta |
1982 |
Raj N. Sippy |
R.D.Burman |
Amitabh (Double Role), Hema Malini, Ranjeeta, Sachin, Shakti Kapoor |
| Shakti |
1982 |
Ramesh Sippy |
R.D.Burman |
Dilip Kumar, Raakhee, Smita Patil, Anil Kapoor, Amrish Puri, Ashok Kumar |
| Pukaar |
1983 |
Ramesh Behl |
R.D.Burman |
Zeenat Aman, Randhir Kapoor, Tina Munim |
| Andha Kanoon |
1983 |
T. Rama Rao |
Laxmikant Pyarelal |
Rajnikant, Hema Malini, Madhavi, Reena Roy, Amrish Puri |
| Coolie |
1983 |
Prayag Raj & Manmohan Desai |
Laxmikant Pyarelal |
Rishi Kapoor, Waheeda Rehman, Rati Agnihotri, Suresh Oberoi, Kader Khan |
| Mahaan |
1983 |
S. Ramanathan |
R.D.Burman |
Amitabh (Triple Role), Parveen Babi, Zeenat Aman, Waheeda Rehman |
| Inquilaab |
1984 |
T. Rama Rao |
Laxmikant Pyarelal |
Sridevi, Utpal Dutt, Kader Khan |
| Sharaabi |
1984 |
Prakash Mehra |
Bappi Lahiri |
Jaya Prada, Pran, Om Prakash, Suresh Oberoi, Smita Patil |
| Girafthar |
1985 |
Prayag Raj |
Bappi Lahiri |
Kamalahasan, Rajnikant, Madhavi, Poonam Dhillon |
| Mard |
1985 |
Manmohan Desai |
Annu Malik |
Amrita Singh |
| Aakhree Raasta |
1986 |
K. Bhagyaraja |
Laxmikant Pyarelal |
Amitabh (Double Role), Jaya Prada, Sridevi, Sadashiv Amrapurkar |
| Hero Hiralal(G.A) |
1987 |
Ketan Mehta |
Babla |
Naseeruddin Shah |
| Jalwa (G.A) |
1987 |
Pankaj Parashar |
Anand Milind, Remo |
Naseeruddin Shah, Archana Puran Singh, Saeed Jaffry, Johny Lever |
| Shahenshah |
1987 |
Tinnu Anand |
Amar Utpal |
Meenakshi Seshadri, Supriya Pathak |
| Soorma Bhopali |
1988 |
Jagdeep |
Dilip Sen- Sameer Sen |
Jagdeep, Dharmendra, Rekha, Javed Jafri, Kader Khan, Danny, Ranjit |
| Ganga Jamuna Saraswati |
1988 |
Manmohan Desai |
Annu Malik |
Jaya Prada, Mithun Chakravarty, Meenakshi Seshadri |
| Kaun Jeeta Kaun Haara (G.A) |
1989 |
Rakesh Kumar |
Usha Khanna |
Aroona Irani, Madhu Kapur, Siraj Khan |
| Jadugar |
1989 |
Prakash Mehra |
Kalyanji Anandji |
Jaya Prada |
| Main Azaad Hoon |
1989 |
Tinnu Anand |
Amar Utpal |
Shabana Azmi |
| Toofan |
1989 |
Ketan Desai |
Annu Malik |
Amitabh (Double Role), Amrita Singh, Farooq Shaikh |
| Aaj Ka Arjun |
1990 |
K. C. Bokadia |
Bappi Lahiri |
Jaya Prada, Raadhika |
| Agneepath |
1990 |
Mukul Anand |
Laxmikant Pyarelal |
Mithun Chakravarty, Neelam, Madhavi, Danny |
| Krodh |
1990 |
??? |
??? |
Sanjay Dutt, Sunny Deol |
| Ajooba |
1991 |
Shashi Kapoor |
Laxmikant Pyarelal |
Rishi Kapoor, Dimple Kapadia, Sonam |
| Akayla |
1991 |
Ramesh Sippy |
Laxmikant Pyarelal |
Jackie Shroff, Amrita Singh, Meenakshi Seshadri, Shashi Kapoor, Aditya Pancholi |
| Hum |
1991 |
Mukul Anand |
Laxmikant Pyarelal |
Rajnikant, Govinda, Kimi Katkar, Shilpa Shirodkar, Deepa Sahi, Anupam Kher, Danny |
| Indrajeet |
1991 |
K. V. Raju |
R.D.Burman |
Jaya Prada, Neelam, Kumar Gaurav |
| Khuda Gawah |
1992 |
Mukul Anand |
Laxmikant Pyarelal |
Sridevi (Double Role), Nagarjuna, Shilpa Shirodkar, Danny |
|
| Insaaniyat |
1994 |
Tito, Toni |
Rajesh Roshan |
Jaya Pradha, Sunny Deol, Chunkey Pandey |
| Mrityudaata |
1997 |
Mehul Kumar |
Anand Milind |
Karisma Kapoor, Arbaaz Ali Khan, Dimple Kapadia, Ashish Vidyarthi, Daler Mehndi |
| Major Saab
|
1998 |
Virender Raj Anand |
Anand Raaj Anand |
Ajay Devgan, Nafisa Ali, Sonali Bendre |
|
| Bade Miya Chhote Miya |
1998 |
David Dhawan |
Viju Shah |
Govinda, Anupam Kher, Raveena Tandon |
| Lal Baadshah |
1999 |
K.C. Bokadia |
Aadesh Shrivastava |
Shakti Kapoor, Manisha Koirala, Shilpa Shetty, Amrish Puri, Nirupa Roy |
| Sooryavansham |
1999 |
E.V. Satyanarayana |
Anu Malik |
Rachana Banerjee, Saundarya, Anupam Kher, Kader Khan |
| Hindustan Ki Kasam |
1999 |
Veeru Devgan |
Sukhwindara Singh |
Ajay Devgan,Manisha Koirala,Sushmita Sen,Prem Chopra |
Kohraam
|
1999 |
Mehul Kumar |
Dilip & Sameer Sen |
Nana Patekar,Tabu,Jackie Shroff,Jaya Prada,Ayesha Jhulka, Shilpa |
| Mohabbatein |
2000 |
Aditya Chopra |
Jatin-Lalit |
Shahrukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai, Uday Chopra, Shamita Shetty, Jimmy Shergill, Preeti Jhangiani, Jugal Hansraj, Kim Sharma |
| Aks |
2001 |
Rakesh Mehra |
Anu Malik, Ranjit Barot |
Nandita Das, Manoj Bajpayee, Ravina Tandon |
| Ek Rishta - The bond of love |
2001 |
Suneel Darshan |
Nadeem Shravan |
Akshay Kumar, Juhi Chawla, Karisma Kapoor, Mohinish Behl, Rakhee, Ashish Vidyarthi, Shakti Kapoor, Anang Desai. |
| Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Gham (K3G) |
2002 |
Karan Johar |
Jatin-Lalit, Sandesh Shandilya |
Jaya Bachchan, Shahrukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Rani Mukherji, Kajol |
| Aankhen |
2002 |
Gaurang Doshi |
Aadesh Shrivastava, Jatin-Lalit, Nitin Raikwar |
Amitabh Bachchan, Sushmita Sen, Akshay Kumar, Arjun Rampal, Bipasha Basu, Paresh Rawal |
| Agnivarsha |
2002 |
Arjun Sajnani |
Sandesh Shandilya |
Amitabh Bachchan, Raveena Tandon, Nagarjun, Jackie Shroff, Prabhudeva |
| Kaante |
2002 |
Sanjay Gupta |
Anand Raj Anand |
Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt, Sunil Shetty, Mahesh Manjrekar, Kumar Gaurav, Lucky Ali, Rati Agnihotri, Shilpa Shetty. |
Amitabh also featured as Narrator in the movies Lagaan (2001), Hello Brother (1999), Tere Mere Sapne (1996), Bawarchi (1972), Buwan Shome (1969).
There is no one like Amitabh
"Amitabh is Amitabh".
"There's no one like Amitabh".
"Nobody can match Amitabh Bachchan's popularity".
These statements are almost run-of-the-mill today. Not just in the film trade but also among the general public. What is it that made Amitabh so different from the others of his ilk? Why, in the last 30 years, have we never had any actor who has had the same fan following and who could clearly step into his shoes? What is it that really made Bachchan stand above all the other stars who have come after the superstar first made an appearance on the screen in 1969 in Saat Hindustani?
Quite simply, the answer is Bachchan's string of box office hits. One after the other, the actor's films hit the jackpot with such sustained regularity that in the seventies and eighties, Amitabh Bachchan became the safest bet for producers, distributors and exhibitors alike.
The word 'alike' was used here to differentiate the scene that existed when Bachchan was the numero uno and the one that exists today. For instance, a Salman Khan today may guarantee mega bucks for the producer of his films but there is no like guarantee that distributors and exhibitors of his starrers will also make money. As in the case of his release, Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega, while producer Sajid Nadiadwala made comfortable crores in the film, several distributors and exhibitors who invested in it stood to lose. Ditto in the case of films of other topline stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan or Ajay Devgan, Anil Kapoor, Sunny Deol. For that matter, anybody else. Why, even current heart-throb Hrithik Roshan's Fiza did not get for its distributors and exhibitors (barring Bombay circuit) what it fetched for its producers.
That was not the case with Bachchan flicks. The only other actor who was close in popularity to Amitabh was Rajesh Khanna. The industry has never witnessed superstars of the like of these two. When hit films of other heroes used to do business of Rs 1 crore in a major circuit, Amitabh's average flicks used to cross the crore mark! Just a few examples of such average grossers of the superstar: Do Aur Do Paanch, Toofan, Gangaa Jamunaa Saraswathi...
Second, the mere name of the superstar was enough to draw in the crowds into cinemas in his heyday. Today, no hero can boast of such charisma as to lure the audiences to the theatres on the sheer strength of their names. Shah Rukh Khan's home production, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, could not even manage decent houses on the opening day, leave alone full houses. Anil Kapoor has never really drawn initial crowds; his starrers usually pick up by word of mouth publicity if they are good. Even action heroes like Ajay Devgan and Akshay Kumar have had to remain content with dismal openings of their flicks on more occasions than one. But the Bachchan magic was one of a kind.
| Whether it was Prakash Mehra's Zanjeer in 1973 -- after which there was no looking back for the star of stars. Or Manoj Kumar's multistar cast Roti Kapada Aur Makaan in 1974; Yash Chopra's evergreen Deewaar; Ramesh Sippy's all-time blockbuster Sholay in 1975; Bachchan's first film with Rekha, Do Anjaane in 1976; or Manmohan Desai's biggest entertainer, Amar Akbar Anthony in 1977 -- there were two common features in all these hits: Amitabh Bachchan's towering presence and a bumper box office initial draw.
Don, Trishul and Muqaddar Ka Sikandar made 1978 a memorable year for the Big B. The following year may not have been as good but Bachchan, nevertheless, did deliver Mr Natwarlal and Suhaag in the last year of the seventies. |
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A still from all time hit movie Deewar: The-war between brothers |
The eighties were equally exciting for the superstar who did not seem to age at all. Today, when heroes find it difficult to hold their own for even ten years, Amitabh Bachchan ruled the box office for over two decades as the undisputed Maharaja of movies with no close second! Ram Balram, Laawaris, Naseeb, Khud-dar, Andhaa Kaanoon, Coolie, Sharaabi and Mard were some of the great hits in the first half of the eighties.
Of course, when Amitabh Bachchan reigned supreme, films did not have to face the opposition of video and cable piracy as today. Cinema-going was the only and cheapest form of entertainment for the masses who identified with the angry young man. But where films of the great actor did not have to fight the piracy battle or even the opposition of countless satellite channels, the media hype, too, was far less in his case. He did not have every television channel covering him or his films because there were simply no satellite channels. (He even went off press for a few years but for that, he had himself to blame.)
Yet another factor that went in Bachchan's favour in making him the darling of all sections of the society was his unbelievable versatility. It is not for nothing that Big B became a superstar. Although he was adored in angry young man roles, he never let down his fans in non-action films, too.
Comedy, like action, was his forte and if he could represent the frustrations of the helpless youth of those times, he could as well play the comedian with equal elan. Chupke Chupke and Amar Akbar Anthony come to mind instantly when one thinks of Bachchan's flair for comedy. With the same ease, Amitabh played the intense mature lover as in Kabhi Kabhie and Silsila.
The range which Bachchan portrayed in his performances remains unmatched even today. Like the superstar's fees those days! The actor used to command a remuneration which was more than double that commanded by the actor who was second in popularity. It was Amitabh who started the trend of an actor taking the distribution rights of a major territory like Bombay in lieu of his remuneration. And while distribution rights were, in those days, generally sold for ten years, the superstar got perpetual rights as his fees.
Today, films do businesses of Rs 15 and Rs 20 crore per major territory. But in the seventies and eighties, when 1 crore was the magical figure, several of Bachchan starrers touched and even crossed the 1-crore mark. Three or 4 films of his even touched Rs 2 and Rs 2.5 crore. Of course, Sholay did a business of over Rs 4 crore in its first run. Add to that a couple of more crores in its repeat runs!
Amitabh is also the last star to have had a universal appeal that cut across geographical boundaries. Whether it was the man on the street in Ludhiana in the North or Latur in the midwest, whether it was a company executive in Porbandar in Western India or a college student studying in Patna in East India, the fondness for Bachchan was the same.
Today, a Sunny Deol runs more in Northern India because of his action image, a Govinda is a hot favourite of UP and Bihar whereas a Shah Rukh Khan flick records generally dull collections in Bihar. That is to say, Amitabh's charm affected the audiences in the North, South, East and West in the same way. (Now, whether Hrithik will be able to sustain his initial all-India acceptance is to be seen.) Why, just in India, across the seven seas too, Amitabh reigned supreme for over two decades. His superhit stage shows bore testimony to his immense popularity the world over.
Again, today, when jubilees are more manipulated than the truth, Amitabh's films celebrated genuine silver, golden and platinum jubilees. Amar Akbar Anthony in 1997 celebrated silver jubilee in as many as nine cinemas of Bombay -- a record unparalleled even today. As many as six of Amitabh's films released in 1978 celebrated jubilees -- yet another record, which remains unequalled till today. And he had a total of seven releases that year. The six jubilees were Khoon Pasina, Don, Ganga Ki Saugand, Trishul, Kasme Vaade and Muqaddar Ka Sikandar. As if the six jubilees weren't proof enough of the superstar's stardom, the nationwide hysteria that followed a life-threatening injury on the sets of Coolie saw the entire nation praying for this man's recovery.
Amitabh got a new lease of life after he recovered from the accident. The film, of course, went on to become a runaway hit. Manmohan Desai played up to people's sentiments and froze the action shot in which Amitabh was injured. An aside: Punit Issar, who accidentally caused the near-fatal injury to Bachchan became a household name thereafter and also bagged a number of roles. He is today better known as Duryodhan in the epic television serial, Mahabharat.
EVEN after Bachchan's downswing began in the late eighties, the actor managed to make successes out of ordinary films like Shahenshah in 1988, Aaj Ka Arjun in 1990 and Hum in 1991.
Bade Miyan Chote Miyan in 1998 might have crossed the average line because of Govinda's antics but Amitabh Bachchan's towering presence in the David Dhawan flick cannot be overlooked. A three-year sabbatical in the nineties was followed by a disastrous comeback with his first home production, ABCL's Mrityudaata, a film which Amitabh's critics condemned as the death of the actor. But BMCM and Major Saab gave him a breather.
With Kaun Banega Crorepati airing now* on Star Plus, the ageing actor's fan following has increased tremendously once again. Critics derided Amitabh's foray into television and predicted the end of his career on the big screen. Far from it.
For the superstar is now playing his age in the true sense -- whether in Aditya Chopra's Mohabbatein or Karan Johar's Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham. For another, he is doing films with directors who are among the most reliable in the country today -- something which Bachchan failed to do for the good part of the nineties.
* off-air since January 2002
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