Jaya Bachchan made her Bollywood debut with Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s 'Guddi' in 1971, but before that, she appeared in Satyajit Ray’s Bengali film 'Mahanagar', now considered a classic.
Screen acting is less about acting and more about reacting. Simply put, one has to feel the moment and respond accordingly, letting it show without forcing it. Jaya Bachchan does this effortlessly. She listens, absorbs, and delivers her performance with a natural grace that makes every scene feel alive. And what sets her apart is her sharp understanding of tone. In a mainstream Bollywood drama, she brings emotion that’s big and bold. But place her in a quiet, art-house setting, and she would go into subtlety, using silence and small expressions for the job. She knows exactly where and how much to pitch her performance. Take any of her work, from 'Guddi' decades ago to the recent 'Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani', and you'd see that the most powerful moments on screen come not from doing more, but from doing just enough—and doing it truthfully.
Jaya Bachchan in 'Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani'
One of Hindi cinema's most accomplished actresses, Jaya Bachchan celebrates her 77th birthday today. On this occasion, we share an interesting fact about her that you probably didn't know.
While 'Guddi' marked Jaya Bachchan’s debut in Hindi cinema, she had already made her first screen appearance years earlier in a Satyajit Ray classic. At the age of 14, she appeared in 'Mahanagar' (1963), a landmark Bengali film, where she played a small but memorable role as Bani, the younger sister-in-law of the protagonist. Here, she shared the screen with legendary artists like Anil Chatterjee and Madhabi Mukherjee. Though her screen time was limited, her presence was unforgettable—natural, confident, and quietly charming.
(1963) 15 yr old Jaya Bhaduri in her first film, with Anil Chatterjee and Madhabi Mukherjee - Satyajit Ray's 'Mahanagar'#JayaBachchan born on this day! pic.twitter.com/v7muefkI2D
— Film History Pics (@FilmHistoryPic) April 9, 2022
(Credit: Film History Pics)
This early exposure to the world of Ray’s cinema no doubt influenced her understanding of character-driven storytelling. It also perhaps explains her lifelong ability to balance the grand emotions of mainstream Bollywood with the realism of parallel cinema.
'Mahanagar', one of Ray's finest films, is a powerful exploration of the shifting dynamics of gender roles in a conservative Indian household. Set in 1950s Kolkata, it follows Arati (played by Madhabi Mukherjee), a middle-class housewife who decides to step out and take up a job as a saleswoman to support her family. What begins as a practical decision soon turns into a personal awakening, as Arati discovers confidence, independence, and her own voice in a world that rarely lets women speak up.
The film beautifully captures the tension between tradition and modernity through its characters—Arati’s supportive husband Subrata (Anil Chatterjee), her skeptical father-in-law Priyogopal (Haren Chatterjee), and her colleagues from different walks of life. Among them is Bani, the teenage sister-in-law played by a young Jaya Bhaduri (later Bachchan), who adds depth to the household’s internal world. She's a student, curious and observant, and shares a warm bond with Arati. And somewhere, she remains trapped between Arati's modernity and her mother's (Sefalika Devi) conservative mindset.
(Credit: Shemaroo Bengali)
Even at such a young age, Jaya Ji delivered an incredible performance. Her subtle expressions and natural charm hinted at the remarkable star she would become.
After 'Mahanagar', young Jaya Bhaduri caught the attention of Bengali filmmakers and was soon flooded with offers. But instead of jumping into the limelight, she chose to be selective. She appeared in two more Bengali films at that time: a 13-minute short 'Suman' and the comedy 'Dhanyee Meye', where she played the role of Uttam Kumar's (Bengal's biggest superstar of all time) sister-in-law.
(Credit: ECHO FILMS)
With a clear focus on craft over fame, Jaya enrolled at the prestigious Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, and graduated with a gold medal. It was here that veteran filmmaker Hrishikesh Mukherjee spotted her potential. Impressed by her natural acting skills, he offered her the lead role in 'Guddi'—a film about a star-struck schoolgirl who learns that real life is very different from reel life.
(1971) Jaya Bhaduri in & as ‘Guddi’#JayaBachchan pic.twitter.com/i6N2bbq7d6
— Film History Pics (@FilmHistoryPic) December 2, 2019
(Credit: Film History Pics)
Her performance in ''Guddi' was refreshing, relatable, and completely unfiltered—a stark contrast to the glamour-driven Bollywood heroines of the time. She instantly connected with audiences, becoming the face of the “girl next door” in the industry. And well, there was no looking back after that.
Happy Birthday, Jaya Ji!
