Join us in celebrating Amitabh Bachchan’s birthday with a look at ten of his most unforgettable Bollywood roles!
Amitabh Bachchan, one of the greatest, most accomplished, and commercially successful actors in Indian cinema, celebrates his 82nd birthday today! Known as the Shahenshah of Bollywood, Big B's dominance in the industry during the 1970s and '80s led French director François Truffaut to describe him as a ‘one-man industry.’ His birthday is a day of celebration for his massive fanbase. Over his decades-long career, the legendary actor has given us many iconic films. Let's take a look back at some of his most memorable roles in Bollywood.
In this iconic film, Amitabh Bachchan takes on a memorable double role, portraying both the elusive gangster Don and his lookalike, Vijay—a name that has since become synonymous with the megastar. Don, an action thriller directed by Chandra Barot, also features an impressive cast including Zeenat Aman, Pran, Iftekhar, Om Shivpuri, and Satyen Kappu.
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In this vigilante action film produced and directed by Tinnu Anand, Amitabh Bachchan plays the dual role of Vijay Kumar Srivastava, a seemingly corrupt cop by day who accepts bribes from criminals. However, by night, he transforms into Shahenshah, a powerful figure who seeks justice by bringing those same criminals to their knees.
Prakash Mehra's action drama ‘Zanjeer’ was the first of many successful collaborations with Amitabh Bachchan and became a box office hit. The film introduced audiences to Bachchan's “angry young man” persona, marking a pivotal moment in his career. His portrayal of Inspector Vijay Khanna gave a new dimension to Bachchan as an actor, solidifying his place in Indian cinema.
Regarded as one of the greatest and most influential Indian films of all time, ‘Sholay’ features some of the most cherished one-liners and humorous moments tailored for Amitabh Bachchan's character. This cult classic is so iconic that the friendship between Jai and Veeru has become synonymous with true camaraderie, and every strong friendship is often referred to by their names.
In Yash Chopra's gripping drama, the story revolves around two brothers on opposite sides of the law. The film masterfully explores the vulnerability hidden within even the most ruthless of men. Amitabh Bachchan's portrayal of Vijay, with his signature swagger, perfectly complements the character's cynical disdain for the system, turning him into one of the most memorable figures in Bollywood cinema.
Amitabh Bachchan reprises his role as Amit Malhotra for the second time after ‘Kabhie Kabhie’ in this compelling story centered on a love triangle. The narrative follows romantic playwright Amit (played by Bachchan), his wife Shobha (Jaya Bachchan), and his former lover Chandni (Rekha). After being compelled to leave his girlfriend and marry someone else, the dynamics shift dramatically when the old flames reunite after years apart, leading to unexpected consequences.
In the masala film ‘Amar Akbar Anthony,’ directed and produced by Manmohan Desai, Amitabh Bachchan takes on the role of a street-smart Catholic. It’s hard to imagine anyone else but Bachchan bringing Anthony Gonsalves to life.
Directed by Prakash Mehra, ‘Muqaddar Ka Sikandar’ features Amitabh Bachchan in his fifth of nine collaborations with the filmmaker, alongside a talented cast that includes Vinod Khanna, Raakhee, Rekha, Ranjeet, and Amjad Khan in key roles. The film tells the poignant story of Sikandar, an orphan raised in the slums of Bombay, with its plot loosely inspired by the Bengali novel ‘Devdas’ and the French play ‘Cyrano de Bergerac.’
The comedy-drama ‘Paa,’ directed by R. Balki, stars Amitabh Bachchan in one of the most physically transformative roles of his career—Auro. Auro is a child who suffers from a rare genetic disorder that causes him to age rapidly. While the film offers a heartwarming take on life and mortality, it is Bachchan's portrayal of Auro that truly stands out, marking one of the finest performances in his illustrious career.
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In the comedy-drama ‘Piku,’ directed by Shoojit Sircar, Amitabh Bachchan portrays Bhashkor Banerjee, the quirky father of Deepika Padukone’s character, Piku. Bachchan’s powerful screen presence and flawless comic timing, combined with Padukone’s depiction of reverse parenting, contributed significantly to the film’s success.
