In today’s weekend blog, I am back with Bollywood.
With more than 200 films over a career spanning 57 years, AMITABH BACHCHAN has become one of the defining figures of Indian cinema. His influence continues to inspire actors, filmmakers and audiences around the world. Amitabh, who turns 84 in October, here are 10 essential films that define the extraordinary career of Bollywood’s greatest superstar.
1 Zanjeer 1973
Prakash Mehra’s action drama is the first of his many collaborations with Bachchan. It also catapulted the previously struggling actor’s reputation to that of a movie star in his own right. The role itself earned him the title “Angry Young Man”. This image was later synonymous with his stoicism in films such as Deewar and Sholay, both widely successful.
2 Deewar 1975
A story of two brothers on either side of the law, Yash Chopra’s drama is one of the most influential films released in Indian cinema’s mainstream spectrum. If Zanjeer established the Angry Young Man, Deewar set out to mould his aura into a palpable anti-establishment character furious at the world. Bachchan’s swagger was an enhancement to the cynical contempt his character Vijay held against the status quo, turning him into a memorable character.
3 Chupke Chupke 1975
There may be many lovable films in celebrated director Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s filmography, but this is a rare classic comedy that can be watched again and again. Bachchan is part of the supporting cast, with Dharmendra and Sharmila Tagore headlining the show as newly-weds staging an elaborate charade to prove a point. His flabbergasted monologue and the chemistry he shares with Jaya Bhaduri (whom he married in 1973) make this an underrated slab of comedic gold.
4 Sholay 1975
Ramesh Sippy’s Hindi production was technically the most groundbreaking film of its time. Bachchan, yet again, is part of a broader ensemble cast that includes Dharmendra, Hema Malini, Sanjeev Kumar, Jaya Bachchan and Amjad Khan as quotable villain Gabbar Singh. Amitabh doesn’t only hold his own but shines in its most unexpected moments.
5 Don 1978
Written by Salim-Javed and directed by Chandra Barot, Don is an absolute blast. It is the ultimate comfort film for people who love vintage Bollywood action. With lavish production design, it stars Bachchan in the dual role of sauve titular crime lord and unrelated simpleton Vijay, who have personalities as different as chalk and cheese. The star made the most of his imposing screen presence as Don, looking stylish as hell and ending the lives of his opponents without batting an eye.
6 Silsila 1981
Yash Chopra’s production was, at the time, one of two prominent films in Hindi cinema-the other being Mahesh Bhatt’s Arth-to get honest with its viewers. Bachchan is phenomenal as Amit, a man stuck between the “right thing” and indulging in the one thing he wants the most-reuniting with his estranged lover. His on-screen chemistry with Rekha gave the film old-world charm.
7 Aks 2001
This is probably the wildest movie that stars Bachchan as a protagonist. Rakesh Mehra’s first film as a director features him as a police officer. You’d expect an everyday hunt-for-a-serial-killer-101-narrative, with his determination to nab an unhinged killer picking up pace. But then bad gut is caught way too early, and this is where it all starts to hit the fan, giving Bachchan the chance to dig into the insanity of his role.
8 Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna 2006
This was Karan Johar’s first foray into what ends up being an incredibly stressful relationship drama. While this delves into the domino effect of dysfunctional relationships, Bachchan seems to like he’s having a ball playing borderline-sleazy comic relief, bringing nuance to what could have been an endorsement of his problematic traits. He’s not the point of focus of the film’s narrative here, but his stellar work makes for one of the most heartbreaking scenes in the drama’s second act.
9 Paa 2009
Probably one of the most physically transformative roles in his filmography, Auro, 12 suffers from a rare genetic mutation that has caused him to age rapidly. While the plot of R Balki’s film is a sweet take on life and mortality, Bachchan’s performance as Auro is probably among his best work. It shows in his commitment to go through the prosthetics work required to make his character look believable and his ability to display theatrical performance grounded in reality.
10 Piku 2015
Deepika Padukone may have stolen the show in Shoojit Sarkar’s comedy-drama on reverse parenting, but without Bachchan’s comically frustrating point of conflict, the film wouldn’t have had masterful impact in its final moments. Bachchan is an imposing presence whose pitch-perfect comic timing is bettered only by his uncanny ability to flabbergast viewers into wondering whether to laugh or scream at the screen.
You could add two more films of Bachchan to this list, where his performances were very appreciated, and they are Agneepath (1991) and Black (2005).
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
24th July 2026