Ahead of Amitabh Bachchan's 80th birthday, which falls on the 11th of October, we are celebrating the Shahenshah of Bollywood who is more than just a household name in India. Actor, producer, television host and playback singer, Amitabh Bachchan's total movies are close to 200 films. With a film for every mood, this mega superstar has taken the world by storm as he displays his talent that is beyond our abilities to put into words.
From his romance in Kabhi Kabhie to gripping drama in Deewaar and Zanjeer, the film fraternity celebrates 80 years of this legend and 50 years of iconic performances on his birthday. A unique film festive — Bachchan Back To The Beginning, in collaboration with PVR Cinemas, will celebrate the icon for four days from October 8 to 11, 2022. A collection of 11 blockbuster Amitabh Bachchan movies will be played in 17 cities, covering 172 showcases on 30 screens in 22 cinema halls across India.
Kaala Patthar
One of the best Amitabh Bachchan movies to watch in honour of the legend’s birthday is Kaala Patthar. Inspired by true events, Kaala Patthar features Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor and Shatrughan Sinha. His role as Vijay, an ex-naval officer working as a coal miner who risks his life to fight for justice, is a true story of the mining tragedy in Bihar.
Packed with suspense, drama and gripping action, Amitabh Bachchan proves that whatever movie of the superstar you pick, there will be no disappointment.
Kaalia
Celebrate Amitabh Bachchan's birthday by watching his action thriller film, Kaalia, on the big screen once again. Starring beauties like Parveen Babi and Asha Parekh, Kaalia was the eighth highest-grossing Indian film in 1981. Playing the role of Kallu in the movie, Amitabh is seen in a negative light in the movie. He seeks vengeance for his brother’s death and tries to clear his name from a murder that he did not commit.
An intriguing plot line that will keep you on the edge of your seat till the very end, this is a must-watch if you haven't already.
Kabhi Kabhie
A love story from the ’70s, this Amitabh Bacchan film will take you back to an era when kisses happened behind flowers and love marriages were still overcoming social stigmas. In a world where destiny had cruel plans for Amit (Amitabh Bachchan) and Pooja (Rakhee), the two drift into separate but unhappy worlds of their own. But as destiny would have it, a new generation brings two old lovers together as friends. Watch this calming romantic movie to know how a chain of events brings Amit and Pooja face to face after two decades.
Amar Akbar Anthony
In the list of Amitabh Bachchan movies, Amar Akbar Anthony defines the era of the ’70s. A multi-starrer blockbuster, the film features Amitabh as Anthony, Rishi Kapoor as Akbar, and Vinod Khanna as Amar. Three siblings, separated and raised in different religious households, reunite to avenge their separation. A mix of drama and comedy with soulful music, Amar Akbar Anthony broke all records during its release and is an evergreen film to watch on any given day.
Namak Halaal
A typical Indian masala film that made about INR 12 crores in 1982, Namak Halaal was a box office superhit and won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi. Amitabh Bachchan also won the award for the best actor for his role as Arjun, a bellboy in a five-star restaurant. Packed with comedy, drama and punchy dialogues, Prakash Mehra’s Namak Halaal also gave India its iconic song ‘Jawaani Jaan-E-Man, Haseen Dilruba’ which is played at parties to date.
Abhimaan
A timeless classic, Abhimaan was the first movie that paired the actor with his then-to-be wife Jaya, as a couple. Director Hrishikesh Mukherjee brought out raw emotions of love and jealousy of Subir, played by Amitabh, a singer who pushed his wife, Usha, to pursue her singing career. Driven by jealousy about his wife’s roaring popularity, their relationship goes through a turbulent phase before Subir realises his mistake. Watch Amitabh and Jaya in a romantic drama on the legend’s 80th birthday and enjoy the film’s evergreen soundtrack.
Don
The crime-action-thriller, Don, is one of the best Amitabh Bachchan movies to watch the actor in a powerful role. Playing the part of a dangerous gangster, Don is a wanted criminal who succumbs to his fate in a police chase. Vijay, his doppelganger, takes his place and runs his cartel to trace the lengths of Don’s illegal activities. Though the movie has been remade by Shahrukh Khan, the original Don of Indian cinema proves that no one can do it better than him.
Satte Pe Satta
A fun comedy and drama-packed movie, Satte Pe Satta brings Amitabh Bachchan opposite Hema Malini in an endearing role. The oldest of seven brothers, Ravi, played by Amitabh, brings home a nurse, Indu, who becomes a guardian to his six rowdy siblings. Slowly, the two fall in love, get married and change the haphazard lifestyle of the six boys who grew up and lived like unkempt animals. This family-style comedy-drama is a lighthearted watch that portrays the actor in a positive role of an elder brother.
Mili
Another one of Amitabh Bachchan’s romantic dramas, directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, brings the actor opposite his wife Jaya in Mili. The story is about Shekhar, a depressed alcoholic, who falls in love with Mili, who suffers from an incurable disease. Her fun spirit and cheerful nature compel Shekhar to fall in love with her. But when he finds out about her ailment, the thought of losing her makes him want to change his marriage plans. What happens in the love story next, will Shekhar abandon Mili, or will he be with her till the end?
Chupke Chupke
One of the most loved Amitabh Bacchan films that garnered him fans from across the globe, Chupke Chupke puts the actor’s versatile skills to a test. Bringing the legendary duo of Dharmendra and Bachchan back to the big screen after Sholay, Chupke Chupke is a light-hearted comedy from the ’70s. Professor Parimal Tripathi (Dharmendra) takes the help of his friend Sukumar Sinha (Bachchan) to play a trick on his brother-in-law Raghav (Om Prakash). Sukumar’s role as a loud driver for Raghav is hilarious and shows Amitabh in a comic role that the audience loved.
Deewaar
An iconic film from 1975, Deewaar is one of the finest Amitabh Bachchan movies that was a crowd-pleaser. The story revolves around two brothers who grew up as vastly different individuals. One was a law abider, and the other a rugged criminal, the only similarity between both was an unconditional love for their mother. A superhit, Deewaar won seven Filmfare Awards and bagged five National Awards for Amitabh Bachchan during the period of its release.
On the occasion of the superstar’s 80th birthday, celebrate his innate talent by watching 11 Amitabh Bachchan movies that portray him in a variety of diverse roles. From watching Amitabh Bachchan's first movie to setting the mood in an Amitabh Bachchan dress, grab a bucket of popcorn and get set bingeing.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication only.