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Abhishek Bachchan’s entry into Bollywood wasn’t easy. The son of legendary actors Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan, Abhishek had all eyes set on him. He had a reputation to maintain, and expectations to meet. Regardless of how his close ones must have supported the actor, it could not have been easy. So, what did he do? He rose to the occasion with his first hit - Refugee, and went on to establish himself as a talented actor. As he turns 47 this year, the world can’t help but admire his versatile performances.
Abhishek Bachchan made his debut in the film industry in 2000 with Refugee, a movie directed by JP Dutta and starring Kareena Kapoor. The film tells the story of a refugee couple. Over the past 23 years, Bachchan has established a prominent place for himself in Bollywood and was even listed as one of India's most influential people by TIME magazine in 2007. In recent years, his return to the industry has garnered much attention, particularly through his performances in critically acclaimed films such as Breathe and Ludo.
Additionally, Bachchan has a successful singing career, is a renowned voiceover artist, and has even made a guest appearance on the Oprah Winfrey show with his wife, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. He was born on February 5th, 1975 and will turn 47 in 2023. Aren’t Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai couple goals? A man who started out with so much to prove has garnered so much praise over his career as an actor.
If you want to explore Abhishek Bachchan’s movie list and his acting range, take a look at these 12 movies that made a dent in Indian cinema. Here’s wishing the mighty star a very happy birthday with this much-need throwback of Abhishek Bachchan’s best movies.
12 Abhishek Bachchan movies you must watch
1. Ludo
Ludo is an anthology film that follows the interconnected lives of four individuals. The movie features a vibrant colour palette, an upbeat storyline, and a creative narrative that keeps viewers engaged until the end. In the film, Abhishek Bachchan plays a criminal who has recently been released from prison. He is heartbroken when he discovers that his wife has married his closest friend and his daughter no longer recognises him. The film follows a series of events as he seeks revenge, ultimately finding peace in acceptance. The movie was nominated for various awards for its direction and music, and also stars popular actors such as Pankaj Mishra, Rajkumar Rao, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Sanya Malhotra, and Aditya Roy Kapoor. It is a must-watch on Netflix, perfect for a cosy Sunday afternoon.
2. Manmarziyaan
Manmarziyaan left a lasting impression on its viewers. The story follows a woman, Rumi (played by Tapsee Pannu), who is forced to marry a stranger, despite her desire to marry her boyfriend. Her husband, Robbie (played by Abhishek Bachchan), promises to love and support her unconditionally, and instead of severing ties with her, he respects her space and choices. The story takes an unexpected turn as Rumi experiences some personal revelations. Directed by Anurag Kashyap, the film is a masterful display of storytelling. It was nominated for several awards, including Best Actor and Best Actress. The film also marked Abhishek Bachchan's return to acting after a long hiatus. The movie is rated A and is not suitable for children due to its mature themes.
3. Refugee
This emotionally turbulent movie is what kickstarted Abhishek Bachchan’s career as an actor in the year 2000. He played the role of a refugee, a man who helped people relocate to Pakistan or India in the post-partition chaos. His job was to transport them and he saw them as nothing but goods to be moved. However, eventually, he comes across Nazneen (played by Kareena Kapoor) and the two of them fall in love with each other. There are so many things that could go wrong in their lives. Will the couple get married and escape this unsettling way of life? The movie is a striking visual portrayal of post-partition India and how it changes the world as people know it. Its soundtrack is a treat to music lovers with songs like ‘Aisa Lagta Hai’ penned by the maestro Javed Akhtar. Both Abhishek Bachchan and Kareena Kapoor won the Best Actor and Actress awards at the International Film Academy. It is one of the most impactful of all of Abhishek Bachchan’s movies.
4. Guru
A movie with a soundtrack that continues to age like fine wine, Guru reinvented modern Bollywood movies. It was Abhishek Bachchan’s most-loved movie and also one where he was first cast alongside his wife, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. The movie revolves around the life of Gurukant Desai, a villager who struggles to rise as a business tycoon in India. He marries Sujata but ignores her dark past as he focuses on his goal to get rich. Does he achieve everything that he sets out to or does Sujata’s past haunt him forever? The movie produced the hit track ‘Barso’, sung by Shreya Ghoshal, a catchy tune that reminds you of the Indian monsoons.
5. Dostana
Dostana carefully tackled a very difficult subject that India wasn’t ready to accept - same-sex relationships. The movie stars Priyanka Chopra, John Abraham and Abhishek Bachchan in lead roles. The male characters Sameer and Kunal want to rent an apartment in Miami and only manage to secure one, while pretending to be a gay couple. They move in with Neha (played by Priyanka) and the three end up becoming great friends. However, how long can they continue playing this game? The movie adds a humorous touch to ease a sensitive topic into the minds of Indians. While it has come under some criticism today for mocking homosexual relationships, it was evidently ahead of its time in initiating a conversation. The movie’s loved tracks ‘Desi Girl’ and ‘Jaane Kyu’ are still played in clubs.
6. Paa
A feel-good Bollywood movie that makes it to the Abhishek Bachchan hit movies list, Paa revolves around a 13-year-old kid diagnosed with Progeria. Paa has a special place in the hearts of Indians. Progeria is a condition that accelerates an individual’s aging process. The character of Auro is played by Amitabh Bachchan who is unrecognisable under all that makeup. The storyline focuses on his relationship with his father (played by Abhishek Bachchan), a politician, and how they navigate through life as a family. The movie is a rollercoaster ride through the challenges of being a politician and surviving as a family despite the challenges. The song Mudi Mudi is a musical masterpiece that will live through the years to come. The movie was nominated for several awards and has left its mark on its audience.
7. Raavan
If you want to watch Mani Ratnam’s masterpieces, start with Raavan. Starring Aishwarya Rai as Ragini Sharma, the movie follows her kidnapping by Beera Munda (played by Abhishek Bachchan). A chase ensues between Beera and Dev, Ragini’s husband. Is everything really what it seems, or is there more to it? Over time, Ragini also develops affection for Beera and what follows will break your heart. Raavan was critically acclaimed and is a visual treat with its magnificent sceneries and backdrops. This movie was also one of Abhishek Bachchan’s finest performances.
8. Dhoom series
The Dhoom series gave India a new genre: action-packed crime thrillers. While the first one will always be the best, the subsequent movies had their own charm too. Hrithik’s costume changes were out of this world, right? The first movie revolves around a group of con men hellbent on stealing from a casino. The second one had Hrithik pairing up with Aishwarya to steal not just the Kohinoor, but the audience's hearts as well. The third one starred Amir Khan and Katrina Kaif, a couple of circus actors who want to make a name for themselves. In each of the movies, Abhishek Bachchan plays a no-nonsense cop called Jai Dixit. The chase and the mystery have you on the edge of your seats and Abhishek really manages to have you wishing that the bad guys win. Dhoom is one of his best movies and is worth watching with your family.
9. Delhi-6
Delhi-6 is a visual commentary on the communal disparities in India. Directed by Rakesh Omprakash Mehra, it stars Sonam Kapoor, Waheeda Rehman, Abhishek Bachchan, Aditi Rao Hydari and Rishi Kapoor. The story focuses on the life of Roshan (played by Abhishek) who comes back to India from abroad with his grandmother. He lives in old Delhi and experiences a very unique way of life in its narrow lanes and old houses. He starts liking a girl, Bittu, who promises to elope with a guy Suresh after he promises to help her build her career as a singer. Eventually, Roshan helps her see Suresh’s truth and Bittu reveals that she likes him too. The movie has a very gripping story that focuses on communal disharmony in India and its after-effects. It also gave the world musical gems such as ‘Masakalli’ and ‘Genda Phool’. This is one you need to make it to your Abhishek Bachchan movies list.
10. Yuva
Yuva is an evergreen political thriller that focuses on the lives of three young men, each aspiring for a dream. While the movie starts out with abstract, unconnected scenes, eventually everything comes together and starts making sense. The tragedy of politics in today’s world is the highlight of this movie. It focuses on relationships, love and the struggle of today’s youth in bringing about reform despite the political corruption in today’s world. Will each character get what they seek? While most critics have given this movie an average rating, it is one of Mani Ratnam’s gems that shouldn’t be missed.
Are you curious about Abhishek Bachchan's most successful films? The actor has an extensive list of noteworthy movies that have left a lasting impact. Bachchan's filmography is a testament to his unparalleled versatility as an actor. He bears the weight of both industry and audience expectations, yet he continues to prove himself as a talented actor. Being the child of legendary actors comes with its own challenges, but Bachchan's hit movies demonstrate that he has taken it in stride, focusing on his growth as an actor. Today, the world is blessed with a gifted actor and we wish him a very happy birthday.
Photo: Instagram/Abhishek Bachchan