Not many actors in Bollywood have earned recognition of Amitabh Bachchan. Since the 1970’s, Bachchan has become a Bollywood icon. Whether it’s wise teachers, frustrated fathers or corrupt police-officers, Bachchan has portrayed several characters. Given the sheer number of movies he has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films made by an actor that deserves to be celebrated.
1. Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham
Bollywood movies have shaped my grandfather’s identity. During my childhood, I developed a strong relationship with a grandfather that acknowledged Bollywood. I recall with nostalgia fond memories of a grandpa appreciating Bollywood Cinema. He would always enjoy watching movies set in countries that he valued highly. A fan of Amitabh Bachchan, my grandfather always regarded Bollywood movies with appreciation. My grandfather loved all types of Indian movies but his personal favourite was always “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham”. Released in 2001, Amitabh Bachchan’s best movie captured the life of a dysfunctional Indian family. In the greatest role of his career, Bachchan portrayed an aging patriarch struggling to care for a broken family facing despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Bachchan has spent most of his career playing likeable heroes in Bollywood dramas. With “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham”, however, the actor showcased rare emotional range he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Shah Rukh Khan who is also outstanding, Bachchan created a Bollywood drama that’s captivating. For instance, the scene in which Yash throws his son out of the household after he falls in love with a housekeeper causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” Amitabh Bachchan’s best movie is its appeal. Unlike most Bollywood movies, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. The film delivers a meaningful message about family which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 30 years following the release of a film about dysfunctional families in India, it’s a breathtaking reminder about an actor with charisma whose memorable movies always attract audiences towards Cinema.
2. Black
Blindness is a disability that shaped my friend’s identity. I remember forming a friendship with a girl in school that suffered from vision impairment which was cruel. Born without clear eyesight, she was a bright girl that was determined to overcome her disability’s plight. She was determined to overcome her vision impairment disability. As someone treasuring memories of a girl that saw only black, I adored “Black”. Released in 2005, Amitabh Bachchan’s movie captured the life of a blind woman facing adversity. In the most wise role of his career, Bachchan portrayed a therapist that seeks to care for a blind woman causing despair. Bachchan has always excelled at playing strong leaders in positions of power, and “Black” showcased his strengths as an actor. Working alongside Rani Mukherji who is also outstanding, Bachchan created a portrait of blindness that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Debraj becomes aware that he suffers from memory loss causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Black” a Bollywood classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about blind women, it tackles commemorated themes that everyone would relate to. A breathtaking portrait of women that are blind, it’s a brilliant reminder about a one-of-a-kind actor that has always left a lasting legacy behind.
3. The Great Gatsby
The Great Gatsby is a great book that shaped my teacher always loved dearly. I remember an English teacher that grew up to treasure the book as timeless pieces of literature. He would love discussing a book about mysterious millionaires about which he came to deeply care. In 2013, Amitabh Bachchan honoured the legendary book about great millionaires in his movie “The Great Gatsby”. In the most mysterious role of his career, Bachchan portrayed a businessman that forms a strong friendship with a millionaire facing despair. It gave the actor a rare chance to showcase his talent for stealing the show in a supporting role with limited screen-time. Working alongside Leonardo DiCaprio who is also outstanding, Bachchan honoured a book about millionaires that’s captivating. For instance, the scene in which Meyer Wolfsheim negotiates a deal with Gatsby becoming aware of his past is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Great Gatsby” a great adaptation is its universal appeal. Viewers don’t need to be fans of the book to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about social class which would resonate with everyone. A great adaptation of a beloved book about a grand millionaire, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has built a career making movies about which audiences immensely care.
4. Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna
It’s challenging to face the end of a marriage. At an early age, I witnessed my aunt in a broken marriage. She engaged in a heated argument with her husband that left my family devastated. Following the separation, it was tough for my aunt to move on. As someone treasuring memories of a marriage that ended in trauma, I appreciated “Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna”. Released in 2006, Amitabh Bachchan’s movie depicted marriages ending in tragedy. In the most tragic role of his career, Bachchan portrayed the father of a man whose wife engages in an affair causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase strong emotional range he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Shah Rukh Khan who is also outstanding, Bachchan created a Bollywood movie that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Sam is aware that Maya is having an affair causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Kabhi Alivda Naa Kehna” one of Bachchan’s greatest movies is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about marriage, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. It delivers a message about marriages that would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of marriage, it’s a bold reminder about an actor that hasn’t lost abilities to engage making movies delivering a meaningful message.
5. Veer-Zaara
Partition in Pakistan’s history shaped my father identity. I remember a father that would tell my family stories about partition in history. He would often seek to educate my family about a dark time in history that caused lives to deteriorate. As someone recalling fond memories of a grandpa that told stories about partition, I loved “Veer-Zaara”. Released in 2004, Amitabh Bachchan’s movie did an exceptional job of capturing partition causing tragedy. In the most supportive role of his career, the actor portrayed a conflicted father whose son has a romantic entanglement with a Muslim woman causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to showcase wisdom he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Shah Rukh Khan who is also outstanding, Bachchan created a portrait of partition that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Bauji becomes aware that Veer’s life is in grave danger causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Veer-Zaara” a masterpiece is its appeal. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with history to appreciate it. A powerful portrait of partition shaping India as a nation, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor whose movies are worth immense celebration.
6. Sholay
Amitabh Bachchan has always excelled at playing emotional heroes facing tension. Bachchan built an image of being an actor that thrives at playing emotional characters with rage. Bachchan’s strengths for playing emotional heroes facing a price to pay is clearly evident in his movie “Sholay”. Released in 1975, Ramesh Sippy’s movie showcased the actor at his best. In the most angry role of his career, Bachchan portrayed a criminal that engages in a life of crime causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase talent for playing emotional heroes under pressure. Working alongside Dharmendra who is also amazing, Bachchan created a Bollywood movie that’s engaging. As strong as Jai’s friendship with Veeru, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor manufacturing memorable movies which audiences value.
7. Silsila
Extramarital affairs have often been depicted in Bollywood movies. Bollywood has often made great films about affairs that cause marriages to end in tragedy. In 1981, Amitabh Bachchan captured affairs causing marriages to end in a dilemma in his movie “Silsila”. In the most romantic role of his career, Bachchan portrayed an unfaithful husband that engages in an extramarital affair causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing emotional heroes under pressure. Working alongside Jaya Bachchan who is also amazing, Bachchan created a Bollywood movie about affairs that’s engaging. A powerful portrayal of affairs causing marriages to crumble, it’s a remarkable reminder of a commemorated actor that has manufactured memorable movies throughout his career which audiences consider special.
8. Deewaar
As far as I can remember, I’ve always shared a strong bond with my brother. I remember forming a strong bond with a brother that loved playing soccer. As someone treasuring fond memories of my brother that sought a high bar, I adored “Deewaar”. Released in 1975, Amitabh Bachchan’s movie captured bonds between brothers facing adversity. In the most villainous role of his career, Bachchan portrayed a gangster that engages in a life of crime causing his family to face despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing emotional heroes facing pressure. Working alongside Shashi Kapoor who is also amazing, Bachchan created a Bollywood movie that’s captivating. As memorable as crimes committed by Vijay, it’s a captivating reminder of a commemorated actor that deserves to be celebrated today.
9. Anand
Terminal illness is a sensitive subject that’s rarely depicted in movies with respect. Bollywood has often struggled to tell compelling stories about terminally ill patients facing tragedies. In an industry afraid of discussing terminal illness that’s burdened, it’s worth praising “Anand”. Released in 1971, Amitabh Bachchan’s movie captured terminally ill men facing tragedy. In the most compassionate role of his career, Bachchan portrayed a doctor seeking to care for a terminally ill man facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase a soft side to himself audiences hadn’t seen before. Working alongside Rajesh Khanna who is also amazing, Bachchan created a portrait of illness that’s compelling. A powerful portrait of terminal illness, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has become an icon in the entertainment business.
10. Thugs of Hindostan
Amitabh Bachchan hasn’t always made great movies earning recognition. While most movies the actor has made are appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Thugs of Hindostan” falls into the latter category. Released in 2018, Vijay Krishna Acharya’s movie was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, the actor portrayed a pirate that engages in warfare causing despair. Bachchan brought his usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Thugs of Hindostan” is a bad movie, it honoured Bachchan’s legacy. As strong as Firangi’s desire to become a pirate, it’s a powerful reminder of a commemorated Bollywood actor that hasn’t lost his abilities to captivate audiences in memorable movies I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong love of filmmaking I always appreciate.
The Film Buff 