As the perennial superstar completes his platinum jubilee, a varied spectrum of Bachchan fans recount their favourite films
Mr Devendra Fadnavis
Chief Minister, Maharashtra
Though he is a towering personality, Mr. Amitabh Bachchan is very polite and a thorough gentleman. He has a huge following and has earned a distinct position and stature for himself. He spends his valuable time in social work and has been making a positive contribution for the society, always thinking about what he can offer for the social good. He has often said that you can use my face and voice for any good social cause, towards any social contribution that the state is making for the benefit of the people. Mr. Bachchan has been contributing in a big way for the State government initiatives like the cleanliness drive, Save Tiger campaign, polio and TB eradication programmes. For all these movements, he came forward on his own. I have seen him cleaning away at the J.J. Hospital in the midst of a pile of waste. He is helping the State in the village transformation initiative. I wish him a very healthy life and a very happy birthday.
Sachin Tendulkar
Cricketer
“My father had first pointed out the humble nature of Amitji. I was too young to understand this aspect then but have been struck by his humility every time I have met him. His hunger to achieve more is also admirable. Amitji keeps pushing the boundaries and reinventing himself. Happy Birthday Amitji. May God bless you with good health and many more success!”
Paresh Mehta
Official family photographer of the Bachchans
I like all of Sir's work. He puts in hard work in everything he does. The acting and timing, it's all incredible. It's difficult to pick favourites. All are so good but I will go with Shamitabh (2015), Wazir (2016), Pink (2016), Piku (2015) and Baghban (2003).
Ira Bhaskar
Professor, cinema studies, and Dean at the School of Arts and Aesthetics, JNU
Amitabh Bachchan is an iconic figure through whom important changes and shifts in Bollywood can be mapped. I love the smouldering Amitabh of early films — Saat Hindustani (1969), Anand (1971), Abhimaan (1973), Zanjeer (1973), Deewar (1975), Sholay (1975). Coolie (1983) was very important too.
I thought Aarakshan (2011) was very significant, not so much as a film but his role and performance in it. He represents a larger idea. The film talks about access to education for all. His figure is a throwback to older times, the 50s that were oriented towards the nation and community, free from any ghettoisation.
Rahul daCunha
Advertising and theatre professional
Amar Akbar Anthony (1977): He carried off this kind of swag, playing a Bombay Catholic boy with with tremendous energy. Even though it was a caricature, you laughed all the way through. It was the first time you saw him do humour, otherwise, he was known as the angry young man.
Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978): I felt his performance. In this film, he [proves] that he’s certainly equally good as a solo hero and with others. And his chemistry with Vinod Khanna is outstanding.
Sholay (1975): The kind of character Bachchan played, he tries not to show any emotion and he feels a lot. It’s also very emotional when he gets killed. You really felt his pain.
Deewaar (1975): He plays a footpath kid who grows up. He had some [hard] scenes but he pulled them all off with so much believability.
Cheeni Kum (2007): He was slightly older in the film, but I totally believed he was a chef in London. It’s not easy to do. But he managed the blend of a fine dining chef and NRI. His chemistry with Tabu was good too.
Piku (2015): I would put Piku as his number one performance. He was just hilarious; including his comfort with Bengali and the understanding of being a Bengali babu uncle. Much of it was improvised as well. It’s my number one performance of Bachchan.
Ranjana Steinruecke
Gallerist and co-founder of Galerie Mirchandani + Steinruecke
Don (1978): No one eats paan quite as enticingly as he did in the film.
Anand (1971): I found that kind of a certain kind deeper pathos came through in his character.
Zanjeer (1973): It was a breakthrough in terms of that image of being an angry young man.
Pink (2016): For the subtlety of his character. He’s matured in the film and knows how to rein in his expressions in dramatic scenes making them all the more potent.
Kaun Banega Crorepati : For his famous words, “Lock kiya jaaye”
Mohit Takalkar
Theatre director
Deewaar (1975): For one scene, where he comes out of the godown, opens the tap and sits underneath it.
Chupke Chupke (1975): The comedy in the film is and was so different from what was happening earlier with Bachchan in all his innocence.
Anand (1971): Despite being in a supporting role, the composure he had and his demeanour was something amazing. There was so much unsaid that’s why I like him in the film.
Piku (2015): It was a very different Bachchan, being so cranky and fussy. The entire film and the three actors (with Deepika Padukone and Irrfan Khan) together made a magical combo.
Shakti (1982): My favourite is actually Dilip Kumar but the film was a wonderful combination of both of them.
Malishka Mendonsa
Radio jockey
Shahenshah (1988): Because who wouldn’t love that shiny-armed superhero cum brother from the ‘ O Behna ’ song.
Paa (2009): Because Amitabh Bachchan just disappeared and all I saw was Auro.
Hum (1991): Because Tiger and that title music!
Amar Akbar Anthony (1977): Because ‘Kitna maara tereko’. AB personified in our heads what drunk people behave like and I don’t believe someone is drunk unless they act like that!
Satte pe satta (1982): Have you seen him in that ‘Dilbar Mere’ song? No one does transformation and humour on screen like Mr. Bachchan. He is riveting and it’s so good to watch him perfect his craft.
Pooja Dhingra
Founder of Le15 Patisserie
Amar Akbar Anthony (1977: It's the quintessential masala Bollywood film, action, comedy, stars, full entertainment, what else do you need?
Coolie (1983): I used to watch this one with my grandfather as a kid and it takes me back to my childhood in Delhi.
Chupke Chupke (1975): It's funny and heartwarming and his chemistry with Dharmendra is fantastic.
Sholay (1975): It's a classic, there is nothing more to say
Piku (2015): Such a different kind of film and role. Even at this stage of his career, Amitabh Bachchan can surprise you
Ranjit Hoskote
Poet and cultural theorist:
Abhimaan (1973): Mr Bachchan essays a fine portrait of a man whose wounded masculine and artistic pride yields to his finer instincts in acknowledging his wife’s superior musical gift as well as her love.
Chupke Chupke (1975): Mr Bachchan demonstrates, here, his excellence at that most difficult of arts, comedy. The action-hero stereotype, in which he was long immured, has eclipsed this aspect of his oeuvre.
Anand (1971): While this film centres on the tragic figure played by Rajesh Khanna, Mr Bachchan brings a pensive, dignified presence to bear on the unfolding drama, helping transform melodrama to genuine tragedy.
Kaala Patthar (1979): Fusing the Chasnala mining disaster with Joseph Conrad’s Lord Jim, this cinematic narrative drew on an inspiring cast of very fine actors. Mr Bachchan demonstrated his ability to mark a memorable emphasis within an ensemble.
Aks (2001): This film, from the later phase of Mr Bachchan’s career, showcases his gift for straddling a spectrum of moral and emotional tonalities. As a police officer possessed by the spirit of a criminal, he is both Rama and Ravana, an extraordinarily trying mandate.
Sudarshan Shetty
Artist
Namak Haraam (1973): This was the first time, Amitabh Bachchan came through as a force to reckon with. It was a time when Rajesh Khanna was at his peak, and here was another man who challenged his position. The movie also reflected the times we were living in, especially for the middle-class.
Anand (1971): The last scene in the film was emblematic of the power Bachchan came up with.
Khuda Gawah (1992): Bachchan’s character was mature and was a commanding figure, which was the peak of the actor for me.
Deewaar (1975): This was an underdog story which struck a chord with those who came from my background.
Abhimaan (1973): The character has negative shades, which Bachchan handled really well.
Prashant Panjiar
Photographer
Anand (1971): It’s a film where Bachchan intensely played a complex character
Parwana (1971): For the villain he played so convincingly
Zanjeer (1973): Really established the angry character, which he repeated for years from then on.
Chupke Chupke (1975): For playing this fabulous comedy role.
Sholay (1975): Not only because it is an iconic film, but also because Bachchan played a perfect foil to Dharmendra’s jumpy character
Jerry Pinto
Author
Trishul (1978): It’s the most Indian story. In the film, Bachchan’s character takes revenge to the logical conclusion.
Sholay (1975): Because Bachchan’s figure was not overplayed, and was a perfect foil to Dharmendra’s character.
Amar Akbar Anthony (1977): For being a madcap film with a very serious message about living today in a secular fashion.
Kabhi Kabhi (1976): In this Amitabh plays a poet, and took someone with a good diction to make the character credible.
Piku (2015): For the recognition that parents can have ulterior motives that are not perfect.
Dr. Muffazal Lakdawala
Bariatric surgeon
Amitabh Bachchan has been an icon and inspired generations of young Indians through the years. He has been around for so long and yet he manages to stay relevant and in style. Zanjeer (1973): The eternal classic that it is and Big B’s role as the angry young man. Don (1978): The transformation of a villager to a don excites me every time I watch this film. I don’t think anyone can replace Big B in this role, not even SRK. Namak Halal (1982): For his perfect comic timing. Kabhie Kabhie (1976): For the songs and the beautiful story of love. Piku (2015): Only Big B could make this story based on the most common problem so touching and enjoyable.
Inputs by Namrata Joshi, Deborah Cornelious and Kennith Rosario
