Today as he turns 82, the clichéd expression ‘age is just number’ no longer sounds trite, rather acquires a new meaning and life. Each time we think Big B has done it all, he manages to surprise us with just that new role, a new part, a new nuance. The purists might argue the Dadasaheb Phalke recipient has given more memorable parts in his second innings, a term he thoroughly disagrees.
He feels today parts are more commensurate with his age. Indeed, lately we have seen him in more unconventional roles. But remember the angry man of Zanjeer, the angst ridden Vijay of Deewaar, Bhaskar of Anand, eternal friend of Namak Haraam, comical Anthony of Amar Akbar Anthony, undercover agent of Don and many, many more. He has delighted cinephiles all these years since he made his debut in 1969 with Saat Hindustani.
Picking up his 10 best films is perhaps the toughest job on the Earth for is there a film in which his acting prowess has left you less than impressed? More recently, we watch Kalki with a growing disbelief, awe and wonder. As indestructible Ashwathama in the dystopian sci-fi meets mythology actioner, we are reminded only Big B can be an action hero at 81. And at 82, the Unchai actor can only climb more mountains!
Anand (1971)
Counted quintessentially as a Rajesh Khanna film, Amitabh matched him frame-to-frame, scene-to-scene. In this film that finds mention in all possible lists to watch before you die, if your heart bleeds for the titular character, Anand, you feel equally strongly for Big B’s Bhaskar. His helplessness at not being able to save his dying friend is a truly poignant portrait of loss and grief.
Namak Haraam (1973)
Rumour has it that in this ode to friendship, Amitabh’s character was meant to die. But Rajesh Khanna, a bigger star in those days, insisted upon reversing the death angle. Nevertheless, Amitabh’s character, Vicky, walked away with all the sympathy for his part as the son of a rich industrialist intact. A searing performance and yet another example of his blazing intensity.
Sholay (1975)
The blockbuster will be remembered for many reasons as it has more than one fable-like stories attached to it. But one reason certainly is Amitabh’s understated act and tongue-in cheek one-liners. If tumhara naam kya hai Basanti still brings a smile, the chuckle-some scene when he takes his friend Viru’s proposal to Basanti’s mausi is a cinematic treat!
Deewaar (1975)
Ah, that iconic Yash Chopra film, the mirror to the angst of 1970s! With his Vijay, the anti-establishment, anti-hero, was born to Hindi cinema. If Zanjeer launched him as ‘angry young man,’ Deewaar ensured the title became synonymous with his name. That brooding expression, the emotional-scape of a son, the endearing nonchalance and action-inspired by Hong Kong’s martial arts cinema, not a thing felt out of place.
Chupke Chupke (1975)
Once again a Hrishikesh Mukherjee film in which Big B proved that he didn’t necessarily had to lead from the front to make a mark. A laugh riot and testimony to his impeccable comic timing, as this English professor pretending to be a botanist, it’s not just Dharmendra the lead hero, he too brings the house down. Always a must-see for fans of comedy genre.
Don (1978)
If both the film and his double role hadn’t been so good, it would not have spawned remake decades later or tempted Shah Rukh Khan to step into his khai ke paan benarse wala dancing shoes. Only the vintage Don ko pakadna mushkil hee nahi namumkin hai, who can deliver it better than the original Don?
Black (2005)
Hailed as cinematic masterpiece and path-breaking film of Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the story of a blind, deaf and mute girl, and her relationship with a teacher afflicted with Alzheimer’s saw Bachchan in a role of a lifetime. It also won him a National Award.
Paa (2009)
Unrecognisable, as the 12-year-old son of his real life son Abhishek Bachchan, this is one performance of his that will go down in cinematic history as one of his very best, as it also fetched Amitabh a National Award. As a self-confessed fan of Amitabh, director R Balki not only taps into the actor’s many strengths, the Cheeni Kum director is even believed to have created Shamitabh as an ode to his baritone voice!
Piku (2015)
Who can ever forget Bhashkor Banerjee of this Shoojit Sircar directorial? A delightful film it is simply made all the more delectable with Bachchan’s portrayal of a father, annoying and progressive in equal measure. As this eccentric man suffering from constipation, in a part which could easily have become a caricature, instead turns into a sharp character study of a parent. A National Award-winning performance!
Pink (2016)
Naa sirf ek shabd nahi … apne aap mein ek poora vakya hai … In Pink when he utters those lines with such dramatic flourish, you could watch him and the film all over again. Playing a retired lawyer Deepak Sehgal, defending young girls who have not followed the rule book that girls in India are meant to, it is once again a stellar act.
