Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

50 years of Bachchan: Actor for all seasons and many generations

Fifty years ago, on November 7, 1969, a gangly, too tall actor appeared on the big screen in the under-appreciated Saat Hindustani. It was cinema history in the making but nobody really knew it until many years later.

Half a century later, Khwaja Ahmed Abbas' film is watched and critiqued again and again as the debut of Amitabh Bachchan, arguably Indian cinema's biggest star and perhaps its most talented actor.


As he completed his golden jubilee in Hindi cinema on Thursday, it was time to unspool a body of work -- astonishing in its range -- that closely mirrors the many twists and turns in India's passage of time.

Beginning from the socialist Saath Hindustani and going up to Badla this year, the indefatigable 77-year-old has refused to hang up his boots, making us laugh and cry, dance and introspect with his almost 200 films, some slice of life, some goofy, some memorable and some plain forgettable.

If a book on the history of Hindi cinema is written, Bachchan will have a chapter all his own as the rare showbiz persona who continues to be relevant with his work even now and has grown to become an important voice in India's civil society with his social media posts, his ad campaigns and charities.

According to biographer-film historian Yasser Usman, Bachchan's quality to adapt and learn and make everything believable has been a driving factor in the long-standing career of the actor.

Some of his roles, in Manmohan Desai and Prakash Mehra films for instance, were "too filmy" but he made them credible and believable, he said.

"He never shied away from negative roles or character roles. The grace he injects into each of his roles is commendable. And yes, he is the most punctual star ever," Usman said.

Zanjeer was his breakout performance, giving birth to the angry young man Vijay who we saw in various avatars through the decades. He was also the intense Dr Bhaskar Banerjee of Anand, the fun Anthony of Amar, Akbar, Anthony, the brooding lover Shekhar of Mili and the rich, misunderstood alcoholic of Sharaabi.

Zanjeer was the beginning of the 'angry young man' persona that became Bachchan's screen identity and a lifelong adjective, reflecting the angst of the urban Indian youth tackling unemployment, corruption and crime.

Middle-of-the-road films with Hrishikesh Mukherjee like Abhimaan, Mili, and Namak Haram gave him the opportunity to tap into a reality of being a human --insecure, depressed and entitled, respectively.

Films such as Chupke Chupke, Namak Halal, Amar Akbar Anthony and Satte Pe Satta showcased his comic timing.

Bachchan suffered a near-fatal accident on the sets of Coolie on August 2 in 1982. The actor suffers health complications from it even today and calls his recovery a "second birth".

In 1990, Bachchan played the iconic role of gangster Vijay Deenanath Chauhan in Mukul S Anand's Agneepath. The film was not a success but earned the actor his first National Film Award.

Still trying to play the hero, he soon stagnated with a series of forgettable movies. Remember Lal Badshah and Aaj ka Arjun.

He attempted to get into filmmaking with his production company Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Limited (ABCL). Bachchan ended up suffering huge financial losses and went through a career slowdown.

Then the screen man grew up -- literally -- graduating to father roles with the salt and pepper beard and hair.

In 2000, he famously reached out to frequent collaborator Yash Chopra and "asked" for work during bankruptcy. Mohabbatein was a turnaround in a sense, helping him in the kind of roles that he continues in till today.

He also morphed into a star of the small screen with game show Kaun Banega Crorepati in early 2000. The show is going strong along with Bachchan, who is currently hosting its 11th season.

The veteran star earned three more Best Actor National Film Awards in the last two decades in starkly different roles in Black, Paa and Piku.

Film historian S M M Ausaja quotes the late Manmohan Desai who described Bachchan as "one in a million".

"The best part is that he has always bounced back in all the setbacks that he had... he continues to stay relevant because he has moved with the times. Look at his popularity on Twitter, FB and workwise, and look at the kind of roles he does... ," Ausaja said.

Usman, too, said Bachchan is an actor of many comebacks, a veteran who has not just survived but also reigned over the industry for five decades.

The untiring Bachchan will next be seen in Gulabo Sitabo, Brahmastra, Chehre and Jhund.

More For You

Aaradhya Bachchan

Abhishek Bachchan says Aishwarya Rai is fully responsible for Aaradhya’s upbringing

Getty Images

Abhishek Bachchan praises Aishwarya Rai for raising Aaradhya without phone or social media

Quick highlights:

  • Abhishek Bachchan credits Aishwarya Rai for taking the lead in daughter Aaradhya’s upbringing.
  • Says Aaradhya, now 13, has no phone and stays away from social media.
  • Calls Aishwarya “selfless” for prioritising parenting over everything else.
  • Slams online gossip surrounding their marriage as baseless and insensitive.

Actor Abhishek Bachchan has dismissed recent speculation around his marriage with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, instead shining a light on her unwavering dedication as a mother. In a recent chat, he spoke warmly about their 13-year-old daughter Aaradhya, revealing that she neither owns a mobile phone nor uses social media, something he attributes to Aishwarya’s hands-on parenting.

 Aaradhya Bachchan  Aaradhya Bachchan has no access to social media or a personal phoneGetty Images

Keep ReadingShow less
Ranveer Singh

Ranveer Singh in a still from Lootera that captured his most restrained performance

Twelve years of 'Lootera': 5 reasons Ranveer Singh’s most understated role still holds up

Quick highlights:

  • Ranveer’s subtle performance in Lootera marked a major shift from his usual high-energy roles.
  • The 1950s-set romantic drama became a career milestone for the actor.
  • His restrained, emotionally complex portrayal earned long-term critical acclaim.
  • The film showcased a successful collaboration with director Vikramaditya Motwane.
  • As Dhurandhar builds buzz, Lootera reminds us of Ranveer’s range.

Twelve years ago, Ranveer Singh surprised audiences with Lootera, a period romance that asked him to do something unfamiliar: stay still. Set in 1950s Bengal and directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, the film gave Ranveer the space to deliver one of his most subdued and mature performances. No outbursts. No spectacle. Just quiet heartbreak.

  Lootera released in 2013 and marked a stylistic shift for Ranveer Singh Prime Video  

Keep ReadingShow less
AR Rahman shares selfie with Hans Zimmer

AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer smile together in viral selfie

Instagram/arrahman

AR Rahman shares selfie with Hans Zimmer as 'Ramayana' music collaboration excites fans

Quick highlights:

  • AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer will collaborate on the soundtrack for Ramayana: Part One, directed by Nitesh Tiwari.
  • Rahman shared a selfie with Zimmer on Instagram, captioned “With @hanszimmer #ramayanamovie”.
  • The photo sparked a wave of excitement online, with fans and celebrities calling it a “historic moment”.
  • Ramayana: Part One stars Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, and Sai Pallavi, and is set for a Diwali 2026 release.

AR Rahman’s latest Instagram post has set the tone for what might be one of the most ambitious film music projects in recent Indian cinema. The Oscar-winning composer shared a selfie with legendary Hollywood music producer Hans Zimmer, confirming their collaboration on Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana: Part One. The picture quickly went viral, as fans celebrated the rare coming together of two globally acclaimed composers for a single Indian film.

  AR Rahman confirms collaboration with Hans Zimmer on InstagramInstagram/arrahman

Keep ReadingShow less
Ozzy Osbourne returns to Birmingham

Birmingham celebrates its heavy metal roots with Back to the Beginning show

Getty Images

Ozzy Osbourne returns to Birmingham for final Black Sabbath concert after 20 years

Quick highlights:

  • Ozzy Osbourne to perform one final time in Birmingham on 5 July, reuniting with Black Sabbath’s original line-up.
  • Villa Park will host a 10-hour metal concert titled Back to the Beginning, curated by Tom Morello.
  • The line-up includes Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, and others; proceeds go to three Birmingham-based charities.
  • The reunion marks the first time Ozzy, Iommi, Butler, and Ward will play together in 20 years.

After a lifetime of chaotic stage antics, searing vocals, and defining an entire music genre, Ozzy Osbourne is officially calling time on his career. On Saturday, the 76-year-old rock legend will headline his final concert in Birmingham, his birthplace, alongside the original members of Black Sabbath, the band that started it all.

Billed as Back to the Beginning, the sold-out event will not only mark Osbourne’s last performance but also a rare reunion with Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward. Their last appearance as a full group was two decades ago.

Keep ReadingShow less
Priyanka Chopra

Priyanka Chopra says she wants strong roles not just ornamental characters

Getty Images

Priyanka Chopra says she is just getting started in Hollywood with 'Heads of State' on Prime Video

Quick highlights:

  • Priyanka Chopra Jonas says she’s just getting started in Hollywood.
  • Stars as a fierce MI6 agent alongside Idris Elba and John Cena.
  • Gets into serious action mode with explosions, helicopters, and hand-to-hand combat.
  • Says her journey is still evolving, with much more to explore in the West.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas may have ruled Bollywood for over two decades, but the global star believes she’s still “nascent” in her Hollywood journey, and that’s what makes it exciting.

The Quantico and Citadel actor stars in the new Amazon Prime Video film Heads of State, playing a sharp MI6 agent named Noel Bisset. Her character has a complicated history with British Prime Minister Sam Clarke (played by Idris Elba) and is tasked with protecting him and the newly elected US President Will Derringer (John Cena) when they're attacked before a major NATO conference.

Keep ReadingShow less