As Bollywood's beloved 'Big B,' Amitabh Bachchan, turns a year older today, it's time to immerse ourselves in the cinematic brilliance that has made him an iconic figure in Bollywood. His birthday is not just a celebration of his age but also of his timeless contributions to Indian cinema. His films serve as a fitting tribute to his versatility as an actor and his enduring charm. Here are five movies to honour Amitabh Bachchan's special day and relish the magic of his performances, available exclusively on ZEE5 Global.
Uunchai
Three retired friends go on a trek to the Everest Base Camp to fulfill their dying friend's last wish. What starts as an adventure soon turns into a personal journey of emotional enlightenment. In this poignant narrative that explores the depths of human connection and the transformative power of friendship and love, Big B delivers a heartfelt and emotionally resonant performance.
Jhund
Vijay Borade, a retired sports teacher, starts an NGO called Slum Soccer to help rehabilitate slum kids by turning them into football players. The film is based on the real-life of Vijay Barse. Amitabh Bachchan's portrayal of Vijay Borade is both inspiring and authentic, capturing the essence of a dedicated teacher who changes the lives of the downtrodden by sharing a common passion.
Coolie
Iqbal gets separated from his mother and brother and grows up to become a coolie. While fighting for the rights of the coolies, he crosses paths with the man responsible for his family's sufferings. Despite facing a personal tragedy during its production, Amitabh Bachchan's performance in Coolie remains iconic, as he delivers a powerful and action-packed portrayal of the fight for justice.
Don
Don, a gangster, dies during a police chase. Vijay, Don's lookalike, infiltrates his gang on DSP D'Silva's orders to gather information but a change of events lands him in trouble. The film is filled with suspense, action sequences, and intricate plot twists as it explores themes of mistaken identity, crime, and redemption. The success of Don also led to a sequel and a remake in later years. Effortlessly switching between the suave gangster and the innocent look-alike Vijay, Amitabh Bachchan has added depth and intrigue to the film's suspenseful narrative.
Deewaar
Deewaar is a 1975 Hindi action-drama film starring Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor and Nirupa Roy. The film was a super hit and won 7 Filmfare awards. Deewaar is the story of a mother and her two sons, who make different choices in life. While the elder son Vijay joins the underworld, the younger brother Ravi becomes a police officer. As fate would have it, the brothers are pitted against each other. Can Ravi and his mother help Vijay to mend his ways? Big B’s performance in the film remains a standout, cementing his status as the ‘Angry Young Man’ of Indian cinema, and his portrayal of the conflicted character is both intense and memorable.
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Big B defends his choice to praise Abhishek openly and others privately
Amitabh Bachchan reveals why he praises Abhishek publicly but not Jaya or Aishwarya
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Amitabh Bachchan has responded to online comments asking why he often praises son Abhishek Bachchan on social media but not wife Jaya Bachchan, daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai, or daughter Shweta. The actor explained that while he chooses to support Abhishek publicly, he honours the women in his family privately, saying he prefers to respect them “in his heart.”
Bachchan defends Abhishek praise, addresses fan remarks online
The 81-year-old actor, who regularly shares photos and thoughts with fans, recently posted images of himself meeting admirers outside his Mumbai home, Jalsa. Captioned “Yes, I praise Abhishek. So?”, the post sparked comments from users questioning why he doesn’t do the same for Jaya, Aishwarya, or Shweta.
Responding directly, Bachchan wrote, “Yes, I shall praise them in my heart… not publicly… respect for the ladies.” His reply quickly circulated across platforms, with many praising his thoughtful answer. Others pointed to his tendency to engage more often when defending Abhishek, especially around film releases.
Bachchan also shut down a user accusing him of having “paid fans,” bluntly replying, “Prove it! You are small-minded… why don’t you pay and get fans too?” When another person mocked those waiting outside his home as “unemployed,” he replied with characteristic wit: “So give them a job? When they stand at the gate of Jalsa, they are EMPLOYED in love.”
Actor remains active on social media while juggling film projects
Bachchan has become increasingly interactive online in recent years, often directly responding to criticism and fan feedback. Meanwhile, Abhishek was last seen in Housefull 5, a multi-starrer comedy that released earlier this month. Jaya Bachchan appeared in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani in 2023, while Aishwarya Rai was part of Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan films. Despite the online chatter, Amitabh continues to walk his own path, on-screen and online.