Amitabh Bachchan turns 77: Man behind timeless classics

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan who has given some of the iconic hits in a career spanning around five decades has turned 77 today. As the Shahenshah rings in his 77th birthday, let's recall some of his unforgettable cinematic pieces in the Hindi cinema.

For twenty straight years out of fifty, Amitabh Bachchan has had no competition in Hindi cinema, he virtually reigned Bollywood without any rival giving one blockbuster after another leaving his gargantuan audience in complete awe. Today, as he turned 77, he still retains a degree of reverence that has hardly any match. On Bachchan's birthday, let's recall some of his best cinematic pieces in the Hindi cinema.

Also known as the Angry Young Man, the title Bachchan fetched for his intense and brooding portrayal of Vijay in the crime thriller Zanjeer was released in 1973. Besides being a turning point in Big B's career, the film changed Hindi cinema's trend from romance to action films, pioneering Bachchan as The Angry Young Man. Zanjeer turned Bachchan into a rising star, ending his longtime struggle.

Following his overnight stardom with Zanjeer, Bachchan once again tasted the mammoth of success with 1975 action-drama Deewar. The film cemented the actor's image of the Angry Young Man with his vigilante character. And who can forget the famous dialogue from the film 'Aaj Khush Toh Boht Hoge Tum?'.

Talking about his filmography adorned with many classics, one can never forget 1975 release Sholay, which became the highest-grossing film ever in India at the time. The role of Jai, played by Amitabh still resonates with the audience. Sholay perhaps marked the beginning of the superstardom of Big B with the film shattering records at the box office.

After the magnum success of Sholay, there was no looking back for Amitabh with back to back hits like Kabhie Kabhie (1976), Amar Akbar Anthony (1977), Don (1978), Trishul (1978), Muqaddar Ka Sikander (1978), Besharam (1978), Suhaag (1979), Mr. Natwarlal (1979) , Shaan (1980), Yaarana (1981), Satte Pe Satta (1982).

In 1983, Bachchan had a fatal injury while shooting for a fight sequence in action-comedy Coolie. The actor had a near-death experience having hospitalized for months. The film was finally completed and released in 1983. Coolie turned out to be the highest-grossing film of the year, partially for the buzz surrounding Bachchan's unfortunate accident.

In 1988, Bachchan reprised his throne at the box office with Shahenshah, after a hiatus of three years as he had a brief stint in politics. The action-drama featured him as a comic policeman and a vigilante fighting against crime. Moreover, the famous dialogue 'Rishtey mein toh hum tumhare baap hote hai...naam hai Shahenshah' in his baritone voice is unmissable!

However, Bachchan's comeback breakthrough was followed by a string of flops like Jaadugar, Toofan and Main Azaad Hoon, released in 1989. Despite successful films such as Aaj Ka Arjun (1990), Agneepath (1990) and Hum (1991), Khuda Gawah (1992), Big B had lack of hits and he took a break from acting for five years.

The 1998 action-comedy Bade Miyan Chote Miyan marked Big B's promising comeback reviving his career after a hiatus of a few years. The film starring Govinda and Amitabh in dual roles went on to become a huge success.

With some of the biggest civilian honours by his side including the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan, among several other accolades, Bachchan's contribution to the Hindi cinema can never be rewarded enough.