Amitabh Bachchan, one of the most revered figures in the history of Indian cinema, turned 80 on October 11. The Bollywood icon has traversed a long path in his career spanning more than five decades, in which he won four National Film Awards, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, 16 Filmfare Awards, and a host of other laurels.
It was the French New Wave director, Francois Truffaut, who labelled Bachchan a “one-man industry”. Truffaut and Bachchan were at the peaks of their respective careers in the 1970s, and it is no wonder that Bollywood’s Angry Young Man’s undisputed rule over the Indian box office awed and surprised the auteur filmmaker.
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Bachchan took some time to find his foothold in the industry, but once he did so with 1973’s Zanjeer, there was no looking back. In the years that followed, he single-handedly ruled the hearts of Bollywood fans.
From 1973 to 1980, Bachchan was a part of some films that will remain as milestones of Indian cinema- Namak Haram, Saudaagar, and Abhimaan in 1973, Deewar and Sholay in 1975, Do Anjaane and Kabhie Kabhie in 1976, Amar Akbar Anthony in 1977, Trishul, Don, and Muqaddar ka Sikander in 1978, the Great Gamler, Kaala Patthar, and Mr. Natwarlal in 1979, and Shaan in 1980.
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Only the films released in this decade would have been enough to certify the Allahabad native a legend of the silver screen, but he followed it up with more hits for another four decades despite some obstacles that would plague his personal and professional life.
Praise for Bachchan was not only limited to Truffaut. His country, France, went on to bestow upon the legendary actor the Legion of Honour, its highest civilian honour.
In 1999, the BBC too had to acknowledge Bachchan’s influence on not only Indian, but film audiences the world over. In order to make a list of the greatest stars of film and theatre combined, the English state-affiliated media house had conducted a poll among BBC News Online users. Bachchan topped the list, followed by Sir Laurence Olivier and Sir Alec Guinness in the second and third positions.
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Besides his powerful presence on the silver screen, Bachchan was often used by filmmakers as a narrator of their films. His famous baritone and emotive diction made him one of the most sought-after and recognisable voices in India. He has narrated some iconic films over the years, like Satyajit Ray’s Shatranj Ke Khiladi, Mrinal Sen’s Bhuvan Shome, Ashutosh Gowarikar’s Lagaan, and Pradeep Sarkar’s Parineeta, among others.
Despite his age, Bachchan continues to be counted among the most dependable stars of Bollywood. His sheer presence on the screen makes everyone sit up and take notice. It can be stated without a shadow of a doubt that Bachchan’s name will be taken with the utmost reverence as long as Indian cinema exists.