Amitabh Bachchan turns 81: Explore 10 timeless ‘Big B’ movies on Prime Video

If Zanjeer established Bachchan as the ‘angry young man,’ Namak Halaal cemented him as the action comic hero. Amid an all-star cast such as Shashi Kapoor, Smita Patil, Parveen Babi, Ranjeet, and Satyen Kappu, Big B stands out for his comic timing. Directed by Prakash Mehra, Namak Halaal is a treat solely for Big B’s memorable, funny scenes, including the barrage of cricket commentary in English. Watch the movie on Prime Video if you are looking for a time of fun and lighthearted comedy.

A deviation from an outright comedy like Namak Halaal, Gulabo Sitabo is a comedy-drama about two people scheming against each other while attracting supporters to each other’s causes. Watch Big B turn a grumpy old miser up in arms against a young Ayushmann Khurrana over a run-down property. Directed by Shoojit Sircar (Vicky Donor, Piku, Pink), Gulabo Sitabo was one of the first Indian movies to be released directly on Prime Video worldwide on June 12, 2020.

If you are an Amitabh Bachchan fan and a die-hard romantic, look up Silsila on Prime Video. A classic from the house of Yash Raj Films, Silsila is a love triangle between Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan and Rekha, with a supporting cast of Shashi Kapoor, Deven Verma and Kulbhushan Kharbanda. Silsila was a surprise hit directed by Yash Chopra, which helped reinvent Big B as a romantic hero.

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Wish to watch a Big B movie with your entire family on his birthday? Then check out Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham or K3G on Prime Video. An all-ensemble family drama featuring Shah Rukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Kajol, Kareena Kapoor, and Jaya Bachchan, K3G sees Amitabh Bachchan's paradigm shift towards playing the father figure roles at the turn of the millennium. Directed by Karan Johar and with a run-time of 3.5 hours, K3G is a treat for family members of all ages.

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Kabhi Kabhie is a forerunner to Silsila in terms of movies, establishing Bachchan as the romantic hero. A tragic tale of two lovers—Bachchan and Rakhee Gulzar—unable to marry each other due to parental disapproval, Kabhi Kabhie is remembered for its iconic monologues and romantic songs, including the melodic title song that has stood the test of time. Pro-tip: Keep a set of tissues handy while watching Kabhi Kabhie on Prime Video.

Yes, there was Shah Rukh Khan as the Pied Piper of Gurukul. Yes, there was Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as Khan’s dead lover. Yes, almost six debutantes were breaking all the rules and regulations of a massive institution. Yet, Big B stood tall as the imposing, conservative, and strict principal - Narayan Shankar of Gurukul. Mohabbatein is a treat for Big B fans as they watch him turn from a strict, intolerant-for-love disciplinarian to a soft-hearted principal open towards change.

If you are in the mood for a double dose of Big B, tune in to Satte Pe Satta on Prime Video. Part comedy, part thriller, Satte Pe Satta is yet another multi-starrer with Amitabh Bachchan in a double role. Known for its popular songs, slapstick comedy and a thrilling second half, the Raj Sippy-directed movie also stars Hema Malini, Ranjeeta Kaur and Amjad Khan in leading roles.

Over the years, Amitabh Bachchan is known to have experimented with different genres and sub-genres. Bunty Aur Babli is one such example. A crime comedy produced by Yash Raj Films and directed by Shaad Ali (Saathiya), Bunty Aur Babli sees Bachchan play a sly cop chasing the con artist couple Bunty (Abhishek Bachchan) and Babli (Rani Mukerji) across the country.

There is something striking about a brooding Amitabh Bachchan. In another multi-starrer action drama produced and directed by Yash Chopra, Big B plays a sullen ex-Navy captain working in a coal mine. A timeless classic, Kaala Patthar, was loosely based on the 1975 Chasnala mining disaster near Dhanbad in today’s Jharkhand. Also starring Shashi Kapoor, Rakhee Gulzar, Shatrughan Sinha, Parveen Babi, Neetu Singh and Prem Chopra, Kaala Patthar is a slow burn that reaches a crescendo in the climax where Big B leads the miners’ rescue.

Vijay. Dinanath. Chauhan. Period. The iconic police station scene is worth the entire Agneepath movie on Prime Video. Watch it to remind yourself why the title ‘angry young man’ suits Big B. There may be shades of Al Pacino’s Scarface, but Agneepath has come to derive its own cult status. Directed by Mukul Anand and featuring dancing star Mithun Chakraborty, Agneepath ensured Bachchan continued his reign deep into the 90s.