Amitabh and Jaya Bacchan.

Amitabh and Jaya Bacchan.

Amitabh and Jaya Bacchan had performed together in the realistic films of 70s and impressed the viewers with their powerful performance. In Abhimaan, directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Big B played the role of a singer who went to a village and got impressed with Jaya and married.

Jaya’s musical talent was unearthed and she also became a renowned singer. She became more popular than Big B and it led to family tensions and Jaya left her singing career. At the end of the film the misunderstandings were resolved and they sang together. The songs in the film composed by SD Burman including “tere mere Milan ki yeh rehna”, “teri bindiya re”, etc., became very very successful.


Jaya and Big B did well in Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s Milli. Both of them stayed in the same apartment complex. Jaya became extremely sick and died at the end of the film. Ashok Kumar performed well in his character role. The songs in the film composed by SD Burman like “maine kaha phulo se”, “bari suni suni”, etc. became hits.


Both of Jaya and Big B did well in the film Zanjeer. The film was based on the story of a police officer who faced a number of obstacles to face the smugglers and lawbreakers in the society. In fact Big B got his image of angry young man from this film. Jaya supported him very well in the film and showed her concern during strong encounters. Pran did well in the film, specially the lips he gave in Manna Dey’s song “yari hai iman mera yaar meri zindagi” composed by Kalyanji Anandji.


Jaya and Big B also did well in the film Silsila, where Rekha also provided memorable performance. The film was shot in Kashmir and other picturesque locations and the music composed by Shiv Hari was extraordinary. Songs of Lata like “yeh kaha agaye hum” had mesmerised the viewers and is remembered even today.

Jaya and Amitabh also had other hit films including Sholay, Bangsi Aur Birju, Chupke Chupke, etc. As both of them had versatility in their performance, whenever the pair had combined in bollywood films, the films became box-office hits and also got critics acclamation.

By: CR Chatterji.

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