On their 49th anniversary, looking back at the movies Jaya Bachchan and Amitabh Bachchan did together

Mumbai (Maharashtra): Jaya Bachchan and Amitabh Bachchan are a power couple in the Hindi film industry and they have been so for 49 years today. Looking back at their extensive journey as a married pair and as costars, their love blossomed on the sets of a film and they have been together as costars for many films after.

As Jaya and Amitabh appeared together on the Simi Garewal show in 1998 after completing 25 years together, they looked back at the first time they met each other. Bachchan recalled that he was fascinated with Jaya’s eyes when he first saw her photograph. As a result, he went on to meet her on the sets of Guddi and was taken by the actress’ charm. He confessed that he liked her eyes. Meanwhile, Jaya stated that he was scared of Sr. Bachchan as she had this unusual urge to please him which never happened before. That surely was a heart-fluttering meet-cute. Tracing their journey of love and brilliant acting, here is looking back at some of the movies that they did together.

Bansi Birju (1972)

Although the couple first met on the sets of Guddi, they worked together for the first time in Bansi Birju. Although the film is one of their least-known works, it marked the beginning of the series of films that the couple blessed their audience with. The duo played a married couple who have to face discrimination due to the actress’ past profession. They further went on to star in Ek Nazar the same, another one of their least-known projects.

Zanjeer (1973)

Zanjeer is still known as a classic in Bollywood. It also marked the couple’s first hit movie and was released just days before the couple tied the knot. Amitabh played an orphan cop named Vijay set out to find the mysterious man who murdered his parents while Jaya plays a street dancer and romantic interest Mala who helps him achieve his goals.

Abhimaan (1973)

The Hrishikesh Mukherjee directorial was a huge hit at the time of its release and is still condemned among Indian cinema’s classics. The film which is said to be loosely based on A Star Is Born, showcased the pair playing a married couple. The film came out a month after their marriage. Jaya Bachchan went on to receive her Filmfare Award for Best Actress for the film that year.

Chupke Chupke (1975)

Yet another Hrishikesh Mukherjee film, it did not star the couple as the lead, but in the end, they were the ones who stole the limelight. The comedy of errors that ensued in the film was loved by many and Amitabh’s excellent acting of a charming professor who disguises himself as a boring one is one to watch.

Mili (1975)

Mili, a romantic drama which also marked the last project of legendary music composer SD Burman is another classic on the list. It talked about Mili, a cheerful and bubbly girl suffering from pernicious anaemia (untreatable at the time), and Shekhar Dayal, her depressed alcoholic neighbour who eventually falls in love with her.

Sholay (1975)

Who does not know about Sholay? Right from the dialogues to the music to the characters and their amazing arc, everything is loved by Indian cinema lovers to date. It is vain to set out to explain what Amitabh and Jaya’s characters were in the movie as everyone already knows about the classic yet tragic love story between Jay and Radha.

Silsila (1981)

Silsila is not only known for its accepting story and songs but the controversy it ensued with starring Rekha, Amitabh and Jaya together. A love triangle that is known to every Bollywood fanatic, the film depicted the scenario that was exactly being played in the lives of the three. Nonetheless, Silsila gave the Indian audience a classic film with some amazing songs.

Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001)

K3G is not only loved by the 70s kids but is hailed by today’s young generation as well. The two portrayed the beloved Yash and Nandini Raichand, the patriarchal couple of the Raichand house. Although the movie did not focus on the two, it gave some cute moments between the two such as Jaya standing on a stool to fix her husband’s tie.