Jaya Bachchan

In ‘Guddi’ in 1971, the tall, handsome actor was seen romancing the petite, demure actress. Then 2001 brought forth ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham’, where the powerful, indomitable parents were seen walking over the screen with an unmatched gait. In the three decades that elapsed in between, Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bhaduri/Bachchan have been seen wooing each other, laughing away sadness and shedding tears of joy, dragging people’s emotions along, many times. Amitabh and Jaya’s wedlock of 35 years has seen the duo work across each other in many films, a lot of them phenomenal ones. The couple have played an instrumental part in immortalising films like ‘Abhimaan’, ‘Zanjeer’, ‘Milli’, ‘Sholay’, ‘Silsila’ and the like.

Rekha

One on-screen couple that has held the entire country in awe and speculation ever since they were first seen together, is undoubtedly Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha. They charmed the audience in ‘Do Anjaane’, bathed them in their romance in ‘Mr. Natwarlal’, and set tongues wagging in ‘Silsila’. As co-stars, the impeccable Rekha complemented the flawless Amitabh Bachchan perfectly, and more. One of the most loved couples on the silver screen, Amitabh and Rekha’s chemistry is one that can put to shame that of most of our contemporary ones!

Parveen Babi

Parveen Babi was seen with Amitabh Bachchan in films like ‘Deewar’, ‘Amar Akbar Anthony’, ‘Kaalia’, etc. The glamorous Parveen Babi across the angry young Amitabh – was the mould of many a perfect love story in the minds of many youngsters of the time. The duo was a part of several multi-starrers during the 1970s and 80s.

Zeenat Aman

Films like ‘Don’ and ‘The Great Gambler’ saw Big B romancing Zeenat Aman with a finesse that leaves many agape even till date. Amitabh and Zeenat Aman appeared together in other multi-starrers, too. While Bachchan wielded those guns and fought those goons, Zeenat Aman played the ‘Western heroine’ avatar along him. The sex symbol Zeenat and the dashing Amitabh are still responsible for giving rise to feelings of admiration and awe in the minds of people.

Smita Patil

Who can ever forget that scorching, scalding number ‘Aaj rapat jaaye...’ where a drenched Amitabh Bachchan and Smita Patil set fire to the rain! That translucent white saree that Smita Patil draped around her in the number still leaves people foraging for words to describe the entire ‘phenomenon’. ‘Namak Halaal’, one of the most famous films that Amitabh and Smita have worked in, went on to become a huge hit. Smita Patil was also seen with Amitabh in films like ‘Shakti’, ‘Sharaabi’ etc.

Raakhee

Films like ‘Kabhi Kabhi’, ‘Barsaat Ki Ek Raat’, ‘Kasme Vaade’, etc. saw Amitabh Bachchan and Raakhee across each other in some spellbinding performances. The two were seen on the silver screen in a number of films, out of which, many were hits and others flops.

Hema Malini

Hema Malini has been seen with Amitabh Bachchan in many films, both as a co-star and as the one paired opposite the latter. ‘Naseeb’, ‘Nastik’, ‘Desh Premee’, ‘Andha Kanoon’, etc. were films which saw Hema and Amitabh working together. As recently as in 2003, Big B was seen with Hema Malini as the elderly couple in ‘Baghban’, and the unblemished portrayals of their respective roles made many shed tears.

Jaya Prada

‘Aakhree Rasta’, ‘Sharaabi’, ‘Ganga Jamuna Saraswati’ all saw Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Prada work together, sometimes as a pair, and at others, as co-stars. In ‘Sharaabi’, the actress was seen as Bachchan’s endearing girlfriend, and the role won her Filmfare nominations for Best Actress. The two are best remembered as a couple for their work in ‘Sharaabi’.

By Ananya Bhattacharya