Back To 1970s: When Zanjeer Made Amitabh Bachchan A Star Overnight

Amitabh Bachchan didn't emerge a superstar overnight, it was years of dedication that led him to the stardom that he carries now with him. Big B is the first actor in Hindi cinema whose rise gave to one of Bollywood's most-defining archetypes — the Angry Young Man. Not many are aware that it was Zanjeer that changed Big B's fate for life. The film not only changed the tragectory of Bachchan's career, it also reshaped the lense of Hindi cinema. Before Zanjeer, Hindi movie stars mainly starred in romantic roles. They relied on charm, wit and song to win battles of love and life. Big B shattered that mould.

Big B starred as Inspector Vijay Khanna in Zanjeer. His character was quite, however, his expressions were louder. Unlike typical Bollywood heroes of that era, Vijay Khanna did not sing, dance or perform slapstick comedy; his character remained serious and brooding throughout. One of the most famous scenes involves him kicking away a chair when a local Pathan, Sher Khan (played by Pran), tries to sit down in the police station, famously stating it is a police station and not his "baap ka ghar". The film’s success announced the arrival of a new kind of hero — one who fought injustice not with romance, but with rage. Zanjeer became a major commercial success, instantly transforming Bachchan from a struggling actor into Bollywood’s most promising new star.

ALSO READ: How Piku Presents A Bold And Realistic Portrayal Of Women

This persona was further cemented in films like Deewar (1975), where Bachchan’s Vijay Verma became the embodiment of moral conflict. His famous line, "Mere paas maa hai," remains etched in popular memory.

In 1975, Bachchan starred in one of fan-favourite cult classic movie Sholay, which also starred late legendary actor Dharmendra in lead role. Sholay was popular in action because it redefined Bollywood action with Western-inspired, sophisticated sequences, iconic character dynamics (Jai-Veeru's friendship), a legendary villain (Gabbar Singh) and technical brilliance.

Throughout the decade, films such as Trishul, Kala Patthar and Don expanded the Angry Young Man image while giving it new shades. Scriptwriters Salim-Javed played an important role in shaping Big B's angry-young man persona. The creator duo crafted powerful dialoges that perfectly matched megastar's intensity.

ALSO READ: Anand Movie Review: Zindagi Badi Honi Chahiye, Lambi Nahi; Why This Line Still Resonates In 2025-26

What set Amitabh Bachchan apart was not just his anger, but how vulnerable he was. His characters resonated with the audience. Following the same streak, Big B had become more than a superstar by the end of 1970s. The Angry Young Man may have evolved over time, but its impact remains undeniable.