Can one pair illuminate the screen for generations? In Bollywood, very few pairings have been able to capture hearts generation after generation like Amitabh Bachchan and his leading ladies. From subtle romance to powerful drama, these pairings have served up unforgettable scenes that remain etched in the minds of audiences even now. Amitabh’s imposing presence and acting range have enabled him to become the dream co-star for some of the greatest actresses in cinema history.
What each pairing offered was its own unique flavour be it subtle emotional richness, mischievous repartee, or brooding passion. What’s even more interesting are the behind-the-scenes tales that tell us exactly how such magic scenes were achieved. here’s a selection of nine actresses whose pairing with Amitabh Bachchan became the very stuff of Bollywood lore and the tales and movies behind each pairing that made them all the more unique.
1. Jaya Bachchan – The Enduring Power Couple
The acting careers of Amitabh and his wife, Jaya Bachchan, started with movies such as Bansi Birju (1972) and flourished into a union off and on the screen. In their first hit, Zanjeer (1973), they not only forged Amitabh’s “Angry Young Man” image but also kindled their off-screen passion. They delved into deep, passionate territories in Abhimaan (1973), where the Locarno award-winning performance of Jaya in the title role, Uma, was juxtaposed with Amitabh’s touching Subir. In Sholay (1975), their restrained, implicit chemistry contributed poignancy in the action-driven story. Jaya made it publicly known that Amitabh’s grey roles are better suited and his favourites are Parvana, Saudagar, and Agne path and that his acting depends extensively on the direction. Their later pairing in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001), with them portraying the emotional pillars in the grand family epic, left their seal in being the most successful pairing in the history of Bollywood screens.
2. Rekha – The Golden Pair
The Amitabh-Rekha pairing stands among the most controversial in the history of Bollywood, combining cinematic excellence and off-screen controversies. They acted with passion in movies like Do Anjanae (1976), Musaddar Ka Sikandar (1978), and Suhag (1979), in which Rekha’s dynamic characterisation clashed with Amitabh’s rugged. Their On-Screen Couple: Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha in Silsila (1981).
3. Smita Patil – The Gentle Strength
Recognized for serious, subtle acting, Smita Patil felt ill at ease in commercial films at first. During the shooting of Namak Halal (1982), she felt ill at ease with the light-hearted rain song “Aaj Rapat Jaaye Re.” Amitabh patiently urged her to accept the scene. Looking back at the moment, Amitabh once described, “She was gentle and frail but stronger than anything you could ever encounter in a woman truly a gift we lost we never should have.” His reassurance enabled Smita to deliver a remarkable performance that brought magic to the film’s blend of comedy and drama. Their collaborations in movies such as Shakti and others revealed a chemistry based on mutual respect, which combined the depth of Smita with the versatility of Amitabh.
4. Parveen Babi – Glamour Meets Charisma
Parveen Babi’s collaboration with Amitabh added a glamorous flair to the hits from the 1970s and 80s. In Deewaar (1975), Amar Akbar Anthony (1977), and Shaan (1980), her chic screen presence matched Amitabh’s assertive personality. She tended to play assertive, contemporary women who could stand up for themselves against the “Angry Young Man,” and audiences loved the dynamic the two generated together. Banter and relaxed rapport added pizazz to the ensemble casts in which they starred together, and their collaborations looked like a treat. Parveen’s range in tempering glamour with the right emotional beats made the collaboration with Amitabh a perennial fan favourite in the decade’s top hits.
5. Zeenat Aman – The Stylish Duo
Zeenat Aman and Amitabh’s pairing together was due to friendship and professional respect. Both first encountered each other in Bombay as hopefuls and connected with each other through the mutual passion for humour and music well in advance of stardom. Their camaraderie in front of the lens came to harvest in such movies as Don (1978), Roti Kapda Aur Makaan (1974), and Lawfares (1981), etc. Zeenat described Amitabh’s perfection at shooting the Don song “Khaike Paan Banaraswala,” in which he desired only “one more” take after take in order to get it right. Away from the silver screen, though, Zeenat respected his composure in the midst of pressure, having stated, “He has earned every bit of the respect and admiration he enjoys.” Both together combined style, energy, and effortless demeanor with the performances.
6. Hema Malini – Grace and Gravitas
Hema Malini’s collaborations with Amitabh ranged from light-hearted to deeply emotional. In Satte Pe Satta (1982), she played the strong-willed Seema opposite Amitabh’s roguish Ravi, their chemistry driving the film’s charm. Later, in Baghban (2003) and Baabul (2006), they portrayed mature relationships with emotional resonance, appealing to audiences across generations. Hema’s elegance and Amitabh’s gravitas made them a compelling pair in both romance and drama. Their ability to adapt their dynamic to suit different genres kept their pairing fresh over decades.
7. Neetu Kapoor – The Special Collaboration
Neetu Kapoor’s only pairing with Amitabh in Yaarana (1981) was a brief but distinctive one. Off-screen, the shoot became a heart-warming episode when Neetu, who was newly engaged to Rishi Kapoor, became tearful about being apart from him. She described in Rediff how Amitabh saw her crying, reassured her, and got her a ticket back to Bombay, changing the song shoot schedule to suit her departure. “You will see I am present in the song for half and then somehow disappear,” she explained. This off-screen softness brought a dimension of warmth to their professional pairing, making it a standout in spite of it being a one-time pairing.
8. Rakhee Gulzar – Depth in Emotions
The 1970s saw Amitabh and Rakhee share tender performances in Kabhi Kabhi (1976) and Kaala Pather (1979). Rakhee’s strengths in projecting vulnerability and strength made her a perfect opposite to Amitabh’s forceful portrayals. Their pairings often saw them portray love, sacrifice, and survival, and audiences always responded strongly. In Kabhi Kabhi, their romance was intertwined in a multi-generational narrative, and in Kaala Pather, in high-pressure drama. They each added emotional heft to storylines that balanced romance with broader social concerns.
These nine pairings unlock the varied colours of Amitabh Bachchan’s screen magic from the restrained strength of Jaya Bachchan to the feisty magnetism of Rekha, the soft elegance of Smita Patil, and the fashionable appeal of Zeenat Aman. Something different from each actress defined performances that have held up over the years. For the aficionado of Bollywood, the re-viewing of these partnerships is less about nostalgia than about the joys of cinematic chemistry.
