Bombay to Goa (1972) - starring Amitabh Bachchan, Shatrughan Sinha, Aruna Irani and Mehmood, with some good music

Bombay to Goa is one of the earlier movies of Amitabh Bachchan, and hence, at those times, there were roles that were not written solely for him, but since he was a young and upcoming actor, the movie did showcase him; with the movie "Bombay to Goa" being meant to launch the brother of Mehmood, Anwar Ali, and also showcase the talent of Amitabh Bachchan.
The movie is mostly about a bus journey, taken by a young girl where she is seeking to escape the clutches of a man looking to kill her (he has already taken money from her and also killed his own partner for the same money). The bus journey provides her (and the viewers) with a lot of adventure, and also makes her more mature.
The movie was produced by NC Sippy and directed by S. Ramanathan; and stars Amitabh Bachchan, Shatrughan Sinha, Aruna Irani and Mehmood. The music for the movie was given by R.D.Burman.



Mala's picture appears in a magazine, submitted by 2 friends of Mala (Sharma (Shatrughan Sinha), and Verma (Manmohan)); however her parents are very surprised and astonished to see these photos, and plan to marry her off to the son of their friend. However, Mala is certainly not ready to marry somebody whom she does not know and dreams of a film career. She does not understand the attitude of her parents, takes a lot of money from her parents without their knowing, and runs away from home.
She hands the money over to Sharma and Verma; and seeing this much money, their intention changes and they fight among themselves for the money, with Sharma killing Verma. Mala sees this, and is now running for her life from Sharma and tries to escape on a bus that is on the way to Goa. However, Sharma soon finds her and then enters Ravikumar (Amitabh Bachchan) who wants to save Mala. Eventually Mala starts to trust Ravikumar. The movie becomes very interesting due to the various assorted passengers on the bus, representing a cross section of people from all over India, with Mehmood playing the role of the conductor of the bus, and his brother, Anwar Ali, playing the driver Rajesh.

Yaarana (1981) - Starring Amitabh Bachchan, Amjad Khan and Neetu Singh (Amjad Khan in a positive role)

Yaarana released in the year 1981 and is one of the rare films where Amjad Khan stars along side Amitabh Bachchan in a positive role. Nearly all his other films with Amitabh Bachchan had him playing the role of the villain. The film directed by Rakesh Kumar also stars Neetu Singh, Tanuja and Kader Khan. Its super duper hit songs remain popular till date.

The film begins at a time when the two protagonists are still in their teen years. Young Bishan Kumar (Amjad Khan) lives with his widowed mother and Kishan (Amitabh Bachchan) his best friend. Kishan is a simple village youth who has a god gifted voice for singing. The two friends are inseparable and love each other greatly. However soon they are separated as Bishan moves to Bombay with his uncle and his mother. However the friends swear to never forget each other. Bishan goes on to finish his education in foreign shores and returns home to run his father’s successful business.

Bishan returns to the village in search of Kishan, determined to bring him to the city and launch him as a singer. Initially reluctant, Kishan gives in to his friend’s request and comes to city. Here he meets Bishan’s wife Sheela (Tanuja) and son Munna. Bishan hands over Kishan to Bharatji (a leading musician of Bombay) to train his untrained voice and to Komal (Neetu Singh) he hands over the responsibility of turning him into a gentleman. Kishan is reluctant to let go of his simple village manners but once he realises the efforts of his friend and falls in love with Komal, he learns fast. Soon he becomes a major singing superstar.

Kishan then comes to know that Bishan had taken huge loans from the market in order to fund his training and shows. Bishan has now lost his fortune to his uncle and to his friend’s career. Unhappy with things, Sheela has left her husband. Munna is found in a mental institution unable to speak at all. And most shocking of all Bishan is found aboard a ship holding children hostage and demanding a huge ransom. Can Kishan bring back Munna’s voice? Why has Bishan resorted to crime? Who are the real guys? The climax of the film finds Kishan finding answers to all these questions and proving his worth as a ‘true’ friend.

AWARDS WON

Best Supporting Actor - 1982 - Filmfare Award - Amjad Khan

CAST AND CREW

Directed by Rakesh Kumar
Produced by F.A. Nadiadwala
Written by Gyandev Agnihotri, Vijay Kaul, Kader Khan
Starring Amitabh Bachchan, Neetu Singh, Tanuja, Aruna Irani, Kader Khan, Ranjeet, Amjad Khan
Music by Rajesh Roshan
Lyrics Anjan
Cinematography Peter Pereira
Editing by Waman Bhonsle, Gurudutt Shirali

Shahenshah (1988) - Amitabh's comeback vehicle also starring Meenakshi Seshadri and Jaya Prada

Shahenshah released in the year 1988 and was Amitabh Bachchan’s comeback vehicle after a three year hiatus during which he had become involved in active politics. Directed by Tinnu Anand, the story of the film was written by the superstar’s wife and actress Jaya Bachchan. There was tremendous hype around the film as hordes of die-hard fans of the superstar had been waiting impatiently for his return.

The movie opens with a corrupt and snivelling bank manager Mathur (Prem Chopra) and his partner-in-crime, underworld baron JK (Amrish Puri). Mathur is in a financial mess and he along with JK decides to rob the very bank for which he works. Inspector Shrivastav (Kader Khan) is an honest police officer who gets wind of this plot and is about to crack the case when JK frames in a false case enlisting the help of an exotic dancer Julie (Aruna Irani). Unable to bear the shame of the charges levelled against him, Inspector Shrivastav hangs himself at home after being released on bail. This creates a lasting and powerful impression on his young son, Vijay (Amitabh Bachchan), who retains the noose his father had used to hang himself.

Vijay grows up in the care of Inspector Aslam Khan (Pran) and follows in his dead father’s footsteps to become a cop. Aslam Khan is an honest cop however Vijay is a sycophantic and cowardly inspector, prone to bribery and giving in to powerful criminals. Vijay finds himself in the payroll of JK who now runs a major underworld empire past the cops. Soon a new spectre makes his appearance that calls himself Shahenshah and is a costumed crime fighter. His iron hand is used to attack enemies and smash objects, and Shahenshah's other weapon is a noose. He describes himself as one man army who is out to do the job meant for cops. He not only apprehends criminals but sits on judgement and then executes the punishment. It is revealed a bit later that Shahenshah is actually Vijay, who has created this alter ego so as to punish the guilty and not be bogged down by the corrupt system. He also seeks to avenge his father’s death.

At this time we are introduced to Shalu (Meenakshi Seshadri), a small time trickster who is also out to eliminate JK as the latter had ordered the assassination of her mother Julie. JK then ends up murdering Salim (Vijendra Ghatge) who was about to expose his crime ring. Salim was engaged to Shaheena (Supriya Pathak), the daughter of Aslam Khan. Vijay now decides to openly confront JK. Julie agrees to testify against JK. And JK prepares for an all out war against Shahenshah, Vijay, Shalu and the lot of his enemies. There is a veritable bloodbath on the streets as good fights evil and there is a final showdown where Shahenshah reveals his secret identity and becomes the nemesis for all the culprits.

CAST AND CREW

Directed by Tinnu Anand
Produced by Tinnu Anand
Written by Jaya Bachchan (story), Inder Raj Anand (screenplay and dialogues)
Starring Amitabh Bachchan, Meenakshi Seshadri, Jaya Prada, Amrish Puri, Aruna Irani, Prem Chopra, Kader Khan, Pran
Music by Amar Utpal

Mili (1975) - Starring Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan and directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee

Mili released in the year 1975 and saw the return of the successful trio of Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan. This film is also the last film for which S.D. Burman scored music; after he finished composing for this film he went into a year long coma and finally passed away. For Hrishikesh Mukherjee it was his second movie, after Anand, which talked of terminal illness. However the film is not a tragedy, it is a very melancholic, yet very bright, pleasant and thoroughly optimistic piece.

Mili (Jaya Bachchan) is this effervescent young girl who infuses verve and energy with her bright and happy disposition. She is forever bubbly, vivacious, outgoing and a big prankster. Shekhar (Amitabh Bachchan) moves into the penthouse above the apartment that Mili’s family occupies and initially they end up disliking each other. Shekhar is haunted by ghosts of his past. Shekhar’s father had accused his mother of infidelity and the tension of this act had resulted in the death of both. Shekhar moves into Mili’s universe like a dark cloud-one that is full of anger, negativity and melancholy.

Soon Shekhar and Mili become friends and the latter helps Shekhar to shed the baggage of his past and move on to a happier state of being. She helps him to realise that life is a mixed bag of good and bad. The two fall in love but he does not know that Mili is suffering from leukaemia. This news takes the wind out of Shekha’r sail and he decides to move out of the housing society as he is unable to deal with the thought of a dying Mili. It is Aruna Irani, Mili’s friend and a woman of debatable moral virtues, who helps Shekhar realise the fact that it is now his turn to be there for Mili just as she has been there for him.

Shekhar decides to marry Mili, brushing aside all her protestation and at the end the duo fly out of the country to seek better medical remedies for Mili. Mili’s death is left like an open-ended question by the director and this helps to infuse a lot of hope into the film. A poignant and brilliantly told story, Mili can be easily ranked among the greatest emotional dramas of its times. Mukherjee’s direction is splendid and very real. Amitabh Bachchan is brilliant as Shekhar and puts in a restrained performance with his brooding good looks. Ashok Kumar is effortless and Aruna Irani makes an impact in a small role. However the film belongs to Jaya Bhaduri (Bachchan). She is funny, charming and yet you do note the underlying fear. Her characterisation makes Mili one of the most lovable and unforgettable characters of Hindi cinema.

CAST AND CREW

Directed by: Hrishikesh Mukherjee
Produced by: Hrishikesh Mukherjee, N.C. Sippy
Written by: Bimal Dutta, Dr. Rahi Masoom Reza, Mohini N. Sippy
Starring: Ashok Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Asrani, Aruna Irani, Parikshat Sahni
Music by: Sachin Dev Burman
Cinematography: Jaywant Pathare
Editing by: Hrishikesh Mukherjee