Editing Amitabh Bachchan (section)

== Acting career ==
{{further|Amitabh Bachchan filmography}}

=== Early career (1969–1972) ===
Bachchan made his film debut in 1969, as a voice narrator in [[Mrinal Sen]]'s [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film|National Award]]–winning film ''[[Bhuvan Shome]]''.<ref>{{cite news |author=Suresh Kohli |url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article3428922.ece |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130205112700/http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article3428922.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 February 2013 |title=Arts / Cinema: Bhuvan Shome (1969) |work=The Hindu |date=17 May 2012 |access-date=11 December 2012 |location=Chennai, India}}</ref> His first acting role was as one of the seven protagonists in the film ''[[Saat Hindustani]]'',<ref>{{cite web |url=https://scroll.in/reel/852519/before-stardom-amitabh-bachchans-drudge-years-are-a-study-in-perseverance-and-persona-building |title=Before stardom: Amitabh Bachchan's drudge years are a study in perseverance and persona building |first=Nandini |last=Ramnath |website=Scroll.in |date=8 October 2017 |access-date=20 December 2019 |archive-date=21 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190821085713/https://scroll.in/reel/852519/before-stardom-amitabh-bachchans-drudge-years-are-a-study-in-perseverance-and-persona-building |url-status=live}}</ref> directed by [[Khwaja Ahmad Abbas]] and featuring [[Utpal Dutt]], [[Anwar Ali (actor)|Anwar Ali]] (brother of comedian [[Mehmood (actor)|Mehmood]]), [[Madhu (actor)|Madhu]] and [[Jalal Agha]].<ref>{{cite news |author=Avijit Ghosh |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Big-Bs-debut-film-hit-the-screens-40-yrs-ago-today/articleshow/5206070.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615185810/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-11-07/india/28085479_1_amitabh-bachchan-saat-hindustani-malayalam-actor |url-status=live |archive-date=15 June 2013 |title=Big B's debut film hit the screens 40 yrs ago, today |access-date=11 December 2012 |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=7 November 2009}}</ref><ref name="First national award">{{cite web |url=http://in.rediff.com/movies/2007/aug/09amitabh.htm |title=I felt I did a good job in Black |work=Rediff.com |date=9 August 2007 |access-date=24 March 2012 |archive-date=25 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525045308/http://in.rediff.com/movies/2007/aug/09amitabh.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Anand (1971 film)|Anand]]'' (1971) followed, in which Bachchan starred alongside [[Rajesh Khanna]]. His role as a doctor with a cynical view of life garnered Bachchan his first [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor]]. He then played his first antagonist role as an infatuated lover-turned-murderer in ''[[Parwana (1971 film)|Parwana]]'' (1971). Following Parwana were several films, including ''[[Reshma Aur Shera]]'' (1971). During this time, he made a guest appearance in the film ''[[Guddi (1971 film)|Guddi]]'' which starred his future wife [[Jaya Bachchan|Jaya Bhaduri]]. He narrated part of the film ''[[Bawarchi]]''.<ref>{{cite book |last=Rammesh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=azlpDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT141 |title=Human Cinema: The Films of Hrishikesh Mukherjee |date=17 August 2018 |publisher=Notion Press |isbn=978-1-64324-955-1}}</ref> In 1972, he made an appearance in the road action comedy ''[[Bombay to Goa (1972 film)|Bombay to Goa]]'' directed by [[S. Ramanathan (film director)|S. Ramanathan]] which was moderately successful.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=178&catName=MTk3Mg== |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012163932/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=178&catName=MTk3Mg== |archive-date=12 October 2012 |title=Box Office 1972 |publisher=Box Office India |date=12 October 2012 |access-date=21 July 2018}}</ref> Many of Bachchan's films during this early period did not do well.<ref name=iconic1>{{cite web |title=80 iconic performances 1/10 |url=http://www.filmfare.com/details.php?id=950 |date=1 June 2010 |access-date=29 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118035457/http://www.filmfare.com/details.php?id=950 |archive-date=18 January 2012}}</ref> His only film with [[Mala Sinha]], ''[[Sanjog (1972 film)|Sanjog]]'' (1972) was also a box office failure.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lokapally |first1=Vijay |title=Sanjog (1972) |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/Sanjog-1972/article16926488.ece |access-date=14 March 2020 |work=The Hindu |date=22 December 2016 |archive-date=24 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224230427/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/Sanjog-1972/article16926488.ece |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Rise to prominence (1973–1974) ===
Bachchan was struggling, seen as a "failed newcomer" who, by the age of 30, had only two successes (as a lead in ''Bombay to Goa'' and a supporting role in ''Anand'').<ref>{{cite news |title=Rajesh Khanna didn't charge a penny for Anand; earned 10 times his remuneration through distribution: Historian Dilip Thakur |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/rajesh-khanna-didnt-charge-a-penny-for-anand-earned-10-times-his-remuneration-through-distribution-9544282/ |work=The Indian Express |date=1 September 2024 |access-date=21 December 2024}}</ref> Bachchan was then discovered by screenwriter duo [[Salim–Javed]], consisting of [[Salim Khan]] and [[Javed Akhtar]].<ref name="indianexpress2">{{cite news |title=Revisiting Prakash Mehra's Zanjeer: The film that made Amitabh Bachchan |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/revisiting-prakash-mehra-zanjeer-the-film-that-made-amitabh-bachchan-4714064/ |work=[[The Indian Express]] |date=20 June 2017 |access-date=24 November 2017 |archive-date=1 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201033352/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/revisiting-prakash-mehra-zanjeer-the-film-that-made-amitabh-bachchan-4714064/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Salim Khan wrote the story, screenplay and script of ''[[Zanjeer (1973 film)|Zanjeer]]'' (1973), and conceived the "angry young man" persona of the lead role. Javed Akhtar came on board as co-writer,<ref name="timesofindia">{{cite news |title=Why Salim Khan was angry with Amitabh Bachchan |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Why-Salim-Khan-was-angry-with-Amitabh-Bachchan/articleshow/27245793.cms |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=13 December 2013 |access-date=27 November 2017 |archive-date=2 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180102180945/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Why-Salim-Khan-was-angry-with-Amitabh-Bachchan/articleshow/27245793.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Prakash Mehra]], who saw the script as potentially groundbreaking, as the film's director. However, they were struggling to find an actor for the lead "angry young man" role; it was turned down by several actors, owing to it going against the "romantic hero" image dominant in the industry at the time.<ref name="indianexpress2" /> Salim-Javed "saw his talent, which most makers didn't. He was exceptional, a genius actor who was in films that weren't good."<ref name="hindustantimes">{{cite news |title=Deewaar was the perfect script: Amitabh Bachchan on 42 years of the cult film |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/deewaar-was-the-perfect-script-amitabh-bachchan-on-42-years-of-the-cult-film/story-x2hy87zQ0ebVlsVMV59U2I.html |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |date=29 January 2017 |access-date=24 November 2017 |archive-date=1 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201030549/http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/deewaar-was-the-perfect-script-amitabh-bachchan-on-42-years-of-the-cult-film/story-x2hy87zQ0ebVlsVMV59U2I.html |url-status=live }}</ref> According to Salim Khan, they "strongly felt that Amitabh was the ideal casting for ''Zanjeer''".<ref name="indianexpress2" /> Salim Khan introduced Bachchan to Prakash Mehra,<ref name="timesofindia" /> and Salim-Javed insisted that Bachchan be cast for the role.<ref name="indianexpress2" />

''Zanjeer'' was a [[crime film]] with violent action,<ref name="indianexpress2" /> in sharp contrast to the [[Romance film|romantically themed films]] that had generally preceded it, and it established Amitabh in a new persona—the "angry young man" of [[Bollywood]].<ref name=angryyoungman>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1945451.stm |title=Film legend promotes Bollywood |publisher=BBC News |date=23 April 2002 |access-date=15 January 2010 |archive-date=24 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324060409/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1945451.stm |url-status=live}}</ref> He earned his first [[Filmfare Award]] nomination for [[Filmfare Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]], with ''[[Filmfare]]'' later considering this one of the most iconic performances in Bollywood history.<ref name=iconic1 /> The film was a blockbuster and one of the [[List of Hindi films of 1973|highest-grossing films of that year]], breaking Bachchan's dry spell at the box office and making him a star.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/features/zanjeer50-film-that-ushered-in-the-angry-young-man-532575/|title='Zanjeer'@50: Film that ushered in the angry young man|date=6 August 2023}}</ref><ref name="Top Actors">{{cite web |title=Top Actors |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/cpages.php?pageName=top_actors |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080219165002/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/cpages.php?pageName=top_actors |archive-date=19 February 2008 |access-date=24 April 2020 |work=Box Office India}}</ref> It was the first of many collaborations between Salim-Javed and Amitabh; the duo wrote many of their subsequent scripts with Bachchan in mind for the lead role, and insisted on him being cast for their later films.<ref name="hindustantimes" /> Salim Khan also introduced Bachchan to director [[Manmohan Desai]] with whom he formed a long and successful association, alongside Prakash Mehra and [[Yash Chopra]].<ref name="timesofindia" />

Eventually, Bachchan became one of the most successful leading men of the film industry. His portrayal of the wronged hero fighting a crooked system and circumstances of deprivation in films like ''Zanjeer'', ''Deewaar'', [[Trishul (film)|''Trishul'']], ''[[Kaala Patthar]]'' and ''[[Shakti (1982 film)|Shakti]]'' resonated with the masses of the time, especially the youth who harboured a simmering discontent owing to social ills such as poverty, [[hunger]], unemployment, corruption, [[social inequality]] and the brutal excesses of [[The Emergency (India)|The Emergency]]. This led to Bachchan being dubbed as the "angry young man", a journalistic catchphrase that became a metaphor for the dormant rage, frustration, restlessness, sense of [[rebellion]] and [[anti-establishment]] disposition of an entire generation, prevalent in the 1970s.<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://www.academia.edu/10614647 |title=The 'Angry Young Man' of 'Zanjeer': From Osborne to Bachchan |first=Maanvi |last=Narcisa |website=Academia |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=4 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404051610/https://www.academia.edu/10614647 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-19893525 |title=Why Amitabh Bachchan is more than a superstar |date=11 October 2012 |access-date=21 July 2018 |publisher=BBC |archive-date=25 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925035704/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-19893525 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281116060 |title=Writing the Angry Young Man: Salim-Javed's screenplays for Amitabh Bachchan |first=Claus |last=Tieber |date=21 August 2015 |access-date=21 July 2018 |via=ResearchGate |archive-date=11 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011115044/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281116060_Writing_the_Angry_Young_Man_Salim-Javed%27s_screenplays_for_Amitabh_Bachchan |url-status=live }}</ref>

The year 1973 was also when he married Jaya, and around this time they appeared in several films together: not only ''Zanjeer'' but also subsequent films such as ''[[Abhimaan (1973 film)|Abhimaan]]'', which was released around the same time after their wedding and was also successful at the box office.<ref>{{cite news|access-date=24 March 2023|title=Abhimaan: A Bollywood marital drama that's relevant even after 50 years|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-64813501|newspaper=BBC News|date=16 March 2023}}</ref> Later, he played the role of Vikram, once again along with [[Rajesh Khanna]], in the film ''[[Namak Haraam]]'', a social drama directed by [[Hrishikesh Mukherjee]] and addressing themes of friendship.<ref name="The common man's film maker">{{Cite web |title=The common man's film maker |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2013/aug/27/the-common-mans-film-maker-510849.html |access-date=16 January 2021 |website=The New Indian Express |date=27 August 2013 |archive-date=2 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200302043833/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2013/aug/27/The-common-mans-film-maker-510849.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The film proved to be a superhit and Bachchan won his second [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor]] for his performance.<ref name="The common man's film maker"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-awards/filmfare-awards-winners/bollywood/1974/101 |title=Filmfare Awards Winners 1974: Complete list of winners of Filmfare Awards 1974 |website=The Times of India |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=11 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011115045/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-awards/filmfare-awards-winners/bollywood/1974/101 |url-status=live}}</ref> The flow of successes continued for Bachchan in 1974.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/entertainment/celebrities/manoj-kumar-recalls-special-memories-of-life-with-amitabh-bachchan-in-roti-kapda-aur-makaan-715676|title=Manoj Kumar recalls 'special memories of life' with Amitabh Bachchan in 'Roti, Kapda Aur Makaan'|date=30 June 2021}}</ref> He began the year with a guest appearance in [[Dulal Guha]]'s blockbuster social drama film ''[[Dost (1974 film)|Dost]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rewind – Greatest Indian Film Sholay Is 43 Years Old |url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=4183|publisher=Box Office India}}</ref> After this, he starred in Aravind Sen's drama film ''[[Kasauti]]'' and [[Narendra Bedi]]'s [[Crime film|crime thriller]] ''[[Benaam (1974 film)|Benaam]]'', both of which ended up as moderate commercial successes. Bachchan's next release was [[Manoj Kumar]]'s fourth directional venture ''[[Roti Kapada Aur Makaan]]''.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jcLihj0Yzi0C&pg=PA12 |title=India of My Dreams |isbn=9788171886890 |access-date=25 January 2022 |last1=Kumar |first1=Surendra |last2=Kapur |first2=Pradeep Kumar |year=2008|publisher=Academic Foundation}}</ref> The film opened to excellent response all over the country, eventually taking top spot at the box office that year and emerging an ''All Time Blockbuster'' as well as Bachchan's biggest up to that point of time.<ref name="SK"/> Before the end of year, he delivered a hit in [[Ravi Tandon]]'s crime thriller ''[[Majboor (1974 film)|Majboor]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/majboor|title=Majboor (1974)|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]}}</ref> Written by Salim-Javed, it also had [[Pran (actor)|Pran]] and [[Parveen Babi]] in the lead.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/majboor-1974/article5071757.ece|title=Majboor (1974)|newspaper=The Hindu |date=29 August 2013 }}</ref>

=== Superstardom (1975–1988) ===

In 1975, Bachchan starred in a variety of film genres, from the comedy ''[[Chupke Chupke (film)|Chupke Chupke]]'' and the crime drama ''[[Faraar (1975 film)|Faraar]]'' to the romantic drama ''[[Mili (1975 film)|Mili]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/hrishikesh-mukherjee-chupke-chupke-subtle-antidote-to-angry-young-man-era-7915586/|title=Hrishikesh Mukherjee's Chupke Chupke was the subtle antidote to the 'angry young man' era; a balance we have forgotten today|date=14 May 2022}}</ref> This was also the year in which he starred in two films regarded as important in [[Hindi cinema]] history, both written by Salim-Javed, who again insisted on casting Bachchan.<ref name="hindustantimes" /> The first was ''Deewaar'', directed by Yash Chopra, where he worked with [[Shashi Kapoor]], [[Nirupa Roy]], [[Parveen Babi]], and [[Neetu Singh]]. The film emerged a blockbuster at the box office and earned him another Filmfare nomination for Best Actor.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=8751|title=Jigra v Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video: First Week Circuit Comparison|date=20 October 2024}}</ref> Indiatimes ranks ''Deewaar'' among the ''Top 25 Must See Bollywood Films''.<ref name="mustsee" /> The other, released on 15 August 1975, was ''[[Sholay]]'', which became the [[List of highest-grossing films in India|highest-grossing film ever in India]] at the time,<ref name=boxoffice>{{cite web |title=Sholay |url=http://www.ibosnetwork.com/asp/filmbodetails.asp?id=Sholay |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120630155123/http://www.ibosnetwork.com/asp/filmbodetails.asp?id=Sholay |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 June 2012 |publisher=International Business Overview Standard |access-date=6 December 2007}}</ref> in which Bachchan played the role of Jaidev. ''Deewaar'' and ''Sholay'' are often credited with exalting Bachchan to the heights of superstardom, two years after he became a star with ''Zanjeer'', and consolidating his domination of the industry throughout the 1970s and 1980s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uiowa.edu/~incinema/sholay.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150102025542/http://www.uiowa.edu/~incinema/sholay.html |archive-date=2 January 2015 |title=Top Actor |date=2 January 2015 |access-date=3 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://boxofficeindia.com/cpages.php?pageName=top_actors |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029191201/http://boxofficeindia.com/cpages.php?pageName=top_actors |archive-date=29 October 2013 |title=Box Office 1983 |publisher=Box Office India |date=29 October 2013 |access-date=21 July 2018}}</ref> In 1999, [[BBC]] India declared ''Sholay'' the "Film of the Millennium" and, like ''Deewaar'', it has been cited by ''Indiatimes Movies'' as among the ''Top 25 Must See Bollywood Films''.<ref name="mustsee">{{cite news |author=Kanwar, Rachna |title=25 Must See Bollywood Movies |date=3 October 2005 |url=http://movies.indiatimes.com/Special_Features/25_Must_See_Bollywood_Movies/articleshow/msid-1250837,curpg-10.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015033756/http://movies.indiatimes.com/Special_Features/25_Must_See_Bollywood_Movies/articleshow/msid-1250837%2Ccurpg-10.cms |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 October 2007 |publisher=Indiatimes movies |access-date=6 December 2007}}</ref> In that same year, the judges of the 50th annual Filmfare Awards awarded it with the special distinction award called the Filmfare Best Film of 50 Years.

[[File:Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra in 2016.jpg|thumb| Bachchan and [[Dharmendra]] starrer ''Sholay'' (1975) recorded an estimated {{INR}}15-18 crore footfalls, making it the highest grossing Indian film in terms of audience attendance to date.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Team |first=Indicine |date=15 August 2015 |title=AskIndicine: Live QnA starts at 4:30PM |url=https://www.indicine.com/movies/bollywood/askindicine-live-qna-starts-at-430pm/ |access-date=9 September 2024 |language=en-US}}</ref>]]
In 1976, he was cast by [[Yash Chopra]] in the [[Romantic film|romantic musical]] ''[[Kabhi Kabhie (1976 film)|Kabhi Kabhie]]''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Yash Chopra King of Romance|url=http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?keyword=bollywood&ID=282619&subcatg=&nid=282619|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130129171228/http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?keyword=bollywood&ID=282619&subcatg=&nid=282619|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 January 2013|access-date=28 October 2012|newspaper=NDTV|date=22 October 2012}}</ref> Bachchan starred as a young poet, Amit Malhotra, who falls deeply in love with a beautiful young girl named Pooja ([[Rakhee Gulzar]]) who ends up marrying someone else ([[Shashi Kapoor]]). The film was notable for portraying Bachchan as a romantic hero, a far cry from his "angry young man" roles like ''Zanjeer'' and ''Deewaar''. Despite its heavy theme, ''Kabhi Kabhie'' went on to become a superhit.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Rewind - Sixty Years Of Dharmendra|url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=6104|work=Box Office India|language=en|date=24 November 2020|archive-date=12 July 2023|access-date=12 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230712182139/https://www.boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=6104|url-status=live}}</ref> Its soundtrack composed by [[Mohammed Zahur Khayyam|Khayyam]] and lyrics written by [[Sahir Ludhianvi]] dominated the year-end annual list of [[Binaca Geetmala]] and was one of the best-selling Hindi film albums of the 1970s.<ref>{{cite web|title=Music Hits 1970-1979|url=http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=282&catName=MTk3MC0xOTc5|publisher=[[Box Office India]]|date=5 February 2010| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100205042855/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=282&catName=MTk3MC0xOTc5 | archive-date=5 February 2010 }}</ref> Bachchan was again nominated for the Filmfare Best Actor Award for his role in the film. That same year, he played a double role in another hit ''[[Adalat (1976 film)|Adalat]]'' as father and son. In 1977, he won his first [[Filmfare Award for Best Actor|Filmfare Best Actor Award]] for his performance in ''[[Amar Akbar Anthony]]'', in which he played the third lead opposite [[Vinod Khanna]] and [[Rishi Kapoor]] as Anthony Gonsalves. The film was the highest-grossing film of that year. His other major hits that year include ''[[Parvarish (1977 film)|Parvarish]]'' and ''[[Khoon Pasina]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bobbytalkscinema.com/recentpost/flashback-1977-trade-informa-2531|title=Flashback 1977 - Trade Guide Classification|date=8 August 2024}}</ref>

He once again resumed double roles in films such as ''[[Kasme Vaade]]'' (1978) as Amit and Shankar and ''[[Don (1978 film)|Don]]'' (1978) playing the characters of [[Don (character)|Don]], a leader of an underworld gang and his look-alike Vijay. His performance won him his second Filmfare Best Actor Award. He also gave towering performances in Yash Chopra's [[Trishul (film)|'' Trishul'']] and Prakash Mehra's ''[[Muqaddar Ka Sikandar]]'' both of which earned him further Filmfare Best Actor nominations. 1978 is arguably considered his most successful year at the box office since all of his six releases in the same year, namely ''[[Muqaddar Ka Sikandar]]'', ''[[Trishul (film)|Trishul]]'', ''[[Don (1978 film)|Don]]'', ''[[Kasme Vaade]]'', ''[[Ganga Ki Saugandh]]'' and ''[[Besharam (1978 film)|Besharam]]'' were box office successes, with the former three being the consecutive highest-grossing films of the year, a rare feat in [[Hindi language|Hindi]] cinema.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 October 2012 |title=Boxofficeindia.com |url=http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=184&catName=MTk3OA== |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012163917/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=184&catName=MTk3OA== |archive-date=12 October 2012 |access-date=14 May 2023 |website=BoxOfficeIndia}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://m.rediff.com/movies/2000/oct/11box.htm |title=rediff.com, Movies: The Towering Inferno: Amitabh Bachchan |work=Rediff.com |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=22 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722041241/http://m.rediff.com/movies/2000/oct/11box.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1979, Bachchan starred in ''[[Suhaag (1979 film)|Suhaag]]'' which was the highest-earning film of that year.<ref name="SK">{{citation|url=https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=3464|title=Shashi Kapoor Passes Away|publisher=[[Box Office India]]|date=5 December 2017}}</ref> In the same year, he also enjoyed critical acclaim and commercial success with films like ''[[Jurmana (1979 film)|Jurmana]]'', ''[[Mr. Natwarlal]]'' and ''[[Kaala Patthar]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/npages.php?page=shownews&articleid=5005&nCat=|title=Legendary Director Yash Chopra Passes Away|date=22 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131121054713/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/npages.php?page=shownews&articleid=5005&nCat= |archive-date=21 November 2013 }}</ref> He was required to use his singing voice for the first time in a song from the film ''Mr. Natwarlal'' in which he starred with [[Rekha]]. Bachchan's performance in the film saw him nominated for both the Filmfare Award for Best Actor and the [[Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer]]. He also received a Best Actor nomination for ''Kaala Patthar'' and then went on to be nominated again in 1980 for the [[Raj Khosla]] directed superhit film ''[[Dostana (1980 film)|Dostana]]'', in which he starred opposite [[Shatrughan Sinha]] and [[Zeenat Aman]].<ref name="Diwali">{{cite news|url= https://www.boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=4407 |title= The Biggest Diwali BLOCKBUSTERS Of All Time |publisher= boxofficeindia.com |date=7 November 2018 |access-date=7 November 2018}}</ref> His other releases of 1980, ''[[Do Aur Do Paanch]]'' and ''[[Shaan (1980 film)|Shaan]]'' underperformed with the latter ending its run with average numbers owing to huge costs, but [[Vijay Anand (filmmaker)|Vijay Anand]]'s ''[[Ram Balram]]'' alongside Dharmendra was a box office hit.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=4467|title=2.0 - Among The Biggest Films Ever Made In India|date=27 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/movies/when-zeenat-aman-and-rekha-signed-their-only-collaboration-to-date-8597010.html|title=When Zeenat Aman And Rekha Signed Their Only Collaboration To Date|date=29 September 2023|website=News18}}</ref>
This changed in 1981 with back-to-back huge blockbusters in ''[[Naseeb (1981 film)|Naseeb]]'' and ''[[Laawaris (1981 film)|Laawaris]]'', both of which were among the top 5 [[List of Hindi films of 1981|highest-grossing films of 1981]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Rewind - Forty Years Of Historic Blockbuster KRANTI |url=https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=6155 |access-date=13 February 2021 |publisher=boxofficeindia.com}}</ref> 
Bachchan also had two hits, ''[[Yaarana (1981 film)|Yaarana]]'' and ''[[Kaalia]]'' and a moderately successful venture ''[[Barsaat Ki Ek Raat]]'' the same year and received praise for his performance in Yash Chopra's [[Romance film|romantic drama]] ''[[Silsila (1981 film)|Silsila]]'', which attracted considerable attention from the media when it was in production due to its casting. Although the film did not do well commercially, it gained cult status in later years and is considered one of Chopra's best works ever.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=5792|title=Akshay Kumar Has A Historic Year|date=8 January 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema//article59817441.ece |title=Yash, he can! |last=Udasi |first=Harshikaa |date=3 October 2012 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=26 March 2022 |archive-date=26 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326091209/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema//article59817441.ece |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Sunday">{{Cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.22939/page/n495/mode/2up?q=Silsila&view=theater |title=The making of Silsila |date=16 August 1981 |magazine=Sunday |pages=44–45 |volume=9 |issue=9 |access-date=26 March 2022 }}</ref>

In 1982, he played double roles in the musical ''[[Satte Pe Satta]]'' and action [[drama film|drama]]'' [[Desh Premee]]'' which succeeded at the box office along with highly successful ventures like action [[comedy film|comedy]] ''[[Namak Halaal]]'', action [[drama film|drama]] ''[[Khud-Daar]]'' and the critically acclaimed films ''[[Shakti (1982 film)|Shakti]]'' and ''[[Bemisal]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=5659|title=Top Comedy Nett Grossers - Housefull 4 Tops|date=28 November 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=From the India Today archives (1984) - Bollywood's big budget survivors|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/from-the-india-today-archives-1984-bollywood-s-big-budget-survivors-1994476-2022-08-30|date=30 August 2022}}</ref> On 26 July 1982, while filming a fight scene with co-actor [[Puneet Issar]] for ''[[Coolie (1983 Hindi film)|Coolie]]'', Bachchan had a near-fatal intestinal injury.<ref name="Coolie fight scene">{{cite web |work=Rediff.com |title=Bachchan injured whilst shooting scene |url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2001/oct/11amit.htm |access-date=11 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070304103635/http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2001/oct/11amit.htm |archive-date=4 March 2007 |url-status=live}}</ref> Bachchan was performing his stunts in the film and one scene required him to fall onto a table and then on the ground. However, as he jumped towards the table, the corner of the table struck his abdomen, resulting in a [[Splenic injury|splenic rupture]] from which he lost a significant amount of blood. He required an emergency [[splenectomy]] and remained critically ill in the hospital for many months, at times close to death. There were long queues of well-wishing fans outside the hospital where he was recuperating; the public response included prayers in places of worship and offers to sacrifice limbs to save him.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/Entertainment/Amitabh-Bachchan-no-longer-excited-about-birthdays/Article1-463669.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130616100713/http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/Entertainment/Amitabh-Bachchan-no-longer-excited-about-birthdays/Article1-463669.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 June 2013 |title=Amitabh Bachchan no longer excited about birthdays |work=Hindustan Times |date=10 October 2009 |access-date=11 December 2012}}</ref> Nevertheless, he resumed filming later that year after a long period of recuperation. The director, [[Manmohan Desai]], altered the ending of ''Coolie'': Bachchan's character was originally intended to have been killed off; but, after the change of script, the character lived in the end. Desai felt it would have been inappropriate for the man who had just fended off death in real life to be killed on screen. The footage of the fight scene is frozen at the critical moment, and a caption appears onscreen marking it as the instant of the actor's injury.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?Section=Movies&ID=250266&subcatg=&keyword=Bollywood&nid=250266 |title=30 years after the Coolie accident: Big B's "second birthday" |publisher=Movies.ndtv.com |date=2 August 2012 |access-date=11 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130129170555/http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?Section=Movies&ID=250266&subcatg=&keyword=Bollywood&nid=250266 |archive-date=29 January 2013}}</ref> The film was released in 1983, and partly due to the huge publicity of Bachchan's accident, it emerged an ''All Time Blockbuster'' and top-grossing film of the year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=3904|title=Infinity War Dominates – 102 Not Out Slow Start|date=4 May 2018}}</ref> He then played a triple role in [[S. Ramanathan (film director)|S. Ramanathan]]'s action drama ''[[Mahaan (1983 film)|Mahaan]]'', which proved to be a flop.<ref name="TG1983"/> Other releases that year, ''[[Nastik (1983 film)|Nastik]]'' and ''[[Pukar (1983 film)|Pukar]]'' were average fares, but ''[[Andhaa Kaanoon]]'' (in which he had a small role) was a blockbuster.<ref name="TG1983">{{cite web|url=https://www.bobbytalkscinema.com/bobbytalk/adminpanel/imagetemp/Trade-Guide-1983-Classification.jpg|title=Trade Guide Classification (1983)}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=4612 |title=2018 Has High Number Of Blockbusters |date=9 January 2019 |access-date=16 January 2024 |archive-date=16 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116170928/https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=4612 |url-status=live}}</ref> During a stint in politics from 1984 to 1987, five of his completed films were released, out of which four emerged major successes, these were - Manmohan Desai's [[Action (fiction)|action]] film [[Mard (1985 film)|''Mard'']] (1985), which proved to be a massive blockbuster, followed by superhits, ''[[Sharaabi]]'' (1984) and ''[[Geraftaar]]'' (1985) and a hit film ''[[Aakhree Raasta]]'' (1986).<ref name="Diwali"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bobbytalkscinema.com/bobbytalk/adminpanel/imagetemp/Film-Information-1984-Classifica.jpg|title=Trade Guide Classification (1984)}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bobbytalkscinema.com/bobbytalk/adminpanel/imagetemp/TG-Classifications-1986-1.jpg|title=Trade Guide Classification (1986)}}</ref> After his stint in politics ended, Bachchan returned to films in 1988, playing the title role in [[Tinnu Anand]]'s [[Vigilante film|vigilante action]] film ''[[Shahenshah (1988 film)|Shahenshah]]'', which opened to bumper response all over the nation and emerged a huge hit as well as the [[List of Hindi films of 1988|second highest-grossing film of the year]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bobbytalkscinema.com/bobbytalk/adminpanel/imagetemp/TG-1988-Classifications-Page1.jpg|title=Trade Guide Classification (1988)}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Simran |last=Bhargava |title=Amitabh Bachchan makes spectacular come-back with Shahenshah |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-the-arts/films/story/19880315-amitabh-bachchan-makes-spectacular-come-back-with-shahenshah-797041-1988-03-15 |access-date=17 August 2020 |work=India Today |date=15 March 1988}}</ref>

=== Health issues ===
He was later diagnosed with [[Myasthenia gravis]]. The illness weakened him both mentally and physically. At this time he became pessimistic, expressing concern with how a new film would be received, and stating before every release, "Yeh film to flop hogi!" ("This film will flop").<ref name="Myasthenia Gravis">{{cite web |publisher=mouthshut.com |title=Reviews on: To Be or Not To Be Amitabh Bachchan |author=Mohamed, Khalid |url=http://www.mouthshut.com/review/To_Be_or_Not_To_Be_Amitabh_Bachchan_-_Khalid_Mohamed-72513-1.html |access-date=11 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050901155545/http://www.mouthshut.com/review/To_Be_or_Not_To_Be_Amitabh_Bachchan_-_Khalid_Mohamed-72513-1.html |archive-date=1 September 2005 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Career fluctuations, sabbatical, business ventures and acting comeback (1989–1999) ===
After the success of his comeback film however, Bachchan's star power began to wane as his subsequent releases like ''[[Gangaa Jamunaa Saraswati]]'' (1988), ''[[Jaadugar (1989 film)|Jaadugar]]'', ''[[Toofan (1989 film)|Toofan]]'' and ''[[Main Azaad Hoon]]'' (all released in 1989) did not do well commercially.<ref>{{cite news |title='A simple man who narrated great stories' |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/entertainment/a-simple-man-who-narrated-great-stories/cid/625140 |access-date=26 November 2020 |publisher=[[The Telegraph (Kolkata)]] |date=19 May 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/ampstories/web-stories/7-biggest-flops-of-amitabh-bachchan|title=7 Biggest Flops Of Amitabh Bachchan}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mensxp.com/entertainment/bollywood/143885-director-tinnu-anand-main-azaad-hoon-javed-akhtar-copied-hollywood-film-amitabh-bachchan.html|title=Tinnu Anand says Javed Akhtar lied & copied 2 Hollywood films as Amitabh's Main Azaad Hoon|date=7 September 2023}}</ref> He did gain success during this period with superhits in [[K.C. Bokadia]]'s [[Crime film|crime drama]] film ''[[Aaj Ka Arjun]]'' (1990) and [[Mukul Anand]]'s [[Masala film|masala]] film ''[[Hum (film)|Hum]]'' (1991), but this momentum was short-lived and his string of box office failures continued with ''[[Ajooba]]'', ''[[Indrajeet]]'' and ''[[Akayla]]''.<ref name="SRK"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bobbytalkscinema.com/bobbytalk/adminpanel/imagetemp/TG-1991-Classifications-P1.jpg|title=Trade Guide Classification (1991)}}</ref> Notably, despite a decline in number of hits, it was during this era that Bachchan won his first [[National Film Award for Best Actor]] for his performance as a Mafia don in the [[cult following|cult]] film ''[[Agneepath (1990 film)|Agneepath]]'' (1990).<ref name="1991award">{{cite web |url=http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm38thNFAAward.aspx?PdfName=38NFA.pdf |title=Award for the Best Actor |publisher=Directorate of Film Festivals |access-date=30 July 2011 |page=26|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326034004/http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm38thNFAAward.aspx?PdfName=38NFA.pdf |archive-date=26 March 2012 }}</ref> 
After the release of Mukul Anand's moderately successful, but critically acclaimed 1992 epic film ''[[Khuda Gawah]]'', Bachchan announced his semi retirement from the film industry. With the exception of the delayed release ''[[Insaniyat (1994 film)|Insaniyat]]'' (1994), Bachchan did not appear in any films for five years.<ref name="SRK">{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=7570|title=Shahrukh Khan PASSES Where Amitabh Bachchan And Dilip Kumar Did Not|date=15 February 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=When Amitabh Bachchan Quit Acting And Wasn't Sure About Returning To Films |url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/when-amitabh-bachchan-quit-acting-and-wasnt-sure-about-returning-to-films-6439315.html |work=News18 |date=22 November 2022 |access-date=22 January 2025}}</ref>

He turned producer during his temporary retirement period, setting up [[Amitabh Bachchan Corporation]], Ltd. (ABCL) in 1996. ABCL's strategy was to introduce products and services covering an entire cross-section of India's entertainment industry. ABCL's operations were mainstream commercial film production and distribution, audio cassettes and video discs, production and marketing of television software, and celebrity and event management.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bemoneyaware.com/blog/amitabh-bachchan-from-bankruptcy-to-crorepati |title=Amitabh Bachchan – from bankruptcy to crorepati |date=10 September 2011 |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=11 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011234411/https://www.bemoneyaware.com/blog/amitabh-bachchan-from-bankruptcy-to-crorepati |url-status=live }}</ref> Soon after the company was launched in 1996, the first film it produced was ''[[Tere Mere Sapne (1996 film)|Tere Mere Sapne]]'', which was a box office hit<ref>{{cite web |title=Tere Mere Sapne – Movie |url=https://boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=2732 |website=[[Box Office India]] |access-date=3 February 2019}}</ref> and launched the careers of actors like [[Arshad Warsi]] and southern film star [[Simran (actress)|Simran]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rediff.com/business/1999/apr/26abcl.htm |title=Rediff on the NeT Business News: Businessman Bachchan braves a bad patch as ABCL falls sick |work=Rediff.com |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=15 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715074014/https://www.rediff.com/business/1999/apr/26abcl.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1997, Bachchan attempted to make his acting comeback with the film ''[[Mrityudata]]'', produced by ABCL. Though ''Mrityudaata'' attempted to reprise Bachchan's earlier success as an action hero, the film was a failure both financially and critically.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/collapse-of-mrityudaata-diminishes-amitabh-bachchans-godlike-status/1/275854.html |title=Collapse of Mrityudaata diminishes Amitabh Bachchan's godlike status |website=India Today |date=31 May 1997 |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=3 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903220429/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/collapse-of-mrityudaata-diminishes-amitabh-bachchans-godlike-status/1/275854.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=3038|title=Tubelight Aftermath - The Director At Fault|date=29 June 2017}}</ref> ABCL was the main sponsor of the ''[[Miss World 1996|1996 Miss World beauty pageant]]'', [[Bangalore]], but lost millions. The fiasco and the consequent legal battles surrounding ABCL and various entities after the event, coupled with the fact that ABCL was reported to have overpaid most of its top-level managers, eventually led to its financial and operational collapse in 1997.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/after-dream-venture-abcl-go-bankrupt-amitabh-bachchan-faces-legal-battle-with-creditors/1/253830.html |title=After dream venture ABCL go bankrupt, Amitabh Bachchan faces legal battle with creditors |website=India Today |date=26 April 1999 |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=29 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229162326/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/after-dream-venture-abcl-go-bankrupt-amitabh-bachchan-faces-legal-battle-with-creditors/1/253830.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://m.rediff.com/money/1999/apr/26abcl.htm |title=Rediff on the NeT Business News: Businessman Bachchan braves a bad patch as ABCL falls sick |work=Rediff.com |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=22 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722041151/http://m.rediff.com/money/1999/apr/26abcl.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The company went into administration and was later declared a failed company by the Indian Industries board. The Bombay High Court, in April 1999, restrained Bachchan from selling off his Bombay [[bungalow]] 'Prateeksha' and two flats until the pending loan recovery cases of [[Canara Bank]] were disposed of. Bachchan had, however, pleaded that he had mortgaged his bungalow to raise funds for his company.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010304/spectrum/main1.htm |title=Muqaddar Ka Sikandar |author=Patil, Vimla |date=4 March 2001 |access-date=16 May 2007 |archive-date=1 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201142907/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010304/spectrum/main1.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

Bachchan attempted to revive his acting career, and eventually had commercial success with ''[[Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (1998 film)|Bade Miyan Chote Miyan]]'' (1998) and ''[[Major Saab]]'' (1998), and received positive reviews for ''[[Sooryavansham]]'' (1999), but other films such as ''[[Lal Baadshah]]'' (1999) and ''[[Kohram]]'' (1999) were box office failures.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=2556 |title=Major Saab – Movie |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=31 August 2018 |archive-date=27 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180827230924/https://boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=2556 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://in.rediff.com/movies/1999/may/22soo.htm |author=Taliculam, Sharmila |title=He's back! |access-date=16 May 2007 |archive-date=31 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831141658/http://in.rediff.com/movies/1999/may/22soo.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://m.rediff.com/movies/2000/jan/03box.htm |title=Rediff on the NeT, Movies: A look at the year gone by |work=Rediff.com |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=8 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108083140/https://m.rediff.com/movies/2000/jan/03box.htm |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Kohram – Movie – Box Office India |url=https://boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=2387 |website=boxofficeindia.com |access-date=1 June 2021 |archive-date=16 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516021701/https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=2387 |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Return to success (2000–present) ===
In 2000, Bachchan appeared in [[Aditya Chopra]]'s romantic blockbuster ''[[Mohabbatein]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mohabbatein |url=https://boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=712 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210319204419/https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=712 |archive-date=19 March 2021 |access-date=23 March 2021 |publisher=[[Box Office India]]}}</ref> He played a stern, elder figure who rivalled the character of [[Shah Rukh Khan|Shahrukh Khan]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Somaaya |first=Bhawana |date=18 October 1999 |title=Three decades of triumphs |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.cscsarchive.org/MediaArchive/art.nsf/(docid)/DFB48B3C5A7071E765256940004E87EB?OpenDocument |url-status=live |access-date=25 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080427191415/http://www.cscsarchive.org/MediaArchive/art.nsf/(docid)/DFB48B3C5A7071E765256940004E87EB?OpenDocument |archive-date=27 April 2008}}</ref> His role won him his third [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-awards/filmfare-awards-winners/bollywood/2001/101|title=Filmfare Awards (2001)|newspaper=The Times of India}}</ref> Other hits followed, with Bachchan appearing as an older family patriarch in ''[[Ek Rishtaa: The Bond of Love]]'' (2001), ''[[Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham...]]'' (2001) and ''[[Baghban (2003 film)|Baghban]]'' (2003). As an actor, he continued to perform in a range of characters, receiving critical praise for his performances in ''[[Aks (2001 film)|Aks]]'' (2001), ''[[Aankhen (2002 film)|Aankhen]]'' (2002), ''[[Kaante]]'' (2002), ''[[Khakee]]'' (2004), ''[[Dev (2004 film)|Dev]]'' (2004) and ''[[Veer-Zaara]]'' (2004). His performance in ''Aks'' won him his first [[Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Filmfare Awards Winners From 1953 to 2019 |url=https://www.filmfare.com/awards/filmfare-awards/winners |access-date=14 February 2020 |work=filmfare.com}}</ref>

One project that did particularly well for Bachchan was [[Sanjay Leela Bhansali]]'s ''[[Black (2005 film)|Black]]'' (2005). The film starred Bachchan as an ageing teacher of a deaf-blind girl and followed their relationship. His performance was unanimously praised by critics and audiences and won him his second National Film Award for Best Actor, his fourth [[Filmfare]] Best Actor Award, and his second Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor. Taking advantage of this resurgence, Amitabh began endorsing a variety of products and services, appearing in many television and billboard advertisements. In 2005 and 2006, he starred with his son Abhishek in the films ''[[Bunty Aur Babli]]'' (2005), the ''[[The Godfather|Godfather]]'' adaptation ''[[Sarkar (2005 film)|Sarkar]]'' (2005), and ''[[Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna]]'' (2006). All of them were successful at the box office.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=390|title=Bunty Aur Babli (2005)}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Sarkar – Movie |url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=396 |website=[[Box Office India]] |access-date=9 November 2018}}</ref><ref name="BOI gross">{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=364|title = Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna – Movie – Box Office India}}</ref> His later releases in 2006 and early 2007 were ''[[Baabul (2006 film)|Baabul]]'' (2006),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=212&catName=MjAwNg== |title=Films fail at the BO |publisher=Box Office India |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130818140640/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=212 |archive-date=18 August 2013}}</ref> ''[[Ekalavya]]'' (2007) and ''[[Nishabd]]'' (2007), which failed to do well at the box office but his performances in each of them were praised by critics.<ref name="Bachchan's films fail at the box office">{{cite web |work=Bollywood Hungama |author=Adarsh, Taran |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/trade/top5/326.html |title=Top 5: 'Nishabd', 'N.P.D.' are disasters |access-date=26 March 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114110548/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/trade/top5/326.html |archive-date=14 January 2009}}</ref>

In May 2007, two of his films, the romantic comedy ''[[Cheeni Kum]]'' and the multi-starrer action drama ''[[Shootout at Lokhandwala]]'', were released. ''Shootout at Lokhandwala'' did well at the box office and was declared a hit in India, while ''Cheeni Kum'' picked up after a slow start and was declared a semi-hit by the end of its theatrical run.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=225 |title=Shootout at Lokhandwala – Movie |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=22 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722041157/https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=225 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=214&catName=MjAwNw== |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115223235/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=214&catName=MjAwNw== |archive-date=15 January 2013 |title=Box Office 2007 |publisher=Box Office India |date=15 January 2013 |access-date=3 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/circuit_collection.php?movieid=347&cityid=1&area=domestic |title=Cheeni Kum – Movie – |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=22 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722041152/https://www.boxofficeindia.com/circuit_collection.php?movieid=347&cityid=1&area=domestic |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="udxlrh">{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=214 |title=Box Office 2007 |publisher=Box Office India |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109040918/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=214 |archive-date=9 November 2013}}</ref> A remake of his biggest hit, ''Sholay'' (1975), entitled ''[[Aag (2007 film)|Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag]]'', released in August of that same year and proved to be a major commercial failure in addition to its poor critical reception.<ref name="udxlrh" /> The year also marked Bachchan's first appearance in an English-language film, [[Rituparno Ghosh]]'s ''[[The Last Lear]]'', co-starring [[Arjun Rampal]] and [[Preity Zinta]]. The film premiered at the [[2007 Toronto International Film Festival]] on 9 September 2007. He received positive reviews from critics who hailed his performance as his best since ''Black''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bollywoodhungama.com/features/2007/09/11/3020 |date=11 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201132528/http://bollywoodhungama.com/features/2007/09/11/3020 |archive-date=1 February 2009 |access-date=12 July 2020 |title=This is Amitabh's best performance after Black|website=[[Bollywood Hungama]] }}</ref> Bachchan was slated to play a supporting role in his first international film, ''[[Shantaram (film)|Shantaram]]'', directed by [[Mira Nair]] and starring Hollywood actor [[Johnny Depp]] in the lead. The film was due to begin filming in February 2008 but due to the writer's strike, was pushed to September 2008.<ref name="Hollywood">{{cite web |publisher=ourbollywood.com |title=Amitabh Bachchan to star with Johnny Depp |url=http://www.ourbollywood.com/2007/02/amitabh_bachchan_will_star_opp.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070401195932/http://www.ourbollywood.com/2007/02/amitabh_bachchan_will_star_opp.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 April 2007 |access-date=11 March 2007}}</ref> The film is currently "shelved" indefinitely.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/the-diary-shantaram-film--lumiere-festival-tom-atkinson-hans-holbein-harold-evans-1819450.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091116192639/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/the-diary-shantaram-film--lumiere-festival-tom-atkinson-hans-holbein-harold-evans-1819450.html |archive-date=16 November 2009 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |title=Underworld tale won't see light of day |date=13 November 2009 |access-date=23 May 2010 |location=London |work=The Independent |first=Arifa |last=Akbar}}</ref>
[[File:Amitabh Bachchan and Yash Chopra in the premiere of Paa.jpg|left|thumb|Amitabh Bachchan and [[Yash Chopra]] in the premiere of [[Paa (film)|Paa]]. Bachchan received his third [[National Film Award for Best Actor]] at the [[57th National Film Awards]] for his performance and his fifth [[Filmfare Award for Best Actor]] for Paa.]]
[[Vivek Sharma]]'s ''[[Bhoothnath]]'', in which he plays the title role as a ghost, was released on 9 May 2008. ''[[Sarkar Raj]]'', the sequel of the 2005 film ''Sarkar'', released in June 2008 and received a positive response at the box office. ''[[Paa (film)|Paa]]'', which was released at the end of 2009 was a highly anticipated project as it saw him playing his own son Abhishek's [[Progeria]]-affected 13-year-old son, and it opened to favourable reviews, particularly towards Bachchan's performance and was one of the top-grossing films of 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/years.php?year=2009&pageId=4 |title=Top India Total Nett Gross 2009 – |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=22 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722041224/https://www.boxofficeindia.com/years.php?year=2009&pageId=4 |url-status=live }}</ref> It won him his third National Film Award for Best Actor and fifth Filmfare Best Actor Award. In 2010, he debuted in [[Malayalam cinema|Malayalam film]] through ''[[Kandahar (2010 film)|Kandahar]]'', directed by [[Major Ravi]] and co-starring [[Mohanlal]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://movies.rediff.com/interview/2010/jun/08/south-major-ravi-on-kandahar.htm |title=Major Ravi gets ready to shoot Kandahar: Rediff.com Movies |work=Rediff.com |date=8 June 2010 |access-date=2 October 2010 |archive-date=24 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924144120/http://movies.rediff.com/interview/2010/jun/08/south-major-ravi-on-kandahar.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The film was based on the hijacking incident of the [[Indian Airlines Flight 814]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/hindi/article/56171.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100416025433/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/hindi/article/56171.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 April 2010 |title=Big B in 'Kandahaar' along with Sunil Shetty |website=IndiaGlitz.com |date=14 April 2010}}</ref> Bachchan declined any remuneration for this film.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/amitabh-to-forego-fee-for-sharing-screen-with-mohanlal/607690/0 |title=Amitabh to forego fee for sharing screen with Mohanlal |work=[[The Indian Express]] |date=17 April 2010 |access-date=21 December 2010 |archive-date=23 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100423152543/http://www.indianexpress.com/news/amitabh-to-forego-fee-for-sharing-screen-with-mohanlal/607690/0 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2011 he played an aged retired former gangster in ''[[Bbuddah... Hoga Terra Baap]]'' who protects his son [[Sonu Sood]] who is an honest daring police officer from a notorious gangster [[Prakash Raj]] who unknowingly hired the latter to perform a contract killing not knowing that the police officer is the gangster's son.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rediff review|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/review-bbuddah-hoga-tera-baap/20110701.htm|work=Rediff|access-date=1 July 2011|archive-date=4 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110704110156/http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/review-bbuddah-hoga-tera-baap/20110701.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite significant expectations, it had poor returns at the box office.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=53|title=Bbuddah... Hoga Terra Baap – Movie|publisher=[[Box Office India]]}}</ref> [[File:Bachan mohanlal.jpg|thumb|right|Bachchan with [[Mohanlal]]]]
In 2013, he made his Hollywood debut in ''[[The Great Gatsby (2013 film)|The Great Gatsby]]'' making a special appearance opposite [[Leonardo DiCaprio]] and [[Tobey Maguire]].<ref>{{cite web|publisher=[[Warner Bros.]]|url=http://thegreatgatsby.warnerbros.com/about-the-film|title=''The Great Gatsby'' – In Theaters May 10| access-date=14 February 2014}}</ref> In 2014, he played the role of the friendly ghost in the sequel ''[[Bhoothnath Returns]]''. The next year, he played the role of a grumpy father experiencing chronic constipation in the critically acclaimed ''[[Piku]]'' which was also one of the biggest hits of 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficehits.in/collection/piku-total-collection-lifetime-business-total-worldwide-collection.html |title=Piku Total Collection – Lifetime Business – Total Worldwide Collection – Box Office Hits |date=10 June 2015 |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722011611/http://www.boxofficehits.in/collection/piku-total-collection-lifetime-business-total-worldwide-collection.html |archive-date=22 July 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.financialexpress.com/photos/business-gallery/71357/piku-box-office-collections-amitabh-bachchan-starrer-steady-at-rs-21-18-cr-by-day-2/ |title=Amitabh Bachchan boosts Piku box office collections to over Rs 100 cr, slowly, steadily |date=11 May 2015 |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=22 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722095627/https://www.financialexpress.com/photos/business-gallery/71357/piku-box-office-collections-amitabh-bachchan-starrer-steady-at-rs-21-18-cr-by-day-2/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/piku-13-days-box-office-collection-deepika-amitabh-starrer-grosses-100-crore-worldwide-633076 |title='Piku' 13 Days Box Office Collection: Deepika-Amitabh Starrer Grosses ₹100 Crore Worldwide |first=Ankita |last=Mehta |website=[[International Business Times]] |access-date=21 July 2018 |date=21 May 2015 |archive-date=22 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722070117/https://www.ibtimes.co.in/piku-13-days-box-office-collection-deepika-amitabh-starrer-grosses-100-crore-worldwide-633076 |url-status=live }}</ref> A review in ''[[Daily News and Analysis]]'' (DNA) summarised Bachchan's performance as "The heart and soul of Piku clearly belong to Amitabh Bachchan who is in his elements. His performance in Piku, without doubt, finds a place among the top 10 in his illustrious career."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-piku-review-must-watch-for-the-thundering-trio-of-amitabh-bachchan-deepika-padukone-and-irrfan-khan-2084192 |title='Piku' Review: Must-watch for the thundering trio of Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, and Irrfan Khan |date=8 May 2015 |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=22 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722101129/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-piku-review-must-watch-for-the-thundering-trio-of-amitabh-bachchan-deepika-padukone-and-irrfan-khan-2084192 |url-status=live }}</ref> Rachel Saltz wrote for ''[[The New York Times]]'', "Piku", an offbeat Hindi comedy, would have you contemplate the intestines and mortality of one Bhashkor Banerji and the actor who plays him, Amitabh Bachchan. Bhashkor's life and conversation may revolve around his constipation and fussy hypochondria, but there's no mistaking the scene-stealing energy that Mr. Bachchan, India's erstwhile Angry Young Man, musters for his new role of Cranky Old Man."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/08/movies/review-in-piku-amitabh-bachchan-plays-a-dad-to-deepika-padukone.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220101/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/08/movies/review-in-piku-amitabh-bachchan-plays-a-dad-to-deepika-padukone.html |archive-date=2022-01-01 |url-access=limited |title=Review: In 'Piku,' Amitabh Bachchan Plays a Dad to Deepika Padukone |newspaper=The New York Times |date=8 May 2015 |access-date=21 July 2018|last1=Saltz |first1=Rachel }}{{cbignore}}</ref> Well known Indian critic Rajeev Masand wrote on his website, "Bachchan is pretty terrific as Bhashkor, who reminds you of that oddball uncle that you nevertheless have a soft spot for. He bickers with the maids, harrows his hapless helper, and expects Piku to stay unmarried so she can attend to him. At one point, to ward off a possible suitor, he casually mentions that his daughter isn't a virgin; that she's financially independent and sexually independent too. Bachchan embraces the character's many [[Idiosyncrasy|idiosyncrasies]], never once slipping into caricature while all along delivering big laughs thanks to his spot-on comic timing."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rajeevmasand.com/reviews/our-films/poop-dreams/ |title=Poop dreams – Rajeev Masand – movies that matter: from bollywood, hollywood and everywhere else |author=Rockstah Media |website=rajeevmasand.com |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=22 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722002821/http://www.rajeevmasand.com/reviews/our-films/poop-dreams/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[The Guardian]]'' summed up, "Bachchan seizes upon his cranky character part, making Bashkor as garrulously funny in his theories on caste and marriage as his system is backed-up."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/may/18/piku-review-amitabh-bachchan-lets-it-all-out-in-constipation-comedy |title=Piku review: Amitabh Bachchan lets it all out in constipation comedy |first=Mike |last=McCahill |date=18 May 2015 |website=The Guardian |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=22 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722041315/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/may/18/piku-review-amitabh-bachchan-lets-it-all-out-in-constipation-comedy |url-status=live }}</ref> The performance won Bachchan his fourth National Film Award for Best Actor and his third Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor.

[[File:Vijay receiving award from amitabh 2011.jpg|thumb|Bachchan with [[Vijay (actor)|Vijay]]|258x258px|left]]In 2016, he appeared in the women-centric courtroom drama film ''[[Pink (2016 film)|Pink]]'' which was highly praised by critics and with an increasingly good word of mouth, was a resounding success at the domestic and overseas box office.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/pink-review-amitabh-bachchan-is-still-the-only-boss-around/story-gSCikuuM2WFSvzomGiwB4H.html |title=Pink review: Amitabh Bachchan is still the only boss around |date=15 September 2016 |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=22 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722070130/https://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/pink-review-amitabh-bachchan-is-still-the-only-boss-around/story-gSCikuuM2WFSvzomGiwB4H.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="hindustantimes.com">{{cite web |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/pink-review-by-anupama-chopra-a-tale-of-true-grit-grippingly-told/story-Iiug9rbLpnGDTdgwDzEPJJ.html |title=Pink review by Anupama Chopra: A tale of true grit, grippingly told |date=16 September 2016 |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=22 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722070106/https://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/pink-review-by-anupama-chopra-a-tale-of-true-grit-grippingly-told/story-Iiug9rbLpnGDTdgwDzEPJJ.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/pink-movie-review-amitabh-bachchan-aniruddha-roy-chowdhury-taapsee-pannu-341162-2016-09-15 |title=Pink movie review: Amitabh Bachchan's POWERFUL message is unmissable |website=India Today |date=15 September 2016 |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=22 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722041209/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/pink-movie-review-amitabh-bachchan-aniruddha-roy-chowdhury-taapsee-pannu-341162-2016-09-15 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/box-office-special-features/box-office-worldwide-collections-day-wise-breakup-pink/ |title=Box Office: Worldwide Collections and Day wise breakup of Pink |website=[[Bollywood Hungama]] |date=17 September 2016 |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=22 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722011411/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/box-office-special-features/box-office-worldwide-collections-day-wise-breakup-pink/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Bachchan's performance in the film received acclaim. According to Raja Sen of Rediff.com, "Amitabh Bachchan, a retired lawyer with bipolar disorder, takes up cudgels on behalf of the girls, delivering courtroom blows with pugilistic grace. As we know from Prakash Mehra movies, in each life some Bachchan must fall. The girls hang on to him with incredulous desperation, and he bats for them with all he has. At one point Meenal hangs by Bachchan's elbow, words entirely unnecessary. Bachchan towers through Pink – the way he bellows "et cetera" is alone worth having the heavy-hitter at play—but there are softer moments like one where he appears to have dozed off in court, or where he lays his head by his convalescent wife's bedside and needs his hair ruffled and his conviction validated."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/review-pink-a-film-that-must-be-championed/20160916.htm |title=Review: Pink, a film that must be championed |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=22 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722011437/http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/review-pink-a-film-that-must-be-championed/20160916.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Writing for ''[[Hindustan Times]]'', noted film critic and author [[Anupama Chopra]] said of Bachchan's performance, "A special salute to Amitabh Bachchan, who imbues his character with a tragic majesty. Bachchan towers in every sense, but without a hint of showboating.<ref name="hindustantimes.com" /> Meena Iyer of ''[[The Times of India]]'' wrote, "The performances are pitch-perfect with Bachchan leading the way.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/pink/movie-review/54325066.cms|title=Pink Movie Review {4.5/5}: Critic Review of Pink by Times of India|website=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=21 July 2018}}</ref> Writing for [[NDTV]], Troy Ribeiro of [[Indo-Asian News Service]] (IANS) stated, "Amitabh Bachchan as Deepak Sehgall, the aged defence lawyer, shines as always, in a restrained, but powerful performance. His histrionics come primarily in the form of his well-modulated baritone, conveying his emotions and of course, from the well-written lines."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/movie-reviews/pink-movie-review-1317 |title=Pink Movie Review: Amitabh Bachchan Shines As Always – NDTV Movies |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=22 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722095613/http://movies.ndtv.com/movie-reviews/pink-movie-review-1317 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Mike McCahill of [[The Guardian]] remarked, "Among an electric ensemble, Taapsee Pannu, Kirti Kulhari and Andrea Tariang give unwavering voice to the girls' struggles; Amitabh Bachchan brings his moral authority to bear as their sole legal ally.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/sep/15/pink-review-subtle-drama-that-grapples-with-indias-culture |title=Pink review – subtle drama that grapples with India's rape culture |first=Mike |last=McCahill |date=15 September 2016 |website=The Guardian |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=22 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722041310/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/sep/15/pink-review-subtle-drama-that-grapples-with-indias-culture |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2017, he appeared in the third instalment of the ''Sarkar'' film series: [[Ram Gopal Varma]]'s ''[[Sarkar 3]]''. That year, he started filming for the swashbuckling action-adventure film ''[[Thugs of Hindostan]]'' with [[Aamir Khan]], [[Katrina Kaif]] and [[Fatima Sana Shaikh]] which released in November 2018.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.yashrajfilms.com/news/detail/2017/05/05/fatima-sana-shaikh-joins-yash-raj-films-thugs-of-hindostan-along-with-amitabh-bachchan-and-aamir-khan |title=Fatima Sana Shaikh Joins Yash Raj Films' Thugs of Hindostan Along with Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan |website=yashrajfilms.com |access-date=11 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703220400/https://www.yashrajfilms.com/news/detail/2017/05/05/fatima-sana-shaikh-joins-yash-raj-films-thugs-of-hindostan-along-with-amitabh-bachchan-and-aamir-khan |archive-date=3 July 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> He co-starred with Rishi Kapoor in ''[[102 Not Out]]'', a [[comedy drama]] film directed by [[Umesh Shukla]] based on a [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]] play of the same name written by [[Saumya Joshi]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/amitabh-bachchan-teaming-up-with-rishi-kapoor-for-102-not-out-has-been-a-great-joy/articleshow/62848833.cms |title=Amitabh Bachchan: Teaming up with Rishi Kapoor for '102 Not Out' has been a great joy |website=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725212736/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/amitabh-bachchan-teaming-up-with-rishi-kapoor-for-102-not-out-has-been-a-great-joy/articleshow/62848833.cms |archive-date=25 July 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/sony-pictures-boards-indian-comedy-102-not-out-with-amitabh-bachchan-rishi-kapoor/5126374.article |title=Sony Pictures boards Indian comedy '102 Not Out' with Amitabh Bachchan, Rishi Kapoor |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=3 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703220221/https://www.screendaily.com/news/sony-pictures-boards-indian-comedy-102-not-out-with-amitabh-bachchan-rishi-kapoor/5126374.article |url-status=live }}</ref> This film released in May 2018 and reunited him with Kapoor onscreen after a gap of 27 years.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/102-not-out-teaser-amitabh-bachchan-rishi-kapoor-seen-together-on-screen-after-27-years-4343217.html |title=102 Not Out teaser: Amitabh Bachchan, Rishi Kapoor seen together on-screen after 27 years |access-date=21 July 2018 |date=9 February 2018 |archive-date=3 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703220619/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/102-not-out-teaser-amitabh-bachchan-rishi-kapoor-seen-together-on-screen-after-27-years-4343217.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2019, Bachchan appeared in [[Sujoy Ghosh]]'s [[Thriller film|mystery thriller]] ''[[Badla (2019 film)|Badla]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/badla|title=Badla|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|publisher=[[Fandango Media|Fandango]]|access-date=3 July 2024}}</ref> The film did a lifetime business of {{INRConvert|1.38|b|year=2019}} worldwide to emerge a box office hit.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/badla-3/box-office/#bh-movie-box-office|title=Badla Box Office|website=[[Bollywood Hungama]] |date=8 March 2019 }}</ref> The following year, he co-starred alongside [[Ayushmann Khurana]] in [[Shoojit Sircar]]'s [[Comedy film|comedy drama]] ''[[Gulabo Sitabo]]'', which won him [[Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor|Filmfare Award for Best Actor (Critics)]].<ref>{{Cite web|title= Winners of the 66th Vimal Elaichi Filmfare Awards 2021|url=https://www.filmfare.com/news/bollywood/winners-of-the-66th-vimal-elachi-filmfare-awards-2021_-47314.html|publisher= Filmfare|date=28 March 2021|access-date=29 March 2021}}</ref> He then collaborated with [[Emraan Hashmi]] for ''[[Chehre]]'' (2021), a critical and commercial failure.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chehre Movie (2021)- Box Office India |url=https://boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=6139 |website=Box Office India |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref>

The next year, Bachchan had five releases, out of which [[Ayan Mukerji]]'s highly anticipated [[Fantasy film|fantasy action-adventure]] film ''[[Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva]]'' proved to be a hit as well as the [[List of Hindi films of 2022|highest-grossing Hindi film of 2022]] while ''[[Jhund]]'', ''[[Runway 34]]'' and ''[[Uunchai]]'' didn't do well at ticket counters, but met with critical acclaim.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=7329|title=Brahmastra Final Box Office Collections: India - Overseas - Worldwide|work=Box Office India|date=17 November 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Saibal|last=Chatterjee|date=3 March 2022|title=Jhund Review: Amitabh Bachchan Stars In Underdog Sports Movie That Is Way More Than That|url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/jhund-review-amitabh-bachchan-stars-in-underdog-sports-movie-that-is-way-more-than-that-2800983|work=[[NDTV]]|access-date=3 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Runway 34 Movie Review : Ajay Devgn's aviation drama lands well within the runway|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/runway-34/movie-review/91149917.cms|website=[[The Times Of India]]|access-date=28 April 2022}}</ref> In 2024, he played [[Ashwatthama]] in [[Nag Ashwin]]'s ''[[Kalki 2898 AD]]'', marking his [[Telugu cinema|Telugu]] debut.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jha |first=Subhash K. |author-link=Subhash K. Jha |date=27 November 2020 |title=Amitabh Bachchan will feature in a full length role in Prabhas and Deepika Padukone starrer film |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/amitabh-bachchan-will-feature-full-length-role-prabhas-deepika-padukone-starrer-film/ |website=[[Bollywood Hungama]] |access-date=27 June 2024 |archive-date=8 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220608175543/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/amitabh-bachchan-will-feature-full-length-role-prabhas-deepika-padukone-starrer-film/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Amitabh in Kalki movie |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/amitabh-bachchans-ashwatthama-in-kalki-2898-ad-is-the-action-hero-we-need-today-101719825746385.html}}</ref> Made on a budget of {{INR|600 crore}}, it opened to positive reception with Bachchan receiving immense praise for his performance.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hungama |first=Bollywood |date=27 June 2024 |title=Kalki 2898 AD Movie Review: KALKI 2898 AD delivers a unique experience to audiences. |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/kalki-2898-ad/critic-review/kalki-2898-ad-movie-review/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240627083822/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/kalki-2898-ad/critic-review/kalki-2898-ad-movie-review/ |archive-date=27 June 2024 |access-date=27 June 2024 |work=[[Bollywood Hungama]]}}</ref> At the box office, it grossed more than {{INR|1000 crore}} to emerge a superhit as well as the [[List of Indian films of 2024|second highest-grossing Indian film of 2024]].<ref name="moneycontrol-2024">{{Cite news |date=6 August 2024 |title=Kalki 2898 AD box office collection: Prabhas' sci-fi drama BEATS Shah Rukh Khan's Jawan as it becomes the fourth highest grossing film in India |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/entertainment/kalki-2898-ad-box-office-collection-prabhas-sci-fi-drama-beats-shah-rukh-khans-jawan-as-it-becomes-the-fourth-highest-grossing-film-in-india-article-12788999.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240806145741/https://www.moneycontrol.com/entertainment/kalki-2898-ad-box-office-collection-prabhas-sci-fi-drama-beats-shah-rukh-khans-jawan-as-it-becomes-the-fourth-highest-grossing-film-in-india-article-12788999.html |archive-date=6 August 2024 |access-date=6 August 2024 |work=Moneycontrol}}</ref>