Today marks the 51st anniversary of the release of the iconic film Zanjeer.

Today marks the 51st anniversary of the release of the iconic film #Zanjeer (11/05/1973).

Directed and produced by Prakash Mehra and written by Salim-Javed, the film starred Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Pran, Ajit Khan, and Bindu. Released at a time when India was facing issues like corruption and low economic growth, Zanjeer became a turning point for Hindi cinema, shifting it towards a more violent and aggressive direction.

The film not only marked the end of Bachchan’s struggling period but also turned him into a rising star. Zanjeer’s success led to many subsequent collaborations between Salim-Javed and Bachchan, establishing him as a superstar and inspiring future generations of actors.

Moreover, Zanjeer had a significant impact on South Indian cinema as well, with Bachchan’s acting inspiring future Tamil superstar Rajinikanth. Today, Zanjeer is regarded as a classic and an important film in the history of Indian cinema. Let’s celebrate the 50th anniversary of this masterpiece and its contribution to Indian cinema.

The lead role in Zanjeer was offered to several established actors including Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, Raaj Kumar, and Dharmendra, but all of them turned it down. At that time, Rajesh Khanna was at the height of his popularity as a romantic hero, and the film industry was dominated by romance movies. However, Zanjeer, which did not feature a single romantic scene between the lead pair of Amitabh and Jaya, marked a new direction for Hindi cinema.

Many actors who refused the film were concerned that it would damage their image, but Amitabh Bachchan, who had yet to establish himself as a star, took the risk and accepted the role. As history shows, it paid off, and Zanjeer became a turning point in Bachchan’s career, paving the way for his superstardom in the years to come.

#AmitabhBachchan, #JayaBachchan, #PrakashMehra, and others at the muhurat of Zanjeer.