RANKED: The 8 Best Performances of Amitabh Bachchan

    RANKED: The 8 Best Performances of Amitabh Bachchan

    Amitabh Bachchan: the name in itself is worth a thousand adjectives. One of the most iconic actors -- heck, the most iconic actor -- this country has produced, he has consistently defined and redefined stardom in a career that has spanned over four decades.

    And when you reach the level of fame that he has -- or even half of it -- it is somewhat easy to ignore what a talent he is. People talk about his popularity, people talk about his aura but it is his acting that has made him what he is.

    Considering that, we decided to assess his career and dig out those performances which aren't iconic or popular but actually are a testament of his acting prowess.

    Without further adieu, here they are:

    #8 Vijay Verma in Deewar

    RANKED: The 8 Best Performances of Amitabh Bachchan

    The story of two brothers, this epic tale is always associated with Amitabh Bachchan's angry young man persona. His commanding dialogues and his casual arrogance is something we won't ever forget.

    #7 Bhashkor Banerjee in Piku

    RANKED: The 8 Best Performances of Amitabh Bachchan

    Bhashkor Banerjee is easily among the most annoying characters we have seen on-screen. An aging hyperchondriac with digestive problems and unhealthy relationship with his daughter, it is also a very complex character.

    #6 Vijay Deenanath Chauhan in Agneepath

    RANKED: The 8 Best Performances of Amitabh Bachchan

    Ironically, it is perhaps the last time that Amitabh Bachchan played his angry young man persona. And, we think, he has never played it better.

    #5 Vijay Pal Singh in Kaala Patthar 

    RANKED: The 8 Best Performances of Amitabh Bachchan

    This Yash Chopra film about Chasnala mining disaster had many strengths. Most prominently of course was Amitabh Bachchan's performance.

    #4 Auro in Paa

    RANKED: The 8 Best Performances of Amitabh Bachchan

    It is one of those high-risk-high-reward kind of situations. It couldn't have been easy for any 70 something actor to play a role of a 12 year old with the condition, yet, the actor pulled off that impossible stunt. That alone deserves applause.

    #3 Dr. Bhaskar Banerjee in Anand

    RANKED: The 8 Best Performances of Amitabh Bachchan

    Though, this classic movie belonged to Rajesh Khanna, but what we remember the most are the words Babu Moshai. Partly because of Amitabh Bachchan's nuanced performance.

    #2 Don and Vijay in Don

    RANKED: The 8 Best Performances of Amitabh Bachchan

    No matter how much you love Farhan Akhtar and Shah Rukh Khan's effort to revive this movie, it was impossible to replicate it. The reason is simple: there was no uber-cool assuredness of Amitabh Bachchan.

    #1 Debraj Sahai in Black

    RANKED: The 8 Best Performances of Amitabh Bachchan

    Playing the role of an aging teacher whose student is blind and deaf, Amitabh Bachchan's role was both shocking and heart-rending. This Sanjay Leela Bhansali gem, also had Rani Mukherji in a superlative role, but it was Big B's Debraj Sahai that etched her hearts with something undescribable.