Amitabh Bachchan —

 The True Superstar

What is the indefinable ' something ' that plases a son of an accounts executive on the altar of success at which millions of crazed fans come to make obeisance. In short what make Amitabh Bachchan a superstar? Amitabh Bachchan fans almost murdered him in Calcutta — with Love. 

The trend has changed from the romantic age. Violence is the theme of today. There was no one who could play the angry young man ; and the void was filled by the volcanic Amitabh Bachchan. Fortunately, Zanjeer clicked and become a big hit at the box-office and Amitabh was riding high and when Deewar become a blockbuster , he was rated number two by trade next only to Dharmendra. One cannot identify with Amitabh Bachchan. He's aloof as the angry young man. 

1978 will be remembered as the Amitabh Bachchan undoubtedly.  dominated the year like a One Man Army. No one had dominated a year like Amitabh Bachchan apart from his contemporaries Dharmendra (1973) and Rajesh Khanna (1971) who had similar kind of feat but the impact of their films was not like Amitabh Bachchan.  Three of Amitabh starrers - Muqaddar Ka Sikandar , Trishul, Don proved not only the top grossers of the decade but also the one of the top grossers of decade. Apart from these three highly successful super hits he has two more hits Kasme Vaade and Ganga Ki Saugandh to his credit . 

The debate about being who is the number one between Dharmendra and Amitabh Bachchan in 1977 is finally over. Though Dharmendra won the poll of being number one superstar from 1972 to 1977 consecutively but in 1978 table has turned — Its Amitabh Bachchan who is the undisputed number of Industry currently. Trade has reported Amitabh Bachchan one to ten. The rest come after him. Dharmendra had several flops this year including biggest disaster of nation Shalimar as against just one big hit Azaad whereas Amitabh Bachchan reigned supreme with five triumphs — Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Trishul, Don, Kasme Vaade and Ganga Ki Saugandh. 

Muqaddar Ka Sikandar is still breaking records all-over the country from North to South, East to West . The trade circle has reported Muqaddar Ka Sikandar next only to India's biggest box-office bonanza Sholay. According to the reports of trade , Muqaddar Ka Sikandar has fared better than Sholay in many circuits. Till now in just eight months Muqaddar Ka Sikandar has grossed 7.85 crores all-over the country and is expected to gross in the range of 10 crores to 12 crores in final run. 

Rajesh Khanna, at his peak could not cross Rs 10 Lakh as his salary. Though Dharmendra kept his price at steady as he never charged beyond Rs 12 Lakhs. Jeetendra , Sanjeev Kumar has never been craze . Vinod Khanna and Shatrughan Sinha doesn't sell in solo much and are media created superstar.  Shashi Kapoor and Manoj Kumar gave mostly big hits but both are inconsistent. The only left is Amitabh Bachchan— today he charges in range of 25 lakhs to 30 lakhs. Unheard price! Only Dilip Kumar used to command such a high price before Amitabh Bachchan. 

If we look into the top twenty grossers of the decade — Sholay, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Amar Akbar Anthony , Dharam Veer, Bobby, Yaadon Ki Baaraat, Roti Kapada Aur Makaan, Deewar, Trishul, Hum Kisise Kum Nahin, Jugnu, Johny Mera Naam, Dus Numbri, Seeta Aur Geeta, Don , Chacha Bhatija, Hera Pheri, Pratigya, Parvarish, Haathi Mere Saathi — of which 9 films has starred Amitabh Bachchan including the top three biggest grossers of Indian Cinema — Sholay, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar and Amar Akbar Anthony. 

In all, Amitabh Bachchan is biggest superstar of Indian cinema after Dilip Kumar. Like Dilip Kumar , Amitabh is fully complete actor, highly dedicated to his works, Big blockbusters in each year. 

Today whenever a Amitabh Bachchan starrers releases, a bumper opening is easily ensured just because of the charismatic star power of Amitabh Bachchan. His fans are crazy about him.