{"id":10150,"date":"2025-10-11T15:05:01","date_gmt":"2025-10-11T09:35:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/learningandcreativity.com\/silhouette\/?p=10150"},"modified":"2025-10-11T15:05:01","modified_gmt":"2025-10-11T09:35:01","slug":"amitabh-bachchan-journey-through-rare-magazine-covers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/learningandcreativity.com\/silhouette\/amitabh-bachchan-journey-through-rare-magazine-covers\/","title":{"rendered":"Cover to Cover: The Bachchan Journey"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Amitabh<\/p>\n

Amitabh Bachchan today entered his 83rd year. Chronicling his journey is this handpicked collection of rare magazine covers \u2013 some of the most interesting front pages from the many that captured his extraordinary transformation from ‘Angry Young Man’ to India’s greatest cinematic icon.\u00a0These covers appeared during Amitabh Bachchan\u2019s journey in the first three decades of his career, until his small screen foray with Sidharth Basu\u2019s Kaun Banega Crorepati<\/em> changed his appearance and fortunes forever!<\/p>\n

Madhuri<\/strong><\/h2>\n

11th<\/sup> June 1971<\/p>\n

Though Amitabh was launched by Khwaja Ahmed Abbas in Saat Hindustani<\/em> in 1969, he had to wait till mid-1971 when, after the release and success of Hrishikesh Mukherjee\u2019s Anand<\/em>, the press considered him worthy of a cover story. Amitabh played a supporting role to Rajesh Khanna in this classic. Madhuri<\/em>, a publication of The Times of India group, was the most popular Hindi film magazine of the seventies.<\/p>\n

\"Amitabh

Amitabh Bachchan on Madhuri<\/em> cover 11th June 1971<\/p><\/div>\n

Filmfare<\/strong><\/h2>\n

13th<\/sup> August 1971<\/p>\n

Amitabh Bachchan\u2019s first Filmfare<\/em> magazine cover appeared two months after his Madhuri<\/em> cover. Filmfare was then edited by B K Karanjia, and the cover was shot by the magazine\u2019s official photographer Dhiraj Chawda. Amitabh went on to feature in several memorable Filmfare<\/em> covers across his journey as an actor.<\/p>\n

\"Amitabh

Amitabh Bachchan on Filmfare<\/em> August 13, 1971 cover<\/p><\/div>\n

Stardust<\/strong><\/h2>\n

March 1973<\/p>\n

Amitabh Bachchan\u2019s first Stardust<\/em> cover appeared at a time when he was struggling for box-office validation of his stardom. When this cover hit the stands, none of Amitabh\u2019s 11 releases had worked, except Anand<\/em> and, to some extent, Bombay to Goa<\/em>.\u00a0The popular gossip magazine was owned by Nari Hira, and its editor that year was Shobhaa De, who later went on to edit several journals before transforming herself into a bestselling author!<\/p>\n

\"Amitabh

Amitabh Bachchan on Stardust<\/em> March 1973 cover<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

Cine Blitz<\/strong><\/h2>\n

April 1975<\/p>\n

Cine Blitz<\/em> was launched by Rusi Karanjia, the firebrand editor of Blitz<\/em> weekly, in December 1974. Amitabh\u2019s first cover for the magazine was its fifth issue, and the first to stamp the rise of the \u2018Angry Young Man\u2019 \u2013 a persona seen and popularised in three successive Salim-Javed scripts viz<\/em>. Prakash Mehra\u2019s Zanjeer <\/em>(1973), Ravi Tandon\u2019s Majboor<\/em> (1974) and Yash Chopra\u2019s Deewaar<\/em> (1975).<\/p>\n

\"Amitabh

Amitabh Bachchan on Cine Blitz<\/em>\u00a0April 1975 cover<\/p><\/div>\n

Filmfare<\/strong><\/h2>\n

November 16-30, 1978<\/p>\n

The year 1978, as I have mentioned in my book The Bachchans<\/a><\/em><\/strong>,<\/em> remains the most successful year of Amitabh\u2019s career. While mega-hits like Adalat, Khoon Pasina, Amar Akbar Anthony,<\/em> and Parvarish <\/em>(all released in 1977) were still in theatres, he delivered as many as six success stories in 1978! While Besharam<\/em> was a moderate success, Don, Trishul, Ganga ki Saugand, Muqaddar ka Sikandar<\/em> and Kasme Vaade<\/em> were super-hits. Therefore, 10 blockbusters featuring Bachchan were ruling the country\u2019s box office in 1978! A feat no actor worldwide can claim, in my opinion.<\/p>\n

Since most of the films had the superstar in anger, the\u00a0Filmfare<\/em>\u00a0cover story carried a critique of how Amitabh is repeating himself towards doom! It needs to be stated here that the magazine seldom gave generous reviews to any Amitabh film at the peak of his popularity.<\/p>\n

\"Amitabh

Amitabh Bachchan on Filmfare<\/em> November 16-30, 1978 cover<\/p><\/div>\n

India Today<\/strong><\/h2>\n

May 1-15, 1980<\/p>\n

After a glorious 1978, Amitabh delivered another four hits in 1979 viz<\/em>. Mr Natwarlal, Kaala Patthar, Jurmana<\/em> and Suhaag<\/em>!<\/p>\n

Such an avalanche of hits at the box-office had never been created before by any successful actor. India Today<\/em> magazine surprised its discerning readers with a cover story referring to Amitabh Bachchan as a \u2018One Man Industry\u2019 \u2013 an epithet that became synonymous to Bachchan for years to come! This was Amitabh\u2019s first cover of the country\u2019s most popular fortnightly English magazine.<\/p>\n

Another India Today<\/em> cover, titled \u2018The Big Budget Survivors\u2019, made waves four years later, featuring Bachchan with Prakash Mehra and Manmohan Desai, two of his most successful directors. It was shot by celebrated photographer Raghu Rai.<\/p>\n

\"Amitabh

Amitabh Bachchan on India Today<\/em> May 1-15, 1980 cover<\/p><\/div>\n

Movie<\/strong><\/h2>\n

September 1982<\/p>\n

An India Book House publication, Movie<\/em> magazine was edited by Rauf Ahmed and was positioned for readers who preferred great visuals and less gossip. The mass hysteria that followed Amitabh\u2019s famous accident on the sets of Prayag Raaj\u2019s Coolie<\/em>, the daily health updates on the front pages of all newspapers during his two-month hospitalisation, the countrywide prayers transcending religious and geographical boundaries, all added up to the magazine famously declaring him \u2018The Phenomenon\u2019! The cover was shot by acclaimed calendar artist, film publicity designer, and photographer J P Singhal.<\/p>\n

\"Amitabh

Amitabh Bachchan on Movie<\/em> September 1982 cover<\/p><\/div>\n

Ruby<\/strong><\/h2>\n

April 1983<\/p>\n

Urdu film journals have always been at the forefront of film journalism in India, since the 1930s. Popular magazines like Shama<\/em> (edited by Idrees Dehelvi), Ruby, Filmi Sitaray<\/em> and many more had interesting cover stories on the actor in the 70s, 80s and 90s. This unique cover is a tribute to Bachchan\u2019s popularity in the eighties!<\/p>\n

\"Amitabh

Amitabh Bachchan on Urdu Magazine Ruby\u00a0<\/em>April 1983 cover<\/p><\/div>\n

Gentleman<\/strong><\/h2>\n

July 1983<\/p>\n

Though a \u2018men\u2019s\u2019 magazine with intellectual content, Gentleman<\/em> was famous for its unique features by acclaimed thinkers and luminaries. This rare issue featured Dr Harivansh Rai Bachchan and Amitabh in conversation with the magazine on topics beyond just cinema. The issue successfully focused on the father-son bond, with both analysing each other\u2019s journey in their own opinions.<\/p>\n

\"Amitabh

Amitabh Bachchan with Harivansh Rai Bachchan on Gentleman<\/em> April 1983 cover<\/p><\/div>\n

Sushma<\/strong><\/h2>\n

April 1985<\/p>\n

Shama<\/em> (Urdu) and Sushma<\/em> (Hindi) were both published from Delhi by Idrees Dehlvi. Usually, the covers were advertisements of upcoming films, designed specifically for the magazine by the producers. This issue, however, highlights the industry\u2019s fear of losing Amitabh to politics. After Amitabh\u2019s spectacular win at the Allahabad Lok Sabha seat as a Congress candidate (December 1984), he became a Member of Parliament when this issue hit the stands.<\/p>\n

\"Amitabh

Amitabh Bachchan on Sushma<\/em> April 1985 cover<\/p><\/div>\n

The Illustrated Weekly of India<\/strong><\/h2>\n

January 8-14, 1989<\/p>\n

The nastiest cover story to ever come out on Amitabh Bachchan! The press was gunning for the superstar following his resignation from politics over the Bofors issue. Though Tinnu Anand\u2019s Shahenshah <\/em>had a spectacular opening at the box office in 1988 and the film zoomed past a silver jubilee, it was Manmohan Desai\u2019s Gangaa Jamunaa Saraswathi<\/em> that barely scraped through the box office, thereby opening a Pandora\u2019s box of flak for the actor\u2019s commercial stature. Though The Illustrated Weekly of India<\/em>\u00a0was edited by Pritish Nandy, the cover story was penned by Khalid Mohamed, then a powerful film critic with The Times of India<\/em>. Nandy later regretted doing this particular cover story.<\/p>\n

\"Amitabh

Amitabh Bachchan on The Illustrated Weekly of India<\/em> January 8-14, 1989 cover<\/p><\/div>\n

G<\/strong><\/h2>\n

12th<\/sup> February, 1990<\/p>\n

Published by Chitralekha Group and edited by Bhawana Somaaya, G<\/em> magazine was famous for its visual quality. This particular issue featured rare family portraits of the Bachchan family shot by the celebrated cinematographer Ashok Mehta.<\/p>\n

\"Amitabh

Amitabh Bachchan with Jaya Bachchan, Shweta and Abhishek on G<\/em> February 1990 cover<\/p><\/div>\n

Mayapuri<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Diwali 1991 Issue<\/p>\n

Mayapuri<\/em> was the most affordable and therefore popular Hindi film magazine across the Hindi belt. This was an exclusive issue featuring the Bachchans on the cover. The special issue sold out as it hit the stands.<\/p>\n

\"Amitabh

Amitabh Bachchan with family on Mayapuri<\/em> Diwali 1991 Issue cover<\/p><\/div>\n

Business World<\/strong><\/h2>\n

1-14 November, 1995<\/p>\n

An unusual magazine to feature Amitabh for its cover story! He graced the cover of Business World<\/em> during the time he had taken a sabbatical from films to set up a corporate entity named Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Limited, which was later rechristened as AB Corp. This issue appeared three years after Mukul Anand\u2019s blockbuster hit Khuda Gawah<\/em>. Bachchan had not done any film after that.<\/p>\n

\"Amitabh

Amitabh Bachchan on BusinessWorld<\/em> November 1995 cover<\/p><\/div>\n

More Must Read in Silhouette<\/h2>\n

\u2018His First Release in Bombay was \u2018Anand\u2019, Not \u2018Saat Hindustani\u201d \u2014 SMM Ausaja, Author of THE BACHCHANS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

75 Rare Memorabilia, Unique Artworks to Celebrate Amitabh Bachchan\u2019s Platinum Year<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Amitabh Bachchan \u2013 He Still Towers Over the Others<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Bachchan Back to the Beginning \u2014 Mega 18-City Retrospective & Exhibition to Celebrate the Icon\u2019s 80th Birthday<\/a><\/strong> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As the country\u2019s most popular celebrity enters his 83rd glorious year, author, film historian and archivist SMM Ausaja takes a look at some of the stunning magazine covers featuring the superstar, sourced from his private archive.<\/strong> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":579,"featured_media":10173,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[424],"tags":[563,911,932],"class_list":["post-10150","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-indian-cinema-retrospectives","tag-amitabh-bachchan","tag-jaya-bachchan","tag-jaya-bhaduri"],"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/learningandcreativity.com\/silhouette\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10150","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/learningandcreativity.com\/silhouette\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/learningandcreativity.com\/silhouette\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/learningandcreativity.com\/silhouette\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/579"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/learningandcreativity.com\/silhouette\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10150"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/learningandcreativity.com\/silhouette\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10150\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10168,"href":"https:\/\/learningandcreativity.com\/silhouette\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10150\/revisions\/10168"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/learningandcreativity.com\/silhouette\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10173"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/learningandcreativity.com\/silhouette\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10150"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/learningandcreativity.com\/silhouette\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10150"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/learningandcreativity.com\/silhouette\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10150"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}