Then & Now: Amitabh Bachchan still rules magazine covers

He is indisputably the Shahenshah of Bollywood, who has not only been ruling the silver-screen since the 1970s, but also the magazine covers.

On the occasion of his 74th birthday, we combed through some of his iconic covers from the past 45 years and picked out the most interesting and unique covers. And believe us; these covers are as legendary as the man himself.

So, without further ado, here are some of the most memorable Amitabh Bachchan covers.

Filmfare December 1972

He was yet to conquer the Bollywood film industry as the angry young man, but Amitabh Bachchan radiated confidence and owned this cover like a boss.

Filmfare November 1974

The Zanjeer stars, who tied the knot soon after the release of their film, looked simply adorable on the Filmfare cover. It was one of those rare covers when Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan posed together after marriage.

Cineblitz January 1976

By 1976, Amitabh Bachchan had become the star of the nation, with several hit films like Zanjeer, Abhimaan, Deewar, Sholay under his belt. And Cineblitz couldn’t have had a better cover option for its first birthday annual than the rising star himself along with an equally stunning Zeenat Aman. Needless to say, the magazine was sold out like hot cakes.

Super March 1977

This was the time when the media had imposed a ban on the megastar, but they couldn’t ignore his growing popularity and though the cover image is a movie still, AB totally rocked it with is angry gaze.

Filmfare November 1978

While the cold war between Bachchan and the media continued, Filmfare put together an interesting cover that captured the varied moods of the superstar. An amalgamation of his film stills with a headline – ‘Amitabh Bachchan, Limits To Anger’, the cover effortlessly exuded the power of Amitabh Bachchan.

Cineblitz January 1980

Well, Sr. Bachchan definitely took the Charlie Chaplin’s quote – ‘Look up to the sky, you’ll never find rainbows if you are looking down’ – pretty seriously. And Cineblitz captured his mood perfectly on their cover.

Filmfare May 1985

When Filmfare magazine decided to round up a list of 50 great heroes of the Hindi cinema, they obviously had to put the number 1 on that list on the cover. Big B owned the cover like a true Shahenshah.

Movie July 1987

Just look at the cover man, we don’t need to say anything more? He was a king then and he is a king today.

Filmfare October 1989

All he needed was a bit of his Jalwa and that piercing gaze to nail this cover.

Movie May 1990

When Amitabh Bachchan and the original superstar – Rajesh Khanna, came together after 17 years for a photoshoot for Movie magazine’s May issue, it was a historic meeting that translated into this iconic cover.

Showtime December 2008

His 100-volt playful smile on the Showtime December issue totally stole our hearts then and continues to do even now.

Filmfare August 2009

Powerful and elegant that’s what defined this Big B cover.

Filmfare December 2011

When two ruling starts of the industry came together, it had to be a kickass cover.

Hi Blitz December 2012

Suave, dapper, and sexy, that’s what defines Mr.Bachchan’s Hi Blitz cover.

GQ June 2013

Mr.Bachchan redefined style when he posed for the June cover page of GQ magazine.

Filmfare April 2013

Kudos to the Filmfare team for pulling this one off, the happy smile on Amitabh Bachchan’s face for being able to pose alongside his fav star – Dilip Kumar is priceless.

Filmfare October 2014

He showed us all how to continue to remain on top, despite being 72. He was a complete rockstar on this Filmfare cover.

Hello February 2015

The popular lifestyle magazine beautifully captured the megastar’s bond with his daughter Shweta on the cover of their February issue.

Hi Blitz 2016

Now this is what is called - owning it like a boss. The attitude, the charisma, the style – well, we simply can’t ever have enough of Mr. Amitabh Bachchan.