Bollywood Through the Decades
This legendary actor was known as the "Angry Young Man" of Bollywood and rose to superstardom in the 1970s with hits like Zanjeer and Deewaar
Who is Amitabh Bachchan?
This actor’s portrayal of Mogambo in Mr. India (1987) gave Indian cinema one of its most quoted villain lines: “Mogambo khush hua.”
Who is Amrish Puri?
This emotional track from Taare Zameen Par (2007), composed by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and sung by Shankar Mahadevan, plays during the montage of the child being sent away to boarding school.
What is "Maa"?
This future megastar's actual first appearance was in the 1973 film Reshma Aur Shera as a background tabla player — a full 18 years before their credited debut.
Who is Shah Rukh Khan?
This 2005 sports drama directed by Shimit Amin is based on the real-life struggles of the Indian women's national hockey team and features Shah Rukh Khan as a disgraced former player turned coach.
What is Chak De! India?
This 1980 film featured a deaf-mute couple and was India's official entry for the Oscars, winning the Filmfare Award for Best Movie
What is Sparsh?
This chilling villain from Sholay (1975), with a maniacal laugh and brutal control over a village, became a pop-culture icon despite minimal screen time.
Who is Gabbar Singh?
This hauntingly beautiful track from Jab We Met (2007), sung by Mohit Chauhan, plays when the protagonist rediscovers himself in Himachal.
What is "Tum Se Hi"?
This iconic actor's true debut was not in Bandit Queen as many believe, but in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it role as a letter carrier in the 1994 TV film Dharavi.
Who is Manoj Bajpayee?
This early 2000s film about cricket and colonial resistance was India's official Oscar submission. Its script was influenced by director Ashutosh Gowariker's personal experience with a British producer rejecting Indian period cinema.
What is Lagaan?
This 1993 film introduced Bollywood to the gangster genre in a new way and featured the character "Bhiku Mhatre" in later sequels.
What is Satya?
In Darr (1993), this actor played a dangerously obsessive lover who turned the stammered name “K-k-k-Kiran” into a nationwide nightmare.
Who is Shah Rukh Khan?
This 2011 song, composed by A.R. Rahman, was originally written for a film about social activism and featured Mohit Chauhan's voice in a protest-style melody.
What is "Sadda Haq" from Rockstar?
This director-turned-actor was first seen on screen in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it scene in Dil Se.., years before his actual debut in Luck By Chance (2009).
Who is Farhan Akhtar?
This 2021 film tells the story of India's first Paralympic gold medalist in badminton, and features performances by Manav Kaul and Priyanshu Painyuli.
What is Saina?
This 2006 film starred Hrithik Roshan as a superhero and was a sequel to Koi... Mil Gaya. It became India’s first successful superhero franchise.
What is Krrish?
In Sarkar (2005), this veteran actor played a Godfather-like character — but it was this actor as the ruthless Vishnu Nagre, his own son in real life, who brought the menace.
Who is Abhishek Bachchan?
This uplifting track from Udaan (2010), with lyrics like “Azaadiyan bhi le kar dekhi, roka roka roka khud ko,” became an anthem of emotional rebellion and self-discovery.
What is "Azaadiyan"?
This director-actor made his screen debut in the 1981 film Masoom as a child — he’d later direct Kapoor & Sons and act in Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu.
Who is Rajat Kapoor?
This offbeat 2012 film revolves around a failed cricketer who discovers an unorthodox bowling talent in a young boy from a slum, echoing Slumdog Millionaire in tone.
What is Ferrari Ki Sawaari?
This 2004 film, directed by Vishal Bhardwaj and based on Shakespeare’s Othello, featured a powerful performance by Saif Ali Khan as Langda Tyagi and redefined his career.
What is Omkara?
This rarely-discussed 2000s villain, played by Kay Kay Menon, ran a corrupt pharmaceutical empire in the film Gulaal, which explored student politics and fascism.
Who is Dilip Singh / Dukey Bana?
This 2009 track, composed by Amit Trivedi and sung by Kavita Seth, was a spiritual breakout hit from an indie film exploring urban loneliness.
What is "Iktara" from Wake Up Sid?
This international actor made his Bollywood debut in the 2001 film Monsoon Wedding as Rahul Chadha, before going on to star in Life of Pi and The Namesake.
Who is Irrfan Khan?
In Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, Milkha is shown losing a key race in Melbourne due to a moment of hesitation — this cinematic depiction is inspired by which actual race, including the year, event type, and real-world result?
What is: The 400m final at the 1960 Rome Olympics, where Milkha Singh placed 4th, missing bronze by 0.1 seconds after looking back mid-race?