Naseeruddin Shah & Amitabh Bachchan Movies Together List — 7 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-06-05 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
Naseeruddin Shah and Amitabh Bachchan appeared together in 7 Hindi films between 1985 and 2022. Their highest-rated collaboration was Badla (2019 — 7.8/10). Films span Ghulami (1985) through Naam Tha Kanhaiyalal (2022).
The Naseeruddin Shah & Amitabh Bachchan partnership
After 17 years apart, they came back together for Paheli (2005). They didn't share a set between 1988 and 2005. They saved their best for last — Badla (7.8/10) came 34 years in.
Their work runs across 4 decades of Hindi cinema. From Ghulami (1985) to Naam Tha Kanhaiyalal (2022).
The shape of the work
The 1980s belonged to Ghulami; the 2020s to Naam Tha Kanhaiyalal. Naseeruddin Shah acted in every film; Amitabh Bachchan acted in all of them. Strictly Hindi cinema — they never crossed industries together.
Partnership facts
- Naseeruddin Shah was the first choice for Amitabh Bachchan's role in 'Jalwa' (1987). The director wanted Naseer as the hero. But Naseer read the script and told the director: 'This role needs a star. Get Amitabh.' He then personally called Big B to convince him to take it.
- In 'Badla' (2019), Naseeruddin Shah deliberately slowed down his dialogue delivery in every courtroom scene. He told the director: 'Amitabh will match my rhythm, but he needs space to react.' The result? Their verbal duel became the film's most rewatched sequence.
- On the sets of 'Paheli' (2005), Naseeruddin Shah and Amitabh Bachchan shared a caravan. Not because of budget constraints — they chose to. They spent hours discussing theatre and Urdu poetry between shots. Naseer later said: 'We didn't talk about the film once. We talked about life.'
- Naseeruddin Shah on Amitabh Bachchan after 'Department' (2012): 'He is the only actor who can make you feel like you're acting with a mountain. You don't compete. You just stand in his shadow and hope some of it falls on you.'
- The success of 'Badla' (2019) directly led to Amitabh and Naseer being cast together again in 'Naam Tha Kanhaiyalal' (2022). The producer saw their courtroom chemistry in Badla and greenlit the project specifically as a two-hander for them.
7 films across 4 decades
The 1980s accounted for 3 films, averaging 5.0/10.
The 2000s accounted for 1 film, averaging 6.2/10.
The 2010s brought 2 films together, anchored by Badla (7.8/10).
The 2020s accounted for 1 film.
- Ghulami
- Hero Hiralal
- Paheli
- Badla
- Department
- Naam Tha Kanhaiyalal
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
7 films across 37 years represents consistent collaboration.
Language Distribution
Linguistic diversity: 1 language, with Hindi being their primary medium.
Where each was in their career
By the time of Ghulami, both already had careers — Naseeruddin Shah with 30 films, Amitabh Bachchan with 33.
Before Ghulami, Naseeruddin Shah had starred in 30 films, including Aakrosh (1980) and Sparsh (1980).
After Naam Tha Kanhaiyalal, Naseeruddin Shah went on to appear in 8 more films, including Gustaakh Ishq (2025) and Fateh (2025).
Before Ghulami, Amitabh Bachchan had starred in 33 films, including Gol Maal (1979) and Shakti (1982).
After Naam Tha Kanhaiyalal, Amitabh Bachchan went on to appear in 9 more films, including Ghoomer (2023) and Kalki 2898 AD (2024).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of Naseeruddin Shah & Amitabh Bachchan's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
People who worked on Naseeruddin Shah & Amitabh Bachchan's films together
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