Jaya Bachchan is one of the most talented actresses that Hindi cinema will always be proud of. Born as Jaya Bhaduri, the veteran actress is best known for her roles in films like Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Abhimaan, Silsila, Guddi, Mili, Sholay and many more. These are some of the best Jaya Bachchan classic films she has worked in her illustrious career.
Jaya Bachchan made her film debut in 1963 with legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray’s Bengali film Mahanagar. She played her first lead role as an adult in the 1971 Hrishikesh Mukherjee-directed film Guddi. In Koshish, Jaya Bachchan and her co-star Sanjeev Kumar played a mute couple. She was last seen in 2023’s Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani starring Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh.
So, if you are planning to watch the best Bollywood movies of Jaya Bachchan, then this list is definitely for you. It has all her memorable performances.
9 best Hindi movies of Jaya Bachchan that you can watch in your free time
1. Guddi (1971)
- Cast: Jaya Bachchan and Dharmendra
- IMDb rating: 7.2
- Release Year: 1971
- Genre: Family/Musical
- Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
Released in 1971, Guddi featured Jaya Bachchan in the lead role of Kusum. The 1971 film also featured veteran actor Dharmendra as himself. Utpal Dutt played a key role in the film. Guddi is a fictional portrayal of a young girl who is passionate about cinema and is crazy about superstar Dharmendra.
2. Zanjeer (1973)
- Cast: Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan
- IMDB Rating: 7.5
- Release Year: 1973
- Genre: Action/Crime
- Where to watch: YouTube
Starring Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan, Zanjeer was released in 1973. Amitabh played the role of Vijay Khanna, a police inspector who stands up against injustice and crime. Vijay is on a mission to solve crimes, including the murder of his parents. In the film, Jaya Bachchan was cast as Mala, a street performer who witnesses a traffic accident and is bribed by the henchmen of criminal Teja to keep her mouth shut.
3. Abhimaan (1973)
- Cast: Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan
- IMDb Rating: 7.8
- Release Year: 1973
- Genre: Drama, Musical
- Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
Abhimaan, released in 1973, also featured Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan in lead roles. The film depicts themes of love, ego and ambition. They play music artists Subir and Uma respectively, who navigate their married life and experience ups and downs.
4. Sholay (1975)
- Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Hema Malini and Jaya Bachchan
- IMDb Rating: 8.1
- Release Year: 1975
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
Acclaimed as a cult classic, Sholay was released in 1975. It is one of the best films of Jaya Bachchan’s career. She played the role of Radha, a widower who rehires two criminals, Jai and Veeru, to avenge her husband’s death from the ruthless bandit Gabbar Singh. The film also featured Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Hema Malini, Sanjeev Kumar and Amjad Khan.
5. Chupke Chupke (1975)
- Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Sharmila Tagore and Jaya Bachchan
- IMDb Rating: 8.3
- Release Year: 1975
- Genre: Comedy/Drama
- Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
Directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, the film starred Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Sharmila Tagore and Jaya Bachchan in the lead roles. The story revolves around Professor Parimal Tripathi, a botany professor with a playful personality. He falls in love with a student Sulekha Chaturvedi and hatches a fun plan to win her heart. Parimal offers himself as a caretaker to be close to Sulekha, leading to many funny incidents. Jaya Bachchan was cast as Vasudha Kumar in the film.
6. Silsila (1981)
- Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Rekha, Jaya Bachchan and Sanjeev Kumar
- IMDb rating: 7.2
- Release Year: 1981
- Genre: Romance/Musical
- Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
Produced by Yash Chopra, Silsila is based on the themes of love, betrayal, loyalty and traditions. The 1981 film starred Amitabh Bachchan, Rekha, Jaya Bachchan and Sanjeev Kumar in lead roles. Jaya Bachchan played Shobha, who is married to Amitabh Bachchan’s character Amit. Her life turns upside down when she learns that Amit is still in love with his ex-girlfriend Chandni.
7. Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003)
- Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta, Saif Ali Khan and Jaya Bachchan
- IMDb Rating: 7.9
- Release Year: 2003
- Genre: Romance/Musical
- Where to watch: Netflix
Released in 2003, Kal Ho Naa Ho is a heartwarming story about love, friendship and the spirit of living. The film follows the life of Preity Zinta’s character Naina Catherine Kapoor, a young woman dealing with family problems and grief. Naina’s life changes when she is introduced to her new cheerful and carefree neighbour Aman (Shah Rukh Khan’s character). Jaya Bachchan played Jennifer Kapoor’s role in the film.
8. Sometimes happy sometimes sad (2001)
- Cast: Shahrukh Khan, Kajol, Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan
- IMDb Rating: 7.4
- Release Year: 2001
- Genre: Musical/Romance
- Where to watch: Netflix
Starring Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Hrithik Roshan, Kareena Kapoor, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham was released in 2001. The family entertainer was directed by Karan Johar. The story of K3G revolves around the life of a middle-aged rich couple, Yashvardhan Raichand and Nandini Raichand, played by Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan respectively. The Raichand family experiences longings and misunderstandings after the marriage of their adopted son.
9. Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani (2023)
- Cast: Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Jaya Bachchan, Shabana Azmi and Dharmendra
- IMDB Rating: 6.5
- Release year: 2023
- Genre: Romance/Comedy
- Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
Starring Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt in the lead roles, Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani is a love story of Rocky Randhawa and Rani Chatterjee, who come from different cultural backgrounds. To win over their families, the couple decides to live at each other’s house before getting married. Jaya Bachchan played the role of Dhanalakshmi Randhawa in the film, a matriarch and Rocky’s grandmother.
Have you seen these Hindi films of Jaya Bachchan? If not, don’t forget to add them to your watchlist.
