10 ladies Big B loved on-screen

Rekha: Their alleged off-screen romance notwithstanding, Rekha and Amitabh Bachchan's celluloid chemistry was nothing short of explosive. They first appeared together in 1976's Do Anjaane and ended with 1981's Silsila. In between, they also appeared together in Muqqaddar Ka Sikandar, Imaan Dharam, Mr Natwarlal, Khoon Pasina, Ganga Ki Saugandh, Ram Balraam and Suhaag.

Hema Malini: Amitabh Bachchan's brooding presence was the perfect foil to Hema Malini's feisty charms. They made a superhit couple in movies like Satte Pe Satta, Naseeb, Trishul and Kasauti. After taking a break from films, Hema made a comeback with Baghban, also co-starring Amitabh Bachchan.

Jaya Bhaduri: Mrs Amitabh Bachchan was also a frequent and very successful on-screen love interest. In fact, Jaya Bhaduri was the only leading actress who agreed to appear in movies opposite the young Amitabh who delivered 12 flops before hitting big time with Zanjeer, co-starring his future wife.

Together, the Bachchans made movie history in Sholay, Abhimaan, Mili, Chupke Chupke and of course, Silsila.

Lately, they've made a return to starring together, playing in Karan Johar's family drama Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham.

Parveen Babi: Yash Chopra's seminal Deewar was a milestone in Indian cinema for, among other reasons, shattering the mould of the typical Bollywood heroine with the modern Anita who smoked, drank and spent nights with her beau, activities that had been the preserve of the vamps till then.

The role helped Parveen Babi make the cover of Time magazine and was a landmark film in her partnership with Amitabh Bachchan. They also starred together in Amar Akbar Anthony, Shaan, Do Aur Do Paanch, Kaalia, Khuddar and Mahaan. Parveen Babi's career was all too brief but her scene in Deewar showing her smoking in bed with Amitabh remains one of the moments that changed Indian attitudes on-screen and by extension off it forever.

Rakhee: The poetic Kabhie Kabhie was the first of Rakhee's films with Amitabh Bachchan. They also starred together in Kasme Vaade, Trishul, Kaala Patthar, Barsaat Ki Ek Raat and Bemisaal. Rakhee also played Amitabh's mother in Lawaaris and Shakti.

Zeenat Aman: The year 1978 was saved from being Zeenat Aman's annus horribilis when the blockbuster Don with Amitabh Bachchan cancelled out the box office turkeys that were Satyam Shivam Sundaram and Shalimar. Zeenat and Amitabh were also paired together in Laawaris, Dostana, Mahaan and Pukaar.

Smita Patil: The darling of arthouse cinema, Smita Patil's rare mainstream appearances were most successful opposite Amitabh Bachchan. The song Aaj rapat jaye toh from their movie Namak Halaal remains thrilling even today. They also starred together in Shakti.

Aruna Irani: Before she became one of Bollywood's trinity of vamps with Helen and Bindu, Aruna Irani starred as one of Amitabh Bachchan's early leading ladies in 1972 film Bombay To Goa. She also co-starred with him in Sanjog the same year.

Neetu Singh: The effervescent actress was cast opposite Amitabh Bachchan in films like Adaalat, Parvarish, The Great Gambler and Yaarana.

Meenakshi Seshadri: Beauty queen turned actress, Meenakshi Seshadri was among the leading heroines of the mid '80s till the late '90s. Among her best known roles were Shahenshah, Gangaa Jamunaa Saraswathi and Toofan opposite Amitabh Bachchan.