Fifty years ago Amitabh Bachchan, a young shipping executive from Calcutta, came down to Bombay to join Hindi cinema and started his innings by signing filmmaker K. A. Abbas’s Saat Hindustani on February 15, 1969. The film, which was on the liberation of Goa from the Portuguese, released on November 7, that year. It didn’t really set the screens on fire or rocket the debutant actor into the stratosphere he straddles now as a colossus five decades later. But it was a start. And it introduced Amitabh Bachchan to us. Generations around the world have followed him, loved him and grown old with the Big B and each one of his fans has their own reasons for loyally forgetting disasters of his like Thugs of Hindostan because they have a new Badla to look forward to.

PeepingMoon.com looks at 50 reasons in the Big B’s 50th year in cinema why people continue to put their money and prayers on the great actor each time he steps up to entertain us. And as he once put it, Rishtey mein hum tumhare baap lagte hai! Read on…

Because he is amongst the merely any who could live by the phrase, Buddah hoga tera Baap! He may not have the abs or a macho physique, but still putting men half his age to shame with his ever-pumping adrenaline levels at 76.

Because he would have made for an outstanding radio figure, a force to reckon with in Hollywood and an equally famous name in the age of silent cinema. Can you think of anybody else who could transcend Albert Einstein’s space and time theory?

Because thanks to Amit ji, ‘angry young man’ is a fashionable phrase in the millennial dictionary. Men still try to copy and capture his poses and demeanour.

Because although Shashi Kapoor had Maa in Deewar, Big B has got Paa. He played a young boy suffering from progeria in the film, and a son to his real-life son, Abhishek Bachchan. Kahi dekha hai aesa kabhi, baap beta aur beta baap bane?

Because unlike other superstars in his age bracket, he has successfully sailed the ship of success and stardom without making it to the meme machine.

Because it was him who taught us to talk to our PCs. *plays Kaun Banega Crorepate music* Computer ji, lock kiya jaaye?

Because he banked on his talent and skills alone, not extra letters in his name, adding or subtracting.

Because movies for the present generation are now classified as Before Bachchan (BB) and After Bachchan (AB).

Because not any Khan or Roshan or Kumar, but Amit Ji is the original poster boy of item songs – cue on to Bol bol bol bol Bachchan, Mere angnein mein, Shava Shava.

Because only he could have made us mug up General Knowledge books and sit in front of our television set for a test.

Because an entire nation with a population of millions came to a standstill when he suffered a nearly fatal injury. His Coolie accident became a national calamity, with his devoted fans doing pujas and hawans for his recovery.

Because he is human even without wearing it on his sleeve literally! Thanks to him, Do boond zindagi ke have now made India Polio free.

Because he isn’t afraid to make mistakes and learn from them. ABCL and elections are proof of them, but you gotta have the shoes to walk on his path.

Because come what may, Mr. Bachchan has always returned and risen from the ashes like a phoenix. Bigger and better!

Because he is more tech-savvy than any other teenybopper we know. He writes his own blog, handles his own Twitter, Instagram and Facebook accounts. Not to forget, a following of crazy admirers wait for his updates to drop in everyday!

Because he turned television viewing into a cinematic experience along with some quality family time.

Because he is a living proof that hard work always repays. Sample his gaadi, bangla and bank balance.

Because even in his seventies, he wakes up at five in the morning to do yoga. Us millennials go to sleep around the same time probably.

Because he is powerful enough to bring in an early Christmas for any brand he chooses to associate himself with. Speak of magic!

Because the man is an institution in himself. Everything about Big B is worth learning and imbibing. He is a one-man industry!

Because his songs make you yearn for Holi (Rang Barse, Khaike paan banaras wala), Monsoon (Aaj rapat jaaye), Dahi Handi (Mach gaya shor saari nagri mein…) and other celebratory times of the year!

Because everybody in your house – you, your parents, your grandparents know his famous dialogues by heart. Hainh?

Because he is to be thanked majorly for making goatee a massive rage that it is!

Because he looks as dapper in a kurta-pyjama as in an Armani suit.

Because the film can fly or fail, Amit ji gives his 200%. Sample Ram Gopal Varma’s Aag, Sarkar 3. He is in fact the only saving grace of flops.

Because he made us believe that you can fight with God, and it is completely okay. Aaj khush toh bahut honge tum?

Because if the same God were to make him any hotter, we’d then have flames.

Because he is the only Bollywood actor to have a comic book hero based on him. Supremo!

Because his punctuality could even give the clock a major FOMO.

Because he has made us all look at life beyond the retirement age. Have you watched 102 Not Out yet?

Because he has won against industry norms, made a legacy of his own, on his own, despite being an outsider in Bollywood.

Because he shows us from time to time that getting old has nothing to do with learning.

Because we can only imagine how God’s voice would be. And Bachchan’s comes the closest. Tussi great ho!

Because we feel entertainment and Amitabh Bachchan mean the same thing.

Because in the age of uncertainties and marriages going kaput, Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan are our inspiration in keeping love alive even after decades of togetherness.

Because he can make you laugh and can laugh at his own self too.

Because when he talks in Hindi, it doubles up as a tutorial to learn new words for all of us.

Because he surpassed the stardom of the great Rajesh Khanna, but yet insists the late veteran is the only true superstar.

Because his walk down the ramp can give every young gun a run for their money.

Because every single film he acted in has been a cinematic gem worth adding to your classics collection.

Because Amit ji taught us that you can sometimes apply the band aid to the mirror and still feel better.

Because Big B made us realise what a mother’s love means. God couldn’t be everywhere, hence he made mothers.

Because his intense persona, brooding eyes and a deep baritone spells a charm women can’t resist and men try to steal.

Because his slo-mo run is sexier that Pamela Anderson’s from Baywatch.

Because his affection for his family, friends and fans knows of no limits.

[caption id="attachment_213989" align="aligncenter" width="647"] File picture of Amitabh Bachchan with Jaya Bachchan, Shweta Bachchan Nanda, Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Navya Naveli Nanda and Agstya Nanda[/caption]

Because he doesn’t mind going out of his way to help those in need but doesn’t feel the need to go public with his charity acts.

Because he doesn’t feel age makes a person big or small, he always feels everyone can teach you something.

Because he makes it a point to personally draft a message to everyone he knows on their birthday, anniversary and other occasions. How many superstars do that today?

Because if he’d commercialise the love and respect his fan family has for him, he’d be the richest man on the face of planet Earth.

And simply, because love doesn’t need a reason. We love you, Sir.

There have been times when certain actors have been compared to Big B. But one thing perhaps they all fail to recognise is that he has made it really large for anyone to fill his shoes. What do you expect from the tallest actor in the most famous category? Guessed so!