Saturday, August 1, 2026

Who was the bigger star in the era of Shashi Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan, Vinod Khanna, Rajesh Khanna, Jeetendra and Dharmendra?

 All these actors except Dharmendra and Amitabh had phases of highs and lows. So it is difficult to make a comprehensive list of their stardom. Figures don't convey the extent of popularity often. But still we will try.

Number of HGOTY-

Dharmendra - 4 (Phool aur Patthar, Aankhein, Sholay, Hukumat)

Amitabh- 6 (Roti Kapda aur Makaan, Sholay, Amar Akbar Anthony, Muqaddar ka Sikandar, Suhaag, Coolie)

Vinod Khanna- 3 (Muqaddar ka Sikandar, Amar Akbar Anthony, Qurbani)

Shashi Kapoor- 3 (Waqt, Suhaag, Kranti)

Rajesh Khanna - 2 (Aradhana, Haathi mere Saathi)

Jeetendra - 1 (Tohfa)

Blockbuster Hits

Dharmendra - 9 ( Phool aur Patthar, Aankhein, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, Seeta aur Geeta, Jugnu, Yaadon ki Baraat, Sholay, Pratigya, Dharam Veer)

Amitabh Bachchan - 14 (Zanjeer, Roti Kapda aur Makan, Sholay, Deewar, Amar Akbar Anthony, Muqaddar ka Sikandar, Lawaris, Naseeb, Namak Halal, Coolie, Andha Kanoon, Mard, Mohabbatein, Kabhi Khushi kabhi Gam)

Vinod Khanna- 5 (Mera Gaon Mera Desh, Amar Akbar Anthony, Muqaddar ka Sikandar, Qurbani, Chandni)

Shashi Kapoor- 7 (Waqt, Jab Jab Phool Khile, Chor Machaye Shor, Roti Kapda aur Makaan, Deewar, Kranti, Namak Halaal)

Rajesh Khanna - 4 (Aradhana, Do Raaste, Haathi Mere Saathi, Avtaar)

Jeetendra - 7 (Farz, Bidaai, Dharam Veer, Aasha, Meri Aawaz Suno, Himmatwala, Swarg se Sundar)

Top Star Ranking-

Dharmendra - Number 1 star between 1972–75, Number 2 between 1968–71 and 1976–82, Number 3 star between 1983–84 and 1987

Amitabh Bachchan - Number 2 star in 1975, Number 1 star between 1976–91

Vinod Khanna- Number 3 star between 1977–79

Shashi Kapoor- Never in top 3

Rajesh Khanna - Number 1 star between 1969–71, Number 2 star between 1972–74

Jeetendra - Number 3 between 1980–82 and 85–86, Number 2 between 83–84

Note: There are two actors who were among the top actors during this time not mentioned in the list , Mithun and Manoj Kumar. Both were bigger stars than Shashi Kapoor. Manoj Kumar till 1981 was untouchable with consecutive blockbuster hits and HGOTY and Mithun between 1985–89.

In total, Amitabh Bachchan was the biggest star of the period. Dharmendra was consistently number 2. Rajesh Khanna had a phenomenal period between 1969–71 and then his career peaked between 1973–74, and had a brief revival in 1983–84 but was never consistent. Vinod Khanna was on the way to become one of the top Stars but he left it all to go to Osho ashram. His comeback was good initially but then he whimpered away. Shashi Kapoor was the weakest in comparison with very few prominent hits of his own as a lead or solo role. His career declined in 80s when he turned producer and when he gained weight.

Also none of these actors except Amitabh had a good second innings of his career. Dharmendra offlate did some good and popular roles but didn't had the star power to carry films on his shoulder like Amitabh.