Zanjeer (1973 film)

Zanjeer
Film poster
Directed byPrakash Mehra
Written bySalim–Javed
Produced byPrakash Mehra Productions
Starring
CinematographyN. Satyen
Edited byR. Mahadik
Music byKalyanji-Anandji
Production
companies
Asha Studios
Chandivali Studio
Filmistan Studio
R.K. Studios
Swati Studios
Distributed byPrakash Mehra Productions
Baba Digital Media
Digital Entertainment
Eros Entertainment
Release date
  • 11 May 1973 (1973-05-11)
Running time
147 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi

Zanjeer (transl. Shackles) is a 1973 Indian Hindi/Urdu-language action crime film directed and produced by Prakash Mehra and written by Salim–Javed. The film stars Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bhaduri, Pran, Ajit Khan and Bindu. The music was composed by Kalyanji-Anandji, while cinematography and editing were handled by N. Satyen and R. Mahadik.

Zanjeer was the first of many collaborations between Salim–Javed and Bachchan. Ever since Zanjeer, Salim–Javed wrote many of their subsequent scripts with Bachchan for the lead role and insisted on him being cast for their later films, including blockbusters such as Deewaar and Sholay, establishing Bachchan as a superstar. In addition to being a turning point for Bachchan's career and Hindi cinema, Zanjeer was also a turning point for South Indian cinema, with Bachchan's acting inspiring Rajinikanth. Zanjeer remains an important film in the history of Indian cinema and is regarded as a classic today.