Power in Restraint

Beyond the social, political and economic factors that led to the success of such films, one must also not forget Bachchans presence and performance, both of which are key factors to his becoming a symbol of the changing times. Theres a restraint to his delivery and sense of timing, and his anger relies more on physical gestures than on exaggerated histrionics. Much has been written on his use body language, and hes considered one of the first Bollywood actors to incorporate Western acting styles into his performances, which obviously set him apart from his peers. The struggles of his characters are internalized as much as they are externalized, and he mastered the subtlety required to express loss, anger, and the desire for revenge.