List of popular Bollywood films
Popular Bollywood films (in reverse chronological order)
No claim is made that these are the best Bollywood movies, though many of fans' all-time favorites will be found on this list. However, the non-Indian explorer of Bollywood cinema will learn a fair bit about Bollywood history and conventions by watching these films.
The capsule reviews are written in the usual brief television-film-schedule style. More complete reviews, lists of stars and director, &c., can be found by clicking on links to films that have their own pages.
- Swades - We the people (2004): Mohan Bhargava, a successful NASA scientist of Indian origin, returns to India and visits his childhood nanny in her poor country village. His dismay at conditions there changes the course of his life. Stars Shahrukh Khan.
- Veer-Zaara (2004): cross-border (India and Pakistan) romance starring Shahrukh Khan and Preity Zinta.
- Lakshya (2004): Based loosely on the story of Captain Batra, Param Vir Chakra winner, in the 1999 Kargil war. Stars Hrithik Roshan.
- Main Hoon Na (2004): A spoof of and a tribute to the formulaic masala movies of the 1970s. Shahrukh Khan plays an army major assigned to protect a general's daughter from terrorists.
- Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003): An Indian living in New York falls in love, then learns that he will die soon. Stars Shahrukh Khan and Priety Zinta.
- Koi... Mil Gaya (2003): A mentally disabled young man (Hrithik Roshan) befriends a cute alien from outer space.
- Devdas (2002): Yet another film rendition of the classic Bengali novel by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay. Devdas (Shahrukh Khan) loves his childhood friend Paro, (Aishwariya Rai), but lets family opposition prevent their marriage. He then dallies with a courtesan, Chandramukhi (Madhuri Dixit) while drinking himself to death. Lavish sets and costumes made this the most expensive movie ever made in India, at least as of 2002.
- Saathiya (2002): This Mani Ratnam movie explores the often difficult dynamics of marriage. Starring Vivek Oberoi and Rani Mukherjee. Music by A. R. Rahman
- Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham (2001): Family drama. Amitabh Bachchan as stern patriarch; Shahrukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan as his sons.
- Dil Chahta Hai (2001): College friends (Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Khanna) and their romantic misadventures.
- Lagaan (Tax) (2001) (a. k. a.: Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India): A vicious British colonial officer doubles taxes for drought-stricken villagers. Led by the outspoken Bhuvan (Aamir Khan), the villagers protest. The officer offers them a wager: if the villagers can beat the British at cricket, the taxes will be remitted. Ends with a well-filmed, edge-of-the-seat cricket match. The Film was a Academy Award nominee for Best Foreign Film.
- Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai (2000): Police thriller turns on mistaken identity.
- Taal (1999): A romance with mega-hit music by A.R. Rahman. Stars Aishwarya Rai, Akshaye Khanna, and Anil Kapoor.
- Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999): Half-Indian, half-Italian music student (Salman Khan) and his music teacher's daughter (Aishwarya Rai) fall in love. Then Ajay Devgan complicates matters.
- Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998): A romantic triangle, a Karan Johar film. Stars Shahrukh Khan, Kajol and Rani Mukherjee.
- Dil To Pagal Hai (1997) Yet another love triangle. A Yash Chopra film. Stars Shahrukh Khan, Karishma Kapoor, and Madhuri Dixit.
- Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995): Raj (Shahrukh Khan) and Simran (Kajol) fall in love during a troup tour of Europe. However, Raj must win over the hearts' of Simran's family if he is to win Simran's hand in marriage.
- Hum Aapke Hain Koun (1994): Enormously popular family romance. Prem (Salman Khan) falls in love with Nisha (Madhuri Dixit) when Prem's brother marries Nisha's sister. Lavish wedding festivities, with much singing and dancing.
- Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander (1991): College kids and motorcycle racing. Stars Aamir Khan.
- Maine Pyar Kiya (1989): Rich boy Prem (Salman Khan) falls for poor girl Suman (Bhagyashree).
- Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988): Tragic Romeo and Juliet story that launched Aamir Khan's career.
- Mr. India (1987): A heartwarming sci-fi drama starring Anil Kapoor and Sridevi.
- Swarg Se Sundar (1986): Family drama.
- Masoom (1983): Directed by Shekhar Kapur.
- Woh Saat Din (1983).
- Kalyug (1981): Directed by Shyam Benegal.
- Shaan (1980): Stars Amitabh Bachchan.
- Sargam (movie) (1979).
- Jane Bhi Do Yaroon (movie) (1978) A take on corruption in the Indian Society, starring Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapoor, Satish Shah and others. A flop on release, but still widely popular this film is one of the classics.
- The great Gambler (1979).
- Amar Akbar Anthony (1977): On many people's list of best-loved masala movies. Three brothers are separated by a family disaster, adopted by kind strangers, and raised as a Hindu, a Muslim, and a Christian. Amitabh Bachchan stars.
- Sholay (Flames) (1975): Ex-cop Thakur Baldev Singh (Sanjeev Kumar) hires two jail birds (Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra) to save his district from Gabbar Singh (Amjad Khan) and his band of dacoits. Based on American spaghetti westerns, it became the most successful film in Indian film history.
- Jai Santoshi Maa (1975): A good woman is abandoned by her husband and mis-treated by his malicious sisters-in-law, but her devotion to the Hindu goddess Santoshi Maa solves all. This religious B-movie was an unexpected success and elevated a regional deity (Santoshi Maa) to wider fame.
- Deewaar (1975): Stars Amitabh Bachchan and Shashi Kapoor.
- Yaadon ki Baaraat (1973): Three brothers take revenge on the criminal who killed their parents. Stars Dharmendra and Zeenat Aman. Notable for R.D. Burman's energetic score (disco meets filmi) and especially the song Chura liya hai.
- Zanjeer (1973): Amitabh Bachchan as an angry young man.
- Teesri Manzil (1966): Sunita (Asha Parekh) falls for drummer Rocky (Shammi Kapoor) -- then must figure out if he killed her sister!
- Guide (1965): Based on the popular novel, "The Guide" by R K Narayan. A scoundrel becomes a saint despite himself. Stars Dev Anand and Waheeda Rehman.
- Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962): A country boy watches the dissolution of a great family. Meena Kumari turned in a great performance as the long-suffering daughter-in-law.
- Mughal-e-Azam (1960): The son of the Moghul Emperor defies him for love of a beautiful dancing-girl (Madhubala). A lavish production for its time, featuring a fine score by Naushad and poetic Urdu dialogue.
- Mother India (1957): Heroic peasant woman (Nargis) does her duty by her husband and sons despite heart-breaking obstacles.
- Jaagte Raho (1956).
- Awara (1951): A young man (Raj Kapoor, who directed and starred) is rejected by his father, a judge, and turns to crime. He is redeemed, in the end, by his love for a young lawyer (Nargis).
- Mahal (1949): Stars Ashok Kumar.
- Sikander (1941): Stars Prithviraj Kapoor.