Bollywood is the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai, India. It is one of the largest film industries in the world, and its movies are popular all over the globe. These movies have captured the hearts and minds of audiences all over the world, with their vibrant visuals, catchy songs, and heartwarming stories. Here are some of the most famous Bollywood movies of all time:
Mughal-e Azam(1960)
Director: K Asif
Cast: Prithviraj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar, Madhubala
Genre: Historical Romance
This epic historical drama tells the story of a Mughal prince who falls in love with a court dancer. It is one of the most expensive Bollywood movies ever made, and it was a huge commercial success.
With the spectacular set design, huge battle scenes with hundreds of real elephants, elaborate costumes, evergreen soundtrack, and naturalistic acting, this is truly an epic film. It remained a fantastic invention of a bygone era and was one of the rare instances in Hindu India where a film in the genre of ‘social Muslim’ (i.e. dealing with Muslim people and culture) became a hit.
Mother India (1957)
Director: Mehbub Khan
Starring: Nargis, Rajendra Kumar, Sunil Dutt
Genre: Drama
The first Hindi film to be nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars, it is a harrowing tale of the complexities of rural farming in newly independent India and the exploitation of peasants by their feudal landlords.
It follows the hardships faced by Radha (Nargis), a village mother of three, who is abandoned by her husband and forced to work hard in the paddy fields to survive. The film encapsulates the idea of the pure and selfless mother as synonymous with the idea of an ideal Indian (Hindu) nation.
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)
Conductor: Aditya Chopra
Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Kajal, Amrish Puri
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Family
This romantic comedy is one of the most popular Bollywood movies of all time. It features Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol in their first onscreen pairing, and it is full of iconic songs and scenes. In London, Raj (Khan) is an immature young man, while outspoken Simran (Kajal) prepares for a marriage arranged by her generous father.
She travels to Europe on interrailing, meets Raj and they fall in love against the backdrop of the Swiss mountains. The film’s popularity (the title translates as “The Brave Will Carry a Bride”) is reflected in the fact that it has been shown every day for 19 years and counting at the Maratha Mandir Cinema in Mumbai. This ultimate romance sets the bar incredibly high for guys chasing girls.
Lagaan (2001)
Director: Ashutosh Gowarika
Starring: Aamir Khan, Gracie Singh
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Sports, History
Set in the 19th century, Lagaan follows a drought-stricken village that challenges the British to a game of cricket. In retrospect, the combination of cricket and colonialism seems obvious, but in the beginning, no one touched the script with a bat.
Star Aamir Khan later played the lead role and the film’s critical and box office success ushered in a new era of alternative themes and diverse narratives. Lagaan is the last mainstream Hindi-language film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film to date.
Maine Pyaar Kiya(1989)
Director: Sooraj R Barjatya
Cast: Madhuri Dixit, Salman Khan, Tuffy
Genre: musical, romance
This blockbuster of the 1990s became a direct catalyst for a return to Bollywood for audiences in India. 14 songs, 2 weddings, 1 funeral are planned. Apart from that, nothing happens, but the cheeky and extravagant depiction of every celebration of the perfect North Indian family, especially the elaborate and colorful Hindu wedding rituals, keeps the audience coming back again and again. They took me to the cinema. It is well known that “HAHK” is the film that created the global identity of modern Bollywood.
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Chak De India(2007)
Director: Aditya Chopra
Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Amrish Puri
Genre: comedy, family
After a long time, Yash Chopra’s film is different from Pyaar Mohabbat and has been liked by the audience. Chak De India, set against the backdrop of hockey, sees Shah Rukh Khan break away from his romantic image as a hockey coach whose sole aim is to win the World Cup for his team. The film shows us all the aspects of Indian hockey, due to which is now going down the drain.
Loss of hockey due to lack of discipline in the team, rude behavior of senior players towards junior players, lack of good playing ground, indifference of administrators towards players, and decreasing spirit of players to play for country and team has been shown. Countless good films have been made in Bollywood on sports and after Lagaan, the name of Chak De India comes. This film is not just a story of a game, it is a story of the hopes, passion, guts, courage, and dreams of a coach and his team.
3 Idiots(2009)
Director: Rajkumar Hirani
Cast: Aamir Khan, Madhavan, Sharman Joshi, Kareena Kapoor
Genre: Comedy, drama, family
Adapted loosely from Chetan Bhagat’s novel Five Point Someone. The story follows the friendship of three students from the Indian Institute of Technology and is a satire on the social pressures beneath the Indian education system.
Along the way, this coming-of-age comedy 3 Idiots, which explores intense pressure to improve academically, student suicide, and the tension between student and parental ambitions, became a huge hit and established Aamir Khan as a master at balancing classic family entertainment with meaningful messages.
Mr. India(1987)
Director: Shekhar Kapur
Cast: Anil Kapoor, Sridevi, Amrish Puri
Genre: sci-fi, action, romcom
Shekhar Kapur’s most famous Bollywood film. Anil Kapoor becomes an invisible superhero, Mr. India, and uses his powers to battle the evil Mogambo (Puri), who seeks world domination. Arun (Kapoor) is a humble violinist and philanthropist who discovers a watch that makes him invisible.
He meets and falls in love with journalist Seema Sohni (Sridevi) after renting out a house to pay off a loan. Meanwhile, criminal Mogambo (Puri) plans to conquer India. Mr. Bharat was a breakthrough for its director and cast and was hardly a milestone in Hindi cinema for a superhero genre film, followed by many Indian films of late.
Hera Pheri(2000)
Director: Priyadarshan
Cast: Akshay Kumar, Sunil Shetty, and Paresh Rawal
Genre: comedy, drama, musical
In this popular comedy, a nonsensical plot about a botched kidnapping and phone calls going to the wrong number is balanced by some fine acting from lead actors Kumar, Shetty, and Rawal. The latter became an overnight star on the back of ‘Hera Pheri’ after being on the sidelines as a supporting actor for many years. Depicts an alcoholic, naive, semi-blind garage owner who rents his house to two children. The movie remains entertaining even after repeated viewings.
Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham(2001)
Director: Karan Johar
Cast: Rani Mukerji, Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Hrithik Roshan, and Kareena Kapoor
Genre: Family drama, Romance, Musical
Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham (Sometimes Happiness, Sometimes Sadness), also known by the initials K3G, is a 2001 Hindi-language family drama film. It tells the story of an Indian multi-millionaire family, who face troubles and misunderstandings regarding their adopted son’s marriage to a girl from a lower socio-economic group than their own. Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham… was promoted with the tagline “It’s all about loving your parents”. The movie is all time favorite for every Indian family.
From classic romances like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, and Maine Pyaar Kiya to epic dramas like Mother India, and 3 Idiots Bollywood has something to offer everyone. Whether you’re a fan of action, comedy, romance, or drama, there’s sure to be a Bollywood movie that you’ll love.
So next time you’re looking for a great movie to watch, be sure to check out one of these famous Bollywood movies. You won’t be disappointed.
