We all are aware of the impact Bollywood movies have in today’s culture. There are several classics that exist today which consist of films from the early ’90s to mid-2000s (for our generation at least). Here’s a list of a few of those films that are relevant and prominent even today. These films, though immensely successful, have been brought up by people questioning the logic, outcomes and a few other factors. This list will be an unbiased take on why these films have been appreciated by the masses. Feel free to share your suggestions below!
1. Main Hoon Na
The film revolves around Major Ram played by SRK who is assigned with two missions – To protect the daughter of his superior, as well as protect a peacekeeping mission between India & Pakistan known as ‘Project Milap’
The film proved to have a great plot and was completely different from the generic love stories of that time. It portrayed college life, family values, and brotherhood in a pragmatic way. It obviously did have over the top action, but that’s what makes it enjoyable and rewatchable.
2. Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham
Popularly known as K3G this film established Karan Johar’s approach which we all are familiar with today (Extravagant foreign locations, Over the top family drama and a whole lot of glamour)
This film is considered ‘iconic’ in a way as the dialogues and songs stuck with us till this date. It was an average film, yet certain scenes, dialogues and too-good-to-be-true scenarios surely got it a lot of love. Every girl wants to be like Kareena Kapoor’s ‘Pooh’ and every guy wants to have a transformation like Hrithik Roshan did in the course of the film!
3. Koi Mil Gaya
‘India’s first Sci-Fi flick’ surely shaped our childhoods. Koi Mil Gaya had its flaws, with a completely unrealistic and laughable plot. However, it left us with one vital factor all movies try to replicate – Entertainment. As a kid, it was fascinating as well as fun to watch this film on repeat. It did have subliminal morals of friendship and overcoming one’s flaws and fears.
4. Hum Saath Saath Hai
A B C D E F G H ….
This song is literally the first thing that pops into my head whenever anyone mentions this movie. Rewinding back to the late 90’s HSSH is probably one of the most exaggerated Bollywood films of all time. It had a ridiculous duration and a ridiculous number of songs. There’s also a drinking game wherein you take a shot each time the words Parampara or Parivaar are mentioned. Trust me you’ll end up in the hospital. The reason for the success of this film is solely owed to the characters and their chemistry. The ensemble cast would’ve made the film chaotic. Yet Suraj Bharjatya ensured that we leave the theatre feeling as if they’re our own family. As annoying as they may get, we do hum tunes from the film without realizing, which is definitely a win.
5. Kaho Na Pyaar Hai
Hrithik Roshan’s debut film! The film received mixed reviews at the time, but Hrithik’s performance was liked and praised by all. He received a lot of accolades and commercial success with this film. We can’t deny that Kaho Na Pyaar hai does have a place in our hearts somewhere. The base of the whole plot and love story is arguable, but still, we did come out of the theatre with a smile. I guess it’s one of those films with a ‘feel-good’ factor.
6. Hera Pheri/Phir Hera Pheri
21 din mein paisa double
Yes the film is filled with, what we call ‘PJ’s’
You would be lying if you didn’t laugh or at least chuckle through these movies. It may not be ‘comedy gold’, but still Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal, and Suniel Shetty surely killed it with their portrayals of their respective characters. Their timing, their chemistry, and their acting definitely had us sold and it is one of the most rewatchable movies on this list.
7. Om Shaanti Om
Now this movie was liked by all. The reviews and box office both were phenomenal and it is Farah Khan’s most successful film after Main Hoon Na. However, it is on this list as there are people who say it’s yet again unrealistic, and filled with overacting.
Firstly it’s fictional and is inspired by another hit movie ‘Karzz’. Om Shanti Om is Farah and Shah Rukh Khan’s most genuine work and it creates the ‘magic’ that everyone talks about with regards to movies. It does have a strong story, and we do get emotionally get involved with all the characters over the course of this film. Its success is well deserved and we hope to see movies like these more often!
8. Gadar – Ek Prem Katha
Now, this is a movie all of us can get excited about! Our beloved Sunny Paaji did almost everything in the film, including defeating the entire Pakistani Army by himself. Sunny Deol falls in love with Amisha Patel, a Muslim girl.. but that plot is completely forgotten when the film takes a turn and shows us the highest level of patriotism one could ever witness.
Jokes aside Gadar was a huge commercial success and despite the trolling and sarcasm that is attached with it even today, we must agree that it is one Sunny Deol’s as well as Amisha Patel’s strongest performance. Anil Sharma surely knew how to please the masses and capitalized on it. Gadar will always have a place in our hearts and there’s no two ways about it.
9. Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
Almost every Karan Johar movie deserves to be here, as no matter how successful he is, his films are the most talked about and debated topics when it comes to describing the Hindi film industry. All of his films are far from pragmatic, with a superficial idea of college life and love.
We must realize that his fictional approach is definitely enjoyable to watch on screen. No matter how critical someone gets over his films at the end of the day the audience is left satisfied and delighted.
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai is yet another example of the same. Yes, no one dresses like that in college. Yes, Tina couldn’t possibly pass over the responsibility of making her father find love again through a series of letters. But then if every director took realistic advances then films today would be boring and no one would look forward to college, marriage etc.
10. Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge
“The greatest romance of all time”
“Come fall in love”
“SRK is the king of romance”
All these phrases and many more originated from this very film. DDLJ set the bar high for an entire generation and is still running after all these years.
As usual, this film is not perfect and is not the greatest romance of all time for sure.
It is, however, a cultural phenomenon. It is erroneous to assume that it is a mass film, in spite of its massive success. It just gives us a taste of a perfect, yet, flawed love story that cannot exist in the real world. What we take away from this film is the praxis of a bad boy who turns good for his lady and then remains on the good path. Sounds cliché now, but for the modern era of Hindi cinema, this was a first. He is a rich spoiled brat but his morality stays intact. Even with immense wealth, his ‘sanskars’ have stayed on point. This factor gives Raj an edge.
There are a variety of factors that make DDLJ work even after 22 years.
There are a lot of other movies that could arguably be on this list. At the end of the day, the movies you like/dislike are solely your opinion and if someone tries to change them well..
Badey Badey desho mein aisi chhoti chhoti baatein hoti rehti hai!