Many film critics disregard the decade of the 1980s as the sandwich between the super 70s and contemporary 90s. They prefer not to give much importance to the Bollywood cinema from 1980-1990. I don’t agree with them, instead vouch for some great movies of the 80s decade that I’m proud to have watched more than 5 times. Chandni, Chaalbaaz, Tezaab, Parinda, Ardh Satya, Sath-Sath, Angoor, Silsila, Qurbani, Masoom, Saaransh, Maine Pyar Kiya – if you’ve watched these movies, there’s a possibility that you agree with my point of view. All these and many more spectacular films represent the Bollywood cinema of the 80s.
I’m going to share a few of my favourite Bollywood movies from the 80s decade.
1. Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro
Director – Kundan Shah
Cast – Bhakti Barve, Naseeruddin Shah, Ravi Baswani, Om Puri, Satish Kaushik, Pankaj Kapur, Satish Shah
IMDB Rating – 8.4
Release Date – 12 August 1983
Genre – Comedy, Drama
Plot – Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro is a dark satire on rising corruption in Indian politics. Two not-so-successful yet ambitious photographers got the work to expose the scandalous lives of the rich and the famous. A hilarious roller coaster ride brings the two photographers to a juncture where they shoot a high profile murder. A series of unexpected events land them in jail. A must-watch recommendation from me!
2. Karz
Director – Subhash Ghai
Cast – Raj Kiran, Tina Munim, Pran, Rishi Kapoor, Simi Garewal, Pinchoo Kapoor
IMDB Rating – 7.5
Release Date – 11 June 1980
Genre – Action, Musical, Romance
Plot – Ravi Verma (Raj Kiran) is murdered by his wicked wife Kamini (Simmy Grewal). He is reborn as Monty (Rishi Kapoor). At one point, Monty recalls his previous life and plans to take revenge on Kamini. The melodious songs of Karz are hummable even today.
3. Saaransh
Director – Mahesh Bhatt
Cast – Rohini Hattangadi, Anupam Kher, Soni Razdan, Nilu Phule, Madan Jain
IMDB Rating – 8.2
Release Date – 25 May 1984
Genre – Drama
Plot – The only son of an elderly couple(Anupam Kher and Rohini Hattangadi) dies in a mugging incident. With no income source left, they rent out a part of their home to a budding actress (Soni Razdan). The actress is in love with a politician’s son and from there starts problems brewing for the elderly couple. I remember our family admired the acting of the new actor ‘Anupam Kher’ and ‘Rohini Hattangadi’ after watching ‘Saaransh’.
4. Parinda
Director – Vidhu Vinod Chopra
Cast – Jackie Shroff, Anil Kapoor, Nana Patekar, Madhuri Dixit
IMDB Rating – 7.8
Release date: 3 November 1989
Genre – Action, Musical, Romance
Plot – Kishen (Jackie Shroff) takes to the path of crime to educate his younger brother Karan (Anil Kapoor). Karan’s best pal, a police inspector Prakash (Anupam Kher) is killed by the same gang Kishen is working for. Shaken by grief, Karan decides to enter the world of crime to take revenge.
5. Masoom
Director – Shekhar Kapur
Cast – Shabana Azmi, Urmila Matondkar, Naseeruddin Shah, Jugal Hansraj
IMDB Rating – 8.5
Release Date – October 22, 1983
Genre – Drama, Family, Musical
Plot – Indu (Shabana Azmi) and DK (Naseeruddin Shah) are living a happy life with their two lovely daughters. One day, DK gets to know that he has an illegitimate child from a past affair. After the death of the guardian of the child (Jugal Hansraj), DK takes his custody. The problem starts bubbling when the boy is brought home to live with the rest of the family.
Masoom is like riding on emotional waves; appreciating the terrific performance of the actors.
Trivia of the day
Which of the Bollywood movies is based on the famous ‘Comedy of Errors’ by Shakespeare? The one who answers quickly and correctly will be given a special mention in the next post on ‘Bollywood Gossip’!
Now, the answer to yesterday’s trivia is ‘Kaho Na Pyaar Hai’ and the winner is Dr Roshan!!
Reading Suggestion– Bachchanalia: The Films and Memorabilia of Amitabh Bachchan
PANORAMIC RIPPLES 
Angoor … If i am right? You just listed 1 iconic movie after the other. Its so hard to pick a favourite. Beautiful era it was. Your posts make me want to time travel
Deepika Sharma
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Yayy! Angoor is the right answer. You’re the first to answer correctly. Congratulations 🥳
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Yeah.. i loved that movie 😀
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You once again made me nostalgic with this post of yours. You have listed most of my favorite movies here. Well done Aditi
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Angoor..
You have an impressive list- all such iconic movies- I think JBDY beats all!!
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I know
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Saraansh, masoom, parinda, such beautiful classics one can never get bored of. It was an array of cinematic delights. Even khoobsurat, Ardhastya, Arth, even Mr. India too. thanks for sharing these delightful movies today. The comedy of errors, the story of identical twins was the movie Angoor 1982.
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Angoor is the movie, yes! 1980s gave its own share to Bollywood
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Wow..all these movies were my favourites…you take me back in time. I am going to watch them again..such gems you have listed
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That’s cool
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Hey we share a Bollywood connection sweetie, these are all my favorites too, you have made me want to watch them now again.
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That’s cool
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I had watched all these 80s movies and jane bhi do yaro is my most favouite. I can watch this amazing movie again and again. loving the series dear.
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Thanks Surbhi
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Yay.. Thanks for the win 🙂
And again, a lovely set of movies. Seen them all. The 80s still had quite a few fun movies, I feel.
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You’re welcome!
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Wonderful list of movies and my all time favourite is Jane bhi do yaroo. I love all the songs of Masoom. Going to hear them now…Thanks for sharing.
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My pleasure
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I guess I am the only one here who hasn’t watched these iconic movies except one- Masoom. But yes, I certainly intend to watch them someday. Thanks for the much-needed reminder.
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Great
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Bollywood movies of the ’80s have a different fanbase; Karz, Mr.India, and Masoom are on my top of the list. I can watch it anytime, anywhere. Your posts refresh all my memories of my first ebook, ‘Bolly talkies,’ living the moment again. No idea of the answer to today’s quiz dear!
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The movie based on The Comedy of Errors is ‘Angoor’ with Sanjeev Kumar And Deven Verma both in double role:D
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Angoor. I love all the movies. You have suggested. Especially Katz.
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Super
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Amazing list of these classic movies. I am yet to see a few.
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Watch all on my recommendation
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Amazing
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Wow you made me nostalgic with your post . I loved all this movies specially jane bhi do yaaro .
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What a nostalgia you created. Lovely post. Masoom is my all time favourite. I did not know the answer to your trivia question .Thank God now I know it’s Angoor.
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These are some fantastic movies that you have listed. I didn’t know angoor was based on comedy of errors so this is a great addition to my knowledge
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Agree with you 💕
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