During the pre-revolutionary era of Bollywood, romance was supposed to be somewhat dramatic. If you watch any romantic Bollywood movie from those years, the story is more or less predictable.
Boy meets girl and both jump to sing around trees. Singing around trees is believed to be a ritual to make the audience understand that both are in love. The singing-dancing continues until the director wants to amplify the role of the villain. Here enters the villain or the vamp to steal the limelight. There are a couple of action sequences and in most of the movies, the hero emerges victorious. Nay, you can’t take it for granted. There’s a two-percent possibility that the villain takes control of the game and the story turns another way.
The chances of deviation from this storyline decrease with the age of the movie.
We are lucky to have witnessed a good mix of romantic Bollywood movies. With changing time and evolved audience, Hindi cinema made some revolutionary deviations. The love stories waved goodbye to the outdated trees and moved ahead to give gems of the Cinema. I’m sharing 21 Great Romantic Bollywood movies of all time.
1. Mughal-e-Azam (1960)
Mughal-e-Azam is a historical drama considered to be one of the earliest movies to leave a deep impact on the audience. Brilliant performance by the actors Prithviraj Kapoor, Madhubala, Durga Khote and Dilip Kumar, outstanding direction of K. Asif, melodious songs by Naushad Ali; Mughal-e-Azam broke box-office records of all times.
Son of Emperor Akbar, Saleem falls in love with a court dancer Anarkali. Infuriated by the relationship, Akbar orders to entomb Anarkali alive.
2. Guide (1965)
The movie ‘Guide’ is based on R. K. Narayan’s novel ‘The Guide’. Starring Dev Anand, Waheeda Rahman, Kishore Sahu, it tells the story of a tourist guide, Raju who meets a rich archaeologist’s wife Rosie. In the process of taking her to city tours, he finds that their marriage is a failure.
The Classic movie has a unique perspective on relationships.
3. Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (1995)
Raj(Shahrukh Khan) and Simran (Kajol) meet during their trip to Europe and fall in love with each other. Simran tells him that she’s engaged to someone else. Raj follows Simran to India and wins her and her father’s heart.
DDLJ is one of the most successful movies in the history of the Indian film industry. It has in its kitty, the record of running in Maratha Mandir, a single screen theatre in Mumbai, for 25 years.
4. Kabhie Kabhie (1976)
Amit (Amitabh Bachchan) and Pooja (Rakhi) love each other but married as per their parents choice. Years later, they meet again with another twist in their lives. The movie also starred Shashi Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, Waheeeda Rahman and Neetu Singh. The songs of Kabhie Kabhie have the calibre of topping the charts even today.
5. Maine Pyaar Kiya (1989)
Prem (Salman Khan) and Suman (Bhagyashree) meet and fall in love. Due to family differences, they are forced to part ways. Seeing Prem’s love for Suman, her father gives him a chance to prove himself.
6. Silsila (1981)
Silsila is considered to be a controversial film. Starring Amitabh Bachchan, Rekha and Jaya Bachchan, the movie is a love triangle. Songs of Silsila get many requests on radio shows.
7. Mohabbatein (2000)
Narayan (Amitabh Bachchan) is the Principal of Gurukul who restricts his students from following their hearts and falling in love. A new music teacher (Shahrukh Khan) enters the school and challenges the strict discipline of Narayan. Also starring Aishwarya Rai, the movie is different from the routine bunch.
8. Jab We Met (2007)
Geet (Kareena Kapoor) is a bubbly Punjabi girl who meets an unhappy businessman (Shahid Kapoor). Circumstances made them fall for each other. Jab We Met has a beautiful story, Imtiaz Ali’s direction and great songs!
9. Bobby (1973)
Starring Rishi Kapoor, Dimple Kapadia, Prem Nath, Pran, the movie is about the taboo love between a rich boy Raj (Rishi) and a poor girl Bobby (Dimple). Their families try to keep them away but they are made for each other. Bobby’s music is excellent. Acting debutants Rishi and Dimple are just amazing!
10. Kal Ho Na Ho (2003)
The boring life of Naina (Preity Zinta) turns upside down when Aman (Shahrukh Khan) enters her life. Since he is suffering from a killer disease, he skillfully turns Naina towards his friend, Rohit (Saif Ali Khan).
11. Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
12. Masaan
13. Barfi
14. Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein
15. Ae Dil Hai Mushkil
16. Two States
17. Bareilly Ki Barfi
18. Love Aaj Kal
19. Tanu weds Manu
20. Rockstar
21. Band Baja Baaraat
Trivia question of the day
Who is Gabbar talking to when he asks ‘Kitne Aadmi The’?
The one who answers fastest and correctly will get a mention in the next Bollywood Gossip post!
The answer to the previous Bollywood Gossip trivia is ‘Angoor’ and the winner is Deepika Sharma. Congratulations!:)
This post is written as a part of Blogchatter’s A2Z challenge.
PANORAMIC RIPPLES 
Bareilly ki barfi i haven’t seen. So many movies are nostalgic. Some we watched first day first show. We even bought tickets in black for DDLJ.
Btw was it Kalia that Gabbar was talking to? Not too sure
Deepika Sharma
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Yes, you are absolutely right:)
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Masaan is so underrated. Thanks for including it.
Tu kisi rail si guzarti hai
Main kisi pull sa.. thartharata hoon
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I am a die-hard romantic and I watch only romcoms. I have watched all the movies you have listed out. What a list you have compiled!! Amazing. Gabbar asks Kalia kitne aadmi the
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Your posts are a treat to the Bollywood lover in me buddy, I love all of these and if I had to pick my list most of these will appear there too 🙂
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Happy that I’ve watched all the movies in the list 🙂
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Such great movies you had listed her, had it not been AtoZ, I would have glued to watching them again. Guide, silsila, kal ho na ho, two states, band baja baraat.. they are all worth watching, and wow you included masaan – 4 stories near Ganges, I had loved it a lot. Glad I have seen them all.
Kitne aadmi they hahaha yaha to 21 movies ki list hai sarkaar.. on a lighter note gabbar is asking this to one of his team members along with kalia who are standing in a row to get grilled.
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Wow loved the collection of these amazing romantic movies. I had watched most of these. DDLJ and jab we met are my all time favourite.,
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These all movies are golden classic movies of bollywood…I love DDLJ a lot
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I love all the romantic movies you listed here but my favorite is jab we met and in old one.. Kabhi Kabhi.. I can watch this innumerable time and still enjoy.
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All the movies are just fabulous. I love Jab we met and Massan , omg just touched my heart ❤️
Gabbar says this ultra famous dialogue to Kalia who is standing on the top of the hill.
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I have watched all except the movie no. 2 guide. I’ll check it out.
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I remember watching the movie during college days and imaging myself as geet. Fun days they were
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Loved your blog and the mentioned movies. I’m a great Bollywood buff too and this post was a treat❤️
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A good reminder about some great old movies.
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You have mentioned all my favorites here. Have watched most, from the list and would like to watch a few of them again and again.
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The incredible classic era of Bollywood! Romantic movies all-time favorites. Mohabbatein and DDLJ are two iconic movies whose craze will not fade away anytime, sooner or later. “kitne Aadmi the” gabbar asked to Kalia
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Amazing compilation 🥰
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Bareilly Ki Barfi was such a breath of fresh air. It made me fall in love with Bollywood 😀
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I could spot most of my favourites here Aditi. Such a lovely list curated
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Wonderful recommendations. Thank you for introducing them!
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I have watched 15 need to check others
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Love your collection. It is like, i can check on your blog if i have to watch any
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Great 🙂
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Rockstar changed my perception of Indian cinema forever. I wish more such movies were made.
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Good to know!
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Have watched all the movies you have listed – except for 2 that I have watched partially 🙂
Romantic movies are much loved.
QSQT did create box-office history too.
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True ❣️
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