So you want to watch a Bollywood movie, but don’t know where to start? You’re in luck, because this post is dedicated to you! Because there are hundreds of Bollywood movies to choose from, I am going to be writing multiple posts, featuring the top five movies to get started watching from various genres! First up – top romance movies! To be honest, almost every Bollywood movie features some element of love, because as we know from our BollyX performances, Bollywood is all about being expressive and not holding back! The 5 movies featured on this list are some of the best of the best Bollywood love stories – these movies will make you laugh, smile, and cry all at once – not to mention they have some of the best soundtracks, so you might even find yourself singing along!
1. Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ)
DDLJ is a timeless, romantic classic. A girl embarks on a last Eurotrip adventure before she is to have an arranged marriage, and a young boy who doesn’t take life very seriously also sets out on vacation with his buddies. Fate would have it that Simren and Raj meet. Through missed trains and getting separated from their respective groups, Simren and Raj unexpectedly fall in love. But Simren has promised her stubborn father she will marry to a man of his choice. What will Raj do to win over Simren’s father and reunite with his one true love? You will find out in the second half of the movie! Look out for “Tujhe Dekha To Yeh Jaana Sanam” one of the most iconic Bollywood love songs, where Raj and Simren dance through yellow corn fields.
2. Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (KKHH)
“Love is friendship”. That is the tagline for this movie and a theme that you will see reiterated throughout. This movie follows Rahul, Tina, and Anjali (classic Bollywood love-triangle!). Raj and Anjali have been best friends forever, and unknown by Rahul, Anjali is actually in love with him. Enter Tina, the new student at college, who instantly has a connection with Rahul, forcing Anjali to let her first love go. However, years later, fate may give Anjali and Rahul a second chance at love! This is a no-doubt one of the most popular Bollywood rom-com classics of the 90s. From the songs, to the dialogue, to Rahul and Anjali’s iconic handshake, this movie is bound to make you laugh, cry, and want to watch it all over again! (Fun Fact: Rahul and Anjali are played by the same actors as in DDLJ – Shah Rukh Khan [commonly known as the Bollywood King of Romance] and Kajol)!
3. Disclaimer: Keep a box of tissues nearby while you watch this one (just in case…)! That being said, this is truly one of the most beautiful Bollywood love stories, with an overlying message to live life to the fullest and love deeply. This movie also centers on a classic Bollywood love triangle, but this time the two men are in love with the same girl. The movie begins with an introduction to Naina, who is always unhappy and has a negative outlook of life due to multiple family complications. Her best friend Rohit is who she turns to when she needs a laugh. Then Aman moves into the same neighborhood as Naina, and, with him, brings a lot of positive energy that allows him to slowly turn Naina and her family’s life around. Naturally, Naina falls in love with Aman. However, Rohit confesses to Aman that he loves Naina. In another twist, we find out that Aman has a big secret of his own, and what follows in this love story will touch your heart. But don’t worry, the film also has plenty of amazing dance routines and comedic scenes! A must watch for sure.
This movie focuses on the relationship between Bunny and Naina as they go from being strangers to becoming friends to falling in love. Shortly after college ends, Naina, a nerdy and introverted student, runs into a spunky old classmate who invites her on a hiking trip into the Himalayas. Naina decides to go on the adventure and reconnects with some other old classmates including the charming and extroverted Bunny. Although two very different personalities, Bunny and Naina become closer during the trip and gain new perspectives on life and love from each other. Not surprisingly, Naina falls in love with Bunny, but before she can tell him how she feels, a decision he makes shakes the entire group up. Will Naina ever be united with her love? Watch the movie to find out! Another reason to watch the movie – the BollyX performance songs Badtameez Dil, Balam Pichkari and Dilliwaali Girlfriend are all from this movie!
We all know that the choreography for the BollyX song “Malhari” inspires us to channel our inner warrior! Now watch the movie that it’s from to connect with the song even more! Bajirao Mastani is a historical fiction, period romance film based on the love story of the Maratha (a caste group in India) Prime Minister Bajirao and his second wife Mastani. From the elaborate costumes to the extravagant sets to the dance sequences to the battlefield and sword-fighting scenes, along with the romantic dialogue between Bajirao and Mastani, this film will have you glued to your seat for the entire two hours and thirty minutes. Not your typical Bollywood love story, but all the more reason to watch it!
About the author: A self proclaimed health nut and flegan (flexible vegan), Riti is so glad to be a part of the BXFam and continue pursuing her passion for fitness and dance. Riti is extremely enthusiastic about all things Indian and Bollywood since she trained in Bollywood and Bharatanatyam (Indian Classical dance) as a child and also was captain of a Bollywood fusion dance team at Tufts. Not to mention she has probably seen every Bollywood movie made. She looks forward to continuing to dance with others and remind them to smile, sweat it out, and show off what they got! Check out Riti’s classes in Boston and join her for a BollyX class!