The 20th century was a time of immense growth and development for Bollywood. From the works of the legendary stars of old, to the modern films of today, Bollywood has a wide variety of movies to offer its audience. But which one is the best of the best? Let’s take a closer look at some of the greatest films ever made in Bollywood.
Sholay (1975)
This classic film directed by Ramesh Sippy is considered by many to be the greatest Bollywood film ever made. It stars Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra in the lead roles, along with Amjad Khan as the villainous Gabbar Singh. The movie tells the story of two criminals who are employed by a retired police officer to capture a notorious dacoit. Sholay was a huge box office success and has become an iconic film in the history of Bollywood.
Mother India (1957)
This epic film directed by Mehboob Khan is one of the most acclaimed films of all time. It stars Nargis Dutt in the lead role, and tells the story of a woman who is forced to face many hardships in order to protect her family’s honour. Mother India became an international success and was the first Indian movie to be nominated for an Oscar. It is still considered to be one of the finest films ever made in India.
Mughal-e-Azam (1960)
This epic historical drama directed by K. Asif is one of the most expensive films ever made in India. It stars Prithviraj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar, and Madhubala in the lead roles, and tells the story of a young prince who is torn between his love for a court dancer and his loyalty to his father. Mughal-e-Azam is considered to be one of the greatest films ever made in Bollywood and is often cited as a landmark in Indian cinema.
Hum Aapke Hain Koun (1994)
This romantic comedy directed by Sooraj Barjatya stars Salman Khan and Madhuri Dixit in the lead roles. The movie tells the story of a young couple who soon find themselves in a situation of conflict between their families. Hum Aapke Hain Koun was a massive commercial success and is still regarded as one of the best Bollywood rom-coms of all time.
These are some of the finest Bollywood movies of the 20th century. Each of these films has left an indelible mark in the history of Indian cinema and is still considered to be a classic in its own right. So, it’s up to the audience to decide which one is the best!
Ranking the Top 10 Bollywood Movies of the 20th Century
The 20th century was a tumultuous time for India and its film industry, but it also gave rise to some of the most celebrated and beloved Bollywood films of all time. From classics like Sholay and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge to modern masterpieces like Lagaan and 3 Idiots, these movies have left an indelible mark on the Indian film industry and its viewers. To celebrate the best of Bollywood cinema, here's a list of the top 10 Bollywood movies of the 20th century.
- Sholay (1975): This classic action-adventure movie, directed by Ramesh Sippy, is a landmark in Indian cinema. It stars Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra as two small-time criminals hired by a retired police officer to capture a notorious dacoit. The movie was a box-office success and is now considered one of the greatest films ever made in India.
- Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995): This romantic drama, directed by Aditya Chopra, stars Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol as two young lovers who must overcome obstacles to be together. The movie was a huge success and is now considered a classic, earning the title of the “longest-running film in the history of Indian cinema.”
- Lagaan (2001): This epic sports drama, directed by Ashutosh Gowariker, stars Aamir Khan as a young villager who challenges the British to a game of cricket in order to save his village from oppressive taxes. The movie was a critical and commercial success, and it was even nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
- 3 Idiots (2009): This comedy-drama, directed by Rajkumar Hirani, stars Aamir Khan, Sharman Joshi, and R. Madhavan as three friends who embark on a quest to find a long-lost classmate. The movie was a massive success and is now considered one of the best Bollywood films of the 21st century.
- Mother India (1957): This classic melodrama, directed by Mehboob Khan, stars Nargis as a poor rural woman who struggles to raise her sons and protect them from a greedy moneylender. The movie was a huge success and is now considered one of the best films ever made in India.
- Mughal-e-Azam (1960): This epic historical drama, directed by K. Asif, stars Dilip Kumar and Madhubala as two lovers who must overcome the opposition of the Mughal emperor. The movie was a huge success and is now considered a classic of Indian cinema.
- Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001): This family drama, directed by Karan Johar, stars Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Kajol as members of an affluent family who must come to terms with their differences. The movie was a huge success and is now considered one of the best Bollywood films of the 21st century.
- Anand (1971): This classic drama, directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, stars Rajesh Khanna as a terminally ill patient who finds solace in the company of a doctor played by Amitabh Bachchan. The movie was a huge success and is now considered one of the best films ever made in India.
- Hum Aapke Hain Koun (1994): This romantic drama, directed by Sooraj Barjatya, stars Salman Khan and Madhuri Dixit as a young couple who must overcome the obstacles of family and society to be together. The movie was a massive success and is now considered one of the best Bollywood films of the 20th century.
- Sarfarosh (1999): This action-drama, directed by John Matthew Matthan, stars Aamir Khan as a police officer who investigates a corrupt politician and his associates. The movie was a critical and commercial success, and it is now considered one of the best films ever made in India.
These movies have all made an indelible mark on the history of Bollywood cinema and have helped shape the face of Indian film for generations to come. Even today, they remain some of the most beloved and celebrated films of all time.
The 20th century saw the rise of Bollywood, India’s thriving film industry. The industry has produced some of the most iconic films, which are still popular today. With so many movies to choose from, it may be difficult to decide on the best Bollywood movie of the 20th century. To help you decide, here are some of the most popular Bollywood movies of the 20th century.
Sholay (1975) – One of the most iconic films of the 20th century, Sholay is a classic action-adventure movie that follows the journey of two former army officers hired to protect a small village from a notorious bandit. With its gripping storyline, memorable characters, and iconic dialogues, Sholay has become one of the most beloved films in India.
Mughal-e-Azam (1960) – A timeless classic, Mughal-e-Azam is a love story set in the Mughal Empire. The movie follows the story of an emperor’s son, who falls in love with a court dancer, and the epic battle between love and duty. With its sweeping cinematography, beautiful sets, and memorable songs, Mughal-e-Azam is one of the most iconic Bollywood films of all time.
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) – One of the most successful films of the 20th century, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ) is a romantic drama about two young lovers in India, who must overcome obstacles to be together. With its iconic dialogues, memorable characters, and beautiful music, DDLJ has become one of the most beloved films in India.
Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001) – A classic family drama, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham follows the story of an Indian family dealing with issues of class, love, and loyalty. With its memorable characters and iconic dialogues, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham has become one of the most popular films of the 21st century.
Hum Aapke Hain Koun (1994) – A major box office hit, Hum Aapke Hain Koun is a romantic drama about two families and the love that blossoms between their children. With its catchy music, memorable characters, and beautiful sets, Hum Aapke Hain Koun has become one of the most successful films of the 20th century.
These are some of the most popular Bollywood movies of the 20th century. While it may be difficult to choose the best one, each of these classic films offer something unique and special that continues to enthrall audiences today.
