Bollywood is known for churning out love stories that make you want to fall in love over and over again! From the very beginning, Indian cinema has showcased some of the most iconic romances like that of Mughal-e-Azam’s Salim and Anarkali to Raj and Simran from the DDLJ or even Kabir and Naina from Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani. Each romantic drama of Bollywood takes you through a rollercoaster of emotions, making you laugh, cry and sigh throughout the film, making you say dil maange more! Here are 6 iconic Bollywood love stories you can (re)binge on:
Devdas (2002)
You are not a Bollywood movie buff if you don’t like Devdas. The love story between Devdas and Paro and the complicated love triangle involving Chandramukhi. The movie is full of drama and emotion, and the cast performances are awe-inspiring. The film is visually stunning and culturally rich.
Kal Ho Naa Ho
Kal Ho Naa Ho is one of those films that’ll make the most formidable beings shed tears. It’s a beautiful movie that has touched the hearts of many. The story of Naina and Aman is indeed heart breaking but also teaches us about selflessness and sacrifice. The music of the film is also unforgettable, especially Kal Ho Naa Ho and It’s The Time To Disco.
Jab We Met
Directed by Imtiaz Ali, this romantic comedy stars Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor Khan. It revolves around two individuals, Aditya and Geet, who meet on a train journey and embark on a life-changing adventure together, making him fall in love. Their romance is what many of us dream of, as they’ve got each other’s backs in the darkest of times. We can safely say Jab We Met is one of the reasons we Indians have such high expectations when it comes to love.
Veer-Zaara
A heart-touching saga of love, sacrifices, bravery and long-distance love, that’s what Veer Zara is. Directed by Yash Chopra, this cross-border love story revolves around Veer, an Indian Air Force pilot and Zaara, a Pakistani woman. Love blooms between them when Veer rescues Zaara from an accident during her visit to India, and when she returns to Pakistan, Veer follows her, but their love is met with hostility ending with Veer’s imprisonment.
Om Shanti Om
Reincarnation is a subject that has fascinated people for generations, and many say people retain memories from their past life. Delving into this, Om Shanti Om starring Shahrukh Khan and Deepika Padukone, explores the idea of forever love that persists even after death. In 70s India, Om falls in love with Shantipriya, a renowned actress whose life ends tragically in the presence of Om. He gets reincarnated, and fate brings him to the spot of his demise, which starts his fight for justice for himself and his dead love Shanti.
Bajirao Mastani
There’s something about Indian historical romances that entrances us all; maybe it’s the depiction of old India’s royal love or cultural richness and aesthetics. For ages in Maharashtra, tales of Peshwa Bajirao’s forbidden romance with the Muslim warrior princess Mastani have been spoken about in folklore. Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and the cast have beautifully poured life into this legendary love story that makes you wish the film was slightly longer.