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  1. Entertainment
  2. Movies

The 50 best Bollywood movies of all time

Features
By Total Film Staff published 1 September 2014

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Everybody dance now!

Everybody dance now!

If your only exposure to Bollywood is Bride And Prejudice and Slumdog Millionaire, you need some serious exposure to real Bollywood right now. More than a genre, Bollywood is a cinematic force of nature, a colourful culture reimagined in vibrant sound and vision, melodrama and melody fused into a spectacle of song and dance, with stories that twist and turn and often resolve in ways western cinema wouldnt even consider. Bollywood isnt just musicals with subtitles, its pure cinema.

Page 1 of 51
Page 1 of 51
3 Idiots (2009)

3 Idiots (2009)

Stand-Out Moment: The touching reunion scene, as the trio of college buddies are finally reunited as adults.

Page 2 of 51
Page 2 of 51
Bobby (1973)

Bobby (1973)

Stand-Out Moment: Aruna Irani's mesmorising dance for key musical number Main Shair To Nahin.

Page 3 of 51
Page 3 of 51
Rang De Basanti (2006)

Rang De Basanti (2006)

Stand-Out Moment: The mantra of Aamir Khans young firebrand: There are two ways to live life one's to accept things as they are and tolerate them or take the responsibility to change the trend.

Page 4 of 51
Page 4 of 51
Awaara (1951)

Awaara (1951)

Stand-Out Moment: Kapoors character steals Nargis a necklace, unaware that the man he has pinched it from is her father. Doh!

Page 5 of 51
Page 5 of 51
Coolie (1983)

Coolie (1983)

Stand-Out Moment: Bachchans attempts to follow a recipe for an omelette from a radio thats on the blink.

Page 6 of 51
Page 6 of 51
Udaan (2010)

Udaan (2010)

Stand-Out Moment: Young Rohan finally snaps, taking his frustrations out on his fathers beloved car

Page 7 of 51
Page 7 of 51
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)

Stand-Out Moment: The moment when Khan dispenses with his shirt is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Page 8 of 51
Page 8 of 51
Om Shanti Om (2007)

Om Shanti Om (2007)

Stand-Out Moment: The arrival of a bona fide ghost in the films final act. By that point, nothing will surprise you

Page 9 of 51
Page 9 of 51
Fanaa (2006)

Fanaa (2006)

Stand-Out Moment: The helicopter-set action sequence and the parachute-assisted getaway performed by star Aamir Khan.

Page 10 of 51
Page 10 of 51
Fashion (2008)

Fashion (2008)

Stand-Out Moment: The following scathing assessment of life as a model: Meghna, dont think. The less you think, the more you make.

Page 11 of 51
Page 11 of 51
Lagaan (2001)

Lagaan (2001)

Stand-Out Moment: Khan smashes one for six in the final over, leaving the British captain on his arse as the locals claim the victory. Woohoo!

Page 12 of 51
Page 12 of 51
Devdas (2002)

Devdas (2002)

Stand-Out Moment: The bittersweet finale in which Devdas and Parvati are reunited once more for the briefest of moments

Page 13 of 51
Page 13 of 51
Swades (2004)

Swades (2004)

Stand-Out Moment: The building of the reservoir, in which our hero gets the opportunity to give something back to his fellow villagers.

Page 14 of 51
Page 14 of 51
Taare Zameen Par (2007)

Taare Zameen Par (2007)

Stand-Out Moment: The heartwarming scene in which Khans character tells the young boy of how he faced similar challenges when he was a child.

Page 15 of 51
Page 15 of 51
1942: A Love Story (1993)

1942: A Love Story (1993)

Stand-Out Moment: The scene in which the British troops (acting on a tip-off from the Raj-supporting father) track down the activist, and kill him in his home.

Page 16 of 51
Page 16 of 51
Salaam Namaste (2005)

Salaam Namaste (2005)

Stand-Out Moment: The couples fearsome break-up when it is revealed that Preity Zintas character was lying about having had an abortion.

Page 17 of 51
Page 17 of 51
Pakeezah (1972)

Pakeezah (1972)

Stand-Out Moment: The touching note Kumars character leaves his intended after a chance meeting: Saw your feet; they are very beautiful. Don't place them on the ground, they will get dirty.

Page 18 of 51
Page 18 of 51
Sholay (1975)

Sholay (1975)

Stand-Out Moment: One of the pair of heroes shoots a stick of dynamite with his last remaining bullet, wiping out a horde of bandits in one fell swoop. Score!

Page 19 of 51
Page 19 of 51
Dil Chahta Hai (2001)

Dil Chahta Hai (2001)

Stand-Out Moment: The heartbreaking bedside scene in which alcoholic Tara finally succumbs to a chronic case of cirrhosis.

Page 20 of 51
Page 20 of 51
Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003)

Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003)

Stand-Out Moment: The inevitable deathbed scene, attended by the other two thirds of the aforementioned triangle. Stirring stuff.

Page 21 of 51
Page 21 of 51
Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999)

Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999)

Stand-Out Moment: The final twist, in which Nandini (the bride) realises her arranged husband is probably her best bet after all. Make up your mind!

Page 22 of 51
Page 22 of 51
Mother India (1957)

Mother India (1957)

Stand-Out Moment: Discovering her son has become a criminal, Radha shoots him in accordance with the greater good. Thanks mum!

Page 23 of 51
Page 23 of 51
Agneepath (1990)

Agneepath (1990)

Stand-Out Scene: The shocking lynching of young Vijays father that sets the whole bloody tale in motion

Page 24 of 51
Page 24 of 51
Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988)

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988)

Stand-Out Scene: The finale, which wisely doesnt attempt to water down the tragedy of the source material.

Page 25 of 51
Page 25 of 51
Sarfarosh (1999)

Sarfarosh (1999)

Stand-Out Scene: An assault upon the HQ of a notorious gun-running operation makes for a pulse-quickening set-piece.

Page 26 of 51
Page 26 of 51
Tezaab (1988)

Tezaab (1988)

Stand-Out Moment: The villainous Shyamlal outlines how far he is willing to go to keep himself in drink: If I get a good price, I can even sell my blessing

Page 27 of 51
Page 27 of 51
Andaz Apna Apna (1994)

Andaz Apna Apna (1994)

Stand-Out Moment: The deliriously OTT rescue scene at the films conclusion.

Page 28 of 51
Page 28 of 51
Bunty Aur Babli (2005)

Bunty Aur Babli (2005)

Stand-Out Moment: The duo take their scamming antics to the next level by impersonating a pair of priests. For shame

Page 29 of 51
Page 29 of 51
Silsila (1981)

Silsila (1981)

Stand-Out Moment: The concluding song and dance routine, in which the power of love appears to absolve Bachchans character of his infidelities. Phew!

Page 30 of 51
Page 30 of 51
Peepli Live (2010)

Peepli Live (2010)

Stand-Out Moment: One of the farmers suffers a chronic bout of diarrhoea, much to the chagrin of the journalist charged with following his every move.

Page 31 of 51
Page 31 of 51
Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959)

Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959)

Stand-Out Moment: The haunting final scene in which Sinha dies alone in his directors chair. Not your typically cheery Bollywood ending

Page 32 of 51
Page 32 of 51
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998)

Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998)

Stand-Out Moment: The climactic wedding scene, where our star-crossed lovers finally get their act together. Even the jilted groom gives them the thumbs-up!

Page 33 of 51
Page 33 of 51
Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006)

Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006)

Stand-Out Moment: The adulterers share an embrace in public, and are promptly caught by their respective partners. Oops.

Page 34 of 51
Page 34 of 51
Black (2005)

Black (2005)

Stand-Out Moment: Michelles gradual capacity to recognise her parents is a guaranteed tear-jerker.

Page 35 of 51
Page 35 of 51
Amar Akbar Anthony (1977)

Amar Akbar Anthony (1977)

Stand-Out Moment: The hair-raising car chase that leads to the improbable discovery of a consignment of gold bullion.

Page 36 of 51
Page 36 of 51
Hum Aapke Hain Kaun? (1994)

Hum Aapke Hain Kaun? (1994)

Stand-Out Moment: The distinctly shocking death scene featuring the luckless sister. Watch your step too late!

Page 37 of 51
Page 37 of 51
Border (1997)

Border (1997)

Stand-Out Moment: The final, grand-scale clash at Longewala post provides a suitably adrenaline-soaked conclusion to the film.

Page 38 of 51
Page 38 of 51
Mughal-E-Azam (1960)

Mughal-E-Azam (1960)

Stand-Out Moment: The aforementioned skirmish, which required legions of real soldiers, as well as some 2,000 camels and 4,000 horses!

Page 39 of 51
Page 39 of 51
Salaam Bombay! (1988)

Salaam Bombay! (1988)

Stand-Out Moment: The downbeat but hopeful ending offers no easy answers. This is an endemic problem no song and dance routine can fix.

Page 40 of 51
Page 40 of 51
Dil To Pagal Hai (1997)

Dil To Pagal Hai (1997)

Stand-Out Moment: The plays opening night, the ending of which Rahul tweaks to confess his love for new girl Pooja.

Page 41 of 51
Page 41 of 51
My Name Is Khan (2010)

My Name Is Khan (2010)

Stand-Out Moment: The racially motivated schoolyard brawl that claims the life of Rizwans brother Sameer.

Page 42 of 51
Page 42 of 51
Mohabbatein (2000)

Mohabbatein (2000)

Stand-Out Moment: The fearsome headmaster steps down, allowing Khan to take his position. Thats how the hiring process tends to work in a Bollywood happy ending

Page 43 of 51
Page 43 of 51
Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008)

Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008)

Stand-Out Moment: Khans first transformation into the flamboyant Raj Kapoor.

Page 44 of 51
Page 44 of 51
Dostana (2008)

Dostana (2008)

Stand-Out Moment: The pair are forced to stage a kiss on a packed beachfront, as hundreds of passers-by look on

Page 45 of 51
Page 45 of 51
Baazigar (1993)

Baazigar (1993)

Stand-Out Moment: Having bumped off one of his enemies. Khan proceeds to dispose of the body by stuffing it into an old suitcase. Nice.

Page 46 of 51
Page 46 of 51
Mr. India (1957)

Mr. India (1957)

Stand-Out Moment: Sridevis fountain-assisted song and dance routine, in which her sari becomes clingier with every passing verse

Page 47 of 51
Page 47 of 51
Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006)

Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006)

Stand-Out Moment: Gandhis first appearance, as a ghostly apparition who shows the lead character the error of his ways.

Page 48 of 51
Page 48 of 51
Dil Se (1998)

Dil Se (1998)

Stand-Out Moment: The truly shocking ending scene which manages to be violent and romantic in equal measure.

Page 49 of 51
Page 49 of 51
Do Bigha Zamin (1953)

Do Bigha Zamin (1953)

Stand-Out Moment: Lead character Shambu learns that his son has turned to crime, and does his level best to impress upon the boy that poverty is preferable to criminality.

Page 50 of 51
Page 50 of 51
Chak De! India (2007)

Chak De! India (2007)

Stand-Out Moment: The challenge match that pitches the girls against the boys, and ends up with the womens team heading to the World Championships.

Page 51 of 51
Page 51 of 51
Total Film Staff

The Total Film team are made up of the finest minds in all of film journalism. They are: Editor Jane Crowther, Deputy Editor Matt Maytum, Reviews Ed Matthew Leyland, News Editor Jordan Farley, and Online Editor Emily Murray. Expect exclusive news, reviews, features, and more from the team behind the smarter movie magazine. 

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