HindustanTimes.com Special: Veer Zaara



	Both Hollywood and Bollywood have churned out many successful , if often updated versions of William Shakespeare's classic love story Romeo Juliet, itself derived from folk traditions. Here we are looking at some of the Bollywood's modern as well as classic interpretations of this tragic and enduring love sagas.



	Heer Ranjha Director: Chetan Anand (1970) Based on the legendary love story of Heer Ranjha written by Warris Shah in the sixteenth century, the movie was a big hit in 1970 despite the tragic ending. This Navketan Productions' doomed love story had Raaj Kumar and Priya Rajvansh in the leading roles. Heer meets Ranjha and both fall in love with each other. Ranjha's crooked uncle Kaido ensures that she gets married to another man, leaving Ranjha in state of shock. After various twists in the tale they meet and Heer's parents agree to the marriage. But destiny intervenes... The music was by Madan Mohan, whose compositoins are also being used for Veer- Zaara. Songs like Milo na tum to hum ghabarayein, milo ..., Yeh duniya, yeh mehfil mere kaam ki nahin are remembered to date.



	Ek Dujhe Ke Liye Director: K Balachander (1981) This tragic love story made in 1981 was a runaway success. The romance between a South Indian Vaasu and north Indian Sapna won hearts of millions across India. This was Kamal Hasan's first Hindi fim. Vaasu and Sapna played neighbours in Goa. Though their families don't get along owing to differences in their culture and language, Vaasu and Sapna fall in love with each other. Despite linguistic gaps, the bond between them is amazingly strong. Their parents finally set a condition to their union, which the star-crossed lovers meet by ending their lives. The music by Laxmikant-Pyarelal was excellent and K Balachander's direction got him numerous fans in Bollywood.



	Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak Director: Mansoor Khan (1988) Director Mansoor Khan revived the romantic era with Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (QSQT). The film was an Indian take on the Romeo-Juliet theme and went on to become a superhit. It gave a break to the movies highlighting violence and gore that dominated the Bollywood for more than a decade. The movie also introduced the talented Aamir Khan in his first lead role. The chirpy Juhi Chawla also came to limelight after two flops. Released in 1988, The music by Anand-Milind and the songs by Udit Narayan were a refreshing change and had a mass appeal.



	Sohni Mahiwal Director: Umesh Mehra (1984) One of the major hits of 1984, Sohni Mahiwal was a romantic film directed by Umesh Mehra. Based on a folk tale, the film had the beautiful Poonam Dhillon and the action man Sunny Deol as the star-crossed pair. Sohni, known for her beauty and innocence, fell in love with a merchant called Izzat Baig, fondly called by Sohni's family as Mahiwal. But the family disapproved of their romance. But they secretly meet near the bank of the Chenab until discovered. The love story of Sohni and Mahiwal continues to be popular and has been passed on from generation to generation in popular songs and tales.