Bollywood’s most iconic films

By HT Correspondent

Updated On Jun 04, 2013 10:16 pm IST

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Gol Maal (1979)Hrishikesh Mukherjee's laugh riot that shows hilarious performances by Utpal Dutt and Amol Palekar is one of the pillars of good comedies.

Updated on Jun 04, 2013 10:16 pm IST

Gol Maal (1979)Hrishikesh Mukherjee's laugh riot that shows hilarious performances by Utpal Dutt and Amol Palekar is one of the pillars of good comedies.

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Ek Duuje Ke Liye (1981)Another tragic romance story about the relationship and difficulties faced by a Tamil boy (Kamal Haasan) and North Indian girl (Rati Agnihotri) in love. The touching ending of the story gave it cult status.

Updated on Jun 04, 2013 10:16 pm IST

Ek Duuje Ke Liye (1981)Another tragic romance story about the relationship and difficulties faced by a Tamil boy (Kamal Haasan) and North Indian girl (Rati Agnihotri) in love. The touching ending of the story gave it cult status.

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Umrao Jaan (1981)Rekha cast her spell on many with her stupendous performance as the tragedy-stricken and beautiful courtesan, who was found herself alone and alienated. The film, with its stellar performances and evergreen music, is a favourite for many.

Updated on Jun 04, 2013 10:16 pm IST

Umrao Jaan (1981)Rekha cast her spell on many with her stupendous performance as the tragedy-stricken and beautiful courtesan, who was found herself alone and alienated. The film, with its stellar performances and evergreen music, is a favourite for many.

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Mr India (1987)We have all been: fascinated by the 'gadget', in terror of Mogambo (played by Amrish Puri), in awe of Mr India (Anil Kapoor) and in love with Calendar (Satish Kaushik). Shekhar Kapur's awe-inspiring sci-fi film was a huge hit with children and adults alike.

Updated on Jun 04, 2013 10:16 pm IST

Mr India (1987)We have all been: fascinated by the 'gadget', in terror of Mogambo (played by Amrish Puri), in awe of Mr India (Anil Kapoor) and in love with Calendar (Satish Kaushik). Shekhar Kapur's awe-inspiring sci-fi film was a huge hit with children and adults alike.

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Andaz Apna Apna (1994)Who can forget this hilarious film with dialogues and situations so memorable that they are quoted even till date! The Aamir Khan and Salman Khan duo combined with the rib-tickling performances by Paresh Rawal and Viju Khote may not have done well when it released at first but has been kept alive by its fans even now.

Updated on Jun 04, 2013 10:16 pm IST

Andaz Apna Apna (1994)Who can forget this hilarious film with dialogues and situations so memorable that they are quoted even till date! The Aamir Khan and Salman Khan duo combined with the rib-tickling performances by Paresh Rawal and Viju Khote may not have done well when it released at first but has been kept alive by its fans even now.

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Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (1995): marking the new era of romance, which was both light and fresh, DDLJ saw fabulous chemistry between Raj (Shah Rukh Khan) and Simran (Kajol), making many swoon.

Updated on Jun 04, 2013 10:16 pm IST

Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (1995): marking the new era of romance, which was both light and fresh, DDLJ saw fabulous chemistry between Raj (Shah Rukh Khan) and Simran (Kajol), making many swoon.

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Anurag Kashyap took up the Herculean task of recreating the 1993 Bombay blasts but the film ran into controversy due to its subject and remained underground for almost two years. In 2004, when it finally released, won garnered a lot of critical acclaim.

Updated on Jun 04, 2013 10:16 pm IST

Anurag Kashyap took up the Herculean task of recreating the 1993 Bombay blasts but the film ran into controversy due to its subject and remained underground for almost two years. In 2004, when it finally released, won garnered a lot of critical acclaim.

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3 Idiots (2009)After Lagaan, Aamir Khan set yet another benchmark with his film 3 Idiots, that became the highest grossing Bollywood film in India and worldwide.

Updated on Jun 04, 2013 10:16 pm IST

3 Idiots (2009)After Lagaan, Aamir Khan set yet another benchmark with his film 3 Idiots, that became the highest grossing Bollywood film in India and worldwide.

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Lagaan (2001)Ashutosh Gowariker's film was based on two passions Indians feel the most, patriotism and cricket. Set in a pre-Independence era, the film beautifully Indianises cricket and its terminology. It also becomes the backdrop of a complicated love triangle. Aamir Khan-starrer Lagaan was nominated as the official Foreign Language Film at the Oscars.

Updated on Jun 04, 2013 10:16 pm IST

Lagaan (2001)Ashutosh Gowariker's film was based on two passions Indians feel the most, patriotism and cricket. Set in a pre-Independence era, the film beautifully Indianises cricket and its terminology. It also becomes the backdrop of a complicated love triangle. Aamir Khan-starrer Lagaan was nominated as the official Foreign Language Film at the Oscars.

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Satya (1998)One of Ram Gopal Varma's most impactful films, Satya portrayed the underworld and gangsters in a new light. With it hitting scenes and powerful performances by the likes of Manoj Bajpai and JD Chakravarthy, the film sure packed a punch.

Updated on Jun 04, 2013 10:16 pm IST

Satya (1998)One of Ram Gopal Varma's most impactful films, Satya portrayed the underworld and gangsters in a new light. With it hitting scenes and powerful performances by the likes of Manoj Bajpai and JD Chakravarthy, the film sure packed a punch.

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Kama Sutra (1996)With its explicit nudity, intimate scenes and overt sexuality and innuendos, Mira Nair's Kama Sutra was way ahead of its time and acceptability in India (and continues to stay so). Starring Indira Verma, Sarita Chowdhary, Naveen Andrews and none other than Rekha, Kama Sutra was an icon in its sexual expression.

Updated on Jun 04, 2013 10:16 pm IST

Kama Sutra (1996)With its explicit nudity, intimate scenes and overt sexuality and innuendos, Mira Nair's Kama Sutra was way ahead of its time and acceptability in India (and continues to stay so). Starring Indira Verma, Sarita Chowdhary, Naveen Andrews and none other than Rekha, Kama Sutra was an icon in its sexual expression.

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A still from Deewar.

Updated on Jun 04, 2013 10:16 pm IST

A still from Deewar.

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Ankur (1974)Shyam Benegal's carved a niche for itself as differentiated itself from mainstream cinema became pivotal in the parallel cinema movement. The film that also brought to light topics usually brushed under the carpet gave Shabana Azmi her debut role.

Updated on Jun 04, 2013 10:16 pm IST

Ankur (1974)Shyam Benegal's carved a niche for itself as differentiated itself from mainstream cinema became pivotal in the parallel cinema movement. The film that also brought to light topics usually brushed under the carpet gave Shabana Azmi her debut role.

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Pakeezah was a film about a courtesan that established Meena Kumari as the tragedy queen.

Updated on Jun 04, 2013 10:16 pm IST

Pakeezah was a film about a courtesan that established Meena Kumari as the tragedy queen.

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Mera Naam Joker (1970)Raj Kapoor's Mera Naam Joker is a disturbing film about a clown who must make his audience laugh at the cost of his own sorrows.

Updated on Jun 04, 2013 10:16 pm IST

Mera Naam Joker (1970)Raj Kapoor's Mera Naam Joker is a disturbing film about a clown who must make his audience laugh at the cost of his own sorrows.

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Guide (1965)The Dev Anand-Waheeda Rehman starrer carved a space for itself as it brought out a new aspect of the Indian heroine. The film also became legendary for its music.

Updated on Jun 04, 2013 10:16 pm IST

Guide (1965)The Dev Anand-Waheeda Rehman starrer carved a space for itself as it brought out a new aspect of the Indian heroine. The film also became legendary for its music.

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Mughal-e-Azam (1960): This film needs no introduction. Capturing Madhubala's evergreen beauty and establishing Dilip Kumar as the hero of his era, K Asif's film combined with its grand sets became one of the most memorable icons of Indian cinema.

Updated on Jun 04, 2013 10:16 pm IST

Mughal-e-Azam (1960): This film needs no introduction. Capturing Madhubala's evergreen beauty and establishing Dilip Kumar as the hero of his era, K Asif's film combined with its grand sets became one of the most memorable icons of Indian cinema.

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Do Aankhen Barah Haath (1957)Most of V Shantaram's films became iconic and this one created another benchmark as it became the first Indian film to win a Golden Globe Award. The film that starred Shantaram himself was about a jailor who turns a few hardened criminals into men of virtue.

Updated on Jun 04, 2013 10:16 pm IST

Do Aankhen Barah Haath (1957)Most of V Shantaram's films became iconic and this one created another benchmark as it became the first Indian film to win a Golden Globe Award. The film that starred Shantaram himself was about a jailor who turns a few hardened criminals into men of virtue.

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Mother India (1957)Director Mehboob Khan remade his own film in Aurat in 1957 and called it Mother India. The iconic film showed the struggles of a village woman raising her sons and how her self-righteousness makes her alienate and even kill her own son. The film saw impactful performances by Nargis, Sunil Dutt and Rajendra Kumar and became the first Hindi film to be nominated for the Oscars.

Updated on Jun 04, 2013 10:16 pm IST

Mother India (1957)Director Mehboob Khan remade his own film in Aurat in 1957 and called it Mother India. The iconic film showed the struggles of a village woman raising her sons and how her self-righteousness makes her alienate and even kill her own son. The film saw impactful performances by Nargis, Sunil Dutt and Rajendra Kumar and became the first Hindi film to be nominated for the Oscars.

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Do Bigha Zamin (1953) Bringing to light the apathy of Indian farmers after Independence, Bimal Roy's classic film went on to become the first Indian film to win the International award at the Cannes film festival. The film starred Nirupa Roy and Balraj Sahni.

Updated on Jun 04, 2013 10:16 pm IST

Do Bigha Zamin (1953) Bringing to light the apathy of Indian farmers after Independence, Bimal Roy's classic film went on to become the first Indian film to win the International award at the Cannes film festival. The film starred Nirupa Roy and Balraj Sahni.

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Awaara (1951)26-year old Raj Kapoor made Awaara, casting himself and often co-star Nargis in it. The film that portrayed the extremes of the rich and poor in Indian society won him his first Cannes nomination in the Palm d' or category. The film and its songs acquired cult status.

Updated on Jun 04, 2013 10:16 pm IST

Awaara (1951)26-year old Raj Kapoor made Awaara, casting himself and often co-star Nargis in it. The film that portrayed the extremes of the rich and poor in Indian society won him his first Cannes nomination in the Palm d' or category. The film and its songs acquired cult status.

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Neecha Nagar (1946)Filmmaker Chetan Anand's debut film was a landmark as it became the first Indian film to gain international recognition, after it shared the Grand Prix du Festival International du Film (Best Film) award at the first ever Cannes Film Festival.

Updated on Jun 04, 2013 10:16 pm IST

Neecha Nagar (1946)Filmmaker Chetan Anand's debut film was a landmark as it became the first Indian film to gain international recognition, after it shared the Grand Prix du Festival International du Film (Best Film) award at the first ever Cannes Film Festival.

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Sant Tukaram (1936)The film that tells the story of famous Bhakti movement spiritual leader was the first Indian film to be screened at international festivals as it was screened at the Venice Film Festival. It also ran in a single theatre for 57 weeks creating a box office record back them.

Updated on Jun 04, 2013 10:16 pm IST

Sant Tukaram (1936)The film that tells the story of famous Bhakti movement spiritual leader was the first Indian film to be screened at international festivals as it was screened at the Venice Film Festival. It also ran in a single theatre for 57 weeks creating a box office record back them.

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Sairandhri (1935)Another landmark film by V Shantaram. Sairandhri, starring Master Vinayak and Shakuntala Paranjpye, was India's first colour film. The film was processed and printed in Germany.

Updated on Jun 04, 2013 10:16 pm IST

Sairandhri (1935)Another landmark film by V Shantaram. Sairandhri, starring Master Vinayak and Shakuntala Paranjpye, was India's first colour film. The film was processed and printed in Germany.

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Ayodhyecha Raja (Marathi) & Ayodhya ka Raja (Hindi) (1932)Directed by V Shantaram, Ayodhyecha Raja was the first talkie made in India and this one too was about Raja Harishchandra.

Updated on Jun 04, 2013 10:16 pm IST

Ayodhyecha Raja (Marathi) & Ayodhya ka Raja (Hindi) (1932)Directed by V Shantaram, Ayodhyecha Raja was the first talkie made in India and this one too was about Raja Harishchandra.

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Alam Ara (1931)A film directed by Ardeshir Irani became the first Indian sound film. Irani recognised the importance that sound would have on cinema, and raced to complete Alam Ara before several contemporary sound films.

Updated on Jun 04, 2013 10:16 pm IST

Alam Ara (1931)A film directed by Ardeshir Irani became the first Indian sound film. Irani recognised the importance that sound would have on cinema, and raced to complete Alam Ara before several contemporary sound films.

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Raja Harishchandra (1913)Raja Harishchandra is the iconic film that marks this celebration. Raja Harishchandra, directed by Dadasaheb Phalke, was India's first silent and full-length feature film which released on May 3, 1913. Based on the life of King Harischandra, set the reels in motion.

Updated on Jun 04, 2013 10:16 pm IST

Raja Harishchandra (1913)Raja Harishchandra is the iconic film that marks this celebration. Raja Harishchandra, directed by Dadasaheb Phalke, was India's first silent and full-length feature film which released on May 3, 1913. Based on the life of King Harischandra, set the reels in motion.

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