From Mother India to Bajrangi Bhaijaan: Iconic movies which defined Bollywood over the years

Bollywood, the Hindi film industry based in Mumbai, has produced numerous iconic films since its inception. Here are some of the most notable and iconic Bollywood movies from different eras:

1. Mother India (1957): Directed by Mehboob Khan, this epic drama is considered one of the greatest Indian films of all time. It tells the story of a resilient village woman played by Nargis, who faces numerous hardships and challenges.

2. Sholay (1975): Directed by Ramesh Sippy, Sholay is a legendary action-adventure film that has achieved cult status. It features an ensemble cast including Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, and Hema Malini, and revolves around two ex-convicts who are hired to capture a ruthless dacoit.

3. Deewar (1975): Directed by Yash Chopra, Deewar is a crime drama starring Amitabh Bachchan and Shashi Kapoor. It tells the story of two brothers who take different paths—one becoming a smuggler and the other a police officer.

4. Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995): Directed by Aditya Chopra, this romantic film has become a cultural phenomenon and is one of the longest-running films in Indian cinema. Starring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, it follows the journey of two individuals who fall in love during a trip to Europe.

5. Lagaan (2001): Directed by Ashutosh Gowariker, Lagaan is a period sports drama set during the British Raj in India. It revolves around a group of villagers who challenge the British to a game of cricket to avoid paying high taxes.

6. Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001): Directed by Karan Johar, this family drama boasts an ensemble cast featuring Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Hrithik Roshan, Kareena Kapoor and Jaya Bachchan. It explores the themes of love, family and relationships.

7. 3 Idiots (2009): Directed by Rajkumar Hirani, this comedy-drama stars Aamir Khan, R. Madhavan, and Sharman Joshi. It tackles the pressures of the Indian education system and emphasizes the importance of pursuing one's passion.

8. Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015): Directed by Kabir Khan, this heartwarming film features Salman Khan as a devoted man who crosses borders to reunite a lost Pakistani girl with her family in India.

These are just a few examples of iconic Bollywood films that have left a lasting impact on Indian cinema and the audience. There are many more noteworthy movies worth exploring across various genres and time periods.

About the author: Chandragupta is part human brain, part generative AI. The former provides intellect while the latter does the heavy lifting of an artificial neural network. The name, if you haven’t already worked it out, is a backronym of ChatGPT.