There’s never a bad time to watch one of the many Bollywood romantic movies that the Hindi film industry became famous for producing in the 2000s: a solid plot with a sweet/tragic love story at its centre, characters who weren’t cookie-cutter, and songs that are still memorable today—the ideal recipe for stomach butterflies. Streaming services may have spoiled us for choice, but back in the day, when any of these films aired on television, you knew you were in for a good 4-5 hours of viewing.
If you want to relive the golden age of Indian cinema, watch any (or all) of these Bollywood romance films from a bygone era.
1. Jaane Tu, Ya Jaane Na (2008)
Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na is a safe haven for fans of Jai Singh Rathore’s mild masculinity in a world where Kabir Singh’s dictatorial character is often romanticised. Aditi (Genelia D’Souza) and Jai’s (Imran Khan) incessant gossiping is enough to convince you that, as Rahul wisely stated in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), “pyaar dosti hai” (love is friendship). The film takes you back to your first crush in college and offers a typical friends-to-lovers story. Jai and Aditi demolish the patriarchal concept of muscular boys and timid girls, making them one of the most relatable figures in Bollywood history.
2. Jab We Met (2007)
This early masterpiece from Imtiaz Ali’s repertoire is the ideal blend of love, joy, and sorrow, and it explores the complete range of human emotions. The film introduced Bollywood Geet (Kareena Kapoor), a joyful Punjabi girl who learns about life’s hardships via a series of happy and painful events. Meanwhile, Aaditya Kashyap (Shahid Kapoor) falls hard for her, teaches us to let people go if we love them, and finally convinces us that if something is meant to be, it will happen.
3. Fanaa (2006)
If you enjoy watching romance with plenty of twists and turns, Fanaa is the show for you. This romantic thriller depicts the fragilities of love and desire when Zooni (Kajol) falls for Rehan (Aamir Khan), ignorant of his actual identity as a spy. The film keeps you on the edge of your seat until the finale, leaving you with conflicted thoughts and calling into question the depths of morality and sacrifice. Chand Sifarish and Mere Haath Mein remain iconic love songs, with the former inspiring a new Instagram trend.
4. Hum Tum (2004)
Hum Tum, one of Saif Ali Khan and Rani Mukherjee’s most memorable films, is a typical happy-go-lucky story about two strangers who despise each other at first but eventually fall in love. Loosely based on Hollywood’s fave When Harry Met Sally, the movie makes a veiled reference to the ‘Men are from Mars, women are from Venus’ cliche. Fans remember this film for the first-of-its-kind animated narrative starring the beloved comic characters Hum and Tum, and it is regarded as India’s greatest enduring romantic comedy.
5. Ishq Vishk (2003)
Ishq Vishk, Shahid Kapoor’s debut film, is a campus college drama with scenes that will make you laugh out loud while also making you nostalgic for your youth. The film, which stars Amrita Rao alongside Kapoor, tells the narrative of Rajiv (Kapoor), who pretends to be in love with Payal (Rao) in order to acquire status among his friends, but eventually breaks her heart and learns he is in love with her. The film, which also stars Shenaz Treasurywala as Alisha, contains a classic love triangle that will remind you of the simple joys of an innocent college relationship.
6. Devdas (2002)
Shah Rukh Khan is unquestionably the ‘King of Romance’, and for good reason. Devdas is based on author Sarat Chandra Chatterjee’s eponymous work and provides an amazing viewing experience. With grand sets and a celebrity ensemble that includes Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit Nene, Jackie Shroff, and Kirron Kher, to name a few, Devdas is a heartbreaking narrative of star-crossed lovers that will make you cry. Aside from creating a legendary music record, filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali went above and above to create a film that will age like—pardon the pun—fine wine.
7. Saathiya (2002)
Love is not a bed of flowers, and Saathiya does its best to capture this terrible truth. Starring Rani Mukherjee and Vivek Oberoi, the film is a cult love story that includes romance, marriage, misunderstanding, confrontation, accountability, and honest discourse. Suhani (Rani Mukherjee) established herself as one of Bollywood’s first independent and strong-willed female protagonists, and she was highly appreciated by both the audience and critics. The official version of Mani Ratnam’s Alai Payuthey (2000), with AR Rahman’s upbeat music, will leave you teary-eyed, smiling, and with a renewed respect for your responsibilities to your partner.
8. Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein (2001)
If it’s pouring and you’re travelling with your partner in the passenger seat, you know you’ll pull out the AUX and play Zara Zara. When it was released in 2001, Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein, a film about a young man mimicking the man that the woman he loves is meant to marry (yep, you read that correctly), bombed at the box office. However, it quickly gained cult status among audiences and went on to become a famous Bollywood film about the tenacity of true love. Dia Mirza’s debut film, starring R Madhavan and Saif Ali Khan, presents a great combination of Madhavan’s charm and Mirza’s innocence.
9. Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai (2000)
Lovers who are meant to be together cannot be separated by death—that is a successful recipe for a Bollywood hit. Hrithik Roshan and Ameesha Patel made their debuts in Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai, with the former quickly becoming a heartthrob due to his rugged good looks and dancing prowess. Despite being three hours long, this film keeps you engaged throughout, thanks to excellent performances, foot-tapping music, breathtaking locations, and a compelling plot about a love that endures even in the face of death.
10. Mohabbatein (2000)
Mohabbatein, which starred Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, was the highest-grossing film of the year. And it only makes sense—23 years later, who doesn’t like watching reruns of Raj Aryan (Shah Rukh Khan) defying Gurukul’s ancient educational system? With tranquil landscapes, blossoming relationships, and well-timed dance scenes, Mohabattein never fails to wow audiences with its performances and storyline, making it not only a critically praised film but also one that will have you singing its songs for a long time after you’ve seen it.
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