Some of my most loved Hindi films. Here's a look at my favourites up to the 70s.
1. C.I.D.
The movie that introduced me to Dev Anand. I was in school and I discovered what the word 'fan' meant.
2. Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam
Every frame of this film spells poetry. That moment when Bhoothnath first lays his eyes on Chhoti Bahu, is entrenched in my mind even after so many years. No one, and I mean NO ONE could ever match her ethereal beauty in that shot. I am glad good sense prevailed and the remake was shelved.
3. Mr. and Mrs. 55
*Sigh* Because romance equals Guru Dutt and Madhubala is magic.
4. Madhumati
The cinematography of this film is beyond comparison. The innocence of Vyjantimala and Dilip Kumar at his handsomest best make this an unforgettable film.
5. Chalti Ka Naam Gadi
A mad comedy that's a must watch.
6. Khamoshi
It's a poignant and sensitive movie set in an mental health institution. Duty, love, and betrayal entwine themselves into a unique story that is touching on so many levels. Also a favourite because Nana was the Art Director.
7. Jaagte Raho
A look at the inside lives of the white collared middle class in a big city, from the perspective of a villager looking to quench his thirst. Thirst here is used as a metaphor for a man's constant search for a better life which ultimately proves to be futile and life comes full circle when he finds that what he is looking for rests within.
8.
Chori Chori
An enjoyable romcom. I am not really a fan of Raj Kapoor. But his performance in this moview is quite breezy and unaffected.
An enjoyable romcom. I am not really a fan of Raj Kapoor. But his performance in this moview is quite breezy and unaffected.
9. Love in Simla
The debut of my favourite yesteryear actress, Sadhana. A lighthearted romance film.
10.
Chaudhvi ka Chand
The golden touch of Guru Dutt.
The golden touch of Guru Dutt.
11.
Anuradha
Before English Vinglish became the self proclaimed feminist movie that revolved around the inner world of a housewife, there was Anuradha- an evolved and mature story of this often visited theme. Also, Nana pikchar. :D
12.
Anupama
Minus Sharmila Tagore's jarring bouffant that is in such sharp contrast with her character, this is another feminist story that speaks so much through its silence. Nana's work is visible here too.
Minus Sharmila Tagore's jarring bouffant that is in such sharp contrast with her character, this is another feminist story that speaks so much through its silence. Nana's work is visible here too.
13.
Taj Mahal
Pradeep Kumar and Bina Rai are cast very well as Shah Jahan and Mumtaz. I love this movie for its songs.
14.
Bandini
Nutan, Ashok Kumar and Dharmendra. A good example of a movie that I like but disagree with at the same time. I really wish she picked the other guy in the end.
Nutan, Ashok Kumar and Dharmendra. A good example of a movie that I like but disagree with at the same time. I really wish she picked the other guy in the end.
15.
Gumnaam
Aah! A murder mystery!
Aah! A murder mystery!
16.
Who Kaun Thi
A mystery with Sadhana. The effect is enigmatic. And the songs are classic!
A mystery with Sadhana. The effect is enigmatic. And the songs are classic!
17.
Waqt
A multi-starrer family drama with the age gold bichhde bhai formula. Fantastic songs and superb cast. Full on entertainment.
A multi-starrer family drama with the age gold bichhde bhai formula. Fantastic songs and superb cast. Full on entertainment.
18.
Mera Saya
Mystery and Sadhana come together once again to deliver a hit. I also have a thing for courtroom scenes.
Mystery and Sadhana come together once again to deliver a hit. I also have a thing for courtroom scenes.
19.
Gharbar (The Householder)
Because it is different.
Because it is different.
20.
Tere Ghar Ke Samne
The impish Nutan and the evergreen Dev Anand. Lovely songs. Enjoyable romcom.
The impish Nutan and the evergreen Dev Anand. Lovely songs. Enjoyable romcom.
21.
Jewel Thief
When Dev Anand is inspired by James Bond, the impact can last for decades. Stylish babes, cool gadgets, a secret lair and Sikkim. And of course, the songs.
When Dev Anand is inspired by James Bond, the impact can last for decades. Stylish babes, cool gadgets, a secret lair and Sikkim. And of course, the songs.
22.
Padosan
You'd be crazy not to like this mad comedy.
You'd be crazy not to like this mad comedy.
23.
Aashirwad
It is sentimental. From begin to the end. A tearjerker without trying too hard. A hartwrenching father-daughter story. Also belongs to Nana.
It is sentimental. From begin to the end. A tearjerker without trying too hard. A hartwrenching father-daughter story. Also belongs to Nana.
24.
Anokhi Raat
Another movie featuring Nana's work.
Another movie featuring Nana's work.
25.
Aradhana
C'mon, do I really need to tell why?
C'mon, do I really need to tell why?
26.
Satyakam
It's such a masterpiece. The story grows steadily. The sets by Nana are awesome!
27. Anubhav
Another woman centric film. I don't know why directors today make a big hue and cry about female centric films that are actually quite incomplete in their story and character development. We seem to have made much more mature films about women in the past.
28. Hare Rama Hare Krishna
Despite several glaring glitches and strange deviations in the story, everything about this movie remains a classic.
29. Amar Prem
Watch it only for its story and Rajesh Khanna.
30. Kal Aaj Aur Kal
The clash of the titans :-p The conflict of three generations featuring three generations of the same real life film family.
31. Guddi
An inside look into the world of moviemaking. Without being boring even for a little while. Jaya Bhaduri is so effervescent. Art Direction by Nana.
32. Mere Apne
A political drama featuring India's educated unemployable youth and friendship through the eyes of an old villager woman.
33. Lal Patthar
Who can forget Hema Malini's face mirroring the tiger. I love this film for its grand set, story and complex characterization.
34. Uphaar
That moment when a wild Jaya Bhaduri wreaks havoc in a locked room.
35. Buddha Mil Gaya
A comic murder mystery featuring two idiots and Nana's art direction.
36. Jawani Diwani
Because you don't get to see Jaya Bhaduri in western wear clutching a rag doll instead of the sari, everyday. It's a young college romance with some of the best songs ever.
37. Bombay to Goa
Another mad comedy with a very unkknown Amitabh Bachchan in the lead. Art Direction by Nana
38. Parichay
This is Sound of Music, desi style. Art Direction by Nana again.
39. Aaj Ki Taazaa Khabar
A play translated onto celluloid. New, unknown cast. But a superhit nonetheless.
40. Khel Khel Mein
41. Jangal Mein Mangal
Both are enjoyable teen murder mysteries.
42. Piya Ka Ghar
How beautiful Jaya Bachchan can look with a little effort. The story of newly weds living in a chawl, struggling for personal space. It's reality told with a lot of heart.
43. Yaadon Ki Baaraat
Not to miss, for full-on masala entertainment.
44. Hum Kisi Se Kam Nahin
Total package.
45. Naya Din Nayi Raat
One actor playing nine different roles has to be on my list.
46. Abhimaan
Romance, ego, drama, grief, artistic rivalry, all converges into a simmering superhit. Nana's art direction here as well.
47. Anamika
Who's that girl?
48. Manchali
It's a lighthearted breezy romcom with Leena Chandavarkar and Sanjeev Kumar.
49. Phagun
You've got to see this film to know how much it carries within.
50. Rajnigandha
Low budget, slice of life film.
51. Chhoti Si Baat
What happens when the hero is not a muscle yielding, goon thrashing macho man. How does the common man woo a woman successfully?
52. Kora Kaagaz
A remake of a Bengali film that focuses on the marital problems of a young couple.
53. Inkaar
An intelligent cops and robbers kinda of film.
54. Benaam
I like this movie because Mummy likes it. She likes because it was shot in her building. It is however, a gripping film.
55. Chitchor
Another one of those middle-of-the-road movies. It's refreshing to see real people in this film.
56. Balika Badhu
My 'awww' film. I simply love it. Can watch over and over again (I have) and still not get bored.
57. Tapasya
Real people. Real stories.
58. Chupke Chupke
Aha! An absolutely superb comedy! Remake of the Bengali movie Chhadmabeshi but 100 times more funny thanks to a great script and hilarious dialogues.
59. Amanush
Full on masala and drama.
60. Aandhi
A mature romance set against a political backdrop. Worth watching for the storytelling, dialogues and songs. The make-up is highly flawed. I always wondered how anyone could write ' तोतले ख़त '. Also, Art Direction by Nana.
61. Anand
Everyone likes this movie. It's about the art of living life to the fullest, when you know you won't be around much longer. Art Direction: Nana.
62. Mili
The female version of Anand. Minus some unnecessary sub-plot, it's a good film. And although it's in the same vein as Anand, it's Jaya Bachchan's performance that makes the movie a must-watch. Art Direction: Nana.
63. Khushboo
Long-winding. Melodramatic. Melancholic. It is Kusum's character and the narration by and large that gives the story power.
64. Amar Akbar Anthony
Another 70s style masala potboiler. Long before Lady Gaga made headlines stepping out of an egg, Amitabh Bachchan popped out of it and sang and danced to patao Parveen Babi.
65. Trishul
Angry young man and the conniving old man clash in this movie. Another masala flick with laughable songs!
66. Khatta Meetha
I think it was the first time Hindi Cinema looked at the Parsi community not as objects of comic relief but as real people. Nana's here too.
67. Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se
The typical college romance tragedy.
68. Golmaal
Perhaps the most famous comedy in the history of Hindi cinema. Nana was the Art Director here as well.
69. Baaton Baaton Mein
How does a Catholic Mommy hunt for a suitable groom for her beautiful, independent-minded daughter?
70. Meri Biwi Ki Shaadi
Amol Palekar in this understated mad comedy is really funny.
Another woman centric film. I don't know why directors today make a big hue and cry about female centric films that are actually quite incomplete in their story and character development. We seem to have made much more mature films about women in the past.
28. Hare Rama Hare Krishna
Despite several glaring glitches and strange deviations in the story, everything about this movie remains a classic.
29. Amar Prem
Watch it only for its story and Rajesh Khanna.
30. Kal Aaj Aur Kal
The clash of the titans :-p The conflict of three generations featuring three generations of the same real life film family.
31. Guddi
An inside look into the world of moviemaking. Without being boring even for a little while. Jaya Bhaduri is so effervescent. Art Direction by Nana.
32. Mere Apne
A political drama featuring India's educated unemployable youth and friendship through the eyes of an old villager woman.
33. Lal Patthar
Who can forget Hema Malini's face mirroring the tiger. I love this film for its grand set, story and complex characterization.
34. Uphaar
That moment when a wild Jaya Bhaduri wreaks havoc in a locked room.
35. Buddha Mil Gaya
A comic murder mystery featuring two idiots and Nana's art direction.
36. Jawani Diwani
Because you don't get to see Jaya Bhaduri in western wear clutching a rag doll instead of the sari, everyday. It's a young college romance with some of the best songs ever.
37. Bombay to Goa
Another mad comedy with a very unkknown Amitabh Bachchan in the lead. Art Direction by Nana
38. Parichay
This is Sound of Music, desi style. Art Direction by Nana again.
39. Aaj Ki Taazaa Khabar
A play translated onto celluloid. New, unknown cast. But a superhit nonetheless.
40. Khel Khel Mein
41. Jangal Mein Mangal
Both are enjoyable teen murder mysteries.
42. Piya Ka Ghar
How beautiful Jaya Bachchan can look with a little effort. The story of newly weds living in a chawl, struggling for personal space. It's reality told with a lot of heart.
43. Yaadon Ki Baaraat
Not to miss, for full-on masala entertainment.
44. Hum Kisi Se Kam Nahin
Total package.
45. Naya Din Nayi Raat
One actor playing nine different roles has to be on my list.
46. Abhimaan
Romance, ego, drama, grief, artistic rivalry, all converges into a simmering superhit. Nana's art direction here as well.
47. Anamika
Who's that girl?
48. Manchali
It's a lighthearted breezy romcom with Leena Chandavarkar and Sanjeev Kumar.
49. Phagun
You've got to see this film to know how much it carries within.
50. Rajnigandha
Low budget, slice of life film.
51. Chhoti Si Baat
What happens when the hero is not a muscle yielding, goon thrashing macho man. How does the common man woo a woman successfully?
52. Kora Kaagaz
A remake of a Bengali film that focuses on the marital problems of a young couple.
53. Inkaar
An intelligent cops and robbers kinda of film.
54. Benaam
I like this movie because Mummy likes it. She likes because it was shot in her building. It is however, a gripping film.
55. Chitchor
Another one of those middle-of-the-road movies. It's refreshing to see real people in this film.
56. Balika Badhu
My 'awww' film. I simply love it. Can watch over and over again (I have) and still not get bored.
57. Tapasya
Real people. Real stories.
58. Chupke Chupke
Aha! An absolutely superb comedy! Remake of the Bengali movie Chhadmabeshi but 100 times more funny thanks to a great script and hilarious dialogues.
59. Amanush
Full on masala and drama.
60. Aandhi
A mature romance set against a political backdrop. Worth watching for the storytelling, dialogues and songs. The make-up is highly flawed. I always wondered how anyone could write ' तोतले ख़त '. Also, Art Direction by Nana.
61. Anand
Everyone likes this movie. It's about the art of living life to the fullest, when you know you won't be around much longer. Art Direction: Nana.
The female version of Anand. Minus some unnecessary sub-plot, it's a good film. And although it's in the same vein as Anand, it's Jaya Bachchan's performance that makes the movie a must-watch. Art Direction: Nana.
63. Khushboo
Long-winding. Melodramatic. Melancholic. It is Kusum's character and the narration by and large that gives the story power.
64. Amar Akbar Anthony
Another 70s style masala potboiler. Long before Lady Gaga made headlines stepping out of an egg, Amitabh Bachchan popped out of it and sang and danced to patao Parveen Babi.
65. Trishul
Angry young man and the conniving old man clash in this movie. Another masala flick with laughable songs!
66. Khatta Meetha
I think it was the first time Hindi Cinema looked at the Parsi community not as objects of comic relief but as real people. Nana's here too.
67. Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se
The typical college romance tragedy.
68. Golmaal
Perhaps the most famous comedy in the history of Hindi cinema. Nana was the Art Director here as well.
69. Baaton Baaton Mein
How does a Catholic Mommy hunt for a suitable groom for her beautiful, independent-minded daughter?
70. Meri Biwi Ki Shaadi
Amol Palekar in this understated mad comedy is really funny.
Wow, quite an impressive list, yeah some of my favorites are in there too.
ReplyDeleteSo many of my favourites in this list! The sixties and seventies had a mixture of family oriented scripts as well as the gradual move towards action. The eighties were more to do with action and less of sweet and soft stories. These three decades saw so many actors graduating from portrayals of sensitive personalities to rough and street smart characters. However, the leading lady always had to ultimately be a so-called sati-savitri.
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