Must-watch Bollywood Movies

Okay, for some reason or the other, I have met quite a few people who have learned Hindi and loved watching Hindi Movies. Trouble is their bollywood knowledge depends mainly on their instructors (one instructor actually made them watch Main Hoon Na) or the latest in Bollywood. I strongly feel that there are tons of great movies that our Bollywood has spun out over the decades that should be watched. And then I also realized that it’s the same with the non-hindi speaking desi population. So I thought of putting a list of bollywood that I think everyone who loves Bollywood must watch. So here it goes:

 

1. Guru Dutt Movies : Guru Dutt was an amazing director and actor who worked from 1940s to 1960s (till his untimely death). His movies were usually a social comments about  that era. Almost all his movies are in my must-watch list including: Shaib Biwi aur Ghulam (1962), Chaudvin ka Chand (1960), Kaagaz ke Phool (1959),  Pyaasa (1957), C.I.D. (1956).

 

 

2. Raj Kapoor Movies: Raj Kapoor is yet another director and actor who worked during the same time period as Guru Dutt.  He is not one of my favorite actor or director though  his studio (RK studios) did make few masterpieces as Boot Polish. If you want to understand Bollywood culture, you need to watch few of his movies including: Awaara (1951), Boot Polish (1954), Anari (1959), Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hain (1960), Sangam (1964), Teesari Kasam (1966), Mera Naam Joker (1970).

 

3. Navketan Studios: The Navketan Studios was owned by famous actor Dev Anand and his brothers. They produced some brilliant movies as: Kalapani(1958), Kala Bazar  (1960), Guide (1960), Jewel Thief (1967).

 

 

4. Bimal Roy Movies: Again, almost all of the movies directed by Bimal Roy are now  considered classics. And yet again, like Guru Dutt, his movies were a social commentary. His must watch movies includes: Do Beegha Zameen (1953), Parineeta (1954), Devdas (1955), Madhumati (1958), Sujata (1959), Parakh (1960), Bandini (1963).

 

 

5. Nasir Hussain Films:  Tumsa nahin dekha (1957), Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai (1961) , Phir wahi Dil Laya Hoon (1963), Carvan (1971), Yaadon Ki Baraat (1973).

 

 

 

6. Hrishikesh Mukherjee Movies: Another great director. Must watch movies include: Satyakam (1969), Asli-Naqli (1962), Anupama (1966), Anand (1970), Guddi (1971), Bawarchi (1972), Abhimaan (1973), Namak Haram (1973), Chupke Chupke (1975), Gol Maal (1979), Khoobsurat (1980).

 

 

7. Yash Chopra Movies: Waqt(1965), Deewar (1975), Kabhie Kabhie (1976), Silsila (1981), Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (1995), Dil To Pagal Hai (1997), Hum Tum (2004).

 

 

8. Gulzar’s movies: Khamoshi (1969), Mere Apne (1971) , Aandhi (1975), Namkeen (1982), Angoor (1982), Sadma (1983),  Ijazaat (1987),  Maachis (1996), Hu Tu Tu (1999).

 

 

 

9. Other movies: Sholay (1975), Shakti (1982), Mughal-e-azam (1960), Chalti ka Naam Gaadi (1958), Mother India (1957), Pakeezah (1972), Damini (1993), Ghatak (1996), Karz (1980), Masoom (1983), Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988), Hum Aapke Hain Kaun (1994), Lagaan (2001), Rang de Basanti (2006), Dil Chahta Hai (2001), Saaransh (1984), Daddy (1989), Arth (1982), Jaane Bbhi Do Yaaron (1983), Black (2005), Mr. India (1987), Sagaar (1985), Sanam Teri Kasam (1982), Anjali (1990). Zanjeer (1973), Muqaddar ka Sikander (1978), Namak Halal (1982), Do aur Do Panch (1980), Aradhana (1969), Kati Patang (1971).

P.S.: This is again one of my saved draft. I apologize for the haphazard  way this post is composed. I know it’s a very long list but trust me, I didn’t name all the movies ever made. They are simply landmark movies according to me. I might have missed few movies so feel free to add them in your comments. :)