Evergreen Bollywood Movies: Add These To Your Watch-list

Do you know that India produces more than a thousand films annually. This is twice the number from Hollywood Movies! What makes Bollywood. The Hindi film industry of India so prolific and epic? Ever since the inception of cinema in India, Bollywood has been producing stellar movies starring some of the biggest names in the industry. 

Beloved by Indians and foreign nationals alike, Bollywood classics have etched their path in all our hearts. Evergreen Bollywood movies such as Sholay, Don, Lagaan, and so on have become film staples for movie marathons. 

If you are new to Bollywood or want to run a movie marathon with some of the all-time favorite Bollywood movies, you have come to the right place. This is the one-stop collection of the best Bollywood films to watch for a day full of thrill and action with specks of romance. Read on to know more.

Evergreen Bollywood Movies To Add To Your Watch-list

No matter which genre you like, Bollywood will have something for you. You have all of the romance, tragedy, action, and thriller wrapped in awesome films that have been winning hearts for ages. From old Bollywood movies to new-age classics, here is the complete list of Bollywood movies you must watch at least once in your life.

Sholay (1975)

This has to be one of the most popular Bollywood films ever. Directed by Ramesh Sippy with a star cast of Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, and Amjad Khan, this film has a special place in the heart of every Indian. From prolific dialogues to heart-stopping climaxes along with foot-tapping dance numbers, Sholay has everything a film lover would want in a movie. Add a maniacal villain to this mix, and you have a cult film that truly classifies as one of the evergreen Bollywood movies. 

Mughal-e-Azam (1960)

What’s Bollywood without timeless period pieces? Directed by K Asif, this period film shows the infamous anecdotal love of the Mughal prince Salim with Anarkali, the dancing slave girl. Set in sixteenth-century India under Mughal rule, this is an epic film of ginormous proportions that has everything- haunting music scores, epic battle scenes, dramatic climaxes, and swoon-worthy romance. 

In the predominately Hindu-centric India, this was a Muslim-period film that gathered enormous popularity and became a timeless epic. Special mention needs to be made of the costume design of the film, which certainly took viewers to a bygone era of royalty. What is a list of evergreen Bollywood movies without Mughal-e-Azam?

Bandit Queen (1994)

Directed by Shekhar Kapur, this film depicts the harrowing story of a sexual assault victim turning the narrative around by bringing her perpetrators to justice. Although the film version has been heavily criticized for dramatizing the real-life story of Phoolan Devi, this film remains one of the most prolific films of our time. 

Its depiction of rural life in India is both horrifying as well as eye-opening. Like so many of the people in the film who act as not-so-innocent bystanders to the trauma of countless victims, the viewers are reminded that we are equally complicit in acts of violence against women and minorities. 

Umrao Jaan (1981) 

This Muzaffar Ali epic is a breathtaking period piece set against the backdrop of the first battle for Indian Independence or the Sepoy Mutiny. Adapted from Mirza Hadi Ruswa’s 1899 novel of the same name, Umrao Jaan shows the story of a courtesan who struggles to escape from her profession amidst falling in love. 

The film is a powerful piece that talks about the historical setting of the time and throws light on the lives of these courtesans. Rekha’s unmatching performance as the titular character has been nothing short of faultless. Among the list of evergreen Bollywood movies, Umrao Jaan has an unmoving place. 

Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge (1995)

This Shah Rukh Khan classic has been a fan favorite since its release and has been going strong even after twenty years after being released. A beautiful love story woven in with melodious soundtracks and a dramatic storyline is all that was needed for SRK to deliver a heartwarming performance in this film.

It is impossible to talk about romantic evergreen Bollywood movies and not mention the infamous DDLJ. Kajol and Amrish Puri also deliver memorable performances in this classic cult movie, which is still screened every day at Mumbai’s Maratha Mandir cinema. 

Lagaan (2001) 

Ashutosh Gowariker’s nineteenth-century period piece combines two things Indians are nuts about- drama and cricket. The film shows how brutal British imperialism was on poor Indians, especially when it came to collecting taxes. 

The story shows a drought-stricken village come together, learning the gentleman’s game of cricket, and beating the British at their own game. The movie was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars as well. It ushered in a new era of storytelling in Indian cinema. 

Devdas (2002)

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s best directorial flick to date, Devdas is adapted from the Bengali novel of the same name by Sarat Chandra Bandopadhyay. The story talks about childhood lovers who had to separate due to circumstances, and how their lives eventually turn out to be. The set and costume design were nothing short of breathtaking in this period drama. Shah Rukh Kahn, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, and Madhuri Dixit delivered unforgettable roles and this film remains one of the evergreen Bollywood movies. 

Omkara (2006)

Adapted from Shakespeare’s Othello, Omakara is a cinematic masterpiece directed by Vishal Bhardwaj. The performances of Saif Ali Khan (who played Iago) and Ajay Devgn (who played the role of Othello) were heavily acclaimed. The set design, plot, and backstory weaved with deceit and intrigue is said to be one of the best evergreen Bollywood movies to date. This is one of the Bollywood films that will never bore you. 

3 Idiots (2009)

Rajkumar Hirani’s epic movie based on the book ‘Five Point Someone’ by Chetan Bhagat was a massive hit at the cinemas after its release. So much so, that the dialogues of the film have become legendary in comic conversations. This coming-of-age film grapples with a lot of issues, such as ragging in colleges, suicide, and unrealistic parental pressure, and yet, manages to deliver nothing short of a lively and comical experience for the viewers. Aamir Khan once again proved his acting valor with this flick. 

Kahaani (2012)

We take a steep turn away from comedy into a mystery when it comes to Kahaani. Directed by Sujoy Ghosh, the film explores several themes from terrorist attacks to identity theft. Kahaani is a near-perfect thriller that manages to keep you on your toes until the last minute. Vidya Balan delivered a thrilling and memorable role in this movie, which has to be included in the list of evergreen Bollywood movies. 

Final Words 

There you have it, 10 must-watch evergreen Bollywood movies that will make you want more. Bollywood is a storehouse of talent and hits are being produced every day. Tune in for the experience of a lifetime with these films that are bound to leave you amazed.

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