Are you someone who is in love with Bollywood movies (हिंदी फिल्म) or a new movie buff looking to watch the best Bollywood movies of all time? Then, we’ve covered the top 10 greatest of all time Hindi movies, which you can binge-watch. Not just that, we’ve also covered the top 10 highest-grossing films and best music albums of all time.
Hindi movies have moved beyond just being a source of entertainment for the people. It is an emotional experience for all moviegoers to see their favourite actors on the big screen. A Hindi movie contains all tastes, from family stories to romance, action to subtle dramas, comedy to heartbreaking love stories, and songs to Bollywood dance. Those two to three hours of movies relax our minds and souls and are a good break from our hectic lives.
A Brief about Indian Cinema: Bollywood Industry
The Bollywood industry has come a long way, starting from its first silent and black-and-white film, Raja Harishchandra, in 1913, to its first sound film, Alam Ara, in 1931 first colored film, Kisan Kanya, in 1937.
Aamir Khan's film Dangal is the highest-grossing Bollywood movie worldwide, earning a total of 1970 crores.
After India’s independence in 1947, in the 1950s, the Bollywood industry started its adventure with films made by taking close-ups of the actors. With item songs in the 1960s, a proper culture of dance and music began, and with the 1990s came an era of growing romance with songs written specifically for the storyline and bringing celebration time. Beginning in the 2000s, new faces began to appear in Bollywood films, and they also began to make their mark in the West. In the 2010s, the era of item songs and action came back, along with a mixture of comedy and romance.
There is no end, with Shahrukh Khan’s Pathaan breaking all records after the pandemic hit the Bollywood industry in 2020.
Today, Hindi cinema has a market share of 44% of total box office revenue and is one of the five biggest industries in India.
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List of the 10 Best Historical Bollywood Movies
The Bollywood industry has a rich history of producing some of the most iconic and memorable movies in Indian cinema. From epic historical dramas to heart-warming romantic comedies, Bollywood has it all.
Here is a list of the 10 best films in Bollywood:
1. Mother India (1957)
Director: Mehboob Khan
Cast: Nargis, Kanhaiya Lal, Sunil Dutt, Rajendra Kumar, and Raaj Kumar
Genre: Drama
Mother India is one of three movies listed in 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die. It is a classic Hindi movie that depicts the story of a rural woman and a single mother. The role is played by Nargis (Radha), who portrays how she struggles with societal issues and poverty challenges while raising her two sons single-handedly since her husband (Raaj Kumar, Shamu) leaves her. This movie is about women’s empowerment, strength, and integrity, and it makes the rural world known to everybody at that time. It had one of the highest production costs then and is one of the top-grossing films if adjusted for inflation. Its song “Duniya Mein Hum Aaye Hain” still appeals to a wide audience because of its emotional quotient.
Famous Dialogues From The Movie: Mother India
Main beta de sakti hoon, laaj nahi de sakti
Tumhari chhaya mein main kadi se kadi dhoop sehan kar loongi
Raasta dikhana sehel hai, par raaste par chalna bahut kathin
Bina murga bane vidhya nahi aati
2. Sholay (1975)
Director: Ramesh Sippy
Cast: Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Hema Malini, Sanjeev Kumar, and Amjad Khan
Genre: Action and Thriller
The on-screen friendship duo Jai and Veeru, played by Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra, respectively, is the most iconic friendship ever. This is sure to be “the greatest star cast ever assembled-the greatest story ever told,” as its tagline says. The film is about the story of two criminals, Jai and Veeru, hired by a police officer to arrest the famous antagonist, Gabbar, who is a dacoit. The film is a worldwide success and one of the highest-grossing films ever. The film’s iconic ending with Jai dying, fight sequences, bromance, songs, and thrilling performances rank it first in the top 10 Hindi films on the British Film Institute’s 2002 poll.
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Epic Dialogues from Sholay Movie
"Kitne aadmi the?"
"Jo darr gaya, samjho mar gaya"
"Yeh haath humko de de Thakur"
"Basanti, in kutton ke saamne mat nachna"
3. Mughal-E-Azam (1960)
Director: K. Asif
Cast: Prithviraj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar, and Madhubala
Genre: Historical Drama and Romance
Mughal-e-Azam is a romantic love story set in India’s Mughal period, where a prince, Saleem, played by Dilip Kumar, falls in love with the court dancer Anarkali, played by Madhubala. Their love story is not completed at the end because of his father, Emperor Akbar, and their status differences.
The film took 10 years to complete its production and is the highest-grossing film to date. This is the first time such high-level filming and production has taken place in India, with magnificent sets that took two years to build to capture the feel of the time. There were huge battle scenes with hundreds of real elephants and horses, zardozi embroidery stitched costumes, an evergreen music number, and sizzling chemistry between the pair.
The songs have a touch of the classical and folk eras, and the song “Jab Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya” remains a cult favorite. It was the first film released in colour after its original conception in black and white.
4. Hum Aapke Hain Koun (HAHK, 1994)
Director: Sooraj Barjatya
Cast: Madhuri Dixit, Salman Khan, and Renuka Sahane
Genre: Romance, Music, and Family
How can we forget the sizzling chemistry of Prem (Salman Khan) and Nisha (Madhuri Dixit) in Hum Aapke Hain Koun? This film has it all or nothing at all, with only the family wedding, songs, and a sweet love story faced by the death of one of the main characters, but it still holds a special place in the hearts of youngsters today.
HAHK started with how Prem and Nisha met during their sibling-arranged marriage set-up and how they end up sacrificing their love for the sake of their family, finally being together because of the dog “Tuffy” at the end, and becoming “Hum Aapke Hain” at the end. The film has the best 15 songs, sung mainly by Lata Mangeshkar and S. P. Balasubrahmanyam. This film changed how North Indian weddings used to be and added a lot of music. It is one such film you can watch even now with anyone, be it your partner, your parents, or your grandparents, because of its family touch by Rajshri Productions.
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Best Dialogues from Hum Aapke Hain Koun
"Kaate nahi katte lamhe intezaar ke, nazare bichaye baithe hai raste pe yaar ke, dil ne kha dekhe jo jalwe husn yaar ke, laya hai unke kaun falak se utar ke.."
"Aaj pheli baar koi ladki humari car ki front seat par baithi hai”
“Log kehte hai khoobsurat ladkiyan total me akasar maat kha jati hai”
“Tasveer ho gaya hu, tasveer dekh kar…rukhe luti hai yaar ki taqdeer dekh kar.”
5. Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ, 1995)
Director: Aditya Chopra
Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, and Amrish Puri
Genre: Romance, Music, and Drama
No one can ever forget the best Bollywood Jodi of all time, Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol playing Raj and Simran in DDLJ. This movie is about two young NRIs falling in love on their trip to Europe and how Simran has been forced to marry a boy of his father’s choice in India, played by Amrish Puri.
In the era of passionate love stories, this movie came as a breath of fresh air, where an NRI boy has so much love for his partner that he comes to India from London not to run away with her but to seek the permission of his father. In the end, the cowbell, the sarso ke khet, and the train-catching scene are unforgettable.
DDLJ was shown continuously for 24 years in the Maratha Mandir and is still in theatres throughout India. This is the best film for relieving Western and Indian culture, and the tagline, “Come…fall in love,” suits it perfectly.
Unknown Facts About DDLJ
SRK was not the 1st choice to play the role of Raj
The song Mehendi Laga Ke Rakhna wasn’t originally for this film
The Pigeon-feeding scene was spontaneous.
The iconic name "Raj" was inspired from veteran actor Raj Kapoor.
6. Dil Chahta Hai (2001)
Director: Farhan Akhtar
Cast: Aamir Khan, Sonali Kulkarni, Dimple Kapadia, Saif Ali Khan, Preity Zinta, and Akshaye Khanna
Genre: Youth, Romance, and Drama
Dil Chahta Hai was not a great commercial success when it was released, but it has a special place in the hearts of young people because of the story of three college friends who have different ideas about love and their journey. This film shows the life of urban youth and is relatable even today after 20 years.
Dil Chahta Hai is an iconic film that portrays the situations and dilemmas that every growing teenager faces, the relatable friendship dynamics, the evergreen beauty of Dimple Kapadia, and the fact that even the protagonists can have character flaws. “Jane Kyun Log Pyar Karte Hain,” “Koi Kahe Kehta Rahe,” “Tanhayee,” and “Woh Ladki Hai Kahan” are the songs that every youth will relate to in different situations of finding love, being in love, and heartbreak. This film makes Goa a favourite tourist place for the young Tamil movie going crowd in India..
Unknown Facts About Dil Chahta Hai
Aamir Khan's ex wife Kiran Rao plays Deepa's friend in the scene when Khan's character hides behind the plant.
Dil Chahta Hai released a month later after Lagaan which was also a big hit of Aamir Khan and was still going house full when Dil Chahta Hai released.
The scene where Sid consoles Deepa by sharing his belief that "it is impossible to hold the grains of sand tighter" is a gentle nod to the poem 'A Dream Within A Dream' by Edgar Allan Poe.
After the success of this film, Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Khanna received numerous offers from producers and directors to revive their declining careers.
7. 3 Idiots (2009)
Director: Rajkumar Hirani
Cast: Boman Irani, Aamir Khan, Ranganathan Madhavan, Sharman Joshi, and Kareena Kapoor
Genre: Comedy, Drama, and Youth Life
3 Idiots is not just a comedy film; it’s more about a message for society. It’s about the story of three engineering students, Rancho, Farhan, and Raju, with different goals in the middle of their family struggles, friendship struggles, the pressure to excel in life, and suicide because of that pressure. This story truly depicts a student’s life entangled in friendships, placements, different career goals, and love.
This film sends a message to young children, telling them not to worry and asking teachers and parents to help them. It was a commercial success, and its humour level and dialogue “All is Well” are well remembered. The song “Give Me Some Sunshine” speaks directly to the heart of a young person struggling to find their place in their career and the pressures they have been facing since childhood to build a career.
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8. Amar Akbar Anthony (1997)
Director: Manmohan Desai
Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Rishi Kapoor, Vinod Khanna, Neetu Singh, Parveen Babi, Shabana Azmi, Jeevan, Pran, and Nirupa Roy
Genre: Drama, Comedy, and Musical
Amar Akbar Anthony is a film with great star casting and all the masala from music, action, comedy, drama, and romance. The story is about three titular-named brothers who got separated in childhood, and their fate takes them to three families in three cultures: Hindu, Muslim, and Christian. They all reunite with their mother and take revenge on the villain.
9. Anand (1971)
Director: Hrishikesh Mukherjee
Cast: Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan, Johnny Walker, Sumita Sanyal, and Ramesh Deo
Genre: Drama, Tragedy, and Musical
This is one of the two films where the two biggest superstars of Indian cinema, Amitabh and Rajesh, starred together. This film was one of the films in Anupama Chopra’s book 100 Films to See Before You Die, released in 2013. The film is about Anand, played by Rajesh Khanna, a superstar diagnosed with rare cancer, and about his relationship with Doctor Bhaskar Banerjee, played by Amitabh Bachchan, and how they became friends. Anand dies at the end, but his positivity and playful nature give out a strong message to everyone.
It was a moderate success at the time of release, but it became a cult film over time. Indiatimes has also listed it among the 25 must-watch Bollywood movies. The film has some lovely dialogues such as “Babumoshai, zindagi badi honi chahiye lambi nahin,” “Maut toh ek pal hai” etc. Songs such as Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli, Kahin Door Jab Din Dhal Jaye, and Maine Tere Liye Hi Saat Rang Ke Sapne are unforgettable even today.
10. Guide (1965)
Director: Vijay Anand
Cast: Dev Anand, Waheeda Rehman, and Leela Chitnis
Genre: Romance, Drama, and Musical
The movie Guide is ahead of its time, where the guide Raju, played by Dev Anand, is having an affair with a married woman, Rosie, played by Waheeda Rahman. Later, when Raju dies, he realizes a spiritual connection, with his body dying but his soul remaining forever. The movie is based on the novel “The Guide,” by R.K. Narayan.
Not to forget the music, because it is number one on the list of best albums, and the music was by Sachin Dev Burman. Its US version was screened in the classic section of the Cannes Film Festival in 2007, and it is said to be eternally modern. In 2012, Time magazine placed it at number four on its list of the best Bollywood classics.
Special Mentions -
Dangal
Dangal is a 2016 Indian biographical sports drama directed by Nitesh Tiwari, focusing on the journey of Mahavir Singh Phogat, who trains his daughters to become world-class wrestlers.
The film highlights the struggles of women in sports and emphasizes determination, ultimately leading to the daughters representing India in wrestling at the Commonwealth Games. Dangal received widespread acclaim for its performances, direction, and real-life inspired storyline, and it became one of the highest-grossing Indian films of all time.
Yeh Jawani Hain Deewani
Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani is a 2013 Indian romantic comedy-drama film directed by Ayan Mukerji, exploring themes of love, friendship, and self-discovery.
The film features popular actors Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone, who portray the lead characters Kabir and Naina, respectively. The story follows introverted Naina and adventurous Bunny, whose different outlooks on life lead to a complicated relationship that evolves over the years.
List of Highest-grossing Bollywood Movies of All-Time
| Sr. No. | Movie Title | Worldwide Collection | Language(s) | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dangal | ₹2,023.81 crore | Hindi | 2016 |
| 2 | Baahubali 2: The Conclusion | ₹1,810.595 crore | Telugu Tamil | 2017 |
| 3 | RRR | ₹1,387.26 crore | Telugu | 2022 |
| 4 | KGF: Chapter 2 | ₹1,200–1,250 crore | Kannada | 2022 |
| 5 | Kalki 2898 AD | ₹1,028–1,100 crore | Telugu | 2024 |
| 6 | Jawan | ₹1,148.32 crore | Hindi | 2023 |
| 7 | Pathaan | ₹1,050.3 crore | Hindi | 2023 |
| 8 | Bajrangi Bhaijaan | ₹969.06 crore | Hindi | 2015 |
| 9 | Animal | ₹917.82 crore | Hindi | 2023 |
| 10 | Secret Superstar | ₹875.78–905.7 crore | Hindi | 2017 |
| 11 | PK | ₹769.89 crore | Hindi | 2014 |
| 12 | Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire | ₹700 crore | Telugu | 2023 |
| 13 | 2.0 | ₹699.89 crore | Tamil | 2018 |
| 14 | Gadar 2 | ₹691.08 crore | Hindi | 2023 |
| 15 | Sultan | ₹623.33 crore | Hindi | 2016 |
| 16 | Jailer | ₹607–650 crore | Tamil | 2023 |
| 17 | Baahubali: The Beginning | ₹600–650 crore | Telugu Tamil | 2015 |
| 18 | Leo | ₹595–620.5 crore | Tamil | 2023 |
| 19 | Stree 2* | ₹589.04 crore | Hindi | 2024 |
| 20 | Sanju | ₹586.85 crore | Hindi | 2018 |
Highest Paid Bollywood Actors In India
Bollywood, the Hindi film industry in India, has some of the highest-paid actors in the country. Here are the top 5 highest paid Bollywood actors in India:
- Akshay Kumar: Akshay Kumar is one of the most bankable actors in Bollywood and charges around Rs. 100-125 crore per film. He has starred in several blockbuster films and is known for his versatility and comic timing.
- Salman Khan: Salman Khan is one of the most popular actors in Bollywood and charges around Rs. 100-110 crore per film. He has a huge fan following and is known for his action-packed roles and larger-than-life persona.
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- Shah Rukh Khan: Shah Rukh Khan, also known as the "King of Bollywood," charges around Rs. 80-100 crore per film. He has acted in several iconic films and is known for his romantic roles and charming personality.
- Aamir Khan: Aamir Khan is one of the most critically acclaimed actors in Bollywood and charges around Rs. 70-80 crore per film. He is known for his intense and thought-provoking performances and has acted in several award-winning films.
- Hrithik Roshan: Hrithik Roshan is one of the most stylish actors in Bollywood and charges around Rs. 60-70 crore per film. He has acted in several blockbuster films and is known for his dance moves and fitness regime.
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The claim about Pathan being a superhit is misleading.
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