Must watch Hindi movies - The 27 best.
by piyush-nectar | created - 31 Aug 2012 | updated - 31 Aug 2012 | PublicThis is my first list of movies and they are highly commendable in each and every aspect. Let it be music, performances, direction or story. Hope it'll be helpful for everyone looking out for some best quality Indian cinema's Gems.
- Instant Watch Options
- Genres
- Movies or TV
- IMDb Rating
- In Theaters
- Release Year
- Keywords
1. Swades (2004)
Not Rated | 189 min | Drama, Musical
A successful Indian scientist returns to an Indian village to take his nanny to America with him and in the process rediscovers his roots.
Director: Ashutosh Gowariker | Stars: Shah Rukh Khan, Gayatri Joshi, Kishori Ballal, Smith Seth
Votes: 98,488 | Gross: $1.22M
This is the movie with Shahrukh's one of the best performances ever, and equally well supported by each and every character in the film. With lovable music composition from A.R. Rehmann, and story of such a high caliber. This movie could be watched many a several times.
2. Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (2001)
PG | 224 min | Drama, Musical, Sport
The people of a small village in Victorian India stake their future on a game of cricket against their ruthless British rulers.
Director: Ashutosh Gowariker | Stars: Aamir Khan, Raghubir Yadav, Gracy Singh, Rachel Shelley
Votes: 120,668 | Gross: $0.91M
3. Lakshya (2004)
Not Rated | 186 min | Action, Drama, Romance
An aimless, jobless, irresponsible grown man joins the army and matures into a battlefield hero.
Director: Farhan Akhtar | Stars: Hrithik Roshan, Preity G Zinta, Amitabh Bachchan, Om Puri
Votes: 25,540 | Gross: $0.75M
4. Guide (1965)
Not Rated | 183 min | Drama, Romance
When mistaken to be a sage by some villagers, an ex-tour guide reflects on his past and lost love to search for spiritual wisdom to guide the villagers.
Director: Vijay Anand | Stars: Dev Anand, Waheeda Rehman, Leela Chitnis, Anwar Hussain
Votes: 8,592
5. Woh Kaun Thi? (1964)
Not Rated | 140 min | Drama, Mystery, Romance
One stormy night, a doctor offers a ride to a ghostly woman he meets on the side of the road. Later, he discovers his intended bride is identical in appearance to the ghost. Who was she and why does she haunt him?
Director: Raj Khosla | Stars: Sadhana Shivdasani, Manoj Kumar, Parveen Choudhary, K.N. Singh
Votes: 1,294
6. Madhumati (1958)
110 min | Fantasy, Musical, Mystery
A young man takes shelter in a mansion when a landslide blocks his route to the railway station. Then, he finds the mansion familiar and soon learns about the story of his previous birth.
Director: Bimal Roy | Stars: Dilip Kumar, Vyjayanthimala, Johnny Walker, Pran Sikand
Votes: 1,581
7. Tere Mere Sapne (1971)
175 min | Drama, Romance
Dr. Anand Kumar attains his degree in medicine and re-locates to a small village to assist the local doctors there. Upon arrival, he is met by the ailing Dr. Prasad and his wife, and hired ... See full summary »
Director: Vijay Anand | Stars: Dev Anand, Mumtaz Askari, Mahesh Kaul, Vijay Anand
Votes: 276
8. Prem Pujari (1970)
192 min | Action, Drama, Musical
Ramdev Bakshi is the only son of widower and former Indian Army General Durgaprasad, who has been decorated several times with various medals for bravery shown in the line of duty. Alas ... See full summary »
Director: Dev Anand | Stars: Dev Anand, Waheeda Rehman, Shatrughan Sinha, Zaheeda
Votes: 256
9. Purab Aur Pachhim (1970)
142 min | Drama, Romance
Circa British rule in India, Harnam betrays a freedom fighter, and as a result is rewarded, but the freedom fighter is killed, leaving his wife, and family devastated and destitute. Years ... See full summary »
Director: Manoj Kumar | Stars: Ashok Kumar, Saira Banu, Manoj Kumar, Pran Sikand
Votes: 998
10. Upkar (1967)
175 min | Drama, Romance, War
Cult classic highlighting the contrast between Indian and Western values in the newly independent state.
Director: Manoj Kumar | Stars: Asha Parekh, Manoj Kumar, Prem Chopra, Kanhaiyalal Chaturvedi
Votes: 621
11. Sholay (1975)
Not Rated | 162 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
After his family is murdered by a notorious and ruthless bandit, a former police officer enlists the services of two outlaws to capture the bandit.
Director: Ramesh Sippy | Stars: Sanjeev Kumar, Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Amjad Khan
Votes: 58,707
12. The Legend of Bhagat Singh (2002)
Not Rated | 155 min | Action, Biography, Drama
The story of a young revolutionary who raised an armed resistance against the British rule in India.
Director: Rajkumar Santoshi | Stars: Ajay Devgn, Sushant Singh, D. Santosh, Akhilendra Mishra
Votes: 17,289
13. Border (I) (1997)
Not Rated | 176 min | Action, Drama, History
In 1971, along the border region of Longewala, a small battalion of Indian soldiers goes up against a large Pakistani strike force.
Director: J.P. Dutta | Stars: Sunny Deol, Suniel Shetty, Akshaye Khanna, Jackie Shroff
Votes: 17,669
14. Hera Pheri (2000)
Not Rated | 156 min | Action, Comedy, Crime
Three unemployed men look for answers to all their money problems - but when their opportunity arrives, will they know what to do with it?
Director: Priyadarshan | Stars: Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Paresh Rawal, Tabu
Votes: 72,455
15. I Am Kalam (2010)
Not Rated | 88 min | Comedy, Drama, Family
An impoverished boy forms an unlikely and unstable friendship with the lonely son of a nobleman.
Director: Nila Madhab Panda | Stars: Gulshan Grover, Harsh Mayar, Pitobash, Hussan Saad
Votes: 4,875
16. Rang De Basanti (2006)
Not Rated | 167 min | Comedy, Crime, Drama
The story of six young Indians who assist an English woman to film a documentary on the freedom fighters from their past, and the events that lead them to relive the long-forgotten saga of freedom.
Director: Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra | Stars: Aamir Khan, Soha Ali Khan, Siddharth, Sharman Joshi
Votes: 122,349 | Gross: $2.20M
17. Tum Bin...: Love Will Find a Way (2001)
Not Rated | 158 min | Drama, Romance
Shekhar accidentally kills his associate Amar, and decides to watch over Amar's company and take care of his family and friends. However, he falls in love with Amar's fiancé Piya.
Directors: Anubhav Sinha, Anupam Sinha | Stars: Priyanshu Chatterjee, Himanshu Malik, Sandali Sinha, Raqesh Bapat
Votes: 3,789
18. 3 Idiots (2009)
PG-13 | 170 min | Comedy, Drama
Two friends are searching for their long lost companion. They revisit their college days and recall the memories of their friend who inspired them to think differently, even as the rest of the world called them "idiots".
Director: Rajkumar Hirani | Stars: Aamir Khan, Madhavan, Mona Singh, Sharman Joshi
Votes: 434,329 | Gross: $6.53M
19. Chak De! India (2007)
Not Rated | 153 min | Drama, Family, Sport
Kabir Khan, the coach of the Indian Women's National Hockey Team, dreams of making his all-girls team emerge victorious against all odds.
Director: Shimit Amin | Stars: Shah Rukh Khan, Vidya Malvade, Sagarika Ghatge, Shilpa Shukla
Votes: 84,935 | Gross: $1.11M
20. Jab We Met (2007)
Not Rated | 138 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
A depressed wealthy businessman finds his life changing after he meets a spunky and care-free young woman.
Director: Imtiaz Ali | Stars: Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, Tarun Arora, Dara Singh Randhawa
Votes: 58,770 | Gross: $0.41M
21. Shree 420 (1955)
168 min | Comedy, Crime, Drama
When a young man from a small town decides to make it big in a city, he faces several challenges.
Director: Raj Kapoor | Stars: Nargis, Raj Kapoor, Nadira, Nemo
Votes: 3,004
22. Teesri Kasam (1966)
159 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
A naive bullock-cart driver falls for a traveling courtesan.
Director: Basu Bhattacharya | Stars: Raj Kapoor, Waheeda Rehman, Dulari, Iftekhar
Votes: 851
23. Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein (2001)
Not Rated | 160 min | Comedy, Drama, Musical
Maddy impersonates Rajeev, the person his love interest, Reena, is about to marry and attempts to woo her. However, he is unprepared for the moment when the truth will be revealed.
Director: Gautham Vasudev Menon | Stars: Madhavan, Saif Ali Khan, Dia Mirza, Vrajesh Hirjee
Votes: 9,113
24. Hum Dono (1961)
164 min | Drama, Musical, Romance
When an army officer is presumed dead in battle, his lookalike is tasked with breaking the news to his family. However, circumstances force him to impersonate the dead man.
Directors: Amarjeet, Vijay Anand | Stars: Dev Anand, Nanda Karnataki, Sadhana Shivdasani, Lalita Pawar
Votes: 487
25. Andaz Apna Apna (1994)
Not Rated | 160 min | Action, Comedy, Romance
Two slackers competing for the affections of an heiress inadvertently become her protectors from an evil criminal.
Director: Rajkumar Santoshi | Stars: Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Raveena Tandon, Karisma Kapoor
Votes: 55,263
26. Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)
Not Rated | 181 min | Drama, Romance
When Raj meets Simran in Europe, it isn't love at first sight but when Simran moves to India for an arranged marriage, love makes its presence felt.
Director: Aditya Chopra | Stars: Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Amrish Puri, Farida Jalal
Votes: 77,186
27. Awaara (1951)
193 min | Drama, Musical, Romance
A poor young man named Raj joins a criminal gang to feed his mother. But when he falls in love with Rita, he decides to reform himself for her.
Director: Raj Kapoor | Stars: Raj Kapoor, Nargis, Prithviraj Kapoor, K.N. Singh
Votes: 4,494
Tell Your Friends