In today’s weekend blog, I am continuing with Bollywood.
Bollywood has an incredible ability to stir our emotions and reduce us to tears with its heartfelt storytelling and powerful performances. Over the years, several movies have left a strong impact, making us cry. Here are some of the best Bollywood emotional movies that have beautifully captured raw emotions and moved the audience worldwide:
1 Anand
This movie was directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, who also wrote the story. The story revolves around a terminally ill cancer patient, played by Rajesh Khanna, who has less than six months to live. His life’s motto is to spread happiness (Anand) in the remaining days of his life. His friendship with a doctor played by newcomer Amitabh Bachchan is very emotional. When the film ends you are left with very tearful emotions.
On a similar theme, Karan Johar made a film with Shah Rukh Khan in the lead role, and the film was Kal Ho Na Ho released in 2003.
2 Sadma
The film was directed by Balu Mahendra, which was a remake of his earlier Tamil film. The film starred Kamal Hasan and Sridevi. It is a tragic story of a woman suffering from retrograde amnesia, played by Sridevi. How a strange man, played by Kamal Hasan, develops a bond with her and helps her in recovering her memory. In the last scene, which is the highlight of the film, Kamal Hasan’s performance is brilliant, when Sridevi fails to recognize him as the man who was responsible for her recovery from amnesia.
3 Veer Zara
Directed by Yash Chopra, it is an epic love story that defies the border. An Indian Air Force Officer falls in love with a Pakistani Girl on her visit to India, to do her Hindu servant’s last rites. It is worth watching how the story develops, and how the Air Force Officer lands in a Pakistani prison. Then how after 22 years, A Pakistani lawyer proves his innocence, and the lovers are reunited. Wonderful acting by lead players, Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta, and Rani Mukherjee.
4 Rang De Basanti
Directed by Rakeysh Mehra. It is a powerful masterpiece that explores the themes of patriotism, friendship, and sacrifice. As the story unfolds, we develop an emotional bond with the main characters, who are best friends, and who have agreed to act in a documentary film on the life story of Bhagat Singh and other martyrs. How the past and present connect in their lives, is a treat to watch, and which is very sentimental.
5 Taare Zameen Par
Aamir Khan’s directorial debut sensitively addresses the challenges faced by a dyslexic boy, played by Darsheel Safary. The film’s empathetic portrayal of boy’s journey, combined with his art teacher’s (played by Aamir Khan) heartfelt performance, left everyone emotionally moved.
6 Masoom
Director Shekhar Kapoor’s poignant portrayal of a family, consisting of a couple and two daughters, is torn apart by a boy entering their life, who is also the son of the man of the family through an extramarital affair. The emotional turmoil depicted in the film with powerful performances by Naseeruddin Shah, Shabhana Azmi and child artists.
7 Baghban
Director Ravi Chopra’s exploration of the struggles faced by an elderly couple in neglected society deeply played with our emotions. Amitabh Bachchan plays a retired Bank Manager, who along with his wife Hema Malini, are facing a situation where they are separated by their four sons, who do not want to take their joint responsibility in their life post retirement. The performances by both the lead character struck an emotional chord, leaving us tear eyed as we empthised with their heartbreaking journey.
8 The Lunchbox
Director Ritesh Batra’s bittersweet story of an accidental connection through wrong delivery of the Lunchbox by Mumbai’s Dabbawalas, and how the notes were passed captivated our emotions. The film’s tender moments, combined with exceptional performances by Irrfan Khan and Nimrat Kaur evoked a mix joy and tears as we witnessed their bond.
There are some other sentimental movies of past and recent past such as Dil Ek Mandir, Devdas, Barfi, Rockstar, Saransh and Jaagte Raho, which are worth mentioning. Friends, who you like some other senti movies, please do write about the same in comments column at the end of this blog.
Waiting for your feedback on this blog.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
2nd February 2024