The world knows how much we men love action, thriller and sci-fi films but tell you what, secretly inside, a lot of us are suckers for romantic comedies too! Sometimes, you just want to sit back and watch a film that makes you feel good, reminds you of the first time you fell in love, makes you want to believe in ‘happy endings’! And you know it! You cannot be a Bollywood fan and not like watching romcoms! Romance is the essence of Bollywood. Add some humour to it and you have all the ingredients for a perfect light-hearted watch! We compiled a list of 51 Bollywood romcoms ranging from cult to fantastic to average to guilty-pleasures-nobody-should-ever-know-about, and it should be every Bollywood fan’s movie checklist.
1. Hum Tum (2004)
The film that took the battle of the sexes to a whole new level, ‘Hum Tum’ is about a boy and a girl, totally opposite from each other who just cannot tolerate each other falling hopelessly in love over a span of 7 years. Saif’s impeccable comic timing and Rani Mukerji’s brilliant performance make it arguably the best Bollywood romcom ever.
Highlight – Saif and Rani’s rib tickling banter in the song ‘Ladki Kyun Na Jaane Kyun’.
Yash Raj Films
2. Jab We Met (2007)
Depressed guy meets a fun loving, crazy girl and they take on an unforgettable journey together. The magnum opus of Shahid and Kareena Kapoor’s career, this film is definitely one of the finest works by Imtiaz Ali. ‘Jab We Met’ was the one film that actually redefined romance in Bollywood.
Highlight – Just too many of them. Watch it to believe it!
Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision
3. Kal Ho Na Ho (2003)
A dying man decides to unite his lady love with her best friend. It’s been more than 12 years since this film released and it is still fresh as ever. SRK, Preity Zinta and Saif Ali Khan deliver some award worthy performances in this film. When they’re funny, you can’t stop rolling on the floor laughing; when they’re romantic, they make you want to fall in love; and when they’re tragic, man, keep the box of tissues ready. This film is one emotional rollercoaster.
Highlight – Shah Rukh Khan’s brilliant comic timing and of course, Kantaben, hands down (pun intended)!
4. Band Baaja Baaraat (2010)
Two ‘business partners’ (read binness partners) taste new levels of success as wedding planners but everything goes haywire when cupid strikes. This film has one of the best depictions of Delhiites in the history of Bollywood, ‘break pakore ki kasam’.
Highlight – Ranveer Singh and Anushka Sharma’s explosive chemistry and of course the song, ‘Ainvayi Ainvayi’.
Yash Raj Films
5. Saathiya (2010)
While most films focused on the honeymoon phase of relationships, ‘Saathiya’ began where most films ended. It revolved around two lovers who elope to get married and realize that love isn’t as rosy as it seems. While the first half will have you grinning throughout at Vivek Oberoi’s antics to impress Rani Mukerji, the second half will leave you teary eyed!
Highlight – Rani and Vivek’s unmistakable chemistry and the beautiful music by the genius A.R. Rahman.
Yash Raj Films
6. Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013)
It is not very often that you find a successful Bollywood film that is commercial, and yet heartfelt. ‘Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani’ boasted of all that it takes to make a typical Bollywood masala film – romance, groovy music, exotic locations, a star cast to die for, popular dance numbers. But beyond all of that, it captured the essence of life. One of the best coming-of-age movies you can find in Bollywood, ‘Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani’ captures this young and restless generation, their idea of romance, their friendships, their dilemmas perfectly well.
Highlight – Ranbir and Deepika’s romance, the foot tapping music and the breathtaking locations!
Dharma Productions
7. Namastey London (2007)
A guy from a small village in Punjab gets married to a Britain returned, bratty NRI and falls in love with her only to realize she loves someone else. How he wins her heart forms the rest of the plot of the film. This one will hit you right in the feels.
Highlight – Akshay Kumar’s heartfelt performance.
Blockbuster Movie Entertainers
8. Dil Chahta Hai (2001)
This ode to friendships by Bollywood captures one of the most innocent love stories ever and of course, the more you say about the comedy of this film, the less it is. It captures so many different kinds of relationships in the lives of three guys just out of college, it is something every twenty something will relate to!
Highlight – Aamir and Preity Zinta’s unforgettable love story.
Excel Entertainment
9. Ishq (1997)
From hating each other to falling in love to rebelling against the world to protect each other, this film is as funny and as romantic as a romcom can get. If you grew up in the 90s we’re sure you’ve probably seen it a hundred times already!
Highlight – The toothpaste scene, the ghost prank scene, the one where the brakes fail – damn, just too many!
Baba Films
10. Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2014)
While the first one did win a lot of appreciation from the critics, it was the sequel that had the whole country literally rolling on the floor laughing, thanks to Deepak Dobriyal and Kangana Ranaut’s hilarious performances. The film also had a new take on romance with the unconventional Datto in the lead.
Highlight – Datto, her Haryanvi accent and the uproarious dialogues written by Himanshu Sharma. "Mhara naam Kusum Sanghvani, Yo Mhari saheli Pinky, hum Ramjas college Delhi University me padhu su, sports quote te admission leya, National level ki athlete su, jila Jhajjar, 12:45:07 aur phone number main dougu naa"!
Eros International
11. Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998)
This movie about an 8 year old girl setting out to reunite her widowed father with his college love is probably the most iconic Bollywood romcom ever! With SRK Kajol romancing each other and Johhny Lever and Farida Jalal tickling your funny bone, it goes without saying that this one is every Bollywood fan’s all time favourite film.
Highlight – SRK and Kajol’s chemistry.
Dharma Productions
12. Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (1995)
Shah Rukh Khan http://www.mensxp.com/entertainment/gossip/26805-shah-rukh-khan-makes-his-dubsmash-debut-shows-everyone-who-the-real-badshah-is.html and Kajol came together for this film about a guy trying to win his girlfriend’s family to marry her and Bollywood got one of the most legendary on screen couple ever! The fact that it ran for about 1009 weeks, almost 20 years in Mumbai’s Maratha Mandir speaks volumes about what a brilliant film it was.
Highlight – Everything about this movie.
Yash Raj Films
13. Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na (2008)
This film about two ‘best friends’ who refuse to accept that they love each other is one of the best depictions of young love ever! With Genelia D’Souza as the wild child and Imran Khan as the calm, introvert in the lead, this film became a trendsetter.
Highlight – Genelia and Imran’s adorable chemistry!
Aamir Khan Productions
14. Bunty Aur Babli (2005)
Two thieves set out on a road trip across Uttar Pradesh and fall in love somewhere in the middle of conning people! This one has Rani Mukerji and Abhishek Bachchan in the lead and they were so good together, everybody actually believed they were dating in real too.
Highlight – Aishwarya Rai’s smoking hot item number.
Yash Raj Films
15. Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004)
What do you get when you have Akshay Kumar and Salman Khan competing against each other to get the girl of their dreams? A laugh riot, that’s right.
Highlight – Duggal sahab!
Nadiadwala Grandsons
16. Pyaar Ke Side Effects (2006)
Everybody thought director Saket Chaudhary was crazy when he cast the unlikeliest of pair – Rahul Bose and Mallika Sherawat but they were in for a pleasant surprise. The film was hilarious right from the first scene and became one of those rare cult films that never achieved commercial success but become popular amongst the masses.
Highlight – Rahul Bose’s hilarious antics to win over Mallika Sherawat’s dad.
Pritish Nandy Communications
17. Salaam Namaste (2005)
Two lovers starts living in Australia but their world goes upside down when they realize Preity is pregnant. With Saif Ali Khan doing what he’s best at – playing the clueless, confused guy and Preity Zinta looking hot as ever, this has to be one of the best romcoms of Bollywood. Also, it tackled some very important topics like premarital sex and live in relationships and unplanned pregnancies. Quite a bold attempt for a big banner!
Highlight – The steamy love making scenes between Nick and ‘Hambar’!
YAsh Raj Films
18. Love Aaj Kal (2009)
Shuttling between the olden times when love wasn’t about hooking up and sex and the modern age make out-break up relationships, this one had something to suit everyone’s taste.
Highlight – The groovy songs that still haven’t faded out!
Illuminati Films
19. Pyar Kiya Toh Darna Kya
City boy Suraj starts working as a stable boy in his college love Muskan’s farm, trying to win over her uncle and overprotective brother in one of the most enjoyable films ever. We’re talking of a time when the romance in the movies was much more innocent and the humour was timeless.
Highlight – Dharmendra, Arbaaz Khan and Salman Khan in a single frame – need we say more?
G.S. Entertainment
20. Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein (2001)
This one bombed at the box office but there was something about this love triangle between debutante Diya Mirza, R. Madhavan and Saif Ali Khan that caught up with the masses slowly and steadily and became one of the best romcoms in Bollywood.
Highlight – The refreshing music and of course the beautiful Diya Mirza!
21. Dil Toh Pagal Hai (1997)
Superstars Madhuri Dixit, Karishma Kapoor and Shah Rukh Khan in a single film – Dil Toh Pagal Hai had all the reasons to be the cult film that it went on to become!
Highlight – Shah Rukh Khan’s camaraderie with Karishma Kapoor and love struck chemistry with Madhuri Dixit.
Yash Raj Films
22. Socha Na Tha (2005)
Two strangers reject each other for an arranged marriage and later fall in love with each other! It looked like one of those movies that sank without a trace when it released but it was actually one of the cutest love stories ever. Watch it if you already haven’t and you’ll fall in love with Ayesha Takia!
Highlight – The title track ‘Socha Na Tha’.
Vijeta Films
23. Pyaar Toh Hona Hi Tha (1998)
A thief meets a girl hopelessly in love with her cheating boyfriend on a flight and falls in love with her over a series of adventures while a cop chases them. It’s exciting, it’s fresh, it’s funny and man, it’s romantic! A must watch, in short.
Highlight – Kajol all the way!
Baba Films
24. Yes Boss (1997)
The aspirational but very obedient Rahul decides to stand up against his abusive and cheater boss after he falls in love with his new girlfriend, Seema. If you’re an SRK fan, we bet you’ve already seen this throughout your childhood.
Highlight – The song Suniye Toh!
United Seven Combines
25. Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa (1994)
One of the earliest romantic movies by SRK, this one is about an ordinary guy trying to woo a girl who doesn’t approve of his love. It is still so much fun to catch it running on TV, even after 21 years of its release!
Highlight – Shah Rukh Khan’s outstanding performance.
26. Dil (1990)
It is very rare that you find a romcom that is as much fun as it is soppy and romantic. And Dil was just that! This madcap entertainer about two strangers who keep running into each other and fighting growing into inseparable lovers was the perfect romcom ever. And the he v/s she battle made it even more epic.
Highlight – That wrestling match!
27. Dostana (2008)
Two men, John Abraham and Abhishek Bachchan pretend to be gay to share an apartment with the hot and single Priyanka Chopra and madness ensues. Even though the film partakes in ridiculously stereotyping homosexuals, it does have its own special moments of romance and comedy.
Highlight – Shilpa Shetty’s item number and Priyanka Chopra’s superhot bikini!
Dharma Productions
28. Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008)
This film that was about a sweet but boring man trying to be someone else to win his wife’s love stunned everyone with the amazing chemistry between the superstar Shah Rukh Khan and the much younger debutante Anushka Sharma.
Highlight – Shah Rukh Khan all the way, both as Surinder Sahni and Raj!
Yash Raj Films
29. Dum Laga Ke Haisha (2015)
‘Dum Laga Ke Haisha’ is about a small town guy who resents his overweight wife who is nothing like the beautiful woman he always wanted as a partner at first but eventually falls in love with her, just the way she is. This film is uproarious in most parts and heartwarmingly tender in others. It also teaches a very important lesson in love. DLKH is undoubtedly one of the best films of this year so far.
Highlight – The hilarious dialogues!
Yash Raj Films
30. Bachna Ae Haseeno (2008)
Ranbir Kapoor, a young Casanova plays with women all his life only to end up in their shoes when he finally falls in love with the free spirited Deepika Padukone. With exotic locations, three hot women and the charming Ranbir Kapoor in the lead, this film can never get boring!
Highlight – Ranbir and Deepika’s chemistry in Khuda Jaane.
Yash Raj Films
31. Kaho Na…Pyaar Hai (2000)
The film that gave Bollywood the most sensational heartthrob ever, Hrithik Roshan, was about a poor guy falling in love with a rich girl, but with an unimaginable twist!
Highlight – Hrithik Roshan’s killer dance moves!
Film Kraft
32. Mohabbatein (2000)
A music teacher Raj does the unthinkable in Narayan’s Gurukul. He encourages his students to fall in love and pursue it, much against the wishes of the Principal. But why? Watch the movie to find out!
Highlight – The war of words between Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan!
Yash Raj Films
33. Cheeni Kum (2007)
Commercially unsuccessful but heartwarming nevertheless, ‘Cheeni Kum’ is a mature love story between the two unlikeliest of people – a man in his 60s and a woman in her 30s. Some splendid performances by Tabu and Amitabh make it one of the delightful romcoms ever.
Highlight – Tabu and Amitabh’s unexpectedly solid chemistry!
34. Mujhse Dosti Karoge (2002)
Raj is in love with his pen friend Tina but little does he know that it is Pooja, Tina’s best friend who has been writing to him all these years instead! Expect some real overacting by the cast of this film but say what you may, it is one of those movies that you just cannot skip if it’s on television.
Highlight – The high voltage musical drama in the end medley.
Yash Raj Films
35. Jhankaar Beats (2003)
This musical tribute to R.D. Burman not only had some really foot tapping versions of his songs, it also explored the many facets of romance through its varied characters. We’re sure this one’s already a favourite amongst most of you!
Highlight – The adult humour is this film is just spot on!
Pritish Nandy Communications
36. Chalte Chalte (2003)
A man falls in love with a girl and marries her against her parents’ wishes. Everything’s hunky dory at first but no matter how much they may love each other the fact remains that he is a truck driver and she belongs to a filthy rich family. You can’t cast SRK and not make a great romantic movie, enough said.
Highlight – The flirtatious songs in the first half!
Dreamz Unlimited
37. Break Ke Baad (2010)
A rather underrated movie, this one talks about the unspoken truths about modern day relationships. Imran Khan and Deepika Padukone appropriately cast as the sincere, committed guy and the free spirited, ambitious girl respectively, some really innovative writing by the script writers, some great music – this film should have gotten way more appreciation than it did.
Highlight – Imran Khan and Deepika Padukone’s interesting pairing!
Kunal Kohli Productions
38. Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania (2014)
There’s no way you cannot fall in love with Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt is this super cute romcom! It falters at points but the lead pair more than makes up for it.
Highlight – Alia Bhatt being the cutest girl ever!
Dharma Productions
39. 2 States (2014)
The adaptation of Chetan Bhagat’s bestselling novel of the same name, this film starring Alia Bhatt and Arjun Kapoor in the lead pair had everyone smiling throughout!
Highlight – Alia Bhatt all the way!
Dharma Productions
40. Main Tera Hero (2014)
Seenu finds himself in deep soup when the daughter of the goon who has kidnapped his girlfriend falls in love with him. Absolutely no soppiness, fast paced masala entertainment, good songs and a lot of comedy – this one’s a perfect watch when you’re getting bored.
Highlight – The title track!
Balaji Motion Pictures
41. Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai (2002)
A guy sets out on a mission to break his best friend’s wedding after he realizes he has always been in love with her. Family drama, lavish weddings, a beautiful girl, childhood love, a villain – it has everything you expect from a Yash Raj Film.
Highlight – The fact that Uday Chopra didn’t make you want to kill yourself.
Yash Raj Films
42. Hasee Toh Phasee (2014)
It may not be one of the better romantic Bollywood films but man, it’s funny and how!
Highlight – A brilliant, brilliant, comic performance by Parineeti Chopra.
Dharma Productions
43. Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahaani
A happy-go-lucky guy proves his love for a girl by setting out to get her married off to the guy she fancies! It’s silly and slapstick but Ranbir and Katrina’s pair makes it all endearing.
Highlight – Katrina Kaif and Ranbir Kapoor together on screen!
Tips Films Pvt Ltd
44. Barsaat (1995)
One of those boy fights against girl’s father movies, ‘Barsaat’ is one film you’ve got to watch if you call yourself a Bollywood fan.
Highlight – The song Humko Sirf Tumse Pyar Hai
45. Love Ke Liye Kuchh Bhi Karega (2011)
With Johnny Lever, Aftab Shivdasani, Fardeen Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bendre, Twinkle Khanna trying to get out of a crazy mess of events to save their love, this one was bound to be a laugh riot, and it surely was.
Highlight – The kidnap sequence.
Dream Merchants Enterprise
46. Rules: Pyaar Ka Superhit Formula (2003)
A lot of you may not have heard of this rather under publicized film. It’s not the best film you’ll ever watch but it definitely has its heart at the right place. ‘Rules’ is about a young girl who takes relationship advice from her grandmother to impress the guy she fancies.
Highlight – The song ‘Chhodo Na Mujhe’ and of course, the ‘rules’.
Crossover Films
47. Ishq Vishk (2003)
Shahid Kapoor’s debut in Bollywood ‘Ishq Vishk’ was every college going guy’s story who is so busy following the ‘hot girls’, he fails to see real love. It is one of those movies that will remind you of your teenage years!
Highlight – The relatability factor.
Tips Films Pvt Ltd
48. Na Tum Jaano Na Hum (2002)
Rahul realizes his best friend Akshay’s fiancé is the same girl he has been writing love letters to.
Highlight – An earnest performance by Hrithik Roshan.
PFH Entertainment
49. Kuchh Na Kaho (2003)
Raj falls in love with Namrata but later realizes that she has a 9 year old son and a husband! What happens to their love story is what forms the rest of the plot.
Highlight – The on screen pair that went on to become a thing in real life too!
50. Kyun! Ho Gaya Na… (2004)
Vivek Oberoi falls in love with Aishwarya Rai but is too commitment phobic to accept it, and Aishwarya Rai decides to marry someone else. The film wasn’t really great, it wasn’t even a good one honestly, but Aish and Vivek were a thing back then and the love did show on screen!
Highlight – The song Aao Na that went on to become a superhit.
Narsimha Enterprises
51. Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai (1998)
JPKHH was about Salman Khan http://www.mensxp.com/entertainment/gossip/27926-salman-khan-super-fans-rob-the-star-of-his-bajrangi-bhaijaaan-pendant-in-a-nightclub.html who wants to marry a girl he has fallen in love with. But fate changes its course when he finds out about an illegitimate child from his past! You can’t have the charming Salman Khan from the 90s and the gorgeous Twinkle Khanna in a movie and not like it.
Highlight – The old 90s feel to this movie will send you down a nostalgia trip.
Tips Films Pvt Ltd
Did we miss out on your favourite romcom? Tell us in the comments box below!