Bollywood films are a constant source of entertainment. Over the years, they have adapted to the changing times and brought us the best of cinema.

It has explored  and experimented with all types themes and human emotions. But, the theme of love tops the chart of Bollywood films. Right from silent era films through black and white film era followed by the golden era of Indian cinema to post 1970’s and the contemporary era, love stories sit at the heart of its content.

We bring you some of the most tested love stories with the most rebellious lovers in Bollywood films, right from the early days to the present.

1. Awara (1951)

If you look at the film in a broad sense, you can say this film is an Indian crime drama, with a profound love story. But, Awara is much more than that. It is a film that explores socialist themes in the hero’s journey. Raj is unaware of his past as he is forced into poverty by circumstances and his father. He is brought up single-handedly by his mother Leela. He drops out of school to fend for himself and his mother through robbery. When he grows up, he meets his most cherished school friend Rita, who’s a lawyer. And even though he cryptically signals her his truth, Rita fails to notice he is the thief. They duo fall in love despite the oddity of their circumstances. One is an educated, rich, lawyer and the other a petty thief. But, truth has its ways of showing up. And when it does their world is not the same but their love for each other helps them tackle hard times bravely.

Often, outside India this film is also referred to as,”The Vagabond(1951)).

Lead Actors: Raj Kapoor(Raj) and Nargis(Rita)

2. Mughal-e-Azam (1960)

The historical drama film is one of the greatest love stories in Hindi cinema. It explores the love between Prince Salim and the court dancer Anarkali. However, Salim’s father Emperor Akbar does not approve of this relationship. He tries to separate the lovers, which leads to a war between the father and the son.

The Emperor wins the war and wants to execute Salim, the only way he can survive is if Anarkali  takes the execution upon herself. While the film is an adaptation of a play, Anarkali(1922), by Imtiaz Ali Taj, it does explore the selflessness, trials and tribulations of love. Mughal-E-Azam when released in 1960 broke the record for the highest box office amongst Bollywood films. It held that position for next 15 years, until Sholay(1975).

Lead Actors: Dilip Kumar(Salim) and Madhubala(Anarkali)

3. Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988)

This one is a classical love story. Two families are sworn enemies of each other given their complicated history. They have gone through the complete cycle of love, conceit, denial and ultimately death. It only leaves them with one shared feeling, that is, intense hatred. Raj falls in love with Ratan the very moment he sees her despite knowing that she is from the enemy camp. However, he’s fallen for her, hard. Ratan falls for Raj after their brief encounter at her party. However, when the families find out, they are asked to separate their ways. However, they elope together trying to put an end to the feuds. But, this does not stop the families trying to intervene their new life. Because, oftentimes it is easier to escape from the world but families. And when every effort to separate the lovebird fails, they kill Ratan. Seeing Ratan dead Raj also kills himself. Some love stories end in death, while other just begin. We think Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak belongs to the second category.

Lead Actors: Aamir Khan(Raj) and Juhi Chawla(Ratan)

4. Sanam Bewafa (1991)

Sanam Bewafa is yet another beautiful love story that takes place between the warring Pathans. Sher Khan and Fateh Khan clan have been at war since generations. When Sher Khan’s son and Fateh Khan’s daughter fall in love, both the families are triggered. While Sher Khan promises to get the love birds hitched, Fateh Khan asks for an enormous meher for his daughter in exchange of marriage. Though Sher Khan agrees, Fateh Khan’s actions bruise his ego. So, the vey next day, he sends the bride to her home with the meher amount. And, the love which could bring the families closer has been replaced by egos that make the swords blood thirsty.

However, ultimately love succeeds when Rukhsar gives birth to her son. One of the biggest super hit film of the year.

Lead Actors: Salman Khan(Salman Khan) and Chandni(Rukhsar)

5. Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (1995)

Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge is one of the cult classic Bollywood films. When a conservative Simran is on Europe trip with her girl gang, she meets with flamboyant Raj. He is also exploring Europe with his friends. They fall for each other on the trip but realise later. But, by the time dust settles and Raj reaches her doorstep to convince her of his feelings, he finds out that Simran and family have gone to India, to get her married. He does the unthinkable follows her to India to get to know her feelings and eventually stop the wedding. Well, that’s too much of a daring even for lover boys. Don’t you think?

Lead Actors: Shahrukh Khan(Raj) and Kajol(Simran)

6. Devdas(2002)

Devdas is a period drama film based on the novel by Sharat Chandra Chattopadhay. Devdas Mukherjee and Parvati, are neighbours divided by caste and class. They are separated in childhood as Devdas is sent abroad for studies. When he returns as a law graduate to marry Parvati(Paro), his family rejects the idea, quite harshly. This puts the strain on Dev(Devdas)and Paro’s eternal bond that they cherished since childhood. Paro is married off to a wealthy landlord and sent away while Devdas takes refuge in alcohol. He is briefly rescued by a courtesan but nothing saves him from an untimely death.Veer

Lead Actors: Shahrukh Khan(Devdas) and Aishwaraya Rai(Parvati)

7. Veer-Zaara (2004)

Veer-Zaara is a classical tale of love that endures and thrives despite the roadblocks and hurdles in the way. It is story of Zaara, a Pakistani girl, who meets Veer Pratap Singh, an Indian Air Force officer by chance. And accompanies him to his village for Lohri celebration. Watching her effortlessly blend and mingle with her people Veer is smitten by the love bug. He keeps it to himself until  he drops her to Amritsar station. However, he does acknowledge that parting ways is the best for them and just then he meets Zaara’s fiancé who had come there to pick her up and take her back to Pakistan. Zaara too is smitten by him and only later realizes her love for him. However, it is too late. Despite the agony, she confesses about her feelings to her mother and is dissuaded from the idea of love. She asks her to go ahead with the marriage. On the other hand, Veer goes to see Zaara in Pakistan. But, he is captured in captivity by her fiancé who gives him two options: only to rot in jail and let Zaara lead a happy life with him or to go away and let Zaara’s life be ruined by him. Veer accepts the confinement, sacrifices his freedom, happiness for Zaaras. On the other hand, the news of Veer’s bus getting in an accident, and news of his death in tv, Zaara cancels her wedding with the help of her father and goes to live with Veers family in India. 26 years later, these lovers are united, when Saaima Siddiqui Veer’s lawyer goes to India to find evidence for him. She finds an old, unmarried Zaara living there. And thus unites the two lovers.

Lead Actors: Shahrukh Khan(Veer) and Priety Zinta(Zaara)

8. Ishaqzaade (2012)

The Qureshi and Chauhan families are political rivals in the town of Almor. Zoya Qureshi and Perma Chauhan clash at college politics as rivals. However, their political ambitions are not taken seriously by their families. Over time, Zoya and Perma seek comfort in each other’s company and fall for each other. They get married and consummate their marriage. However, Perma confesses is was a sham marriage and Perma took revenge for his family from Zoya. Zoya goes to shoot him to take revenge from him, however, Perma’s mother makes him realize his error and mend ways with Zoya. But, Perma’s family shoots her, Perma elopes with Zoya. However, his family is on a hunt for them. They  take a refuge in a brothel run by Chand Bibi, where Zoya forgives Perma when he realizes his mistakes , apologises and finally marries her.

Zoya takes him to meet his family. But, her father says he will kill her. They elope but both families are on a manhunt to kill them. And eventually, when they realize there is no escape, instead of taking bullets from others they kill each other and die in each other’s arms. Love that took place despite inter-faith, how it is met with hostility.

Lead Actors: Arjun Kapoor(Perma Chauhan) and Parineeti Chopra(Zoya Quereshi)

9. Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela(2013)

This film is simply called as Ram- Leela, however the above mentioned title is more appropriate as it literally translates to a dance of bullets:Ram-Leela. Based on Romeo and Juliet’s tragic love story, the film explores the love of star crossed lovers from centuries old rival families in Raanjhar, Gujarat. In the hinterlands of Gujarat charred by centuries old rivalries between Saneera and Rajadis intense love touches blossoms despite hatred is tested by people, situations and misunderstandings. The misunderstanding between the two clans escalate parallely with their love. As Ram and Leela, confess their love and plan to elope to marry, Leela’s eleder brother mistakenly kills Ram’s elder brother, and in turn Ram kills him. The hostilities deepens just as their love, Leela is forcibly taken away from their hiding spot. AndRam leeds the Rajadis and Leela leeds the Saneras. However, when they realise coming toether in life is impossinle they unite in death, by killing eachother. But, by now the warring parties decide to end war and come together even the families ready to accept their love.

Lead actors: Deepika Padukone(Leela) and Ranveer Singh(Ram)

10. Dhadak (2018)

It is a remake of 2016 Marathi film Sairat. Madhu is a student from middle class family. He wins a competition in college and is awarded by Parthavi, who also studies in the same college. He is attracted to her and tries to impress her. Despite the difference in their class and cast, love blossoms. Even Parthavi finds it hard to ignore him. However, when her influential politician father comes to know, he and his goons give Madhu a good beating and arrest him on false charges. However, Parthavi, blackmails them into leaving him and escapes with him for a happy forever. Settling with him in a new city, doing odd jobs. Finally they get married and have a son. She finds her brother at her house, and although her husband asks her to keep her distance she brushes him off. She goes to get sweets for them, upon returning she sees her son and husband thrown off the balcony. Love ends in loss. Caste and class wi

It is still February, and if you are single, just skip these bollywood films. You refer to this list of movies to watch for single people.