It’s time to sit down and relax with a nice face mask, some food, and a nice movie. As I grab the remote and turn on the TV, I try to decide what to watch. After flipping through thousands of Netflix shows, movies, and anime that I’ve watched before, I decided to watch some of my comfort Bollywood movies that always bring a smile to my face and tears to my eyes.
Although I’m Muslim, I did grow up watching Bollywood movies and got immersed in the world of love, heartbreak, family, politics, and much more. To be honest, some of the Bollywood movies now are just not it. The industry has lost the spark that it once had.
Bollywood is one of the most popular film industries in the world. The films produced in this industry are known for their elaborate song and dance sequences, as well as their high levels of drama. While some of their films are often criticized for their poor storytelling and excessive melodrama, they remain incredibly popular with audiences all over the world.
Need some new movie recommendations? Then look no further.
Here are some Bollywood movies that are a MUST-WATCH! Some of these are leaving Netflix soon, so start watching!!!
om shanti om (2007)
To start off this list is one of my favorite Bollywood movies ever, Om Shanti Om, a film of love and revenge.
Genre(s): Romance, Drama, and Comedy.
Trope(s): Meet-Cute, Love at First Sight.
Synopsis: Basically, a film extra in 1970s Bollywood is madly in love with a reigning superstar. Unfortunately, she is in love with a devious producer, but his greed for power and money is greater than his need for her and will eliminate anyone who comes his way.
Where to watch it: Netflix
Taare zameen par (2007)
Second on the list is Taare Zameen Par, which translates to “Like Stars on Earth”, full of children and positivity.
Genre(s): Drama and Musical.
Trope(s): Cool Teacher or Teacher-as-Hero trope.
Synopsis: Ishaan, a student who has dyslexia, cannot seem to get anything right at his boarding school. Soon, a new unconventional art teacher, Ram Shankar Nikumbh, helps him discover his hidden potential. This movie is one of the few Bollywood movies that depict autism and what it’s like to live with it, as it is depicted beautifully.
Where to watch it: Netflix
Hum Saath-saath hain (1999)
This Bollywood movie is one of many that focuses on family and the challenges of a joint family, in which the title means “We are together”.
Genre(s): Drama, Romance and Musical
Trope(s): Arranged Marriage, Adopted Child, Love at First Sight, Childhood Friends to Lovers
Synopsis: Ramkishen and Mamta have three sons Vivek , Prem and Vinod and a daughter Sangeeta. This family is part of a joint family whose close-knit bond is challenged by a misunderstanding.
Where to watch it: Netflix
3 Idiots (2009)
This Bollywood movie is my brother’s favorite, as it focuses on lives of engineering students.
Genre(s): Drama, Romance, and Comedy
Trope(s): Arranged Marriage, Love at First Sight, Forbidden Love
Synopsis: In college, Farhan and Raju form a great bond with Rancho due to his positive and refreshing outlook on life, as they struggle to beat the school’s draconian system.
Where to watch it: Netflix
Jab we met (2007)
This Bollywood movie is one of my favorite romcoms, as it focuses on love and life.
Genre(s): Drama, Romance, and Comedy
Trope(s): Grumpy x Sunshine
Synopsis: Aditya, a heartbroken tycoon on the verge of committing suicide, aimlessly boards a train. He meets Geet, a high-spirited girl who plans to elope with her lover, and finds himself pulled into her crazy life.
Where to watch it: Netflix & Tubi
Yeh jawaani hai deewani (2013)
This Bollywood movie is another one of my favorite romcoms, as I just enjoy the chemistry between Bunny and Naina. The title of this film is translated to “This Youth is Crazy.”
Genre(s): Drama, Romantic Comedy
Trope(s): Beta Couple, Nerdy Girl x Popular Guy, Unrequited Love
Synopsis: A young medical student, Naina, falls in love with a man, Bunny, who plans to travel the world and never settle down, or get married.
Where to watch it: Amazon Prime
Kal ho naa ho (2003)
Well, this movie is a real tear-jerker. Every time I watch it, I cry so much, so word of advice: Grab some tissues before you start watching it. The title translates to “May not be there tomorrow.”
Genre(s): Drama, Romantic Comedy
Trope(s): Meet Cute, Big Love Speech, Two Guys one Girl
Synopsis: Naina, a student is good friends with her classmate, playboy Rohit. Her home life is filled with family tensions as her widowed mum’s restaurant runs into difficulties. When charismatic Aman moves into the neighborhood, he changes everyone’s lives, bringing a breath of fresh air, and although he falls in love with Naina, Aman has a secret that prevents him from marrying her.
Where to watch it: Netflix
Queen (2014)
This is such an amazing movie with such an amazing message.
Genre(s): Drama, Comedy
Trope(s): Character Development, Just Friends, and Coming of age
Synopsis: Rani, a 24-year-old homely girl, decides to go on her honeymoon alone after her fiancé calls off the wedding. While traveling around Europe, she finds joy, makes friends, and gains new-found independence.
Where to watch it: Netflix
dilwale dulhania le Jayenghe (1995)
This is one of the most popular Bollywood movies, full of well-known songs and actors, as the title means “The Braveheart will take the Bride.”
Genre(s): Drama, Romantic Comedy
Trope(s): Declaration of Love, Meet Cute
Synopsis: Raj and Simran meet on a trip to Europe. After some initial misadventures, they fall in love. The battle begins to win over two traditional families.
Where to watch it: Amazon Prime
Housefull 2 (2012)
This is one of the funniest Bollywood movies, full of various well-known actors.
Genre(s): Action, Comedy, Romance
Trope(s): Character Development
Synopsis: Four fathers who are all sworn enemies, try to marry their daughter the son of a tycoon called Jolly, which creates a lot of misunderstanding.
Where to watch it: Amazon Prime
Kabhi Khushi Kabhi ghum (2001)
This is a very popular Bollywood movie all about family and romance, with amazing songs, with the title translating to “Sometimes happiness Sometimes sorrow.”
Genre(s): Drama, Comedy, Romance
Trope(s): Childhood Friends to Lovers, Meet Cute,
Synopsis: This film deals with the wealthy Raichand family. The oldest son, Rahul is disowned after eloping with an unsuitable girl. Ten years later, the younger son, Rohan, learns the truth about his brother’s disappearance and sets out to reunite the family.
Where to watch it: Netflix
Student of the year (2012)
This is a very popular Bollywood movie all about family and romance, with amazing songs.
Genre(s): Drama, Comedy, Romance
Trope(s): Fourth Wall, Two Guys One Girl
Synopsis: This film is about several alumni reminiscing about their final year at St. Theresa’s College and the events that shaped their lives and their friendships.
Where to watch it: Netflix
zindagi na milegi dobara (2011)
This is an amazing Bollywood movie about friendship, adventure, and love, with the title translating to “You Only Live Once.”
Genre(s): Drama, Romance
Trope(s): Bridezilla, Workaholic
Synopsis: In this film, three friends who were inseparable in childhood decide to go on a three-week-long bachelor road trip to Spain.
Where to watch it: Netflix, Amazon Prime
Dil dhadakne do (2015)
This is an interesting Bollywood movie showing that even the rich have problems of their own, with the title translating to “Let Your Heart Beat.”
Genre(s): Drama, Romance
Trope(s): Forbidden Love, Arranged Marriage
Synopsis: In this film, the Mehra family must contemplate their way of living and their love lives while on a cruise celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary.
Where to watch it: Netflix
kuch kuch hota hai (1998)
This is another of many popular Bollywood movies, that focuses on romance and friendship, with the title translating to “Something is Happening”.
Genre(s): Drama, Musical, Romance
Trope(s): First Love, Two Girls and one Guy, Friends to Lovers
Synopsis: During their college years, Anjali was in love with her best-friend Rahul, who had eyes only for Tina. Years later, Rahul and Tina’s eight-year-old daughter attempts to reunite her father and Anjali.
Where to watch it: Youtube
dhoom 2 (2006)
This is an amazing action movie full of thieves, romance, and action.
Genre(s): Action, Thriller
Trope(s): Meet Cute, Disney Death
Synopsis: This film is about Mr. A, a fearless thief who steals valuable artifacts and teams up with the girl he is attracted to but who cannot be trusted. Close on their heels are three police officers trying to apprehend them.
Where to watch it: Prime Video
rang de basanti (2006)
This is an amazing Bollywood musical about freedom and patriotism, with the title translating to “Color me Yellow.”
Genre(s): Drama, Musical
Trope(s): Police Brutality, Big Man on Campus
Synopsis: This film is 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.
Where to watch it: Netflix
dil to pagal hai (1997)
This movie is a classic favorite full of dance numbers and love triangles, with the title translating to “The heart is crazy.”
Genre(s): Musical, Romance
Trope(s): Arranged Marriage, Love Hurts, Meet Cute, Love Triangle
Synopsis: This film is a musical about three passionate and dreamy characters: Rahul, Pooja, and Nisha. Will their dreams come true? Will they find their true love?
Where to watch it: Prime Video
aashiqui 2 (2013)
This is another popular Bollywood movie, full of love and sadness.
Genre(s): Drama, Musical, Romance
Trope(s): Brooding Hero
Synopsis: Aashiqui 2 is a musical love story of Rahul, a singing sensation, and Aarohi, a girl who sings in bars and goes through love and hate, fame and failure in their life. Will they stay together or break up due to their egos?
Where to watch it: Prime Video
veer zaara (2004)
This is an amazing yet sad movie with a nice story and great songs.
Genre(s): Drama, Romance
Trope(s): Tragic Wedding, Star-Crossed Lovers
Synopsis: This film is a love story spanning 22 years that is an inspiration and will remain a legend forever, full of love and sacrifice.
Where to watch it: Amazon Prime
main hoon na (2004)
This is another one of my favorite Bollywood movies full of romance, with the title translating to “I am here.”
Genre(s): Drama, Comedy, Romance, Action
Trope(s): Hot for Teacher, Stealth Parody
Synopsis: This film is about an army major who goes undercover as a college student. His mission is both professional and personal: to protect his general’s daughter from a radical militant, and to find his estranged half-brother.
Where to watch it: Netflix
devdas (2002)
This is a very popular Bollywood romance movie about love and what it can do to a person. Devdas translates as “A grieving male lover.”
Genre(s): Romance, Musical
Trope(s): Arranged Marriage, Unrequired Love, Love Triangle< Star-Crossed Lovers, Forbidden Love
Synopsis: This film is the sweeping tale of two soul mates, childhood sweethearts Devdas and Paro, whose love is ruined by India’s rigid class structure.
Where to watch it: Amazon Prime