How many times have you watched a romantic movie and thought that you wouldn’t mind being the leading lady in one? How many times have you watched two people fall in love and wished that they were falling in love with each other? If you’re anything like me, it’s more than once, and it’s still happening today. Bollywood (Hindi-language) films are great for their music, their drama, and of course, their romance. Check out this list of the 15 best Bollywood romantic movies of all time to get inspired to watch more movies from India!
1) The Lunchbox (2013)
This film follows Saajan Fernandes (Irrfan Khan), a widower and lonely old man, who happens to live on rent in another man’s house. One day, he mistakenly receives Kaaleen Patel’s (Nimrat Kaur) lunchbox and is impressed by her beautiful note. From then on, these two begin exchanging notes, although they have never met each other; and before long their relationship blossoms into love. One of the best romantic movies in Bollywood for sure.
2) Meri Pyari Bindu (2017)
If you’re in need of simple, yet endearing love story movies in Bollywood, look no further than Meri Pyari Bindu. The film follows Divya (Parineeti Chopra), who leaves her hometown for Mumbai to pursue her dreams of becoming an actor and soon finds herself dealing with a case of mistaken identity. It’s adorable, funny, and heartfelt—and will probably make you tear up at least once.
3) Love Aaj Kal (2009)
This romantic film is loved by millions of fans of all ages. It is a film that has been loved by all and hence it makes our list of best romantic Bollywood movies ever. This movie stars two people who were already very popular in their own right and when they come together, magic happens. Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone have great chemistry together on screen and they portray love on screen perfectly.
4) 2 States (2014)
Featuring Alia Bhatt and Arjun Kapoor, 2 States is a romantic comedy directed by Abhishek Varman. The film revolves around two Indian college students from different states (Tamil Nadu and Gujarat) who meet during their studies in Delhi and fall in love with each other. In an effort to maintain their relationship when they return home, both families decide to get married against their will.
5) Raanjhanaa (2013)
This movie directed by Anand L. Rai and produced by Madan Kumar showcases a love story between Sonam Kapoor and Dhanush. It explores their journey of true love in different circumstances, where they learn to never give up on each other. The chemistry between Sonam Kapoor and Dhanush is electric, making it one of the best romantic Bollywood movies ever.
6) Aashiqui 2 (2013)
Aashiqui 2 (2013) is a Bollywood romantic film directed by Mohit Suri. It is produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, and Shailesh R Singh under T-Series and Emmay Entertainment respectively. The film stars Aditya Roy Kapur and Shraddha Kapoor in lead roles.
7) Barfi (2012)
Barfi! is a Hindi romantic drama film directed by Anurag Basu. The film stars Ranbir Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, and Ileana D’Cruz in lead roles. The film was released on 14 September 2012 to widespread critical acclaim. It was screened at International Rome Film Festival on 7 November 2012. A must-watch romantic movie in Bollywood for sure.
8) Veer-Zaara (2004)
Veer-Zaara is a 2004 Indian romantic drama film directed by Yash Chopra. The film stars Shahrukh Khan and Preity Zinta as the eponymous star-crossed lovers; Veer Pratap Singh, a pilot in the Indian air force, and Zaara Hayaat Khan, a Pakistani woman hailing from a wealthy political family in Lahore. The film’s soundtrack was composed by the late Madan Mohan, with lyrics penned by Javed Akhtar. The score was performed by the London Symphony Orchestra. Veer-Zaara was released on 12 November 2004 to positive reviews from critics, who praised its story, music, and performances. The film went on to win several awards, including the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment and the Filmfare Awards for Best Film and Best Director.
9) Jab We Met (2007)
One of the most popular Bollywood romantic movies of all time, Jab We Met tells the story of two people who meet by chance and end up falling in love. The movie is set against the backdrop of the Indian state of Punjab and follows the journey of the two protagonists as they travel across the country. Jab We Met is a classic Bollywood love story that is sure to tug at your heartstrings. It is one of those rare movies that perfectly captures the essence of young love. If you are a fan of Bollywood romantic movies, then this is one that you cannot miss!
10) Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge is a 1995 Bollywood romance film directed by Aditya Chopra. The film stars Shahrukh Khan and Kajol. Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge became one of the most successful Bollywood films of all time. The story is about Raj (Shahrukh Khan) and Simran (Kajol) who meet on a trip to Europe and fall in love. However, their families are not in favor of their relationship and they must fight for their love. Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge is a classic Bollywood romance film that is sure to make you laugh, cry, and feel all the feels. If you are looking for a romantic Bollywood movie to watch, this is the one!
11) Mohabbatein (2000)
Mohabbatein is a 2000 Indian musical romantic drama film directed by Aditya Chopra. It was the first film released under the Yash Raj Films banner. The film stars Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan as the two lead protagonists, while Aishwarya Rai, Kim Sharma, and Uday Chopra play the lead roles. The film’s soundtrack was composed by Jatin-Lalit, with lyrics written by Anand Bakshi. The soundtrack was a huge commercial success, with the song “Chalte Chalte” becoming one of the most popular songs of the year. Mohabbatein grossed over $30 million at the worldwide box office and was one of the highest-grossing Indian films of 2000. The film won several awards, including the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.
12) Rockstar (2011)
Rockstar is a 2011 Indian Hindi-language musical drama film directed by Imtiaz Ali, starring Ranbir Kapoor and Nargis Fakhri in the lead roles. The film follows the story of Janardhan Jakhar (played by Ranbir Kapoor), a small-town boy from Delhi who dreams of becoming a rockstar. The film’s soundtrack was composed by A. R. Rahman, and features some of the most popular songs of all time, including “Tum Ho” and “Sadda Haq“. Rockstar was a critical and commercial success, with critics praising Kapoor’s performance and the film’s music. It is considered one of the best Bollywood romantic films of all time.
13) Laila Majnu (2018)
Laila Majnu is a 2018 Indian Hindi-language tragic romance film starring Avinash Tiwary and Tripti Dimri. It is presented by Imtiaz Ali and co-produced by Ekta Kapoor, Shobha Kapoor, and Preety Ali. The film is directed by Sajid Ali. Laila Majnu is a modern-day take on the classic love story of Laila Majnu. The film was released on 7 September 2018 to generally positive reviews from critics, with particular praise for the chemistry between Tiwary and Dimri. Laila Majnu is a story about Qais (Avinash Tiwary) and Laila (Tripti Dimri) who are separated by fate but their love for each other knows no bounds. will they be able to overcome the obstacles in their path and finally be together? This classic love story has been brought to life in a beautiful way and is a must-watch for all romantic Bollywood movie lovers.
14) Devdas (2002)
One of the most popular Bollywood movies of all time, Devdas is a tragic love story starring Shahrukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai. The film follows the story of Devdas, a rich man’s son who falls in love with Paro, a girl from a lower caste. Despite their love for each other, their families forbid them from being together and Devdas spirals into alcoholism and self-destruction. The film is widely considered to be one of the best Bollywood romantic movies of all time.
15) Lootera (2013)
Lootera is a 2013 Bollywood romantic drama film directed by Vikramaditya Motwane. The film stars Ranveer Singh and Sonakshi Sinha in the lead roles. The film is set in the 1950s and is based on O Henry’s short story The Last Leaf. It tells the story of a young man named Varun who falls in love with a woman named Pakhi. However, their relationship is threatened when Pakhi is diagnosed with cancer. Lootera was critically acclaimed upon release and was praised for its direction, cinematography, and performances. It is considered one of the best Bollywood romantic movies of all time.
Bollywood has an entire section devoted to romance, and above are some of the great love story movies Bollywood to choose from that it can be hard to decide which one to watch first. The above list breaks down the best love story movies Bollywood so you can see them all without wasting time on bad ones!