Affairs to remember

Movies are our dictionary to romance, adoration and everything love. The reel is constantly borrowing from the real and the real has no problem in emulating the silver screen. But the only reason this exchange becomes believable is because of the people portraying it. Love, the most complex emotion or human virtue, can be a daunting task for any actor. So for more than 70 years, the best of our film industry have come together to tell and retell romance. The romantic pairings of our favourite actors and actresses have for long made us believe in the power of love. Sure they’re stars, matinee idols and celebrities. But in that one moment onscreen, when they let go of all inhibitions to convey simple lines about passion and desire, they become legends. Their flawless chemistry, their sizzling compatibility and their striking good looks create the myth, the hope and the faith. Filmfare brings you the most iconic romantic pairings. Step aside Romeo & Juliet, Heer & Ranjha, these are the greatest lovers of all time.

Idols of love
Shah Rukh Khan & Kajol
Just one film is enough to sum up the contribution of Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol to the history of romance in Indian films. You could say Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and a multitude of generations would nod in affirmation of the legend. But fact is, their pairing was the romantic dynamite of the ’90s. It was with them that the term jodi found its meaning in the annals of cinema. Movies like  Baazigar, Karan Arjun, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and of course DDLJ define the very meaning of love for generations of Indian youth. Even when they came together for My Name Is Khan, fans didn’t care for the cinema. They were happy reveling in the fact that showbiz’s most popular jodi was back.

Memorable movies:
Baazigar
Karan Arjun
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham
My Name Is Khan

Singing in the rain
Raj Kapoor & Nargis
There are many epithets that can describe the greatness of Raj Kapoor’s and Nargis’ romantic pairing. But most importantly they were Hindi cinema’s first superstar jodi. Rumours of their off-screen romance fuelled their onscreen chemistry. Theirs was the text-book romance, full of naivety and passion. Of the dozen odd romantic hits they gave together Shree 420 and the song Pyar hua ikrar hua... remains the anthem of their unforgettable magic.

Memorable movies:
Shree 420
Awara
Andaz
Aag
Aah
Barsaat

Tragic overtures
Dilip Kumar & Madhubala

He was the King of tragedy and she the Queen of hearts. It was a classic case of opposites attract. Whenever Dilip Kumar and Madhubala came together, the romance was ethereal. Their very public affair automatically added more steam to their reputation as a romantic couple. Despite having separated during the making of the film, their flawless chemistry made Mughal-E-Azam an eternal classic.


Memorable movies:
Tarana
Sangdil
Mughal-E-Azam
Amar

Popular love
Amitabh Bachchan & Rekha
Sometimes legends transcend the silver screen and make real life seem just as mythical. This was the case with Amitabh Bachchan’s and Rekha’s onscreen pairing. The most popular couple of the ’80s, their track record of hits and classic romantic sagas is paramount. He was a singular matinee force and she was considered his only match. It was only natural that they would come together to create the kind of hysteria they did. The list of Amitabh-Rekha hits is long and illustrious. Even more appealing are the countless romantic songs featured in them. With such phenomenal depth of emotions and intensity... it was understandable that reel blurred in to real.

Memorable movies:
Mr Natwarlal
Muqaddar Ka Siqandar
Do Anjaane
Silsila
Ram Balram
Suhaag

Love hurts
Guru Dutt and Waheeda Rehman
Passion and heartbreak are integral virtues of love. And Hindi audiences can thank Guru Dutt and Waheeda Rehman for adding the necessary pathos to the legends of love. The tragic air of their alleged real-life romance reflected in their onscreen pairing as well. Movies like Pyaasa,  Kagaz Ke Phool became the canvas of longing and separation.

Memorable movies:
Kagaz Ke Phool
Pyaasa
Chaudhvin Ka Chand
Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam
12 ‘O’ Clock

Romance can be fun
Dev Anand & Nutan
Eons before romcom became a part of popular lingo, Dev Anand and Nutan cajoled the audiences with their own versions of romantic comedies. Paying Guest from 1957 and Tere Ghar Ke Samne from 1963 were the perfect balance of love and leisure. In between they even did some textbook romance in Manzil and Baarish. The evergreen hit Chhod do aanchal from Paying Guest is the perfect summing up of the zest between Nutan and Dev Anand.


Memorable movies:
Paying Guest
Manzil
Baarish
Tere Ghar Ke Samne

Beauty and the best
Dharmendra & Hema Malini
Sparks are bound to fly when the most handsome man in the country meets the most beautiful woman. The Hema Malini and Dharmendra romance was one rare piece of Indian cinema that broke the barriers of fiction and transcended to real life. Their romance was fun, energetic and it helped that it put even the Western charm of Hollywood to shame.

Memorable movies:
Sholay
Dream Girl
Raja Jani
Seeta Aur Geeta
Razia Sultan
Aas Paas

Young love
Rishi Kapoor & Neetu Singh
Back in the day, Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh symbolised what their son Ranbir Kapoor now stands for the youth. They were the red hot, young couple of the ’70s. Their pairing clicked in Zahreela Insaan and Zinda Dil only to become a casting coup in movies like Kabhi Kabhie, Khel Khel Mein and Amar Akbar Anthony. The two have revisited cinema with Do Dooni Chaar and Besharam in recent times.

Memorable movies:
Rafoo Chakkar
Khel Khel Mein
Doosra Aadmi
Kabhi Kabhie
Amar Akbar Anthony
Jhoota Kahin Ka

Rare rapture
Salman Khan & Madhuri Dixit
Even though Salman Khan and Madhuri Dixit worked in the industry for over a decade they only came together on four occasions. Of which Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! created the most frenzy. It continues to be a landmark movie in family entertainment and box-office collections. Whether in HAHK or Saajan, their romance was a frothy mix of fun and sacrifice. The other two forgettable movies they did together were Dil Tera Aashiq and Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam.

Memorable movies:
Saajan
Hum Aapke Hain Koun...!

Lovers, pots and pans
Jeetendra and Sridevi
Before Jeetendra, Sridevi and Himmatwala romance did not include pots, pans and pelvic thrusts. The latter may have been noticed on occasions, but definitely not household items. But their vivid and rambunctious love songs changed the face of romance in the ’80s. Jeetendra and Sridevi went on to do a plethora of South inspired romances, every one of which ran to packed houses.

Memorable movies:
Himmatwala
Tohfa
Justice Chowdhary
Mawali

Real to reel
Amitabh Bachchan & Jaya Bhaduri
In an age of over played theatrics and dancing around trees, Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bhaduri (now Bachchan) gave a whole new flavour to movie romance. Like their real-life love story, their portrayal of love on screen was subtle and touching. Whether it was the soul-stirring Abhimaan, the distanct admiration in Sholay or the moderate fluff from Zanjeer, it was always perfect.

Memorable movies:
Mili
Zanjeer
Abhimaan
Chupke Chupke
Sholay
Silsila

Less is more
Shammi Kapoor & Sharmila Tagore

Even though minimalism is more suited to design, it finds a rare and unique place in describing the pair of Shammi Kapoor and Sharmila Tagore. The two worked together in just two films but both turned out to be timeless. A young Shammi serenading the coy Sharmila in Kashmir Ki Kali in Yeh chaand sa roshan chehra is now an everlasting memory. Likewise the Western European style and glitz of An Evening In Paris.

Memorable movies:
Kashmir Ki Kali
An Evening In Paris

Hit by love
Anil Kapoor & Mudhuri Dixit
Between 1988 and 2001 Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit featured in more than 15 films of which at least a dozen turned out to be box-office bonanzas. It was a match made in producer heaven. Even though the first extempore success happened with Tezaab, they’d worked together before in a less known movie called Hifazat (1987). Not just mega hits, the two have some outstanding romantic tracks together too.

Memorable movies:
Tezaab
Ram Lakhan
Parinda
Kishen Kanhaiya
Beta

Greek god romance
Hrithik Roshan – Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
The coming together of Hrithik Roshan and Aishwaya Rai Bachchan is the Indian equivalent of the good-looking Greek gods Ares and Aphrodite caught in an amorous mood. Put together they have to be the best looking couple in the world! And their sizzling chemistry has got the job done on several occasions. Dhoom 2 and Jodhaa Akbar are classic examples.

Memorable movies:
Dhoom 2
Jodhaa Akbar
Guzaarish

Born to love
Rajesh Khanna & Mumtaz
Snow mountains, picturesque valleys and the priceless melody that continues to regale us to date. Gore rang pe from Roti is the unforgettable romantic moment between Rajesh Khanna and Mumtaz. But that wasn’t the only time this good-looking pair hit gold at the movies. Much before they’d created magic with hits like Do Raaste, Sachcha Jhutha and Aap Ki Kasam.

Memorable movies:
Do Raaste
Sachcha Jhutha
Aap Ki Kasam
Roti

Variety in love
Dev Anand & Waheeda Rehman
The first time Dev Anand and Waheeda Rehman worked together, she wasn’t even his heroine. That was CID. But they did work together again in incredible movies like Kala Bazaar, Prem Pujari, Solva Saal and the off-kilter Baat Ek Raat Ki. But above everything else their mature love saga from Guide will continue to haunt movie goers for centuries. Two brilliant actors showed matinee fans more than 50 shades of love.

Memorable movies:
Solva Saal
Kala Bazaar
Baat Ek Raat Ki
Guide
Prem Pujari

Love and change
Dilip Kumar and Vyjayanthimala
How many times have we seen love intertwined with a social cause? It’s a lost art because the last of it was seen in movies of Dilip Kumar and Vyjayanthimala. Their romance was innocent and yet remarkably passionate. And they never deviated from the moral code. Classics like Naya Daur, Madhumati, Ganga Jumna, Leader and Sunghursh were made from this mettle. The only exception was the eternal romance of Devdas.

Memorable movies:
Devdas
Naya Daur
Leader
Ganga Jumna
Madhumati

Smokin’ aces
Aamir Khan & Juhi Chawla
At one point Aamir Khan and Juhi Chawla were the ace couple in Hindi movies. They were best friends off it and their rapport translated into some magical moments. Movies like Love Love Love, Tum Mere Ho, Hum Hai Rahi Pyaar Ke and Ishq are considered entertainers for a good reason. Their introduction to the marquee Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak is timeless.

Memorable movies:
Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak
Love Love Love
Hum Hai Rahi Pyar Ke
Ishq