The 1990’s changed the way Hindi films are made today. Family dramas with extravagant sets and wedding scenes and songs, came into the fore. The Khan brigade were the most successful actors while Madhuri Dixit was the numero uno actress for most of the decade.
The list compiled is my personal opinion.
1.Ghayal (1990) : Dharmendra’s home production is amongst the most critically acclaimed films of the 1990’s, Ghayal gave a major boost to the careers of Sunny Deol and Rajkumar Santoshi. Rajkumar Santoshi’s directorial debut captured the imagination of movie goers with its gun-totting, muscle-flexing protagonist who dares to fight (and vanquish) a criminal (Amrish Puri) hiding behind a mask of respectability. Ghayal won the best film, director and actor award in the year 1990. Sunny Deol won a special jury award for his performance and Ghayal was adjudged the best film at the National awards.
2.Satya (1998) : Ramgopal Varma’s ’Satya’ is the best film on the underworld in Hindi cinema. The scenes are tightly knit and well thought out, while the characters are real and believable. Satya proves that brilliance, without morals and ethics, is quite literally a deadly weapon. Manoj Bajpai will always be remembered as ’Bhiku Mhatre’ just as Amjad Khan is remembered as ’Gabbar Singh’.
Manoj Bajpai won the best supporting actor national award.
3.Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) : Yashraj films’ DDLJ was a trendsetter. A heady cocktail of European locations, flashy cars, gorgeous mansions and the hearty, rustic traditions of Punjab. DDLJ has spawned numerous imitations and epitomizes popular Indian cinema today. A wholesome family entertainer, it won the national award for best film and a big bunch of popular awards.
4.Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (1992) : This was a one in a million film. A beautiful film about innocence, teenage crushes, inter school rivalry, and finally responsibility. The best part is that the hero Sanju (Aamir Khan) hardly does anything heroic in the film. A very likeable film with the song that defines the 90’s ’Pehla Nasha’. It won the best film and director awards.
5.Hum Aapke Hain Koun...! (1994) : Described by it’s makers (Barjatya’s) as a tribute to all the families of the world, HAHK is a celebration of Indian traditions. It is the highest grossing Hindi film of all time & has registered the highest sales in Indian music industry. A trendsetter film that opened the NRI market for bollywood films. It won the best film, director and actress awards and the best film national award.
Apart from these five films, a few others deserve a mention.
Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999)
Sarfarosh (1999)
Andaz Apna Apna (1994)
Lamhe (1992)
Border (1997)