Bollywood has essentially been a love story-oriented industry. Most of the films produced here have a hero and a heroine in love with each other. Over the past so many decades, the Indian Film Industry has given us some fantastic pairs, who remain etched in the memory of millions of Indians as the perfect couple on screen. I say on screen, as my extensive marital experience has taught me that there is no off screen perfect couple. Heh heh!
So here are my own personal favourite top ten Bollywood pairs.
THE BYGONE ERA
RAJ KAPOOR-NARGIS(The tramp and the princess)
Though I hated Raj Kapoor’s acting, and I hated Nargis too.....still, the conviction with which these two acted on screen was simply mind blowing. I always thought that this was the most graceful couple in the history of Bollywood. You couldn’t help admiring their natural ability of acting like a real couple, fighting their day to day life problems, together! Memorable films include Awara, Shri 420, Barsaat and Chori chori.
KISHORE KUMAR-MADHUBALA(Innocent heart and innocent beauty)
One was a happy-go-lucky prankster, and the other was the most ethereal beauty to have graced the film industry. Together, they were a couple cinegoers loved to love! It was indeed sad that in real life, Kishore was subjected to the trauma of seeing his Madhubala die minute by minute for nine long years. Memorable films include Chalti ka naam gaadi and Half Ticket.
DILIP KUMAR-MADHUBALA(The romantic and the romance)
This time paired with Dilip Kumar, Madhubala set the screen on fire. The chemistry between them was simply fantastic. Tragedy and Beauty indeed strike you. So did Dilipsahab and Madhubala! Memorable films include Mughal-e-azam, Tarana, Sangdil and Amar. Who can ever forget the romantics in the epic- Mughal-e-azam?
GURU DUTT-WAHEEDA REHMAN(The thinker and the thought)
I always liked this couple on screen. They both were natural actors, and complimented each other perfectly. It was sad that in real life, all things went wrong for them! Memorable films include Pyaasa, Kaagaz ke phool and Chaudhavi ka chaand.
THE MIDDLE AGES
RAJESH KHANNA-SHARMILA TAGORE(The chocolate hero and Dimples)
The very first image that strike the mind when I think of this couple is when Kishore sings in the entry of Rajesh Khanna comfortably seated in a jeep, playing romeo to a shy Sharmila in a train. What a pair! Truly, Indian audience has seen that golden era when every boy wanted a Sharmila and every girl wanted a Rajesh. Memorable films include Safar, Amar Prem and, of course, Aradhana.
SANJEEV KUMAR-JAYA BADHURI(The Mature Couple)
A couple, both of whom were highly accomplished actors in their own right. Highly mature acting was what won them the hearts of their audience. It was always difficult to judge who acted better. Memorable films include Koshish, Anamika, Naukar and Naya Din Nayi Raat.
DHARMENDRA-HEMA MALINI(The Macho man and the dream girl)
One was the handsome, typical Punjab-da-puttar, and the other was the dream girl of millions of Indians. Together, they were the star-pair. Memorable films include Dream Girl, Sholay, Raja jani, Jugnu, Alibaba aur 40 chor, Razia Sultan, Azaad and Charas.
RISHI KAPOOR-NEETU SINGH(The college boy and the college girl)
Truly, this couple marked the entry of a new generation. They did typical lovey-dovey films together, complete with wit, romance and foot tapping music. Memorable films include Khel Khel Mein and Rafoo Chakkar.
OUR GENERATION
ANIL KAPOOR-MADHURI DIXIT(The beauty and the beast)
I am sure that most of you will agree with me that this couple brought in the concept of violent love. They complimented each other perfectly. Memorable films include Tezaab, Ram Lakhan, Beta and Khel.
AAMIR KHAN-JUHI CHAWLA(The fun and the giggles)
This couple came with a bang with their first film together, and over the years, have succeeded in making a place for themselves, both, in Bollywood and in the audience’s heart. Memorable films include Qayamat se Qayamat tak, Ishq and Hum hain raahi pyaar ke.
IN CONCLUSION
I have completed ten pairs. But the truth is, many more pairs deserved a mention- like Amitabh Bachchan-Rekha, Amol Palekar-Vidya Sinha, Naseer-Shabana, Sachin-Sarika and many many more. I would also like to add the hit pair Shahrukh Khan-Kajol, though I know that many at MS will not agree with me. But a fact is a fact! This couple has indeed given the ailing Bollywood some life saving hits!
Thank you, Bollywood, for some beautiful romances.