To celebrate Indian cinema's 100th birthday, we asked you to choose your favourite on-screen couple. Ahead, some expected names and some surprising picks.
To celebrate Indian cinema's 100th birthday, we asked you to choose your favourite on-screen couple. Ahead, some expected names and some surprising picks.
Amitabh Bachchan-Rekha: Their alleged off-screen romance notwithstanding, Rekha and Amitabh Bachchan's celluloid chemistry was nothing short of explosive. They first appeared together in 1976's Do Anjaane and ended with 1981's Silsila. In between, they also appeared together in Muqqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978), Imaan Dharam (1977), Mr Natwarlal (1979), Khoon Pasina (1977), Ganga Ki Saugandh (1978), Ram Balraam (1980) and Suhaag (1979).
Silsila mirrored the alleged love triangle of Amitabh-Jaya-Rekha on celluloid and was considered a casting coup of sorts on the part of director Yash Chopra. The chemistry between Amitabh and Rekha as the star crossed lovers was nothing short of nuclear, and the movie was a blockbuster hit. Sadly for a generation of Amitabh-Rekha fans, it was their last movie together.
Shah Rukh Khan-Kajol: They first appeared together in Baazigar (1993) but it was 1995's Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge that melted screens. SRK and Kajol shared chemistry that was cemented in later films like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) and was still very much in evidence in My Name Is Khan (2010).
Dilip Kumar-Madhubala: One of Indian cinema's most romantic jodis notwithstanding the fact that they appeared in only three films together - Jwar Bhata (1944), Tarana (1951) and Mughal-e-Azam (1960), in which Dilip Kumar played Prince Salim and Madhubala the courtesan he falls in love with.
The doomed Dilip Kumar-Madhubala love story has been the subject of much speculation and legend has it, Madhubala's formidable father Ataullah Khan's opposition ultimately tore the couple apart.
Dharmendra-Hema Malini: The Dream Girl was much sought after on screen and off it. Some of her best work, and most beloved movie moments, were shared with future husband Garam Dharam in hit films like Jugnu (1973), Dream Girl (1977), Seeta Aur Geeta (1972) and the immortal Sholay (1975).
Uttam Kumar-Suchitra Sen: Bengali cinema's golden couple weaved magic on-screen. A film starring Uttam and Suchitra was guaranteed to be a hit. The legendary stars made film history with some of their immensely popular hits such as Sharey Chuattor (1953), Saptapadi (1961), Harano Sur (1957), Sagarika (1956) and Chaaowa Pawoa (1959).
Guru Dutt-Waheeda Rahman: Stars of a series of masterpieces ranging from Pyaasa (1957), Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959), Chaudhvi Ka Chand (1960) and Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962), Guru Dutt's poetic appeal was matched by Waheeda's luminous beauty. They parted on-screen and off it after Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam.
Salman Khan-Madhuri Dixit: The on-screen jodi's most memorable hit remains Hum Aapke Hain Kaun (1994). They also worked together in Saajan (1991), Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam (2002) and Dil Tera Aashiq (1993).
Rajinikanth-Sridevi: Sridevi was all of 13 when she played the lead in Moondru Mudichu (1976), as the object of both Rajinikanth's and Kamal Haasan's affections. Rajinikanth and she then worked together in a number of Tamil superhits. In Hindi cinema, their 1986 film Bhagwan Dada was a box-office hit. Then came the blockbuster movie Chaalbaaz in 1989, with Sridevi playing twin heroines separated at birth. Rajinikanth, playing smart-aleck taxi driver Jaggu, was the love interest for the quiet twin Anju.
Jeetendra-Sridevi: Sridevi and Jeetendra created box office success with many super duper hits to their credit such as Himmatwala (1983), Tohfa (9184), Mawaali (1983) and Aulad (1987) to name a few. The pair became a favourite of the masses and through the Eighties, Jeetendra was frequently paired with Sridevi in remakes of South Indian movies.
Sridevi-Kamal Haasan: Kamal Haasan and Sridevi were a successful pair through the Seventies. The duo's first project together was the less-known film Kuttavum Sikshayum (1977). The pair continued to work together in films like Thaayillamal Naan Illai (1979), Guru, Neela Malargal, Kalyanaraman and Varumayin Niram Sigappu, all in 1980. The 1983 film Sadma was one of their biggest hits together.
Dilip Kumar-Saira Banu: This real life couple starred in superhit films such as Gopi (1970), Sagina (1974) and Bairaag (1976) and their real life love story is the stuff of Bollywood legend. Their courtship began on set and finally, in 1966, the 22 year-old Saira Banu married the 44-year Dilip Kumar with whom she had fallen in love at the age of 12.
Amitabh Bachchan-Raakhee: The poetic Kabhie Kabhie (1976) was the first of Raakhee's films with Amitabh Bachchan. They also starred together in Kasme Vaade (1978), Trishul (1978), Kaala Patthar (1979), Barsaat Ki Ek Raat (1981) and Bemisaal (1982). Raakhee also played Amitabh's mother in Lawaaris (1981) and Shakti (1982).
Amitabh Bachchan-Shashi Kapoor: Bollywood has a long tradition of bromance, exemplified by Amitabh Bachchan and Shashi Kapoor who acted in 11 films altogether. Their on-screen combine created box office magic in films like Roti Kapda Makaan (1974), Deewaar (1975), Kabhi Kabhie (1976), Trishul (1978), Kaala Patthar (1979), Suhaag (1979), Shaan (1980) and Namak Halaal. (1982)
Chiranjeevi-Radhika: Telugu stars Chiranjeevi and Radhika Sarath Kumar acted in a number of superhit films in the Eighties such as Nyayam Kavali (1981), Gudachari No.1 (1983), Abhilasha Raja (1983) and Vikramarka Kirayi Rowdylu (1981). Their pairing went down very well with the audience and the two also had an alleged off-screen romance at one point in time.
Sridevi-Anil Kapoor: Shekhar Kapur's blockbuster movie Mr India (1987) made Anil Kapoor and Sridevi one of the most wanted on-screen couples of the late ‘80s. Who can forget Anil romancing Sridevi in a blue chiffon sari in the song Kaate Nahin Kat Te from the movie? Sridevi was again cast opposite Anil Kapoor in Lamhe (1991), Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja (1993), Judaai (1996) and Laadla (1993).
Sridevi-Mithun Chakravarthy: Sridevi acted in Jaag Utha Insaan (1984), opposite Mithun Chakravarty after which they reportedly embarked on an affair, and even married secretly, according to filmy gossip. The union was shortlived, ending when Sridevi discovered her “husband” was still married to actress Yogeeta Bali. Their Hindi movies included Guru (1989), Waqt Ki Aawaz (1988) and Watan Ke Rakhwale (1987).
Sridevi Jaya Pradha: Sridevi and Jaya Pradha worked together in movies such as Tohfa (1984) or Maqsad (1984). They reportedly did not get along too well in real life at one point in time but their films reflected none of their cold war and viewers looked forward to their pairing on-screen.
Dhanush-Nayanthara: Tamil stars Dhanush and Nayanthara have only worked in two films together, Yaaradi Nee Mohini (2008) and more recently Ethir Neechal (2013). Yet the duo figured in our surfers choice list for their sizzling on screen chemistry. Nayanthara, who is good friends with Dhanush, is doing an item number for the Kolaveri Di sensation in the upcoming film Ethir Neechal which is sure to set the box office soaring.
Mohanlal-Shobhana: The Malayali hit pair of Mohanlal and Shobhana starred in a number of romantic movies in the Eighties and Nineties such as Nadodikkattu (1987), Minnaram (1994), Manichithrathazhu (1993), T.P. Balagopalan M.A (1986), Pavithram (1994) and Pakshe (1994).
Vijay-Asin: Tamil stars Asin and Vijay appeared together in a number of Kollywood entertainers such as Pokkiri (2007), Sivakasi (2005) and Kaavalan (2011). After Asin ventured into Bollywood, she made just one film with Vijay in between. However, in what is good news for their fans, this hit jodi is rumoured to have signed another film together. We hope to see more of this pair in the near future.
Sanjay Dutt-Arshad Warsi: An unlikely but superhit twosome was created with the adorable Munnabhai and his well-meaning accomplice Arshad Warsi's escapades in the films Munnabhai MBBS (2003) and Lage Raho Munnabhai (2006).
John Abraham-Abhishek Bachchan: John and Abhishek's Dostana (2008) won the hearts of the audience with their roles as two friends who fall in love with the same girl in the hit film of the same name. In 2004, they starred in Dhoom, with Abhishek playing a cop hot on the trail of John playing a bike-riding bank robber.
