There are many diverse languages, cultures, and traditions in India, but they all have a deep love of movies. With more than 1,000 films produced each year, Bollywood, the country's Hindi-language film industry, is one of the most productive in the world (more than twice as many as Hollywood). Is it the sweeping and distinctive nature of Bollywood films that makes them so popular?
There is a perception that all successful Bollywood films follow a formula, including romantic scenes, great music, and unbelievably attractive leading actors. Bollywood's secret is nothing more complicated than having a great time from beginning to end.
Regardless of which choice you make, you will be well rewarded for taking the time to watch these movies. The vibrant world of cinema has movies for everyone, regardless of their taste in romance, tragedy, or humour.
Here are our picks of twenty Bollywood films from the '70s:
Purab Aur Paschim (1970)
Purab Aur Paschim was directed by Manoj Kumar, who also starred in the lead role, and was produced by S. Krishnamurthy. It also stars Saira Banu, Ashok Kumar, Pran, and Prem Chopra. The movie was a patriotic drama that portrayed the cultural and ideological differences between the East and the West, and the clash of values that occurred as a result of the British Raj in India.
It revolves around Bharat, a young Indian who travels to London to study engineering. There, he meets the daughter of a British aristocrat, who introduces him to the Western way of life. However, Bharat remains attached to his Indian roots and values, and as he witnesses the decline of Indian culture in the face of British colonialism, he becomes determined to fight for the independence of his country.
The movie features several memorable songs, including Hai Preet Jahan Ki Reet Sada, and Dulhan Chali.
Hare Rama Hare Krishna was a social drama that dealt with issues of youth rebellion, drug abuse, and the generation gap. Directed and produced by Dev Anand, who also starred in the lead role. It also starred Mumtaz and Zeenat Aman.
The story of the movie revolves around a young girl named Jasbir, who is abandoned by her mother and sent to live with her hippie father in Kathmandu. There, she becomes involved in the hippie culture of drugs and free love. Prashant, her brother, travels to Kathmandu to bring her back to India and save her from the destructive lifestyle she has adopted.
The movie features several popular songs, including the iconic Dum Maro Dum, which became a cult classic and is still popular today.
Anand is co-written and directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, with dialogues written by Gulzar. It stars Rajesh Khanna in the lead role, with a supporting cast including Amitabh Bachchan, Sumita Sanyal, Ramesh Deo and Seema Deo.
The film was a poignant drama that dealt with the themes of life, death, and friendship. The film revolves around a terminally ill cancer patient named Anand, who is determined to live life to the fullest despite his illness. He meets his doctor, Dr. Bhaskar Banerjee, who is initially reluctant to befriend Anand, but eventually becomes his close friend. The film follows their relationship and Anand's journey toward his inevitable death.
Kati Patang is a classic film, directed by Shakti Samanta and starring Asha Parekh and Rajesh Khanna in the lead roles.
The story revolves around Madhu, an orphaned woman who runs away from her arranged marriage for her lover who turns out to be an infidel and meets up with her friend Poonam, a young widow with a child. On their journey, they meet with a train accident where Poonam dies. Madhu takes on her identity and raises the child as her own. On the way to Poonam’s in-law’s house, Madhu meets Kamal, a forest ranger, who turns out to be Madhu's intended groom. Kamal, who is still unaware of Madhu's true identity, falls in love with her as Poonam. As Madhu's past catches up with her, she faces challenges to keep her secret while protecting her new family.
The movie is known for its melodious music composed by R.D. Burman, with lyrics by Anand Bakshi. The songs Yeh Jo Mohabbat Hai, Pyar Deewana Hota Hai, and Yeh Shaam Mastani are still popular today.
Shor is a 1972 film directed by and starring Manoj Kumar, alongside Jaya Bachchan and Prem Nath in lead roles.
The story follows Shankar, who tragically loses his wife Geeta in an accident while she saves their son Deepak. The accident causes Deepak to lose his voice, and Shankar is determined to help his son regain it by raising money for his surgery. After facing numerous obstacles, Shankar successfully raises the money for the surgery, which is a success. However, tragedy strikes again when Shankar suffers a severe injury the day after the surgery, causing him to lose his hearing. Despite this setback, Shankar perseveres and continues to strive to connect with his son, who has regained his voice.
It explores themes of sacrifice, love, and the power of a parent's love to overcome adversity. The film is known for its emotional story and popular songs like Ek Pyar Ka Nagma Hai and Paani Re Paani.
Bobby is a musical romance, produced and directed by Raj Kapoor, and stars Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia in their debut role.
The film follows Raja, an 18-year-old son of a rich Hindu businessman, who falls in love with 16-year-old Bobby, a poor Catholic. They must protect their love while their family members strive to keep them apart.
The film's soundtrack, composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal, with lyrics by Anand Bakshi, was a huge hit and included memorable songs such as Hum Tum Ek Kamre Mein Band Ho, Jhoot Bole Kauva Kate, Main Shayar To Nahin and more.
Daag: A Poem of Love is a 1973 romantic drama directed and produced by Yash Chopra, and it marked the debut of his production company Yash Raj Films. It features Rajesh Khanna, Sharmila Tagore, Rakhee Gulzar, Madan Puri, Kader Khan, Prem Chopra, and A.K. Hangal.
The film tells the story of a man who is forced to leave his wife and child after being falsely accused of a crime, and his journey to reclaim his life and identity. The film explores themes of love, sacrifice, and redemption, as Sunil tries to make amends for his past mistakes and reunite with Sonia.
The film's music, created by Laxmikant-Pyarelal with lyrics by Sahir Ludhianvi, was also successful, with tracks like Mere Dil Mein Aaj Kya Hai and Ab Chahe Ma Roothe Ya Baba.
Abhimaan is a musical drama directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee and produced by Susheela Kamat and Pawan Kumar. The film starred Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, and Bindu in the lead roles.
The film tells the story of a talented singer, Subir, who falls in love with a simple girl named Uma. Subir discovers Uma's singing talent and helps her become a successful singer. However, as Uma's career takes off, she becomes more successful than Subir, and he becomes jealous of her success. This leads to conflicts in their personal and professional lives, and their marriage starts to fall apart.
The film is known for its soulful music, composed by S.D. Burman, with lyrics written by Majrooh Sultanpuri. Some of the popular songs from the film include Teri Bindiya Re, Tere Mere Milan Ki Yeh Raina and Piya Bina Piya Bina.
Yaadon Ki Baaraat is a film directed by Nasir Hussain and produced by Nasir Hussain Films. It starred Dharmendra, Zeenat Aman, Vijay Arora, Tariq Khan, and Neetu Singh in the lead roles.
It revolves around three brothers who are separated after their parents are killed by a criminal, and are reunited years later when they hear a song that their mother used to sing. The song becomes a symbol of their family and their shared past, and it leads them to uncover the truth about their parents' death and seek revenge against the gangster responsible. Along the way, they also discover love and form close bonds with each other.
The film is known for its music, composed by R.D. Burman, with lyrics by Majrooh Sultanpuri. Its soundtrack included popular songs such as Chura Liya Hai Tumne, Lekar Hum Deewana Dil, Meri Soni Meri Tamanna, and the title track Yaadon Ki Baaraat Nikli Hai.
Dost is a 1974 drama, directed by Dulal Guha and produced by Mohan Kumar. The film features Dharmendra, Shatrughan Sinha, and Hema Malini in lead roles.
It follows the story of Maanav, an orphan who returns to his hometown and discovers that his mentor, a Catholic Priest, has died. On his journey to Bombay, Maanav befriends Gopichand, a thief who is estranged from his wife and son. Despite their differences, they form a close bond. Gopichand eventually decides to change his ways and start an honest life, but his past catches up with him when he antagonises his former crime boss, Monto Sardar, who chops off his right hand. Maanav gets him a job with Hercules Milk Foods and falls in love with the owner's daughter, Kaajal Gupta. However, her father is opposed to their relationship and wants her to marry someone else. Maanav disappears from Gopichand and Kaajal's lives, only to return later when his friend is arrested for marketing contaminated milk powder that resulted in the deaths of hundreds of children. Maanav tries to make sense of why Gopichand committed this crime and helps him to redeem himself.
Roti Kapda Aur Makaan (1974)
Roti Kapda aur Makaan is a social action drama, written, directed, and produced by Manoj Kumar. It starred an ensemble cast including Manoj Kumar, Zeenat Aman, Shashi Kapoor, Moushumi Chatterjee and Amitabh Bachchan.
The film reflects the struggles of the lower-income class and their fight for basic necessities like food, clothing, and shelter. It highlights the stark contrast between the lives of the rich and the poor and the hardships that the working class faces. It depicts the corruption and greed of politicians and the lack of empathy shown towards the underprivileged. The film also portrays the power of unity and the importance of standing together in the face of adversity.
It has several iconic songs, including Main Na Bhoolunga and Mehangai Maar Gayi.
Chupke Chupke is a timeless classic comedy film, directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee. It stars Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Sharmila Tagore, Jaya Bachchan, Om Prakash, Usha Kiran, David Abraham Cheulkar, Asrani and Keshto Mukherjee.
The film tells the story of a newlywed husband who pretends to be a driver to play a prank on his wife's scholarly brother-in-law. The plot revolves around the comic situations that arise as a result of this deception and the attempts of the characters to maintain their charade.
Sholay is a cult classic of Bollywood for all the right reasons, the film has it all– spectacular fight scenes, a bromance, humour, catchy music, unexpected plot twists, exciting dance sequences, and brilliant acting.
It revolves around two criminals, Jai and Veeru who are hired by a retired police officer Thakur Baldev Singh to capture the ruthless dacoit Gabbar Singh.
The film stars Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjeev Kumar, Amjad Khan, Hema Malini and Jaya Bachchan. It is directed by Ramesh Sippy, produced by G. P. Sippy, and written by the duo Salim–Javed (Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar).
Deewar is a critically acclaimed film, directed by Yash Chopra and written by Salim-Javed. It starred Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor, Parveen Babi, and Neetu Singh in lead roles.
The film's storyline revolved around two brothers, Vijay and Ravi, who take different paths in life due to their different beliefs and values. Vijay, the elder brother, becomes a smuggler and criminal to provide for his family after their father abandons them. Meanwhile, Ravi becomes a police officer and lives a righteous life. The conflict between the brothers reaches its climax when Vijay is wanted by the law, and Ravi is assigned to catch him.
Chhoti Si Baat is a classic romantic comedy film directed by Basu Chatterjee. The film stars Amol Palekar, Vidya Sinha, and Ashok Kumar in lead roles.
The story revolves around a shy and unassuming young man named Arun, who falls in love with his office colleague Prabha. However, he is too hesitant to express his feelings to her, and a suave and confident colleague named Nagesh starts wooing her.
The film is known for its charming portrayal of urban middle-class life in Mumbai and for its realistic and relatable characters. It features some memorable songs, including Jaaneman Jaaneman Tere Do Nayan.
Kabhi Kabhie is a romantic drama film, directed by Yash Chopra and starring an ensemble cast that includes Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor, Raakhee, Waheeda Rehman, Rishi Kapoor, and Neetu Singh.
The film's story is a complex and multi-layered love story spanning across generations and social classes. It revolves around Amit, a young poet who falls in love with Pooja, a beautiful young woman from a wealthy family. However, they are forced to part ways when Pooja's parents arrange for her to marry someone else. Amit later marries Anjali, but he still harbours feelings for Pooja. The film also follows the lives of their children and how their relationships interconnect.
The film's music was composed by Khayyam and its lyrics were written by Sahir Ludhianvi. A number of memorable songs were featured on the soundtrack, including Kabhi Kabhie Mere Dil Mein, Main Pal Do Pal Ka Shayar Hoon, and Tere Chehre Se Nazar Nahin.
Amar Akbar Anthony is a cult classic action-comedy film, directed by Manmohan Desai and starring an ensemble cast that includes Amitabh Bachchan, Vinod Khanna, and Rishi Kapoor in the lead roles.
The film tells the story of three brothers who are separated in childhood and raised in different faiths – one is raised as a Hindu, one as a Muslim, and one as a Christian. They are reunited as adults and must work together to defeat a common enemy and reunite with their long-lost mother.
The soundtrack, composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal, features some of the most iconic songs in Hindi cinema, such as Humko Tumse Ho Gaya Hai Pyar and Parda Hai Parda.
Don (1978)
Don is an iconic action-thriller film, directed by Chandra Barot and starring Amitabh Bachchan in a dual role, alongside Zeenat Aman, Pran, and Iftekhar.
The film tells the story of Don, a ruthless criminal mastermind who is believed to be dead but is actually alive and hiding in plain sight. When Don's look-alike Vijay is caught by the police, he is forced to impersonate Don to bring down his criminal empire.
The soundtrack, composed by Kalyanji-Anandji, features some of the most iconic songs in Hindi cinema, such as Khaike Paan Banaras Wala and Yeh Mera Dil.
Muqaddar Ka Sikandar is a drama film, directed by Prakash Mehra and starring Amitabh Bachchan in the lead role. It also features an all-star cast, including Vinod Khanna, Raakhee, Rekha, Ranjeet, and Amjad Khan in pivotal roles. The film tells the story of Sikandar, a poor orphan who grows up to become a successful and wealthy man, but still feels incomplete due to his unrequited love for a woman named Kaamna.
Gol Maal is a comedy film directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee and written by Rahi Masoom Raza and Sachin Bhowmick. It was produced by N. C. Sippy, with music by R. D. Burman. It stars an ensemble of cast such as Amol Palekar, Utpal Dutt, Bindiya Goswami, David, Deven Verma, Dina Pathak, Manju Singh, Shubha Khote and Yunus Parvez.
The main plot of the movie concerns a man who tells a simple lie to keep his job, but when his conventional boss becomes suspicious, he starts telling more bigger lies. The film is a cult classic and has been an inspiration for many Bollywood films such as David Dhawan's 2002 film Chor Machaaye Shor and the 2012 film Bol Bachchan, directed by Rohit Shetty.
See Also: The best Bollywood art films of the ’70s
There is a perception that all successful Bollywood films follow a formula, including romantic scenes, great music, and unbelievably attractive leading actors. Bollywood's secret is nothing more complicated than having a great time from beginning to end.
Regardless of which choice you make, you will be well rewarded for taking the time to watch these movies. The vibrant world of cinema has movies for everyone, regardless of their taste in romance, tragedy, or humour.
Here are our picks of twenty Bollywood films from the '70s:
Purab Aur Paschim (1970)
Purab Aur Paschim was directed by Manoj Kumar, who also starred in the lead role, and was produced by S. Krishnamurthy. It also stars Saira Banu, Ashok Kumar, Pran, and Prem Chopra. The movie was a patriotic drama that portrayed the cultural and ideological differences between the East and the West, and the clash of values that occurred as a result of the British Raj in India.
It revolves around Bharat, a young Indian who travels to London to study engineering. There, he meets the daughter of a British aristocrat, who introduces him to the Western way of life. However, Bharat remains attached to his Indian roots and values, and as he witnesses the decline of Indian culture in the face of British colonialism, he becomes determined to fight for the independence of his country.
The movie features several memorable songs, including Hai Preet Jahan Ki Reet Sada, and Dulhan Chali.
Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1971)
Hare Rama Hare Krishna was a social drama that dealt with issues of youth rebellion, drug abuse, and the generation gap. Directed and produced by Dev Anand, who also starred in the lead role. It also starred Mumtaz and Zeenat Aman.
The story of the movie revolves around a young girl named Jasbir, who is abandoned by her mother and sent to live with her hippie father in Kathmandu. There, she becomes involved in the hippie culture of drugs and free love. Prashant, her brother, travels to Kathmandu to bring her back to India and save her from the destructive lifestyle she has adopted.
The movie features several popular songs, including the iconic Dum Maro Dum, which became a cult classic and is still popular today.
Anand (1971)
Anand is co-written and directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, with dialogues written by Gulzar. It stars Rajesh Khanna in the lead role, with a supporting cast including Amitabh Bachchan, Sumita Sanyal, Ramesh Deo and Seema Deo.
The film was a poignant drama that dealt with the themes of life, death, and friendship. The film revolves around a terminally ill cancer patient named Anand, who is determined to live life to the fullest despite his illness. He meets his doctor, Dr. Bhaskar Banerjee, who is initially reluctant to befriend Anand, but eventually becomes his close friend. The film follows their relationship and Anand's journey toward his inevitable death.
Kati Patang (1971)
Kati Patang is a classic film, directed by Shakti Samanta and starring Asha Parekh and Rajesh Khanna in the lead roles.
The story revolves around Madhu, an orphaned woman who runs away from her arranged marriage for her lover who turns out to be an infidel and meets up with her friend Poonam, a young widow with a child. On their journey, they meet with a train accident where Poonam dies. Madhu takes on her identity and raises the child as her own. On the way to Poonam’s in-law’s house, Madhu meets Kamal, a forest ranger, who turns out to be Madhu's intended groom. Kamal, who is still unaware of Madhu's true identity, falls in love with her as Poonam. As Madhu's past catches up with her, she faces challenges to keep her secret while protecting her new family.
The movie is known for its melodious music composed by R.D. Burman, with lyrics by Anand Bakshi. The songs Yeh Jo Mohabbat Hai, Pyar Deewana Hota Hai, and Yeh Shaam Mastani are still popular today.
Shor (1972)
Shor is a 1972 film directed by and starring Manoj Kumar, alongside Jaya Bachchan and Prem Nath in lead roles.
The story follows Shankar, who tragically loses his wife Geeta in an accident while she saves their son Deepak. The accident causes Deepak to lose his voice, and Shankar is determined to help his son regain it by raising money for his surgery. After facing numerous obstacles, Shankar successfully raises the money for the surgery, which is a success. However, tragedy strikes again when Shankar suffers a severe injury the day after the surgery, causing him to lose his hearing. Despite this setback, Shankar perseveres and continues to strive to connect with his son, who has regained his voice.
It explores themes of sacrifice, love, and the power of a parent's love to overcome adversity. The film is known for its emotional story and popular songs like Ek Pyar Ka Nagma Hai and Paani Re Paani.
Bobby (1973)
Bobby is a musical romance, produced and directed by Raj Kapoor, and stars Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia in their debut role.
The film follows Raja, an 18-year-old son of a rich Hindu businessman, who falls in love with 16-year-old Bobby, a poor Catholic. They must protect their love while their family members strive to keep them apart.
The film's soundtrack, composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal, with lyrics by Anand Bakshi, was a huge hit and included memorable songs such as Hum Tum Ek Kamre Mein Band Ho, Jhoot Bole Kauva Kate, Main Shayar To Nahin and more.
Daag: A Poem of Love (1973)
Daag: A Poem of Love is a 1973 romantic drama directed and produced by Yash Chopra, and it marked the debut of his production company Yash Raj Films. It features Rajesh Khanna, Sharmila Tagore, Rakhee Gulzar, Madan Puri, Kader Khan, Prem Chopra, and A.K. Hangal.
The film tells the story of a man who is forced to leave his wife and child after being falsely accused of a crime, and his journey to reclaim his life and identity. The film explores themes of love, sacrifice, and redemption, as Sunil tries to make amends for his past mistakes and reunite with Sonia.
The film's music, created by Laxmikant-Pyarelal with lyrics by Sahir Ludhianvi, was also successful, with tracks like Mere Dil Mein Aaj Kya Hai and Ab Chahe Ma Roothe Ya Baba.
Abhimaan (1973)
Abhimaan is a musical drama directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee and produced by Susheela Kamat and Pawan Kumar. The film starred Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, and Bindu in the lead roles.
The film tells the story of a talented singer, Subir, who falls in love with a simple girl named Uma. Subir discovers Uma's singing talent and helps her become a successful singer. However, as Uma's career takes off, she becomes more successful than Subir, and he becomes jealous of her success. This leads to conflicts in their personal and professional lives, and their marriage starts to fall apart.
The film is known for its soulful music, composed by S.D. Burman, with lyrics written by Majrooh Sultanpuri. Some of the popular songs from the film include Teri Bindiya Re, Tere Mere Milan Ki Yeh Raina and Piya Bina Piya Bina.
Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973)
Yaadon Ki Baaraat is a film directed by Nasir Hussain and produced by Nasir Hussain Films. It starred Dharmendra, Zeenat Aman, Vijay Arora, Tariq Khan, and Neetu Singh in the lead roles.
It revolves around three brothers who are separated after their parents are killed by a criminal, and are reunited years later when they hear a song that their mother used to sing. The song becomes a symbol of their family and their shared past, and it leads them to uncover the truth about their parents' death and seek revenge against the gangster responsible. Along the way, they also discover love and form close bonds with each other.
The film is known for its music, composed by R.D. Burman, with lyrics by Majrooh Sultanpuri. Its soundtrack included popular songs such as Chura Liya Hai Tumne, Lekar Hum Deewana Dil, Meri Soni Meri Tamanna, and the title track Yaadon Ki Baaraat Nikli Hai.
Dost (1974)
Dost is a 1974 drama, directed by Dulal Guha and produced by Mohan Kumar. The film features Dharmendra, Shatrughan Sinha, and Hema Malini in lead roles.
It follows the story of Maanav, an orphan who returns to his hometown and discovers that his mentor, a Catholic Priest, has died. On his journey to Bombay, Maanav befriends Gopichand, a thief who is estranged from his wife and son. Despite their differences, they form a close bond. Gopichand eventually decides to change his ways and start an honest life, but his past catches up with him when he antagonises his former crime boss, Monto Sardar, who chops off his right hand. Maanav gets him a job with Hercules Milk Foods and falls in love with the owner's daughter, Kaajal Gupta. However, her father is opposed to their relationship and wants her to marry someone else. Maanav disappears from Gopichand and Kaajal's lives, only to return later when his friend is arrested for marketing contaminated milk powder that resulted in the deaths of hundreds of children. Maanav tries to make sense of why Gopichand committed this crime and helps him to redeem himself.
Roti Kapda Aur Makaan (1974)
Roti Kapda aur Makaan is a social action drama, written, directed, and produced by Manoj Kumar. It starred an ensemble cast including Manoj Kumar, Zeenat Aman, Shashi Kapoor, Moushumi Chatterjee and Amitabh Bachchan.
The film reflects the struggles of the lower-income class and their fight for basic necessities like food, clothing, and shelter. It highlights the stark contrast between the lives of the rich and the poor and the hardships that the working class faces. It depicts the corruption and greed of politicians and the lack of empathy shown towards the underprivileged. The film also portrays the power of unity and the importance of standing together in the face of adversity.
It has several iconic songs, including Main Na Bhoolunga and Mehangai Maar Gayi.
Chupke Chupke (1975)
Chupke Chupke is a timeless classic comedy film, directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee. It stars Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Sharmila Tagore, Jaya Bachchan, Om Prakash, Usha Kiran, David Abraham Cheulkar, Asrani and Keshto Mukherjee.
The film tells the story of a newlywed husband who pretends to be a driver to play a prank on his wife's scholarly brother-in-law. The plot revolves around the comic situations that arise as a result of this deception and the attempts of the characters to maintain their charade.
Sholay (1975)
Sholay is a cult classic of Bollywood for all the right reasons, the film has it all– spectacular fight scenes, a bromance, humour, catchy music, unexpected plot twists, exciting dance sequences, and brilliant acting.
It revolves around two criminals, Jai and Veeru who are hired by a retired police officer Thakur Baldev Singh to capture the ruthless dacoit Gabbar Singh.
The film stars Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjeev Kumar, Amjad Khan, Hema Malini and Jaya Bachchan. It is directed by Ramesh Sippy, produced by G. P. Sippy, and written by the duo Salim–Javed (Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar).
Deewar (1975)
Deewar is a critically acclaimed film, directed by Yash Chopra and written by Salim-Javed. It starred Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor, Parveen Babi, and Neetu Singh in lead roles.
The film's storyline revolved around two brothers, Vijay and Ravi, who take different paths in life due to their different beliefs and values. Vijay, the elder brother, becomes a smuggler and criminal to provide for his family after their father abandons them. Meanwhile, Ravi becomes a police officer and lives a righteous life. The conflict between the brothers reaches its climax when Vijay is wanted by the law, and Ravi is assigned to catch him.
Chhoti Si Baat (1976)
Chhoti Si Baat is a classic romantic comedy film directed by Basu Chatterjee. The film stars Amol Palekar, Vidya Sinha, and Ashok Kumar in lead roles.
The story revolves around a shy and unassuming young man named Arun, who falls in love with his office colleague Prabha. However, he is too hesitant to express his feelings to her, and a suave and confident colleague named Nagesh starts wooing her.
The film is known for its charming portrayal of urban middle-class life in Mumbai and for its realistic and relatable characters. It features some memorable songs, including Jaaneman Jaaneman Tere Do Nayan.
Kabhi Kabhie (1976)
Kabhi Kabhie is a romantic drama film, directed by Yash Chopra and starring an ensemble cast that includes Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor, Raakhee, Waheeda Rehman, Rishi Kapoor, and Neetu Singh.
The film's story is a complex and multi-layered love story spanning across generations and social classes. It revolves around Amit, a young poet who falls in love with Pooja, a beautiful young woman from a wealthy family. However, they are forced to part ways when Pooja's parents arrange for her to marry someone else. Amit later marries Anjali, but he still harbours feelings for Pooja. The film also follows the lives of their children and how their relationships interconnect.
The film's music was composed by Khayyam and its lyrics were written by Sahir Ludhianvi. A number of memorable songs were featured on the soundtrack, including Kabhi Kabhie Mere Dil Mein, Main Pal Do Pal Ka Shayar Hoon, and Tere Chehre Se Nazar Nahin.
Amar Akbar Anthony (1977)
Amar Akbar Anthony is a cult classic action-comedy film, directed by Manmohan Desai and starring an ensemble cast that includes Amitabh Bachchan, Vinod Khanna, and Rishi Kapoor in the lead roles.
The film tells the story of three brothers who are separated in childhood and raised in different faiths – one is raised as a Hindu, one as a Muslim, and one as a Christian. They are reunited as adults and must work together to defeat a common enemy and reunite with their long-lost mother.
The soundtrack, composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal, features some of the most iconic songs in Hindi cinema, such as Humko Tumse Ho Gaya Hai Pyar and Parda Hai Parda.
Don (1978)
Don is an iconic action-thriller film, directed by Chandra Barot and starring Amitabh Bachchan in a dual role, alongside Zeenat Aman, Pran, and Iftekhar.
The film tells the story of Don, a ruthless criminal mastermind who is believed to be dead but is actually alive and hiding in plain sight. When Don's look-alike Vijay is caught by the police, he is forced to impersonate Don to bring down his criminal empire.
The soundtrack, composed by Kalyanji-Anandji, features some of the most iconic songs in Hindi cinema, such as Khaike Paan Banaras Wala and Yeh Mera Dil.
Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978)
Muqaddar Ka Sikandar is a drama film, directed by Prakash Mehra and starring Amitabh Bachchan in the lead role. It also features an all-star cast, including Vinod Khanna, Raakhee, Rekha, Ranjeet, and Amjad Khan in pivotal roles. The film tells the story of Sikandar, a poor orphan who grows up to become a successful and wealthy man, but still feels incomplete due to his unrequited love for a woman named Kaamna.
Gol Maal (1979)
Gol Maal is a comedy film directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee and written by Rahi Masoom Raza and Sachin Bhowmick. It was produced by N. C. Sippy, with music by R. D. Burman. It stars an ensemble of cast such as Amol Palekar, Utpal Dutt, Bindiya Goswami, David, Deven Verma, Dina Pathak, Manju Singh, Shubha Khote and Yunus Parvez.
The main plot of the movie concerns a man who tells a simple lie to keep his job, but when his conventional boss becomes suspicious, he starts telling more bigger lies. The film is a cult classic and has been an inspiration for many Bollywood films such as David Dhawan's 2002 film Chor Machaaye Shor and the 2012 film Bol Bachchan, directed by Rohit Shetty.
See Also: The best Bollywood art films of the ’70s
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