New Delhi: The legendary director and producer, Yash Raj Chopra is, to this day, considered to be one of the best filmmakers in Indian Cinema. Born on 27 September 1932, Yash Raj Chopra died on 21 October 2012. In honour of his 12th death anniversary, let’s take a look back at Yash Raj Chopra’s visionary direction that changed the trajectory of Bollywood forever.
From Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol’s Dilwale Dhulaniya Le Jayenge and Salam Namaste to Jab Tak Hai Jaan, here are 5 Yash Raj Chopra movies that all homeless romantics need to watch!
Yash Raj Chopra movies
While Yash Raj Chopra’s directorial debut was in 1959 with Dhool Ka Phool, the filmmaker did not work in the romance genre until the mish ’90s. One cannot speak about Yash Raj without mentioning his connection to Shah Rukh Khan. With over six movies in a decade, Yash Raj Chopra’s decision to cast Shah Rukh Khan in his movies had to be one of the best decisions for romance genre lovers.
Dilwale Dhulania Le Jayenge
Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol’s Dilwale Dhulania Le Jayenge, at the time of its release, became the highest-grossing movie of the year. Now, decades after its premiere, the movie has garnered a cult-classic reputation. From its iconic Kajol-SRK pairing to a catchy soundtrack and classic romance trope, DDLJ is a rom-com lover’s dream. If you are yet to watch DDLJ, you are missing out on one of the best romantic comedy films of all time. Seriously, DDLJ was one of the three Bollywood movies to be referenced in the book 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die. Also, the fact that it still is screened at Mumbai’s Maratha Mandir is a testament to its cult-classic following.
Veer-Zaara
Another Yash Chopra and Shah Rukh Khan collaboration, Veer-Zaara, is a romance drama film that is a must-watch for romance genre lovers. Starring Shah Rukh and Preity Zinta in lead roles, this film is the story of two star-crossed lovers – Veer Pratap Singh and Zaara Hayaat Khan. While Veer is an Indian Air Force officer, Zaara is the daughter of a Pakistani politician. A meet-cute that led to Veer’s false imprisonment for 22 years, this film is utterly heartbreaking. From an incredibly emotional soundtrack to SRK and Preity’s phenomenal on-screen chemistry, Veer-Zaara is a Yash Chopra movie you need to watch.
Salaam Namaste
Salaam Namaste is a 2005 romantic comedy starring Saif Ali Khan and Preity Zinta. Telling the story of Nick and Ambar, the plot follows their lives after moving away from India and settling in Australia. The movie shows Nick and Ambar’s one year together, in which they fall in love, move in together, and break up after Ambar’s unexpected pregnancy. If you’re looking for a quirky rom-com that will make your heart melt and cry, Yash Chopra’s Salaam Namaste is just the movie for you!
Dil Toh Pagal Hai
With an iconic star cast including Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit, Karisma Kapoor, and Akshay Kumar, Dil Toh Pagal Hai is an iconic musical romance in Yash Chopra’s filmography. With widespread critical acclaim for its soundtrack, performance and cinematography, this movie is a Bollywood lover’s treat! il Toh Pagal Hai does the typical love triangle trope with an extreme delicacy that makes fans question – who should he really end up with. The plot of this popular movie follows two dancers, Nisha and Pooja who fall in love with Rahul, their choreographer. While Nisha and Rahul have been working in a dance troupe for years together, Pooja’s entry into their lives sparks a love triangle that the audience fell in love with.
Mohabbatein
Another musical romance drama, Mohabbatein, is a Yash Raj film starring Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai, Uday Chopra, Shamita Shetty, Jugal Hansraj, Kim Sharma, Jimmy Sheirgill, and Preeti Jhangiani. Set in a Gurukul, the story starts off with a rivalry between the principal Narayan, and Raj, a music teacher who fell in love with Megha, Narayan’s daughter. After her father’s opposition to their relationship, Megha takes her own life. Fast forward years later, Raj, who remains in the school, aids three students in their quest for love and rebels against Narayan’s intolerance towards love. This coming-of-age drama film is a must-watch!
Here you have it! Watch these classic Yash Raj Chopra romance movies and welcome a roller coaster of emotions. Feel all the butterflies and tears this weekend, happy streaming!
