5 Best Throwback Thursday Bollywood Movies

Every Thursday, Instagram, and Facebook are filled with lots of Throwback Thursday (#tbt) photos. In the same spirit, what’s better than tuning into some of the most beloved Bollywood films of the 90’s and early 2000’s?

Every Thursday, Instagram, and Facebook are filled with lots of Throwback Thursday (#TBT) photos. If you’re desi, you’ve probably posted your fair share of bowl haircuts and cute desi clothes as your #TBT. In the same spirit, what’s better—when you’re feeling nostalgic or homesick—than tuning into some of the most beloved Bollywood films of the 90s and early 2000s?

1. “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai”

Everyone’s first Bollywood crushes came from this 1998 Karan Johar’s film—and why not, when you have your pick between Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Rani Mukerji, and Kajol? This movie made everyone want letters from their mom, headbands, and to be sent to summer camp. Of course, we also all knew Rahul and Anjali’s special whistle-tune and handshake by heart!

2. “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham”

Better known as K3G, this film is another classic from director Karan Johar. Literally translated, the title means “sometimes happiness, sometimes sadness,” which doesn’t do nearly enough justice to the drama of this 210-minute film. K3G also boasted an all-star cast including Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, SRK, Kajol, Hrithik Roshan, Kareena Kapoor, and Rani Mukerji. SRK and Kajol reprised their character names from “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai,” playing Rahul and Anjali respectively.

3. “Dil Chahta Hai”

This 2001 film marked Farhan Akhtar‘s directorial debut and was based on both Akhtar’s real life experiences, as well as Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing.” The movie also took an atypical approach to Bollywood romance by pairing an older Dimple Kapadia with the much younger Akshaye Khanna. Other highlights of the film included breathtaking cinematography—the road trip Sid, Sameer, and Akash take was breathtaking—as well as an instantly classic soundtrack, including the upbeat song above.

4. “Dil to Pagal Hai”

“The heart is crazy”—or so says the translated title of this Yash Chopra film. Madhuri Dixit, SRK, and Karisma Kapoor stole our hearts in a classic love triangle peppered with magical song numbers that have been played at every desi birthday party, graduation, and wedding, you’ve attended ever since.

SRK once again plays Rahul, while Kapoor takes on the popular name of Nisha and Dixit portrays Pooja. “Dil To Pagal Hai” also won numerous awards in India for nearly every category the year after it came out. And if it couldn’t get better for this wonderful #tbt movie, the soundtrack is full of songs sung by sisters Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle as well as 90s favorite, Udit Narayan.

5. “Hum Aapke Hain Koun”

Directed by Sooraj Barjatya, this 1994 film starring Salman and Dixit went on to become the highest grossing Bollywood film ever. The songs from this movie and cute wedding scenarios became real-life wedding musts; for example, the song “Joote De, Paise Lo” highlighted the playful concept of stealing the groom’s shoes and is often played during this wedding ritual. The other songs from this movie are equally phenomenal, and many are primarily sung by living legend Lata Mangeshkar.