Timeless songs, iconic dance moves and a collection of emotionally charged love stories— the ‘90s were truly a defining era for romantic Bollywood films. Young directors like Karan Johar and Aditya Chopra introduced a whole new wave of culture with their new-age films that brought dreamy international destinations, designer wear, and pop culture into the spotlight.
Filled with grand romantic gestures, memorable dialogues, dreamy locations, and classic songs, there’s nothing better than a good old romantic Bollywood movie from the ‘90s when you’re in the mood for well-rounded entertainment.
Whether you’re new to Bollywood or in a nostalgic mood to rewatch some timeless classics, here’s our pick of the 10 best romantic Bollywood movies from the 1990s and where you can stream them online.
Bollywood’s Love for Love Triangles
Love triangles were a common theme in ‘90s Bollywood films. They showcased the complexities of relationships and often reflected the conflict young Indians faced as they navigated love in a rapidly modernizing society.
Some of the most popular Bollywood movies with love triangles, like Rangeela, a movie about an aspiring actress caught in a love triangle between her childhood friend and a famous movie star; Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, a movie about a newly married woman torn between her loyalty towards her husband and her lingering love towards a passionate ex; and Dil To Pagal Hai, an upbeat musical romance where two dancers vie for the affections of their choreographer, were released in the nineties.
Family and Cultural Conflicts
During the ‘90s, Bollywood films with family and cultural conflicts resonated strongly with a generation struggling to balance the traditional expectations from their families while embracing the new modern values that came with India’s liberalization. Movies like Hum Saath Saath Hain, Raja Hindustani, and Hum Aapke Hain Koun challenged cultural norms like living in a joint family, the concept of arranged marriage, and the idea that marriage can only exist within the same societal class. These films are famous not only for their deep and timeless love stories but also for questioning age-old norms and seeing them through the eyes of the younger generation.
Unconventional Love Stories
In between all the songs, mushy romance, and dance, Bollywood movies from the ‘90s also had a unique way of getting serious messages across. Movies like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai stood out for normalizing the concept of remarriage by showing it through the innocent lens of a child’s eye trying to reunite her father with his former female best friend after losing her mother. Yash Chopra’s iconic film, Lamhe, pushed the envelope by bringing a love story between a young girl and a guy old enough to be her father into the spotlight of mainstream cinema.
The #1 Romantic Bollywood Movie from the ‘90s: Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge
You can’t talk about nineties Bollywood without mentioning Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. Marking Aditya Chopra’s debut film as a director, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ), tells the story of Simran, a small-town girl from Punjab who falls in love with Raj, a modern boy she meets while on her bachelorette trip in Switzerland. The movie focuses on the trials and tribulations that stand in the way of their love as Simran’s family pressurizes her to live up to the promise of marrying a boy she barely knows.
Whether it's the dreamy backdrop of Switzerland, the iconic pairing of Kajol and Shah Rukh Khan, or the catchy songs, DDLJ has transcended from being a movie to becoming a cultural phenomenon. Considered one of the most influential movies of its time, the film ran in Mumbai’s Maratha Mandir theater for 27 years, continuing to attract viewers for more than two decades following its initial release. The film also inspired the production of a Broadway musical titled Come Fall In Love in 2022.
It’s #1 on our list as it combines everything from mushy romance and dreamy locations to compelling family dynamics and an unforgettable soundtrack, making it a memorable watch every single time.
Curious to know more about the other 10 best romantic Bollywood movies from the nineties? Check out the full list below:
