When we think of romcoms, Hollywood classics like When Harry Met Sally, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Pretty Woman, Notting Hill, and so on come to mind, but Bollywood does have some romcoms in its arsenal that are also amazing.
If you want a movie that’s a solid blend of romance and comedy, then you can check out any of these heart-warming romcoms that can be easily streamed on Amazon Prime.
My Top Picks of the 5 Best Bollywood Romcoms
1. Padosan (1968)
Plot Synopsis
Bhola, a shy musician, falls for his neighbour, Bindu. To win her heart, he enlists the help of his friends and vocal coach, Guru. Hilarity ensues as they navigate misunderstandings, rivalry with a suave suitor, and comedic antics in pursuit of love until Bindu finds out the truth about her lover.
- Director: Jyoti Swaroop
- Lead Cast: Sunil Dutt, Mehmood, Saira Banu, Kishore Kumar
- Music Composer: R. D. Burman
Why You Should Watch It
Not only does Padosan have great comedy, but its music also stands out. It is a timeless Bollywood gem that promises laughter, romance, and unforgettable musical performances. With its delightful storyline, endearing characters, and iconic songs like Ek Chatur Naar and Mere Samne Wali Khidki Mein, it’s a treat for all ages.
The film’s witty humour, brilliant performances by its stellar cast, and charmingly innocent romance make it a must-watch. Besides, the acting prowess of Saira Banu, Kishore Kumar, Mehmood, and Guru Dutt is simply outstanding!
Whether you’re a fan of classic Indian cinema or simply in search of pure entertainment, Padosan delivers on every front.
2. Andaz Apna Apna (1994)
Plot Synopsis
Andaz Apna Apna is a comedy that follows the hilarious misadventures of two bumbling young men, Amar and Prem, who dream of marrying a wealthy heiress, Raveena, and living off of her money for the rest of their lives — in a sort of romantic “get rich quick” scheme.
However, in their attempt to win over the billionaire’s daughter, Amar and Prem’s paths cross with the dangerous gangster Teja, who has been plotting something very diabolical to take over Raveena’s father’s wealthy empire.
- Director: Rajkumar Santoshi
- Lead Cast: Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Raveena Tandon, Karishma Kapoor, Paresh Rawal
- Music Composer: Tushar Bhatia
Why You Should Watch It
Andaz Apna Apna is a quintessentially 90s Bollywood film that has it all — romance, comedy, a strong hero(es) v/s villain storyline, switched personalities, and witty dialogues. Moreover, it has attained cult status in the years since its release, indicating just how it is such an inherent part of Indians’ relationship with cinema.
It features an ensemble cast and Paresh Rawal in a double role that is still memorable to date, with his character Teja even being meme-fied at different points in time.
Moreover, the plot’s madcap twists and turns will keep you engaged as the hapless yet determined protagonists stumble through a series of hilarious escapades in their pursuit of love and fortune.
Whether you’re a fan of classic comedy or Indian cinema or simply in need of a mood boost, Andaz Apna Apna offers a delightful escape into a world of laughter and joy that’s bound to leave you smiling and reminiscing about 90s Bollywood.
3. Jab We Met (2007)
Plot Synopsis
This romantic comedy follows the journey of Aditya, a despondent businessman, and Geet, a vivacious and talkative girl, with the Indian railways being its third prominent “character.”
Aditya then accompanies Geet to her house when she misses her train, and an “ek-tarfa pyaar” starts developing for him. As they travel together, Geet’s infectious optimism begins to transform Aditya’s gloomy outlook on life, too.
However, Aditya then learns about Geet’s plans to marry her college boyfriend Anshuman and backs off to let Geet live her dreams, only for things to not work out as anybody had planned.
- Director: Imtiaz Ali
- Lead Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, Tarun Arora
- Music Composer: Pritam
Why You Should Watch It
Jab We Met is considered by many to be a modern Bollywood classic, and the hilarious escapes of Geet and Aditya will have you falling in love with them.
Imtiaz Ali’s masterpiece has a brilliant balance of comedy and drama, and many of its dialogues have become mainstream in the Indian psyche, including the famous “Mai apni favourite hoon” and “Kyu dekhu main ganne ke khet?”
4. Golmaal (1979)
Plot Synopsis
Ramprasad Sharma lies to his boss about having a twin to save his job. Chaos ensues when his boss invites both Ramprasad and his fictitious twin to dinner. To keep his job, Ramprasad tries to follow through on his deception.
However, maintaining this charade becomes increasingly challenging when his boss wants to marry his daughter to one of the brothers — the one that doesn’t exist.
- Director: Hrishikesh Mukherjee
- Lead Cast: Utpal Dutt, Amol Palekar, Bindiya Goswami
- Music Composer: R.D. Burman
Why You Should Watch It
Golmaal set the standard at the time for what a comedy film should bring to the table. With its endearing characters, clever humour, and heartwarming moments, Golmaal remains a timeless favourite, captivating viewers with its charm and light-hearted storytelling.
Moreover, it has fantastic music by the legendary Burnam as well as lyrics by Gulzar. So, with Golmaal, you get some romance, laughter, and music to soothe the soul like few other films can.
5. Mere Brother Ki Dulhan (2011)
Plot Synopsis
After his relationship with his girlfriend falls apart, the London-based Luv solicits the help of his younger brother, Kush, to find a suitable bride for him. As a devoted brother, Kush does exactly that.
However, there is one small problem — Kush and Luv’s to-be bride, Dimple, end up falling for each other as they spend more and more time together before the wedding.
The rest of the movie focuses on how Kush tries to juggle his love towards his brother as well as Dimple without upsetting either individual. Is he successful?
- Director: Ali Abbas Zafar
- Lead Cast: Imran Khan, Katrina Kaif, Ali Zafar, Tara D’Souza
- Music Composer: Sohail Sen
Why You Should Watch It
Firstly, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how Imran Khan almost always gets awarded the “King of Romcom” title by his fans, especially owing to his previous hits like Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na (2008).
There’s also the fact that Khan and Ali Zafar actually make a great brotherly pair, and the film has mostly been cast pretty well. All characters fit into the narrative seamlessly, and their dynamics are fun and fluid and yet full of compassion and love.
Even though Mere Brother Ki Dulhan is not one of the few films that first pop to mind when you think about Bollywood romcoms, it does have a genuinely funny plot and catchy music. Plus, it encapsulates the ever-changing notions of love and relationships in modern times without turning into a scathing critique on the same, making it enjoyable for a whole host of audiences who just want a few laughs at the end of a long day.
