The 1990s in Bollywood shone with an unmatched gleam.
The 1990s was a shimmering era for Bollywood, with romance and familial drama at its heart.
Towards the end of the 1980s, with blockbusters such as Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988) and Maine Pyaar Kiya (1989), romance had been reshaped in the industry.
That trend continued throughout much of the following decade.
As a result, the 1990s saw a glistening mosaic of movies hitting the big screen.
Actors like Sanjay Dutt, Sunny Deol, and Anil Kapoor remained strong in this era.
However, the decade witnessed the domination of the ‘King Khans’ – Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, and Shah Rukh Khan.
These were the new boys on the block and several of the highest-grossing films often featured them.
Behind the camera, filmmakers such as Yash Chopra, Rajkumar Santoshi, and Mahesh Bhatt were gems of filmdom.
Music was also rejuvenated in the decade, with talented composers and singers ruling the roost.
As we pay tribute to this glorious era, DESIblitz proudly presents 20 Bollywood films from the 1990s that you must watch.
Aashiqui (1990)
Director: Mahesh Bhatt
Stars: Rahul Roy, Anu Aggarwal, Deepak Tijori
Mahesh Bhatt’s Aashiqui signified the refreshing take that the 1990s would have within Hindi cinema.
In this film, we meet Rahul (Rahul Roy), unhappy about his father remarrying.
He has a chance encounter with Anu (Anu Aggarwal), an orphan escaping her hostel.
As they fall in love, Anu becomes a successful model, which evokes envy in Rahul, who is a struggling singer.
Tackling the issues of pride, insecurities, and relationships, the film is an ode to true love.
This rings true in the chartbusters, ‘Ek Sanam Chahiye‘, ‘Ab Tere Bin’, and ‘Dheere Dheere Se’, which remain evergreen.
The soundtrack of Aashiqui became the best-selling album at the time, and underscored the role music would play in this decade.
Lamhe (1991)
Director: Yash Chopra
Stars: Sridevi, Anil Kapoor, Waheeda Rehman, Anupam Kher
Sridevi and Anil Kapoor star in this musical romance encompassing love among lookalikes.
Lamhe is about Viren Pratap Singh (Anil Kapoor), who falls for the luscious Pallavi Thakur Bhatnagar (Sridevi).
Despite Pallavi being eight years older than him, Viren’s love for her holds.
He is heartbroken when Pallavi marries her boyfriend, Siddharth Kumar Bhatnagar (Deepak Malhotra).
When tragedy strikes, Sridevi assumes the role of Pallavi’s daughter Pooja.
How will Viren react to this young woman who uncannily resembles the woman he loves?
Lamhe is filled with soulful scenes and heart-touching moments. Surprisingly, it flopped at the box office when it was released.
However, overtime, it has become a cult classic and is regarded as one of the best films of Sridevi and director Yash Chopra.
Saajan (1991)
Director: Lawrence D’Souza
Stars: Sanjay Dutt, Madhuri Dixit, Salman Khan
In Saajan, Sanjay Dutt eclipses the screen as Aman. He is an orphaned poet who walks with a crutch.
Constantly belittled because of his disability, his ally is his best friend, Aakash Verma (Salman Khan), whom he grows up with.
Aman and Aakash’s lives change when the beautiful Pooja Saxena (Madhuri Dixit) enters the scene.
Pooja is enamoured by Aman’s poetry, which he has penned under the name of Sagar.
However, Pooja doesn’t know the identity of Sagar. Will she end up choosing Aakash, or will she realise that Sagar is actually Aman?
Saajan capitalises on fine music and the sizzling chemistry between Sanjay, Madhuri, and Salman.
Despite being a relative newcomer, Salman holds his own against his established co-stars, bringing charm and elegance to the film.
But the real star is Sanjay Dutt, who disappears into the role of Aman, making the audience cheer for him all the way.
Hum (1991)
Director: Mukul S Anand
Stars: Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth, Govinda, Kimi Katkar, Shilpa Shirodkar, Danny Denzongpa
Although a crop of younger stars were making their marks in the 1990s, Amitabh Bachchan’s shadow still loomed large on the horizon.
As Amitabh reunites with director Mukul S Anand after the classic, Agneepath (1990), a riveting action-drama is created in Hum.
It focusses on Tiger (Amitabh Bachchan), a dockworker who goes head-to-head against the gangster, Bakhtawar (Danny Denzongpa).
To achieve a peaceful life, Tiger assumes the identity of Shekhar Malhotra.
When a vengeful Bakhtawar returns years later, Tiger must face old demons and expose corruption.
A blockbuster, Hum proves that age is no hindrance for Amitabh as he amazes the audience with this gregarious act.
His energy is infectious in the dance number, ‘Jumma Chumma‘, the anthem of the film.
For his performance, in a time when younger stars were enjoying the limelight, Amitabh won the Filmfare Award for ‘Best Actor’ in 1992.
Beta (1992)
Director: Indra Kumar
Stars: Anil Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit, Aruna Irani
Indra Kumar helms this unmissable mother-son drama, rich with emotion, romance, and family.
Beta narrates the saga of Raju (Anil Kapoor), who is haunted by the trauma of not having a mother.
He is overjoyed when his father remarries and introduces Laxmi (Aruna Irani) to the family.
Raju worships Laxmi, as he sees her as the mother he longed for all his life.
However, Laxmi is a sly and greedy woman, only interested in Raju’s fortune. She even manipulates him into severing ties with his father and giving up his education.
Finally, it is up to Raju’s wife, Saraswati (Madhuri Dixit) to save the family from Laxmi’s treachery.
Beta set the box office on fire, winning Filmfare Awards for Anil, Madhuri, and Aruna in 1993.
The film is particularly popular for Madhuri’s sultry dance song, ‘Dhak Dhak Karne Laga‘.
Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (1992)
Director: Mansoor Khan
Stars: Aamir Khan, Ayesha Jhulka, Mamik Singh, Pooja Bedi, Kulbhushan Kharbanda
One of the first sports films of Aamir Khan, Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar is a remarkable story of resilience and determination.
Brothers Sanjaylal ‘Sanju’ Sharma (Aamir Khan) and Ratanlal ‘Ratan’ Sharma (Mamik Singh) study at the lower-class Model College.
While Ratan is responsible and hard-working, Sanju is carefree and lazy.
Model’s rival is the elite Rajput College. Every year, the colleges compete in a cycling race.
Ratan is determined to win for Model, but unlike his brother, Sanju is completely unaware of his responsibilities.
Watch the film to find out if Sanju ever discovers his place and the expectations riding on him.
Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar will highly resonate with those who care about family and effort.
Any list of great Bollywood films from the 1990s would be incomplete without this movie.
Darr (1993)
Director: Yash Chopra
Stars: Sunny Deol, Juhi Chawla, Shah Rukh Khan
Yash Chopra returns with a unique subject in which the antagonist’s role is central within this violent love story.
Meanwhile, Shah Rukh Khan was a newcomer at this point, who had made a mark with his anti-hero character in Baazigar (1993).
In Darr, Shah Rukh becomes Rahul Mehra, a young man dangerously obsessed with Kiran Awasthi Malhotra (Juhi Chawla).
Rahul’s love for Kiran is so deep that he cannot say her name in one breath, leading to the terrifying stammer: “I love you, K-K-K-Kiran…”
Rahul is enraged when Kiran marries Sunil Malhotra (Sunny Deol), and does everything he can to kill Sunil.
Thrilling, intense, and passionate, Darr contains one of Shah Rukh Khan’s best performances.
The audience argue that Shah Rukh completely overshadowed Sunny in the movie.
Damini (1993)
Director: Rajkumar Santoshi
Stars: Meenakshi Seshadri, Rishi Kapoor, Sunny Deol, Amrish Puri, Kulbhushan Kharbanda
When it comes to the 1990s, Damini is a landmark in Bollywood, as it genuinely highlights the theme of female empowerment.
The film is led by the titular young woman, Damini (Meenakshi Seshadri), who witnesses her brother-in-law rape her maid.
Her husband, Shekhar Gupta (Rishi Kapoor) and his family urge her to stay silent, fearing a tarnished reputation.
However, Damini is unwavering in her quest for justice, enlisting the help of the alcoholic lawyer, Govind Srivastav (Sunny Deol).
Apart from Meenakshi, Damini also finds a star in Sunny, who was lauded for his dialogues, including the iconic “dhai kilo ka haath“, and the memorable “tareek pe tareek.”
For his performance, Sunny won a Filmfare Award and a National Award for ‘Best Supporting Actor’.
Damini undoubtedly changed the tides of Hindi cinema. It will be celebrated for years to come.
Hum Hain Rahi Pyaar Ke (1993)
Director: Mahesh Bhatt
Stars: Aamir Khan, Juhi Chawla, Sharokh Bharucha, Kunal Khemmu, Baby Ashrafa
This charming family drama stars Aamir Khan (Rahul Malhotra) and Juhi Chawla (Vyjayanthi Iyer) in the lead roles.
Rahul is a garment factory worker who must look after his deceased sister’s children.
However, he is at his wits’ end due to the pranks and mischievousness of the kids.
The family grows closer due to the arrival of Vyjayanthi, a young woman whom the children bring home.
Adorned with comedy, romance, and drama, Hum Hain Rahi Pyaar Ke is a film in which you won’t stop smiling.
The film benefits from the superb chemistry between Aamir and Juhi, one of Bollywood’s most popular onscreen couples.
The movie also marks Aamir’s debut as a screenwriter, making Hum Hain Rahi Pyaar Ke special in more ways than one.
Juhi also delivers impeccable comic timing. For the film, she bagged the Filmfare ‘Best Actress’ award in 1994.
Hum Aapke Hain Koun (1994)
Director: Sooraj R Barjatya
Stars: Madhuri Dixit, Salman Khan, Mohnish Bahl, Renuka Shahane, Alok Nath, Anupam Kher
In this everlasting film, we are introduced to Nisha Choudhury (Madhuri Dixit) and Prem (Salman Khan).
Prem falls in love with Nisha, the younger sister of his brother’s wife.
Despite the elation of their families at their growing affection, Prem and Nisha keep their romance discreet.
When tragedy befalls everyone, Nisha and Prem are forced to choose between love and family.
Hum Aapke Hain Koun is the quintessential Sooraj R Barjatya, complete with a tapestry of deep emotion, resonant characters, and spellbinding music.
This film did wonders for Salman’s career. As for Madhuri, she was lauded for her performance.
The actress won another Filmfare Award for ‘Best Actress’ in 1995.
Andaaz Apna Apna (1994)
Director: Rajkumar Santoshi
Stars: Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Raveena Tandon, Karisma Kapoor, Paresh Rawal
Rajkumar Santoshi’s cult comedy, Andaaz Apna Apna unites Aamir Khan and Salman Khan onscreen.
They play two hapless conmen, Amar Monahar and Prem Bhopali, respectively.
Both Amar and Prem attempt to con a rich heiress, Raveena (Raveena Tandon), leading to hilarious situations.
The film is renowned for its rib-tickling dialogues, such as Aamir’s “hailaa” (“Oh wow!”) and Salman’s “oui maa” (“Oh my!”).
However, despite having such a star-studded cast, the film failed miserably at the box office.
But via home entertainment, the film found a new lease of life and is regarded as one of the greatest comedies of Bollywood.
Want to split your sides laughing? Andaaz Apna Apna is a top choice!
Karan Arjun (1995)
Director: Rakesh Roshan
Stars: Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Raakhee, Kajol, Mamta Kulkarni, Amrish Puri
Rakesh Roshan’s timeless tale of reincarnation intertwines faith with the unbreakable mother-son bond.
Durga Singh (Raakhee) lives a humble life with her beloved sons, Karan Singh (Salman Khan) and Arjun Singh (Shah Rukh Khan).
Their lasting bond is underlined by the wonderful number, ‘Yeh Bandhan Toh‘.
All hell breaks loose when Karan and Arjun are brutally murdered by the sadistic Durjan Singh (Amrish Puri).
Miraculously, Durga’s prayers for her sons to be brought back are answered.
Karan and Arjun are respectively reborn as Ajay and Vijay, respectively.
Haunted by nightmares of their previous lives, will the sons ever reunite with their mother?
Behind the scenes, Rakesh’s belief in the subject held firm when others had no faith in it.
The result is there for all to see.
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)
Director: Aditya Chopra
Stars: Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Farida Jalal, Amrish Puri
It is hard to believe that when Shah Rukh Khan was offered this masterpiece, he called it “pansy.”
Marking Aditya Chopra’s directorial debut, this sterling film is the love saga of Raj Malhotra (Shah Rukh Khan) and Simran Singh (Kajol).
Although Shah Rukh and Kajol had worked in previous films, it is Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge which truly cemented their position as a legendary screen couple.
Simran and Raj fall in love, but are aware that Simran’s stern father, Chaudhary Baldev Singh (Amrish Puri), would never agree to the match.
Instead of using the usual elopement device, Aditya offers a refreshing take on Bollywood love, by having Raj determined to win over Simran’s father.
The result is an era-defining film, which finds new fans as each generation passes.
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge swept the Filmfare Awards in 1996, and continues to run in Mumbai’s Maratha Mandir Theatre, over 30 years after its original release.
In 2025, a bronze statue of Shah Rukh and Kajol from the film was unveiled in London’s Leicester Square.
Rangeela (1995)
Director: Ram Gopal Varma
Stars: Jackie Shroff, Aamir Khan, Urmila Matondkar
Ram Gopal Varma’s Rangeela is a 1990s love letter to cinema.
Orphan Munna (Aamir Khan) grows up on the streets, selling movie tickets in black.
Meanwhile, Mili Joshi (Urmila Matondkar) longs to be an actress.
Mili and Munna become friends, with the latter falling in love with Mili.
However, the actor Raj Kamal (Jackie Shroff) also loses his heart to Mili, who prepares for her role in a film titled Rangeela.
Widely acclaimed for its screenplay and performances, Rangeela was also noted for Urmila’s sensuous dance sequences.
The song, ‘Tanha Tanha‘ became a rage, and also signified a historic comeback for Asha Bhosle into playback singing.
Rangeela was also the breakthrough for the Oscar-winning music maestro, AR Rahman.
Coolie No. 1 (1995)
Director: David Dhawan
Stars: Govinda, Karisma Kapoor, Harish Kumar, Kanchan, Kader Khan
In the 1990s, David Dhawan built up a remarkable reputation for his No. 1 comedy-romances.
One of them, Coolie No. 1, features Govinda (Raju Coolie / Kunwar Mahendra Pratap Singh).
Raju is a clever porter who wishes to teach snobbish businessman Hoshiyar Chand (Kader Khan) a lesson.
To do this, he disguises himself as Kunwar and falls in love with Hoshiyar’s daughter, Malti Choudhry (Karisma Kapoor).
But as his lie spirals out of control, Raju struggles to keep his relationship and friendships from falling apart.
Govinda and Karisma share an electrifying chemistry, especially in chartbusters, including ‘Main Toh Raste Se Ja Raha Tha‘.
The film was remade in 2020, with the same name and starring Varun Dhawan and Sara Ali Khan.
However, nothing beats the 1995 original, which is a pure entertainer.
Raja Hindustani (1996)
Director: Dharmesh Darshan
Stars: Aamir Khan, Karisma Kapoor
Adapted from Jab Jab Phool Khile (1965), Dharmesh Darshan’s Raja Hindustani proves that love knows no bounds.
Unexpectedly, the wealthy Aarti Seghal (Karisma Kapoor) falls in love with the illiterate taxi driver Raja Hindustani (Aamir Khan).
She rebels against her family and her society in order to marry him.
But with cultures so different, and with schemes and plots threatening to drive them apart, is Aarti and Raja’s love strong enough to weather these challenges?
Raja Hindustani was the highest-grossing Bollywood film of the 1996 and one of the three biggest money-spinners of the entire decade.
The film is interestingly the first Bollywood films to feature a long kissing scene between the leads.
Aamir Khan won his first Filmfare ‘Best Actor’ award in 1997. The same year, Karisma also won ‘Best Actress’ at Filmfare.
Over the years, admittedly, some of the film’s themes and ideas have not aged well.
But Raja Hindustani should continue to be loved because of its conviction, heart and soul-stirring music.
Border (1997)
Director: JP Dutta
Stars: Sunny Deol, Jackie Shroff, Suniel Shetty, Akshaye Khanna
JP Dutta’s epic war film sees Sunny Deol deliver a mighty impact as the Indian soldier, Major Kuldip Singh Chandpuri.
Set against the backdrop of the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war, the film is a salute to the heroes fighting to keep their country safe.
The film explores the difficult realities of men at war, including leaving their wives, families, and risking their lives every day.
As Kuldip leads his regiment through the desert, bonds are forged, hearts are broken, and courage is tested.
The emotion beneath these trials and tribulations is highlighted by the anthem, ‘Sandese Aate Hai‘, sung magnificently by Roop Kumar Rathod and Sonu Nigam.
Border marked the breakthrough of a young Akshaye Khanna, who dazzles in his role as the inexperienced Dharamvir Singh Bhakhri.
For the film, JP Dutta won the Filmfare Award for ‘Best Director’ in 1998.
A sequel, Border 2, was released in 2026, to an equal amount of applause and success.
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998)
Director: Karan Johar
Stars: Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Rani Mukerji, Salman Khan, Sana Saeed
Karan Johar’s directorial debut, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, continues to amass oceans of love and popularity.
Widower Rahul Khanna (Shah Rukh Khan) is a devoted father to his young daughter, Anjali (Sana Saeed).
Through a series of letters, Anjali discovers how Rahul fell in love with her deceased mother, Tina Malhotra (Rani Mukerji) during their college days.
She also finds out about Rahul’s best friend, Anjali Sharma (Kajol), who was in love with him, and was shattered to discover Rahul’s feelings for Tina.
Now, it is down to young Anjali to mend Anjali Sharma’s broken heart and bring love back into her beloved father’s life.
Karan Johar describes Kuch Kuch Hota Hai as a feeling that can never be replicated.
The film was a big winner at the 1999 Filmfare Awards, winning ‘Best Director’ (Karan), ‘Best Actor’ (Shah Rukh), ‘Best Actress’ (Kajol), among others.
Sarfarosh (1999)
Director: John Matthew Matthan
Stars: Naseeruddin Shah, Aamir Khan, Sonali Bendre
Aamir Khan inhabits the world of upright police officer Ajay Singh Rathod in Sarfarosh.
This film sees him find an adversary in the Pakistani singer Gulfam Hassan (Naseeruddin Shah).
Along the way, Ajay finds in love in Seema Nagrath (Sonali Bendre), famous for her catchphrase: “Don’t mind…”
Aamir delivers an amazing performance. Sarfarosh also changed Bollywood attitudes towards Pakistan.
In an interview, Aamir reveals: “Before Sarfarosh, we had to refer to Pakistan as ‘the neighbouring country’ in our films.
“Sarfarosh was the first film in which we bluntly took Pakistan’s name.”
This shows the new direction Sarfarosh allowed the Hindi film industry to take.
For that, it should be highlighted as a key fixture of the 1990s.
Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999)
Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Stars: Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
In Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan portrays Nandini Darbar, who falls in love with Sameer ‘Sam’ Rossellini (Salman Khan).
Sameer and Nandini are shattered when they are prevented from being together.
This heartbreak is unforgettably encapsulated by KK’s melancholic number, ‘Tadap Tadap Ke‘.
Nandini later marries Vanraj (Ajay Devgn), but feels no love towards him.
After Vanraj discovers the reason for Nandini’s despair, they both travel to Italy to reunite Nandini with Sameer.
Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam was a milestone in the career of the then relatively new director, Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
For his work in the film, Sanjay won the Filmfare Award for ‘Best Director’ in 2000.
The 1990s in Bollywood shone with an unmatched gleam.
Romance peaked, music was greater than it had been in years, and storytelling was becoming more mature and modern.
It wasn’t just ‘hero defeats villain and gets the heroine’ anymore. Scripts were gradually becoming braver.
Although the decade was significantly dominated by Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, and Shah Rukh Khan, this era stands out like no other.
Other great films from the 1990s include Saudagar (1991), Khal Nayak (1993), 1942: A Love Story (1994), and Dil To Pagal Hai (1997), among several others.
So, snuggle up with your snacks and get transported into the magical world of the 1990s!
