Guide To The Best Bollywood Musicals

In the vibrant world of Indian cinema, music isn’t just an accompaniment. While musicals exist in their own category in Western cinema, Indian films are often musicals by default. It’s the song and glitzy dance sequences that have characterized the nature of Bollywood (a portmanteau of Bombay and Hollywood), creating a marriage of drama and cinema that has enchanted movie buffs around the world.

The exciting thing about Bollywood musicals is their ability to transcend genres, integrating that musical component into the narrative fabric of the film, whether it’s comedy, drama, action, romance, or a blend. The Bollywood genre began to take shape in the 1930s and 1940s, starting with the first-ever sound motion film, Alam Ara, by Ardeshir Irani Khan Bahadur Ardeshir Irani, popularly known as Ar >> Read More... .

So, if you’re gearing up for a weekend of cinematic indulgence, here’s our guide to the best Bollywood musicals that’ll be just as dynamic as this guide to live casinos online.

Khamoshi: The Musical (1996)

Director – Sanjay Leela Bhansali Born on 24th February 1963, Sanjay Leela Bhansali >> Read More...

Khamoshi: The Musical was Bhansali’s directorial debut. Interestingly, it was a box office bomb when it was released, but it gained a cult following and was later deemed one of the best films of Hindi Cinema.

Set in tiny yet larger-than-life Goa, this romantic drama centers around deaf and mute parents Joseph ( Nana Patekar Nana Patekar is a popular Indian actor who was bor >> Read More... ) and Flavy ( Seema Biswas She is very much popular by the name “Phoolan Devi >> Read More... ) and their daughter Annie, who can hear and speak. Although Annie grows up around silence, she finds a genuine connection to the world through music and dreams of a life beyond tropical Goa.

The film explores the complexity of Annie’s relationship with her parents, themes of love, and communication beyond words. Through its evocative soundtrack (composed by Jatin-Lalit), each song serves to reflect the characters’ emotions in profound ways.

Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1971)

Director – Dev Anand Dev Anand would be nostalgically remembered by fil >> Read More...

Hare Rama Hare Krishna explores themes relating to identity, spirituality, counterculture, and the clash between East and West. Influenced by the American film Psych-Out, Director Dev Anand took inspiration from its focus on hippie culture and rebellion, as well as the main character’s journey to self-discovery. Anand was also heavily inspired by a trip to Kathmandu, Nepal, where he encountered hippies in person.

The story follows Prashant (Dev Anand himself), a young man born into a Montreal-based family who goes through a whirlwind of events growing up – his parents divorcing, moving to India, getting sent to boarding school, and being isolated from his sister. Later on in life, he heads on a quest to find his estranged sister Jasbir ( Zeenat Aman Zeenat Aman is a trendsetter and the most versatil >> Read More... ), traveling to Kathmandu to find his sister in a hippie community consumed by alcohol and drugs.

From drama with the hippies to run-ins with the police, the story unfolds as a gripping narrative that is accompanied by hits that instantly resonated with youth in India.

Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001)

Director – Karan Johar Karan Johar is one among the top ten celebrities i >> Read More...

Often abbreviated as K3G and translated to ‘Sometimes Happiness, Sometimes Sadness’), Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham is a family drama that boasts a cast featuring some of Bollywood’s biggest stars, including Kareena Kapoor Khan Kareena Kapoor is a super hit actress working in I >> Read More... , Amitabh Bachchan Amitabh Bachchan was born on October 11, 1942 in A >> Read More... , Shah Rukh Khan Shah Rukh Khan or also known as SRK is a prominent >> Read More... , and Kajol. The film ends up being a heartwarming story about familial relationships, reconciliation, and love, but not before tensions reach their peak.

The story follows the affluent, traditional, and patriarchal Raichand family and their adopted son, Rahul (Shah Rukh Khan). Rahul falls in love with Anjali, a girl from a low-income background whom his father would never approve of. He ends up defying his father’s wishes and marries her, leading to rifts in the family and a journey of reconciliation.

As part of the story takes place outside of India, the entire second half of the film was shot in London, England, and one scene was shot in Cairo, Egypt. The film soundtrack consisted of 11 tracks, incorporating all sorts of genres. When released, it became the best-selling album of the year in India, with 3.5 million sales.

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011)

Director – Zoya Akhtar Zoya Akhtar has now become a household name promin >> Read More...

Translated as ‘You Won’t Get Another Life,’ Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara is a coming-of-age film that follows three childhood friends – Kabir ( Abhay Deol Abhay Deol is an actor and director of the TV indu >> Read More... ), Arjun ( Hrithik Roshan Hrithik Roshan with his unimaginable dance moves i >> Read More... ), and Imraan ( Farhan Akhtar One of the most recognized young director of India >> Read More... ) – who go on a three-week-long bachelor road trip to Spain before Kabir’s wedding. It’s a classic tale of self-discovery and friendship – paired with the incredible cinematography and music score of a Bollywood film.

The trio grapples with their own personal demons and insecurities throughout their travels, making stops in Spain, Egypt, and the United Kingdom. Arjun overcomes his fear of water, Imran reunites with his biological father, and Kabir wrestles with an important decision. Although the premise of the film could be considered cliche, the insertion of musical performances truly celebrates the philosophy of living life to the fullest and cherishing every moment.

Bhool Bhulaiyaa Click to look into! >> Read More... (2007)

Director – Priyadarshan

Looking for something a little different within the Bollywood genre? Bhool Bhulaiyaa is a psychological thriller that expertly inserts both suspense and comedic relief. Siddharth ( Shiney Ahuja Shiney Ahuja was born on May 15, 1975, to Suraj Pr >> Read More... ) and his wife Avni ( Vidya Balan Vidya Balan is an award winning Bollywood actress >> Read More... ) move into his ancestral palace, which is rumored to be haunted by the ghost of a classical dancer, Manjulika.

When strange happenings start to take place, the protagonists enlist the help of Siddharth’s friend and psychiatrist, Dr. Aditya Shrivastav ( Akshay Kumar Akshay Kumar was born on 9th September 1967 and hi >> Read More... ). The film takes viewers on a rollercoaster ride of laughter, chills, and suspense and reflects Bollywood’s ability to weave multiple genres into one production.

With dark undertones in the movie and score, Kumar’s performance as the eccentric comedic relief, Dr. Adi, offered moments of humor. It’s because of this performance that the film gained cult status among the audience. If you end up enjoying Bhool Bhulaiyaa, there’s a sequel – Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 (2022), and a third film in the series set to release on Diwali in 2024.