Monday 26 August 2013

160 Best Hindi Films Of All Time [In My Humble Opinion]

Inspired by the current hullabaloo over Indian Cinema completing 100 years, I set out to compile my own list of the 100 Best Hindi Films Of All Time.

And realized what a cruelly tough task it was!

So, I extended the list a bit and came up with my list of the 160 Best Hindi Films of all time.

I have not put the films in any particular order, just entered them in the list randomly. I think it could have been pruned a bit; say, to 150, but then, what's done is done.

Let me know your thoughts, and do remember: the list DOES NOT follow any particular order—chronological, alphabetical, aesthetic, or otherwise.

Special mention of the fact that an overwhelming majority of entries in the list belong to the 1955-1982 period, which IMHO is the Golden Period of [mainstream] Hindi Cinema.

So, here it is:

1.      ANAND [1971]
2.      ZANJEER [1973]
3.      ABHIMAAN [1973]
4.      NAMAK HARAAM [1973]
5.      DEEWAAR [1975]
6.      MILI [1975]
7.      SHOLAY [1975]
8.      CHUPKE CHUPKE [1975]
9.      AMAR AKBAR ANTHONY [1977]
10.  MUQADDAR KA SIKANDAR [1978]
11.  TRISHUL [1978]
12.  DON [1978]
13.  SHAKTI [1982]
14.  AGNEEPATH [1990]
15.  KABHI KABHIE [1976]
16.  SILSILA [1981]
17.  KAALA PATTHAR [1979]
18.  BLACK [2005]
19.  ROTI KAPADA AUR MAKAAN [1974]
20.  LAKSHYA [2004]
21.  Bawarchi [1972]
22.  Daag [1973]
23.  Aradhana [1969]
24.  Gol Maal [1979]
25.  Awara [1951]
26.  Shree 420 [1955]
27.  Sangam [1964]
28.  Mera Naam Joker [1970]
29.  Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai [1960]
30.  Do Aankhen Barah Haath [1957]
31.  Ardh Satya [1983]
32.  Junoon [1978]
33.  Kalyug [1981]
34.  Mandi [1983]
35.  Arth [1982]
36.  Droh Kaal [1994]
37.  Chashme Buddoor [1981]
38.  Khatta Meetha [1978]
39.  Waqt [1965]
40.  Satyakam [1969]
41.  Hamraaz [1967]
42.  Ittefaq [1969]
43.  Kanoon [1960]
44.  Guide [1965]
45.  Jewel Thief [1967]
46.  Teesri Manzil [1966]
47.  Darr [1993]
48.  Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam [1999]
49.  Maine Pyar Kiya [1989]
50.  Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! [1994]
51.  Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi [1958]
52.  Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein [1964]
53.  Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak [1988]
54.  Hare Rama Hare Krishna [1971]
55.  Mere Apne [1971]
56.  Aandhi [1975]
57.  Koshish [1972]
58.  Parichay [1972]
59.  Kinara [1977]
60.  Angoor [1982]
61.  Khamoshi [1969]
62.  Khushboo [1975]
63.  Khamosh [1985]
64.  Andaz Apna Apna [1994]
65.  Khamoshi [1996]
66.  Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman [1992]
67.  Qurbani [1980]
68.  Gunga Jumna [1961]
69.  Naya Daur [1957]
70.  Hum Dono [1961]
71.  Mughal-E-Azam [1960]
72.  Mother India [1957]
73.  Prem Pujari [1970]
74.  Ram Aur Shyam [1967]
75.  Seeta Aur Geeta [1972]
76.  Mr. India [1987]
77.  Chaalbaaz [1989]
78.  Lamhe [1991]
79.  Chandni [1989]
80.  Do Bigha Zamin [1953]
81.  Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar [1992]
82.  3 Idiots [2009]
83.  Taare Zameen Par [2007]
84.  Pyaasa [1957]
85.  Omkara [2006]
86.  Maqbool [2003]
87.  Kahaani [2012]
88.  Paan Singh Tomar [2012]
89.  Satya [1998]
90.  Shiva [1990]
91.  Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke [1993]
92.  Yaadon Ki Baaraat [1973]
93.  Hum Kisise Kum Naheen [1977]
94.  Ghayal [1990]
95.  Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam [1962]
96.  Johny Mera Naam [1970]
97.  Devdas [1955]
98.  Pakeezah [1972]
99.  Kaagaz Ke Phool [1959]
100.          Bahu Begum [1967]
101.          Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge [1995]
102.          Haqeeqat [1964]
103.          Guddi [1971]
104.          Mirch Masala [1987]
105.          Salaam Bombay! [1988]
106.          A Wednesday! [2008]
107.          Gardish [1993]
108.          Chitchor [1976]
109.          Rajnigandha [1974]
110.          Chhoti Si Baat [1975]
111.          Baton Baton Mein [1979]
112.          Damini [1993]
113.          Madhumati [1958]
114.          Baiju Bawra [1952]
115.          Astitva [2000]
116.          Kaho Naa…Pyaar Hai [2000]
117.          Paar [1984]
118.          Shatranj Ke Khilari [1977]
119.          Trikal [1985]
120.          Aakrosh [1980]
121.          New Delhi Times [1986]
122.          Sadma [1983]
123.          Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro [1983]
124.          Katha [1983]
125.          Parinda [1989]
126.          Anupama [1966]
127.          Phool Aur Patthar [1966]
128.          Mera Gaon Mera Desh [1971]
129.          Sunghursh [1968]
130.          Padosan [1968]
131.          Hindustan Ki Kasam [1973]
132.          Kala Bazar [1960]
133.          Kala Pani [1958]
134.          Upkar [1967]
135.          Purab Aur Paschim [1970]
136.          Bandini [1963]
137.          Lagaan [2001]
138.          Gadar: Ek Prem Katha [2001]
139.          Prahaar [1991]
140.          Shaheed [1965]
141.          Saaransh [1984]
142.          Bees Saal Baad [1962]
143.          Gumnaam [1965]
144.          Woh Kaun Thi? [1964]
145.          C.I.D. [1956]
146.          Howrah Bridge [1958]
147.          Dil Chahta Hai [2001]
148.          Baazigar [1993]
149.          Amar Prem [1972]
150.          Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa [1993]
151.          Taal [1999]
152.          Namkeen [1982]
153.          Kati Patang [1970]
154.          Border [1997]
155.          Mrityudand [1997]
156.          Sparsh [1980]
157.          Raakh [1989]
158.          Maachis [1996]
159.          Mausam [1975]
160.          Shaukeen [1982]

8 comments:

  1. Tumi, guru, daarun lekho. Continue. I'll have more lists to refer to. ;-)

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  2. Surak ka Saatva Ghoda, Nishant, Swades, Maalamal, Netaji, 1947 Earth.....

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  3. ADC, You could have shortened the list a bit but none the less, a good compilation. As usual, there is no order in the listing of movies but the angry young man's movies stay at top of the list.

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  4. Yes Datta, as I have mentioned in the post itself, maybe I could have kept it at 150. But then again, I could have extended it to 200 :-)

    As for AB's movies being at the top, again, as I have written, there is no specific order, but it was easier for me to get AB's films out of the way first :-)

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  5. Vikas: no, barring 'Nishant', the others that you have mentioned do not make the cut, as far as I am concerned. Those could have found as place if my list was about the 300-400 best Hindi films of all time, or maybe 500.

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  6. Good complilation. Although I haven't watched each and every movie in this list, I would have included a few more black and white classics like Andaaz (Raj Kappor, Nargis, Dilip Kumar), Shree 420, and take out some later ones like Ghayal. You know I'm not a fan of the 80's and 90's :)

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  7. Sampurna: 'Shree 420' is there on the list. As for 'Andaz', I would have liked to include 'Aag', 'Aah', 'Barsaat', 'Jagte Raho', and 'Boot Polish' as well, but what I have tried to do here is capture the essence, the creme de la creme of every era, every genre, and every filmmaker/actor/actress worth his/her salt. If you look closely, barely two films of AB after 1982 find their place on the list. Maybe I will compile a "Second Best Ever" list soon :-)

    ReplyDelete