Why the 90s Were Bollywood’s Most Romantic Era?

Many fans call the 90s the golden era of Bollywood romance. It was the time when romance transitioned from simple, family-oriented melodrama to emotionally-charged, larger-than-life romantic musicals. Here is why the 90s were the peak of Bollywood romance. 

Bollywood Romantic Films in the 90s 

The highlight of Bollywood in this era was the 1995 romantic musical 'Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge', starring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol in lead roles, which became the highest-grossing Indian film of that year and the second-highest-grossing film of the 90s. 

'Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge' was one of the most successful Indian films in history because of its iconic European locations, its emotionally-charged romance, the hit and memorable soundtrack, and the clash between following traditions or one's heart. 

Although, DDLJ became a timeless classic and one of the greatest Bollywood movies of all time, the 90s were the prime time for other romantic films, including 'Hum Aapke Hain Kon', 'Aashiqui', 'Raja Hindustani', and 'Dil to Pagal Hai'.

There are many more romantic hits from this time, and here is why the 90s were the era of Bollywood romance. 

Memorable and Heart-Touching Songs

The songs from the 90s romantic Bollywood films are some of the most iconic and memorable songs from Hindi cinema.

Some of these hits include 'Tujhe Dekha To' from 'Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge', 'Saanson Ki Zarurat Hai Jaise' from 'Aashiqui', and 'Ae Kash Ke Hum' from 'Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa'.

This era's music came from singers like Kumar Sanu, Alka Yagnik, Sonu Nigam, and Abhijeet Bhattacharya, who dominated the music charts. 

In addition to these melodious voices, the emotionally nuanced lyrics of the songs perfectly complemented the iconic romances from this time. They were also heart-touching and moving, connecting with Bollywood fans of that time and later generations. 

Furthermore, music composers like Nadeem-Shravan, Jatin-Lalit, and Anu Malik created very soulful musical compositions, which made these songs memorable. 

Music like this is what made the Bollywood romantic films of the 90s so memorable. 

The Clash Between Family and Love, and Between Tradition and Modernity

Most of the romantic films from the 90s featured a clash between family and love. In DDLJ, Simran is forced to forget her love for Raj and travel to India with her family to get married to the person they have chosen for her. 

Also, in 'Hum Aaapke Hain Kon', Nisha decides to sacrifice her love for Prem to marry his older brother and to take care of her nephew. 

These challenges to the blooming romances really hooked viewers because they related to Indian culture, which prioritized family.

To appease this cultural phenomenon, these films showed the romantic couple winning over their families, emphasizing that love conquers all, a resolution which won over Bollywood fans. 

The 90s romances also became relatable to audiences because they highlighted the clash between Indian traditions and Western and modern values. In DDLJ, this is shown when Simran tries to persuade her father to let her go on the European trip with her friends, while in 'Raja Hindustani', Raja struggles to fit in with Aarti's Westernized elite family in Mumbai. 

Bollywood fans were able to relate to the struggle because they were experiencing it in their own lives. They also faced the fear of compromising their Indian traditions in the face of rising Westernisation, like the heroes and heroines in these films. 

Although, the 90s Bollywood romances did not provide a holistic solution to this struggle, they showed the possibility of the acceptable aspects of Western and modern culture co-existing with Indian traditions and values, which is exactly what Indian fans needed. 

Dreamy Foreign Locations and Iconic Dance Numbers

The 90s were the peak of Bollywood romantic films because they showed love blossoming between the lead couple in dreamy and exotic foreign locations, which not only complemented the romantic plotline, but also made the film visually appealing and something out of one's wildest dreams and fantasies. 

DDLJ's 'Zara Sa Jhoom Loon Main' features quaint Swiss towns, snowcapped mountains, and pastoral meadows. These locations become the backdrop for Raj and Simran's blossoming love and food for Bollywood fans' romantic dreams. 

These dreamy foreign locations contrasted with the realistic themes of these 90s films, but they provided a romantic getaway for the lead couple's love to blossom before they faced the challenges in their lives.

For fans, these dreamy locations in their favorite films provided the escapism they needed from everyday life. Bollywood fans in the 90s did not have social media to show them exotic and beautiful locations from around the world, but they had Bollywood romantic films, which became their dreamy getaways. 

In addition to these locations, the 90s films featured elaborate dance numbers such as Karisma Kapoor's 'Le Gayi' from 'Dil to Pagal Hai', which became iconic for their choreography and music. 

The dance numbers contributed to the development of the romance between the lead couple. They also shone a light on the female leads, bringing them to the hero's attention. These dance sequences also introduced characters and contributed to their development.

They enhanced the dreaminess and the romance in these films, making them a significant part of the 90s Bollywood romance. 

Conclusion

The heart-touching music, the memorable dance, the beautiful locations, and the clash between tradition and modernity are what made the romantic films in the 90s the epitome of Bollywood romance. 

This article was previously published on bahrainmoments. To see the original article, click here