Top 10 Best Indian Films of the 20th Century

These are the top 10 movies from the Hindi film industry. The list features movies only from the 20th century, but even if it was an all-time list, there wouldn't be many changes.

The Top Ten

Anand

Anand is a 1971 Indian drama movie starring Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan. Anand (Rajesh Khanna) has lymphoma of the intestine, a rare type of cancer.
Anand has a cheerful nature, and despite knowing the truth that he is not going to survive for more than six months, he maintains a nonchalant demeanour and always tries to make everyone around him happy. His cheerful and vibrant nature soothes Bhaskar (Amitabh Bachchan), who has a contrasting personality, and they become good friends.
The movie is the highest-rated Indian movie on IMDb.
IMDb rating: 8.9/10
Sholay

Sholay is a 1975 Indian action-adventure film starring Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra Deol, Hema Malini, and Amjad Khan. The film follows two criminals, Veeru and Jai (played by Dharmendra and Amitabh Bachchan), who are hired by a retired police officer (Sanjeev Kumar) to capture the ruthless dacoit Gabbar Singh (Amjad Khan). Hema Malini and Jaya Bhaduri also star as Veeru and Jai's love interests.
Sholay is considered a classic and one of the best Indian films. It is also the longest-running film in India.
IMDb rating: 8.5/10
Deewaar

Deewaar is a 1975 Indian crime drama film starring Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor, Parveen Babi, and Neetu Singh.
Reflecting the tumultuous politics of the early 1970s in India, Deewaar tells the story of a pair of impoverished brothers who, after their family is betrayed by the misplaced idealism of their father, struggle to survive on the streets of Mumbai.
IMDb rating: 8.2/10
Pyaasa

Pyaasa is a 1957 romantic drama film. The film tells the story of Vijay, a struggling poet trying to make his works known in post-independence India, and Gulabo, a prostitute with a heart of gold who eventually helps him get his poems published.
IMDb rating: 8.5/10
Mother India

Mother India is a 1957 Indian epic drama movie. It stars Nargis, Sunil Dutt, Rajendra Kumar, and Raj Kumar.
It is the story of a poverty-stricken village woman named Radha (Nargis) who, in the absence of her husband, struggles to raise her sons and survive against a cunning moneylender amidst many troubles. Despite her hardship, she sets a goddess-like moral example of an ideal Indian woman.
IMDb rating: 8.1/10
Pakeezah

Pakeezah is a 1972 Indian romantic drama film starring Raj Kumar and Meena Kumari.
The film is a must-watch for those who love romantic films.
IMDb rating: 7.5/10
Mughal-e-Azam

Mughal-E-Azam is a 1960 Indian epic historical drama. Starring Prithviraj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar, Madhubala, and Durga Khote, it follows the love affair between Mughal Prince Salim (who went on to become Emperor Jahangir) and Anarkali, a court dancer.
Salim's father, Emperor Akbar, disapproves of the relationship, which leads to a war between father and son.
IMDb rating: 8.4/10
Mera Naam Joker

Mera Naam Joker is a 1970 drama film about a clown who must make his audience laugh at the cost of his own sorrows.
The film is considered to be one of the lengthiest films in Indian cinema.
IMDb rating: 8/10
Bobby

Bobby is a 1973 Bollywood romantic film directed by Raj Kapoor. It was wildly popular and widely imitated. It was the film debut for Dimple Kapadia and the first leading role for Raj Kapoor's son, Rishi Kapoor.
The movie is a trend-setter in its own right. It introduced in Bollywood the genre of teenage romance with a rich-versus-poor clash as a backdrop. Numerous movies in the following years were inspired by this plot.
IMDb rating: 7.2/10
Zanjeer

Zanjeer (English: Chains) is a 1973 Indian action film directed and produced by Prakash Mehra, starring Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Pran, Ajit, and Bindu. The movie changed the trend from romantic films to action films and pioneered Amitabh's new image of a brooding but explosive person who fights back when cornered. He was now known as "The Angry Young Man."
The film started a new wave in Hindi cinema. At a time when India was suffering from corruption, low economic growth, and widespread frustration, Hindi cinema turned violent and aggressive. Reflecting the anger of the masses, Amitabh Bachchan became the new hero, who had the courage to fight against wrongdoing while maintaining moral values.
This film also ended the struggling period for Amitabh and turned him into a rising star. Zanjeer thus remains an important film in the history of Indian cinema and is regarded as a classic today. The film became a "super hit," collecting ₹60 million at the box office.