Top 10 Indian Films from the 20th Century

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 his a nonchalant demeanour and always tries to make everyone happy around him. His cheerful and vibrant nature soothes Bhaskar (Amitabh Bachchan), who has a contrasting nature and they become good friends.
The movie is the highest rated indian movie in IMDB.
IMDB rating- 8.9/10

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), 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

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 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 money-lender amidst many troubles. Despite her hardship, she sets a goddess-like moral example of an ideal Indian woman.
IMDB rating- 8.1/10

Pakeezah is a 1972 Indian romantic drama film starring Raj kumar, Meena kumari. The film is a must watch for those who love romantic films..
IMDB rating- 7.5/10

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 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 of Indian cinema.
IMDB rating- 8/10

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 etc., and the common man was left with frustration and anger over the system, 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 the wrong and maintaining moral values at the same time. 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 ...more