The 50s and 60s era in Bollywood built the Hindi film industry and the 70s era took it to another level.
However, the 80s era helped the Hindi film industry explore different themes and genres. Until the 70s, Bollywood relied on formula films with similar stories and plot.
That changed completely in the 80s as filmmakers began experimenting with crime thrillers, suspense genre, different shades of romance, and explored foreign locations as well as realistic stories to offer more vibrancy to Indian cinema.
If you really want to cherish Indian cinema, then you mustn’t miss the best Bollywood of 80s era as it is considered as one of the magnificent era in Hindi film history.
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Best Bollywood Movies of 80s (1980-89)
Here’s the list of best Bollywood films of 80s era that you must watch once in life to enjoy Indian cinema fully.
Karz (1980)
Karz is one of the legendary thriller films in India directed by Subhash Ghai, the showman himself. The film tells the story of a reincarnation in which Ravi Verma, a rich man from Coonoor is killed by his wife Kamini for money.
However, the fate plays its role and Ravi Verma is back reincarnated into a new life as Monty, a famous singer. The rest of the story is how Monty remembers his past life avenges his own death as well as the atrocities laid on his mother and sister from the previous life. The film stars Rishi Kapoor in the lead role as Monty, whereas Raj Kiran plays Ravi Verma.
The Burning Train (1980)
The Burning Train is one of its kind disaster movie ever produced in India. The film is directed by Ravi Chopra and features an ensemble cast of Dharmendra, Jeetendra, Vinod Khanna, Hema Malini, Parveen Babi, Simi Garewal, Neetu Singh, Vinod Mehra, and Danny Denzongpa.
The story of the film revolves around a train named Super Express that catches fire during its inaugural journey from New Delhi to Mumbai.
Shaan (1980)
Shaan is another multi-starrer film of the 80s featuring an ensemble cast of Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor, Rakhi, Shatrughan Sinha, Parveen Babi, Sunil Dutt, Bindya Goswami, and Kulbhushan Kharbanda.
The film is a revenge story of two brothers who are on a mission to avenge their brother’s murder by Shakaal, the main antagonist of the film.
Umrao Jaan (1981)
Umrao Jaan is 1981 Bollywood classic film adapted from 1905 Urdu novel Umrao Jaan Ada. Directed by Muzaffar Ali, the film is said to be one of the best performances by a Bollywood actress and the best film starring Rekha.
Rekha plays the titular role in the film, whereas Naseeruddin Shah, Farooq Shaikh, Raj Babbar, Dina Pathak and others play important roles in the film. The film tells the story of a Lucknow-based courtesan and her life’s journey.
Ek Duje Ke Liye (1981)
Ek Duje Ke Liye is an epic romance tale featuring a South Indian and a North Indian couple. Directed by K. Balachander, the film is a romantic tragedy as it concludes with a very sad ending.
The film stars Kamal Haasan and Rati Agnihotri in the lead roles. The film was a blockbuster at the box office and certainly had a deep impact on the real life love birds of that era.
Satte pe Satta (1982)
Satte Pe Satta is a tale of seven brothers led by the eldest brother Ravi, played by Amitabh Bachchan. Directed by Raj N. Sippy.
The film is a pure action comedy displaying amazing chemistry among the seven brothers and their occasional mishaps. The film also stars Hema Malini as the female lead, whereas Amjad Khan plays the lead antagonist.
Also Read: Bollywood Movies about Brothers
Prem Rog (1982)
Prem Rog is a social romantic drama directed by Raj Kapoor. The film tries to draw the attention of the audience towards the atrocities and injustice towards widows in India during that era.
The film stars Rishi Kapoor and Padmini Kolhapure in the lead roles. The film tells the story of a young man who falls in love with a widow from a high-status family.
Angoor (1982)
Angoor is an interesting story of two pairs of identical twins and the comedy of errors that follow as neither of them is aware that they have a twin brother nor their friends or family.
The film is directed by Gulzar and features Sanjeev Kumar and Deven Verma in the lead roles as the two pairs of identical twins.
Your selection was excellent but you just cant leave epic film Tezaab out of the context . Films like Ram lakhan ,qURBANI, Karma, Tridev , were all block busters .
I’d love to write on your website. Can I get a chance?