Emotions and drama go hand in hand with Bollywood movies. No matter what genre the film belongs to, you will always find a little bit drama and a lot of emotions blended into the film.
Today, I would like to draw your attention to the emotional scenes in Bollywood films that left an impact on every crazy filmy keeday wala.
While most emotional scenes are forced into the films only to connect heart-to-heart with the audience, there are some touching scenes that not only touch our hearts but also make us cry and sometimes cry harder.
Although the credit must go to the writers who crafted such a moving scene in the film, it is the actors enacting these scenes in the movie who really deserve all the praise. The actors actually breathe air into these scripted scenes in the movie.
Well, it is difficult to shortlist the best emotional scenes in Bollywood as there are many. However, we have sorted the list of scenes from Bollywood movies that left an impact too deep on the audience and at times even made them cry every time they watched it.
List of Best Bollywood Emotional Scenes
Anand (1971) – Scene depicting Anand’s death and Bhaskar’s anger
Anand is an inspiring film about a young man fighting cancer. The film showcases Anand as a happy-go-lucky young man who is a dying cancer patient.
The highlight of the film is the attitude of the titular character portrayed by Rajesh Khanna as a relaxed and highly motivated young man who knows that he is counting his last days.
The eventual death scene of Anand and Bhaskar’s emotional dilemma touches the audience so deeply that even today that scene makes us all cry at the end.
Sholay (1975) – Jai’s death scene and Veeru’s emotional breakdown
One of the epic films in Bollywood history, Sholay remains in every Indian filmy buff’s hearts forever.
The film is about male bonding, friendship, and revenge. Although the film is a treat to watch even today, there’s one element in the film that we dislike or feel too sad whenever we watch the film.
It’s the demise of Jai and Veeru’s emotional breakdown with the sad version of “Yeh Dosti” song in the background. No matter how idiotic it sounds, I always wish for the scene to change or Jai surviving in the end, whenever I watch Sholay.
Saaransh (1984) – Anupam Kher’s brilliant emotional vent out as a helpless father
Saaransh is Anupam Kher’s debut film for which he also won his only Filmfare Award in the Best Actor category.
The film is about an elderly couple, who recently lost their young son and are trying to come to terms with the sudden demise of their only hope and financial aid in their older age.
While the film is a complete emotional saga, there’s one instance where Anupam Kher, who plays the father B.V. Pradhan lashes out at the main head of the customs department when he is disrespected and aided no help during his visit to collect the ashes of his late son.
Taare Zameen Par (2007) – The song “Maa”
Taare Zameen Par is the directorial debut of Aamir Khan and tells us a story about a dyslexic child named Ishaan, played by Darsheel Safary. While the film is a good mix of all sorts of emotions and drama, there’s one instance when Ishaan is sent to boarding school by his parents against his will.
Ishaan cries a lot and there’s a beautiful song played in the background titled “Maa” sung by Shankar Mahadevan. The song would literally connect with anyone who loves his mom and tears would start flowing automatically.
Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994) – Bhabhi’s accident and eventual death
It’s all fun, love, and celebration in the Rajshri’s family drama film of 1994 titled Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!
However, the whole theme suddenly turns sad when the Renuka Shahane falls down from the staircase and dies eventually after bidding an emotional farewell to all.
The whole fun and laughter in the film dies later on and makes the audience cry for a while, until the happy ending in the final scene.
Yaadon Ki Baraat (1973) – Reunion of the separated family
Yaadon Ki Baaraat is an Indian action drama film directed by Nasir Hussain. The film stars Dharmendra, Zeenat Aman, Vijay Arora, Ajit Khan, Tariq Khan, and Neetu Singh in pivotal roles.
The film tells us the story of a family of three brothers separated from one another at a very young age and later reunited during some uneventful turn of incidents.
The highlight of the film is the music, especially the title song when the three brothers are united at a club. Although one of them isn’t able to join the other two out of mere circumstances, the song ignites all the emotional load in our hearts and rolls out in the form of tears as Dharmendra’s character tries to hold back after seeing his two little brothers embracing each other.
Sadma (1983) – The climax scene
Sadma is actually a Hindi remake of Tamil blockbuster Moondram Pirai. Kamal Hassan reprises his role as the main lead in the Hindi version, whereas Sri Devi plays the autistic child-like woman in the film, getting a lot of praise and accolades from all over India.
The film is about the relationship between Somu, played by Kamal Hassan, and Reshmi, the autistic child-like woman played by Sri Devi that ignites when Somu finds Reshmi at a brothel.
While the film sees a lot of ups and down, the climax scene actually breaks your heart as a recovered Reshmi fails to recognize Somu, who tries his best with different antics to make her remember how he took care of her for several months.
Ek Duuje Ke Liye (1981) – Sapna and Vasu jumping off the cliff at the end
Another Kamal Hassan film on the list is the 1981 romantic tragedy Ek Duuje Ke Liye. Directed by K. Balachander.
The film tells us the love story of two neighbors, a South Indian young man Vasu, played by Kamal Hassan, and a North Indian woman Sapna, played by Rati Agnihotri.
While the two are madly in love, both their parents are against their relationship and set them apart for a year with the hope that the one-year separation will bring an end to the relationship.
Although their bond is tested during tough times, it only grows stronger with time. Sadly, when they are finally about to meet, Sapna is raped at a temple and left to die. Both Sapna and Vasu decide to jump off the cliff and reunite in the afterlife.
The impact of the film was so deep among the young audience that many love birds committed suicide in the similar fashion inspired by the movie.
Swades (2004) – Shah Rukh Khan drinking water from a kid at the Railway Station
Everyone knows that Shah Rukh Khan can make us laugh and love, but he is also pretty much capable of making the audience cry.
The scene where he takes a kulhad of water from a kid at the Railway Station in the 2004 film Swades proves the fact. His performance in the film is till date considered as his best performance as an actor.
Rang De Basanti (2006) – Final conversation between Daljit and Karan
Rang De Basanti is a film for the youth. Directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, the film tells the story of a bunch of young friends, who realize the value of freedom that ignites patriotism among them after they enact the roles of freedom fighters in a documentary short film produced by a British documentary filmmaker Sue McKinley played by Alice Patten.
The film tries to touch different elements such as patriotism, friendship, youth, religious differences, etc. However, the ultimate scene in the film is the final conversation between Daljit and Karan in the recording room, when they both realize that they are not going to get out of this building alive.
Anjali (1990) – Final scene when Anjali is no more
Most of you might not have seen the 1990 Tamil film Anjali as it was released as a dubbed Hindi version. The main attraction of the film the cute little Anjali, who is a dying mentally disabled child.
The film tries to narrate the emotional trauma of her family as they fear her death that’s close by and can be anytime soon. While the movie makes us fall in love with her innocence and cute antics, it makes all of us sob harder when Anjali dies in her sleep and doesn’t wake up one day.
While the film is all fun and drama throughout, there’s a scene when one of the cutest kid Tina, who is under the care of Arun Verma, played by Anil Kapoor; dies after a bomb blast. It is one of the most emotional scenes of all time and makes you literally weep when the body of Tina is being taken to the hospital.
Mera Naam Joker (1970) – Jane Kahan Gaye Woh Din song
Although a box office disaster, I really liked the 1970 Hindi drama film Mera Naam Joker. The film tells us the story of a Joker and the three incidents of his life where he falls in love with 3 different women.
The film features Raj Kapoor in the titular role and tries to embark upon the life of a Joker and how he purely dedicates his life to make others laugh irrespective of the fact that he is happy or sad in life.
While the culture of the circus is no more popular in recent times, the final song of the film “Jane Kahan Gaye Woh Din” literally touches your soul and makes you feel for the lonely Joker.
Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015) – When Munni breaks her silence and calls out “Mama” at the end
Bajrangi Bhaijaan is undoubtedly one of the most emotional films of its decade. With Salman Khan playing the titular role as a man with golden heart.
who takes the initiative to take Munni to her homeland Pakistan at any cost without Visas or any other form of legal aid, the film is bound to be a fun cum emotional saga. While the movie is full of laughter and drama throughout, the final scene of the film steals the show completely.
When Bajrangi is finally allowed to cross the border with a safe passage back to India, mute Munni breaks through the crowd and calls out the words “Mama” repeatedly surprising everyone around. It is both joyful and emotional at the same time making your smile while tears drop down your cheeks.
Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa is by far one of the best performances of Shah Rukh Khan and never at that time, anyone believed that Shah Rukh Khan, who played a failed lover in the film would go on to become the Romance King of Bollywood.
By the end of the film, everyone watching the movie falls in love with Sunil and wishes wholeheartedly that Anna marries him.
However, Sunil realizes that Anna loves Chris and with a heavy heart decides to turn the tables keeping his selfish interest aside and truly respecting his love for Anna.
Yes, it does moist your eyes when you see Sunil’s fake smile and happiness at their wedding.
Your Turn!
Share, Your favorite emotional scene from a Bollywood Film, you can share scenes from other Indian films too.
Rajeesh Nair is a true Gizmofreak and an addictive movie buff. He blogs at LifeBlender.com – a lifestyle Blogzine which focuses on general life related topics of the 21st Century.
