Bollywood is what means entertainment to an Indian! The Hindi film industry is known the world over, for its stars, for the talent in them and the high glamour quotient of the celebs. Bollywood has surely come a long way, from the first silent film in 1913 to the present where entertainment drives the audience.
Some of the indomitable pairs like SRK-Karan Johar, SRK-Yash Johar, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan-Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Ajay Devgn-Rohit Shetty, are the pride of this list. This combination plays an important role in leading to the success of a film, but there is no undermining the other contributors, ranging from cameramen to producers to spot boys who try their very best to make a movie, a hit.
Another aspect of this piece is the importance of connections that matters a lot in Bollywood. Here we are with a compilation of actor-director pairs who have given memorable and entertaining films together. These pairs continue to be great friends off-screen and this maybe something that has brought them success!
#1. SRK and Karan Johar
The pretty obvious and deserving the first spot on the list, this friend cum actor-director duo has enthralled the audience with their right out-of-the-book portrayal of romance. In movies such as 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' to 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham' to 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna' and 'My Name Is Khan'. The pair has also delivered dark plots, something beyond their comfort zone of lovey-dovey films!
#2. Govinda and David Dhawan
David Dhawan, the director who has been known for his knack of directing fun filled, humour driven films with the desi touch of Bollywood, is best paired with Govinda. They have together made the audience roll on the floor laughing, in more than 16 ventures. Although the duo's charm lasted only till the early 2000s, we hope that they reunite to bring those natural peals of laughter back on our faces! Can't keep myself from mentioning my personal favourite, "Haseena Maan Jaayegi"!
#3. Ranbir Kapoor and Imtiaz Ali
Imtiaz Ali is a modern filmmaker who has tugged right at the heartstrings on the Indian millennials. In 'Jab We Met', he was so bang-on that the Indian youth could not keep itself from thronging the theatres. When the two young bloods, Ranbir and Imtiaz joined hands, we were blessed with the modern fables of 'Tamasha' and 'Rockstar'. We are looking out for many more of these endearing and relatable flicks.
#4. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Sanjay Leela Bhansali
This actor-director pair gave the audience an amalgamation of Indian culture and die-hard love. In movies like, 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam' and 'Devdas', we were enticed by the aesthetics of Sanjay and the 'beauty queen', Aishwarya. But their latest collaboration in 'Guzaarish', was not well. The two have given films of a folk genre to their audience.
#5. Hrithik Roshan and Rakesh Roshan
Hrithik debuted in the Hindi film industry with his dad's 'Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai' and grabbed attention to be soon called as the Greek God, for his sharp looks. Then came in the hits like 'Koi... Mil Gaya' and 'Krrish' series, which established them as a great pair in the minds of the people. They have together delivered blockbusters and have a cent percent success rate.
#6. Shah Rukh Khan and Yash Chopra
Films like 'Darr', 'Dil To Pagal Hai', 'Veer-Zaara', which have been masterpieces by this talented duo, are etched in our hearts for their stories and portrayal. The acting, the direction, the plot, they were one of the best amalgamations, to woo the moviegoers. Both of them have granted each other success, and the audience is never bored of watching their films, again and again.
#7. Nargis and Raj Kapoor
This pair gave us some timeless and eternally romantic films for the audience. Their chemistry clicked at the right moment and we were lucky to have them in nearly 14 films together, with these- 'Shree 420', 'Anari', 'Andaz' and 'Barsaat', as unforgettable masterpieces.
#8. Shah Rukh Khan and Aditya Chopra
'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge' (1995), the most-loved film of Shah Rukh's career, was directed by none other than Aditya Chopra, also his directorial venture. This film still lingers in the heart of every 90s kid. And since then, as they say, the rest is history, we had blockbusters like, 'Mohabbatein' and 'Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi', which were an epitome of love and romance. The Badshah and the 'silent genius' are beyond superb when they are together.
#9. Salman Khan and Kabir Khan
Kabir Khan has the forte of directing films on serious issues and still turning them into drama. Apt examples are 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan', 'Ek Tha Tiger' among many others. But these films were great crowd attractions while addressing some serious plots. Well executed, well crafted and brought out in the best envelope of emotions, direction and cinematography, Kabir Khan's films are not the ones one can leave in the middle! But, alas, the latest one, 'Tubelight' failed to carry forward that charm.
#10. Ranveer Singh and Sanjay Leela Bhansali
The camaraderie began in 2013 with the dark love drama, 'Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela' and has matured with 'Bajirao Mastani' to entice us soon on 17 November 2017, with 'Padmavati'. All of them, having the trio, Ranveer-Deepika-Sanjay! These movies created ripples with their historical storylines, elaborate sets and loaded star cast. We cannot wait to start the countdown for Padmavati, fascinated by their performances together.
#11. Imtiaz Ali and Deepika Padukone
We could not keep ourselves from including this rocking duo on our list here. From contemporary entertainers like 'Love Aaj Kal', 'Cocktail' to 'Tamasha', we have seen both talents get polished and grow over the years. Giving the Indian audience flavours of love and friendship, we adore this pair and desperately wish to see more of them together.
#12. Aamir Khan and Rajkumar Hirani
My favourite of all, Aamir Khan and Rajkumar Hirani have together given some eye-opening films to the Indian audience. Not to forget some important life lessons from the flicks like 'PK' and '3 Idiots'. Let me confess here that the audience is anticipating more of these from you, guys! Are there any on the cards? I want to hear a YES!
#13. Ajay Devgn and Rohit Shetty
Rohit Shetty, known for his humorous action packed movies, delivered it best with the veteran actor, Ajay Devgn. We cannot forget them in the Golmaal series, then came the record-breaking Singham and Bol Bachchan, which made marks on the minds of the audience as signature Rohit Shetty films. The flying, stumbling-over-each-other cars scene is an inescapable sight in his films, sometimes making us recognise the movie with the scene!
#14. Ranbir Kapoor and Ayan Mukerji
Two of my favs from Bollywood, 'Wake Up Sid' and 'Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani' were a result of this talented pair. Off-work, they are close buddies, often spotted holidaying together, I guess this rapport is what gets the natural flair and expertise out of the two. Our love for the two does not seem to fade at all, in fact, seems to get deeper with their next!
#15. Amitabh Bachchan and R. Balki
Mr Bachchan, been there in the film industry for decades now, he has this modern director, R. Balki, who has provided him with films of out-of-the-box plots. Quintessentials are 'Cheeni Kum', 'Paa' and 'Shamitabh'. These have been path-breaking, and our hunger for this innovative genre of cinema has not been satiated yet! In fact, as full chances to give us the hunger pangs!
We hope you enjoyed this compilation. If there are any more that you want us to include, you can surely list them in comments below.