The time was when Bollywood films worked magic for the viewers while they made them laugh, cry, fall in love, and at times believe in the power of the emotions. It was special for those who had grown up watching movies between 1980 and the early 2000s. It was soulful music, completely pure stories, and characters which felt real. Somewhere along the line, Bollywood lost its innocence.
On the contrary, South Indian cinema has found new heights, presenting films the likes of which Bollywood once confidently had in its repertoire. What on earth has happened to the Bollywood I so loved?
A Time When Music Touched the Soul
I clearly remember the first time I watched Sur (2002). It was such a lovely movie! The music, the emotions, the journey of a musician-everything was so raw and real. Lucky Ali had a way of touching someone’s heart through his voice, and even today, those songs give me goosebumps.
Then, there was Sirf Tum (1999)-the simplest yet the most powerful love story. Two strangers connecting through letters, and their emotions growing with every word-magic. “Pehli Pehli Baar Mohabbat Ki Hai” is still one of the most romantic songs ever made.
And how can I forget Tum Bin (2001)? A film which showed that love stories do not need big stars to touch hearts. Purely beautiful was the way it showed loss, longing, and second chances. Each song had a lot in it, from the depressing Koi Fariyaad to the hopeful Chhoti Chhoti Raatein. This was Bollywood at its best-pure, realistic, and unforgettable.
It was also during the golden age of playback singing. The time when Kumar Sanu, Udit Narayan, Sonu Nigam, SPB, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Shreya Ghoshal, and Alka Yagnik ruled young hearts with their lilting voices taking the cake-many of which will go down in history as indelible songs. Those weren’t melodies; they were emotions packed into music. Each song was a tale, a feeling, a memory that will live forever with us.
And who can forget Saajan (1991)? A movie which redefined romance in terms of a love triangle, soaked in emotion, along with very hummable songs. “Mera Dil Bhi Kitna Pagal Hai,” “Dekha Hai Pehli Baar,” and “Bahut Pyar Karte Hain” are still among the top few soul-stirring romantic numbers ever composed. Saajan has changed the action image of Sanjay Dutt and turned him into a romantic hero. The film had all the essential ingredients-story, emotions, and music which went with it perfectly.
When Music Had Meaning, Not Just Noise
Bollywood music used to have poetry. Every lyric had a depth, and every tune was of meaning. Songs were not background filler; it was an extension of the emotions in the story. This essence has been lost today; it has instead been replaced by loud, flashy, and unrememberable music. There no longer existed melodies that could touch one’s heart; now there are only remixed beats that get into one’s memory only to evaporate.
Over the years, streaming beautiful slow meaningful compositions has been overtaken by techno beats and meaningless English phrases.
I long to listen to songs that carry such deeply-soaked emotions in them that one line would be sufficient to bring one to tears. That was the time when just a single song sung by Kumar Sanu or an Alka Yagnik could take someone back in time to their initial love: That was the time when one could really say a Sonu Nigam song best captures the feeling and the world in which the life story exists. Today, there isn’t even that quality of a timeless song-him, because it comes and goes without leaving a strongly marked experience.
Stories That Made Reality Come Alive
Back then, Bollywood didn’t rush things when it came to making love. They took time to build connections, to show emotions that felt genuine. The magic and charm of Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin (1991) went beyond that film as it engendered sighs and hopes. Pooja and Raghu’s love story, the petty spat, the innocent moments-everything was truly picture-perfect.
Dhadkan (2000) and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999) were such attributes not only of romance but really defined choices, sacrifices, and the subtle bittersweetness of love. Taal (1999) was a channel of love-meets-music: another instant classic.
The Simple Things That Made Bollywood Beautiful
Well, all that had great heart-and didn’t need some silly over the top action or purposeless CGI and twist modernity to make a film work. Even action films like Ghayal (1990) and Sarfarosh (1999) kept us hooked by strong storytelling together with family dramas like Hum Aapke Hain Koun (1994) or Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001) based on love, respect, and relationships – something that touched our hearts with everyone-the density of connection.
And comedies? Timeless gems like Hera Pheri (2000), Dulhe Raja (1998), and Raja Babu (1994), which make us laugh without some forced jokes or needless slapstick comedy. These have heart, humor, and performances that still make us smile.
And thrillers? Gupt (1997) set us on the edge of the seat with its gripping suspense. Ajnabee (2001) gave us a mystery-filled thriller with unexpected twists. Action, romance, and drama written into powerful narratives could be found in Diljale (1996) as well as Dilwale (1994).
There are innumerable films that embraced simplicity and yet packed a punch, films that turned out to be raw but emotionally notched. These are entertaining in a most meaningful way.
Why South Indian Movies Are Winning Today
Bollywood continues to wrack its soul, while the South stands as the torchbearer. Baahubali, KGF, Pushpa, RRR, Jailer-now these movies are smashing blockbuster values not just in terms of scale but because of their soul. They take me back to that strong storytelling with unforgettable characters and intense emotions, the same Bollywood had once.
These films do not thrive on cheap remakes and forced glamour; they know audience intelligence and write great scripts to stay with them. It’s still about that feeling, whether it is spikes of rawness in Pushpa, grandiosity in Baahubali, or emotion-filled action in KGF.
Waiting to Wake Up – Bollywood!
I miss the good old days of Bollywood. I miss the strong characterizations, the deep emotions, and the stories that lingered with me long after the closing credits rolled. Today, it feels as though Bollywood is trying extra hard to impress with visual effects, six-pack bodies, item numbers, and mindless action. But where’s the heart? Where’s the story?
My dear Bollywood Directors, with all due respect, let me make one appeal to you: Please unlearn whatever it is you have learned in the past two decades. Forget about the knowledge gained of special effects. Don’t complicate matters for the sake of it. Do not compose music just because it is trendy. Bring back naivety. Bring back real emotions. Bring back cinema that inspires laughter, tears, and love.
Let us recreate the magic of the old Bollywood. Nostalgia has to rule Bollywood once again.
What? Do you share the same sentiments with me? Do you miss the late nineties early 2000s Bollywood? What are your favorite movies from back in the day?
