IANS Year Ender 2025: 15 iconic Hindi Films that redefined new-age cinema in the first quarter of the 21st Century
Mumbai, Dec 28 — The first three decades of the 2000s transformed Bollywood from a traditional industry into a dynamic cultural force. A wave of fresh stories, new stars, daring concepts and a mix of larger‑than‑life drama and realistic themes let Hindi cinema explore romance, friendship, mental health, and social issues in ways that resonated with audiences across the globe. Below are the 15 films that left a lasting mark on Indian cinema and helped shape contemporary storytelling.
Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai (2000)
Directed by Rakesh Roshan, this debut for Hrithik Roshan and Ameesha Patel became a youth sensation, catapulting Hrithik into superstar status with his double role and chart‑topping songs.
Less‑known bit: Kareena Kapoor was originally cast opposite Hrithik, but stepped away mid‑shoot; Ameesha then stepped in as Sonia.
Mohabbatein (2000)
Aditya Chopra’s musical romance brought Shah Rukh Khan together with Aishwarya Rai on screen with veteran Amitabh Bachchan for the first time. The film’s conflict between discipline and love echoed classic themes.
Less‑known bit: Chopra spent four years refining the script, making this his first venture after Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge.
Lagaan (2001)
Ashutosh Gowariker’s period drama, starring Aamir Khan and Gracy Singh, earned an Oscar nomination and used cricket as a vehicle for anti‑colonial resistance.
Less‑known bit: The British actors portraying colonial officers received dialect coaching to capture period‑accurate accents.
Gadar: Ek Prem Katha (2001)
Anil Sharma’s romantic saga featuring Sunny Deol and Ameesha Patel centered on a love story set during the partition, becoming a massive hit and immortalizing the patriotic character Tara Singh.
Less‑known bit: The famous hand‑pump sequence was a spontaneous addition made on set, not part of the original script.
Dil Chahta Hai (2001)
Farhan Akhtar’s debut redefined urban friendship with the story of three friends, Aakash, Sid, and Sameer. It prompted a trend of road‑trip movies to Goa and set a template for contemporary relationships.
Less‑known bit: Preity Zinta was originally offered Pooja’s role before it went to Sonali Kulkarni.
Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001)
Karan Johar’s family drama became a pop‑culture touchstone, featuring Kareena Kapoor’s “Poo,” along with SRK, Kajol, Hrithik, Amitabh, and Jaya Bachchan.
Less‑known bit: Cameos from Abhishek Bachchan and Jugal Hansraj were cut during the final edit.
Kal Ho Naa Ho (2002)
Nikhil Advani’s romantic tragedy stars SRK, Preity Zinta, and Saif Ali Khan. The film’s emotional ending and memorable music left audiences tear‑jerking.
Less‑known bit: SRK filmed while recovering from a serious spinal injury.
Devdas (2002)
Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s lavish production stars SRK, Madhuri Dixit, and Aishwarya Rai, celebrated for its visual opulence, powerful dialogues, and iconic songs.
Less‑known bit: The film opened in Cannes to a standing ovation.
Munna Bhai M.B.B.S (2003)
Rajkumar Hirani melded humor with depth, introducing the beloved “Gandhigiri” philosophy and unforgettable characters Munna Bhai and Circuit.
Less‑known bit: Circuit was originally a minor role that expanded thanks to Arshad Warsi’s performance.
Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2005)
The sequel matched the original’s success, continuing the blend of comedy, social commentary, and motivational storytelling.
Less‑known bit: The follow‑up was the only Indian sequel to outshine its predecessor in audience reception.
Rang De Basanti (2006)
Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra paired Aamir Khan with a story that combined historical revolution with contemporary youth angst, turning cinema into a platform for political awakening.
Less‑known bit: Many scenes drew inspiration from real‑life student movements.
Taare Zameen Par (2007)
Aamir Khan’s directorial debut tackled dyslexia and academic pressure, reshaping conversations about education and empathy while showcasing a meaningful teacher‑student bond.
Less‑known bit: Khan took over directing duties midway when Amole Gupte left over creative differences.
3 Idiots (2009)
Rajkumar Hirani’s comedy‑drama, starring Aamir, R Madhavan, and Sharman Joshi, used humor to critique the Indian education system, cementing Rancho as a cultural icon.
Less‑known bit: The story was loosely adapted from Chetan Bhagat’s novel Five Point Someone, though the author was not initially credited.
Dabangg (2010)
Abhinav Kashyap’s masala hit introduced Salman Khan’s swaggering cop Chulbul Pandey, launching a successful franchise and setting a new benchmark for action‑comedy. The film also marked Sonakshi Sinha’s debut.
Less‑known bit: Salman personally shaped Chulbul’s distinctive body language and dialogues.
Dangal (2016)
Nitesh Tiwari’s sports biopic chronicles the inspiring journey of wrestler‑mother and Phogat sisters. Featuring Aamir Khan, Fatima Sana Sheikh, and Sanya Malhotra, it became one of the biggest‑grossing Indian films worldwide.
Less‑known bit: Aamir gained and then shed nearly 30 kg to authentically portray the role.
These films not only showcased Bollywood’s evolution but also reflected society’s growing appetite for complex characters, socially relevant storylines, and unforgettable performances.
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