BizAsia Valentine’s Day special: 10 Evergreen jodis of B-town

It’s that day of the year again. Valentine’s Day is upon us and, this year, to mark the occasion, BizAsia are going to look at Indian cinema’s most evergreen couples. These are the on-screen gems who, when they come together, create a world for themselves so beautiful that you just want to see them again and again. Here goes (in no particular order)…

Raj Kapoor and Nargis

This list would be incomplete without the legendary Raj Kapoor and Nargis to start off. The two did a magnificent 16 films together starting from ‘Aag’ (1948). After that, their pairing went from strength to strength and saw them rule throughout nearly a decade. Films such as ‘Awaara’ (1951) and ‘Shree 420’ (1955) became absolute classics and their joint on-screen presence is celebrated even today.

Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore��

This couple were the box office hit couple in the 1960s and 1970s. From ��Aradhna�۪ (1969) to ��Amar Prem�۪ (1972), directors paired Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore together knowing that they bought the screen to life, with their mere presence. They make a beautiful couple on screen, with a rich catalogue of films and loving chemistry.

Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha

There is one film that defines this couple’s specialness and that is ‘Silsila’ (1981). The chemistry between them is sizzling to say the least with both being good-looking and charistmatic individuals. They had done a fair few films together before ‘Silsila’ including ‘Mr Natwarlal’ (1979) and ‘Namak Haraam’ (1973). There have been rumours since ‘Silsila’ that the two had an affair and the tension seemed to remain in the years that followed. Most recently, they were seen greeting each other cordially at an award function and there has even been talk to them reuniting on screen which would be a real treat after more than 30 years since they last shared screen space.

Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh

On and off the silver screen, Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh have set the bar high when it comes to loved up Bollywood couples. The pair starred opposite each other in 11 films including ��Rafoo Chakkar�۪ (1974), ��Khel Khel Mein�۪ (1975) and ��Kabhie Kabhie�۪ (1976) before tying the knot in 1980. They have since gone on to star in films in supporting roles opposite each other, with Neetu Singh acting as his wife in the latest film alongside their son Ranbir Kapoor in ��Besharam�۪ (2013).

Govinda and Karisma Kapoor

Dancing hero Govinda had, at the peak of his career, been known as an actor that many actresses saw as a stepping stone. Having said that, Karisma Kapoor was once actress who stayed with the actor in many films before completely moving on. During the 90s this pairing was hugely popular with movies like ‘Hero No 1’ (1997), ‘Raja Babu’ (1994), ‘Khudaar’ (1994) and ‘Saajan Chale Sasural’ (1996). Their magic was in their liveliness and fabulous on-screen comparability. Govinda found similar with other heroines but none matched up to Kapoor for him.

Aamir Khan and Juhi Chawla

As jodis that debut together go, some are received well throughout their careers whereas others pretty much hit the ground running. Aamir Khan and Juhi Chawla, right from the first movie together, ‘Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak’ (1988), seemed to strike gold. Not all of the films they starred in together saw success but their pairing was undoubtedly popular. They were most recently seen together in 1997’s ‘Ishq’ along side Ajay Devgn and Kajol.

Salman Khan and Madhuri Dixit-Nene

*Cough cough* Perhaps the most loved movie of their time is 1994’s ‘Hum Aapke Hai Kaun’ and it was enough to put this couple on our list despite them having done other films together. The magic of Khan and Dixit-Nene is perhaps in the innocence they portray on screen; they make you fall in, they make you cry and, most of all, they make you want to be a part of their love story which unravels on screen. Last seen together in ‘Hum Tumhaare Hai Sanam’ (2002), we think these two need to come together once again to rekindle the perfection they created on screen.

Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol

Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol are the ultimate on screen couple. Ever since they came on the scene in ��Baazigar�۪ (1993) and became the infamous Raj and Simran in ��Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge�۪ (1995), this couple have sizzled on screen and created their own cult following among the audience. They look fantastic together and have a well-deserved place in our evergreen couples.

Hrithik Roshan and Kareena Kapoor

This couple have the kind of chemistry that endears the audience to them and keeps them coming back for more. Ever since they starred together in ��Yaadein�۪ (2001) and then went on to star together in ��Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Ghum�۪ (2001), they have proved that they are well matched in energy levels on screen and keep the audience hooked.

Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone

Despite their controversies in their personal life, with their latest hit together with ��Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani�۪ (2013), ��Deepika Padukone and Ranbir Kapoor have put aside their differences to show the audience just why they are their favourite sweethearts. They complement each other perfectly on screen and do the emotional scenes so well. They are very much the evergreen jodi of the future.

BizAsia would like to wish all our readers a very Happy Valentines Day – no matter where in the world you are!

By Sanoobar Patel and Amrita Tanna