To put it simply, Bollywood (just like the rest of the world) mainly produces three kinds of films. One is the kind that we can’t stand watching even once. Another kind of films are which we watch it for the first time but eventually they kind of wear off. However, there are these third kind of films that just manage to make a place in our hearts forever. We can watch these timeless classics over and over and still never get tired of them. Even though now films are not able to pull the audience back to the cinema after a few weeks, there used to exist a time when movies used to run successfully in theatres for months and in a few cases even years. So, we bring a list for all the movie buffs out there featuring Bollywood films that ran for the longest time in cinema halls and became timeless classics. Have a look!
1.Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)
Director: Aditya Chopra
Duration: 22 years and counting
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ) is without a doubt a part of almost every Bollywood fan’s all time favourites. Boasting one of the finest on-screen chemistry of Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, the film had an entire generation swooning over it. This Bollywood film was also the directorial debut for Yash Chopra’s elder son Aditya Chopra. Right from his debut film, he proved that he has what it takes to be the best in the business.
The plot is predictable and certainly not what you'd call "never done before” and yet you find yourself completely absorbed in the story and rooting for the main characters. This is because beside the plot, the film is special for many reasons. First and foremost, the fresh and naive spirit. Secondly, the many paradoxes that it contains - It is powerful yet subtle, it is magical yet realistic and even though it is larger than life, it yet feels simple in so many ways.
The Bollywood film went on to win a National Award and a total of 10 Filmfare Awards post the release. The film added another feather to its cap when it overtook Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra’s Sholay, which had run for over five years at the Minerva theatre, as the longest-running film in the history of Indian cinema. The film is running in Maratha Mandir even today taking its total run to 22 years and still counting. Made on a budget of approximately Rs. 4 crore, DDLJ minted Rs. 120 crores in its lifetime run.
2.Sholay (1975)
Director: Ramesh Sippy
Duration: 5 years
Who of us didn’t shed a tear when Veeru (Dharmendra) finds Jai (Amitabh Bachchan) breathing his last in his arms? That climax scene of Sholay is still buried in our minds and will remain there forever. Although, the film that went on to revolutionise Indian cinema it wasn’t expected to perform this well. Sholay changed the way films were being made, it changed the way scripts, screenplays and characters were being written.
Another master of the art Shekhar Kapur once said that the history of Indian cinema can be divided in two halves which consist of ‘Sholay BC’ and ‘Sholay AD’ and we couldn’t agree with him more. Sholay was screened for five years in theatres and was one of the few films at the time that attracted audience from all age groups.
Whether it is Gabbar’s menacing voice, Jai and Veeru’s unbreakable friendship or the liveliness of Basanti, it is unbelievable how everything about the film is still so fresh in the minds of the audience. The film ran in numerous theatres and for over 5 years in the Minerva Theatre, Mumbai. It went on continuously for 286 weeks.
3.Mughal-E-Azam (1960)
Director: K. Asif
Duration: 3 years
The story is about Akbar (Prithviraj Kapoor) and Queen Jodha (Durga Khote) who give birth to a son, Salim, after years of prayers. Prince Salim (Dilip Kumar) grows into a commendable heir for the throne. Later on, Salim falls for a court dancer named Anarkali (Madhubala). Initially she holds back on her feelings because of the difference in their backgrounds, however, she soon reciprocates his love. Akbar finds out about the affair and that creates a rift between the father and son. Mughal-E-Azam was not only one of the most expensive and grand project of the time, it also had a touch of perfection which was simply unparalleled.
It later became the first Hindi film to be coloured digitally and released again. The film had an original run in the theatres of 150 weeks.
4.Kismet (1943)
Director: Gyan Mukherjee
Duration: 3 years
Kismet is regarded as the first blockbuster in the history of Indian cinema. Boasting a supremely talented star cast consisting the likes of Ashok Kumar, Mumtaz Shanti and Shah Nawaz, the film received love from all corners of the country helping it stick in theatres for a period of 3 years. It is also said to have run for a stretch of 187 weeks in the Roxy Cinema in Calcutta, a record which remained unbroken for 32 years.
With Kismet, Ashok Kumar established his reputation as one of the bigger stars of Indian cinema. In the film, he played the role of Shekhar (Ashok Kumar), an unapologetic, unashamed criminal but a man with a heart of gold. This was also the first time the male lead was shown in a negative light. It also was the first film to show one of its characters in double role, and a girl getting pregnant before marriage. The film also made use of the classic Separation and Reunited formula. Something which has been told many times in films that followed.
The music of the film was another strong reason that helped it become a roaring success. Composed by Anil Biswas, songs like ‘Door Hato O Duniyawalon Hindustan Hamara Hai’, ‘Ghar Ghar Mein Diwali’ and ‘Dheere Dheere Aa’ from the film that are remembered till date.
5.Barsaat (1949)
Director: Raj Kapoor
Duration 2 years
Barsaat was a film from the early days of Bollywood. At a time when we still were trying to stand on our feet. The film is remembered not only because it ran for the longest time in cinema halls, but for several other reasons. In fact, Barsaat became such a massive success that Raj Kapoor established RK Studios following the release of the film. The film told the story of two friends who had a very different philosophy of love. Pran (Raj Kapoor) believes in true love and Gopal (Premnaath) takes love more casually. Once, the two friends come across two ladies who they end up falling for. Pran develops feelings for the charms of Reshma (Nargis) whereas Gopal falls for Neela (Nimmi). Despite facing many difficulties, Pran eventually manages to marry Reshma. However, by the time Gopal realises the importance of true love it gets too late.
