Table of Contents
Kal Ho Na Ho (2003)
Be as strong and ‘macho’ as you like, but we’ve never met a single Indian who hasn’t cried their eyes out watching this Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta, and Saif Ali Khan love story. Especially in that final scene of Aman in the hospital bed revealing why he pushed Naina away all along. we can’t!
Rang De Basanti (2006)
This is one of those movies you can never watch! It starts as a fun college drama with a few LOL moments but quickly dives into patriotism so deep and hard that it can make even the most unpatriotic person a deshbhakt. Given the current political situation, maybe we should all watch this movie again.
Taare Zameen Par (2007)
This has to be the most educational and engaging movie about our flawed education system, misunderstanding of learning disabilities, and love of family. Ishaana’s tearful scenes from the song ‘Maa’ left us in an emotional turmoil that we haven’t recovered from even years later!
Baghban (2003)
Uncle Raj and Aunt Pooja go through hell in their old age as their nalayak children refuse to take care of their aging parents. Although it dragged a bit towards the end, ‘Main Yahan Tu Wahan’ really made us cry.
Masoom (1983)
Masoom (which is an adaptation of Eric Segal’s novel) was ahead of its time and struck a chord with the audience with its compelling storytelling and amazing acting. “Tujhe Naraz Nahi Zindagi” stirred our desi emotions more than the sight of Jack sinking in Titanic.
Rockstar (2011)
This Imtiaz Ali film has achieved cult status thanks to the stellar music of A.R. Rehman and the brilliant acting of Ranbir Kapoor. We don’t know about you, but our Nadaan parindey got out of hand at the end of the movie because the ending was so sad.
Anand (1971)
A lot of you might not have seen it because it’s a movie before many of us were even born, but Anand was an emotional rollercoaster about a dying Anand and his desire to live his life to the fullest. Maybe sit down with your parents to watch this movie this weekend so you can all cry together?
Tere Naam (2003)
Many of us don’t approve of Sallu Bhai as an actor or as a human being *tsk* but his portrayal of Radha struck a chord with us. His haircut in the movie was bigger than the movie itself, but the plot remains one of the saddest.
The Sky Is Pink (2019)
Last year’s TSIP blockbuster is sad. VERY SAD. Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Farhan Akhtar make a wonderful on-screen couple and even better parents to 18-year-old Aisha, who is dying of a terminal illness. What makes this movie even more heartbreaking is the fact that it is based on true events and the idea that a real family is going through it all.
Thappad (2020)
There is no reason in the universe for you to boycott this Taapsee Pannu film which talks about the widespread evil of domestic violence in Indian households. It’s real, it’s raw and it moves you and how.
Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015)
“Bajrangi Bhaijaan” not only re-established Salman Khan’s status as a method actor after a slew of action films, but also introduced a new, talented face in Harshaali Malhotra. In the days of the India-Pakistan rift, this film of an Indian who took a Pakistani girl home acted as a message of peace. It is also emotional to watch the Indian go to any extent to help the girl. One of Salman Khan’s best performances till date, ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ can easily bring tears to your eyes, especially the border crossing scene.
Deewaar (1975)
‘Deewaar’ is popular for its punchy dialogues and amazing direction, but people also remember it for the relationship between two brothers that turns sour when they find themselves on opposite sides of the spectrum. One of the brothers, who grew up to be a policeman, decides to fulfill his duty and shoot the other, who ended up as a murderer. It’s really heartbreaking how time draws a line between the two brothers and you can only feel for the family. Amitabh Bachchan and Shashi Kapoor were exceptional in their roles and brought the film to this list.
Devdas (2002)
I had a bad time choosing which adaptation of this Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay novel to include on this list. But then I went with the 2002 one because it was hard to make that story fun for a modern audience without compensating for the original pain block. And then Shah Rukh Khan gets completely under the character’s skin and drowns his sorrows in alcohol. The film won five national awards along with many hearts for its highly emotional ending that brings tears to our eyes.
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