Mumbai, October 02: The sizzling chemistry between them overflowed on to the celluloid whenever they romanced each other on screen.
A few Bollywood jodis will remain etched in our memories as the ultimate symbol of love. One such passionate on-screen couple is Nargis and Raj Kapoor. They boldly projected love when others relied on birds and flowers to coyly show a kiss between a hero and his heroine. Nargis and Raj Kapoor changed that concept. He seductively played with her tangled locks, looked deep into her doe-shaped eyes, ran his fingers on her slender neck and made the audience go weak in their knees… With films like Aag, Barsaat, Awaara, Shree 420 and others, they, till date, remain the golden couple of Bollywood.
Then there’s the superstar Rajesh Khanna who had every actress waiting to be cast opposite him. But the one who matched up to Kaka’s style was Mumtaz. The voluptuous Mumtaz and the king of hearts, Kaka, created quite a flutter when they danced and pranced around trees. Together they’ve given around eight hits making them the most wanted couple of the 60s. The other electrifying couple on screen was Hema Malini and Dharmendra. She as the talkative Basanti and he as the naughty Veeru in Sholay, stole the hearts of many, and as the legend has it, of each others too, during the making of the film. Their romance looked honest and not a forced attempt. She submitted herself into his arms and made you feel that they were made for each other… indeed they were. The much-married Dharam tied the knot with his ‘Dream Girl’ Hema in 1980.
Then there’s the most intriguing and mystical jodi of Rekha-Amitabh Bachchan. They perfectly matched each other — he tall and handsome, she sensuous and graceful. There was an aura, a touch of mystery surrounding them but the two stopped working with each other after their hit Silsila which also starred Big B’s wife Jaya.
There’s no couple who can beat the vivacious Neetu Singh and Rishi Kapoor’s jodi of the 80s. The charming Rishi and the bubbly Neetu’s magical touch was seen in films like Kabhie Kabhie, Rafoo Chakkar, Amar Akbar Anthony, Khel Khel Mein and others. Their on-screen fairytale romance blossomed and the two tied the knot in 1979. Their fans were more than thrilled to see them once again in Imtiaz Ali’s latest Love Aaj Kal.
In the 90s and leading on to 2000, there’s only one couple who’s been able to give you that warm, fuzzy feeling in your heart — Kajol and Shah Rukh Khan. Their Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge in 1995 and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai in 1998 till date, remain as the bible for those in love. With their next release My Name is Khan, one wonders whether any Bollywood jodi in the present era, will be able to replicate the magic these two create on the big screen.
—Agencies