“Nineties Nostalgia: Top 10 Films That Defined the Decade”

1. Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)

• Director: Aditya Chopra
• Cast:
  • Shah Rukh Khan as Raj Malhotra
  • Kajol as Simran Singh
  • Amrish Puri as Chaudhry Baldev Singh
  • Farida Jalal as Lajwanti “Lajjo” Singh
  • Anupam Kher as Dharamvir Malhotra
  • Parmeet Sethi as Kuljeet Singh
• Synopsis: A classic romantic film that tells the story of Raj and Simran, two young individuals who fall in love during a European vacation but face opposition from Simran’s conservative father.
• Production Company: Yash Raj Films
• Budget: Approximately ₹4 crore
• Box Office: Approximately ₹102.5 crore
• Note: This film is one of the longest-running films in Indian cinema history and is considered a milestone in Hindi cinema.

• Director: Sooraj R. Barjatya
• Cast:
  • Salman Khan as Prem
  • Madhuri Dixit as Nisha
  • Renuka Shahane as Pooja
  • Mohnish Bahl as Rajesh
  • Anupam Kher as Prof. Siddharth Choudhary
  • Reema Lagoo as Kaushalya Choudhary
• Synopsis: A family drama that revolves around the love story of Prem and Nisha, with a strong focus on Indian traditions and values.
• Production Company: Rajshri Productions
• Budget: Approximately ₹13.6 crore
• Box Office: Approximately ₹135 crore
• Note: Known for its elaborate wedding sequences and memorable songs.

3. Dil To Pagal Hai (1997)

• Director: Yash Chopra
• Cast:
  • Shah Rukh Khan as Rahul
  • Madhuri Dixit as Pooja
  • Karisma Kapoor as Nisha
  • Akshay Kumar as Ajay
  • Farida Jalal as Madhuri
  • Deven Verma as Dada Ji
• Synopsis: A musical romantic drama that explores the themes of love and friendship within a dance troupe.
• Production Company: Yash Raj Films
• Budget: Approximately ₹11.5 crore
• Box Office: Approximately ₹106.3 crore
• Note: The film won several awards and is remembered for its beautiful dance sequences.

4. Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998)

• Director: Karan Johar
• Cast:
  • Shah Rukh Khan as Rahul Khanna
  • Kajol as Anjali Sharma
  • Rani Mukerji as Tina Malhotra
  • Salman Khan as Aman Mehra
  • Sana Saeed as Little Anjali
  • Farida Jalal as Mrs. Khanna
• Synopsis: A story of friendship, love, and family that follows Rahul and Anjali as they navigate their feelings for each other.
• Production Company: Dharma Productions
• Budget: Approximately ₹10.5 crore
• Box Office: Approximately ₹106 crore
• Note: This film marked Karan Johar’s directorial debut and was a massive success.

5. Lagaan (2001)

• Director: Ashutosh Gowariker
• Cast:
  • Aamir Khan as Bhuvan
  • Gracy Singh as Gauri
  • Rachel Shelley as Elizabeth Russell
  • Paul Blackthorne as Captain Andrew Russell
  • Suhasini Mulay as Yashodamai
  • Kulbhushan Kharbanda as Raja Puran Singh
• Synopsis: Set in the British colonial era, the film revolves around a group of villagers who challenge the British rulers to a cricket match to avoid paying taxes.
• Production Company: Aamir Khan Productions
• Budget: Approximately ₹24.5 crore
• Box Office: Approximately ₹65 crore
• Note: Although released in 2001, Lagaan is often associated with the 1990s era and is a critically acclaimed period drama.

6. Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa (1994)

• Director: Kundan Shah
• Cast:
  • Shah Rukh Khan as Sunil
  • Suchitra Krishnamoorthi as Anna
  • Deepak Tijori as Chris
  • Naseeruddin Shah as Father Braganza
  • Rita Bhaduri as Mrs. Braganza
  • Goga Kapoor as Sunil’s Father
• Synopsis: A coming-of-age romantic comedy that tells the story of Sunil, a young man who is in love with his childhood friend Anna but faces various obstacles.
• Production Company: N.F.D.C.
• Budget: Information not widely available
• Box Office: Approximately ₹3.5 crore
• Note: Shah Rukh Khan’s performance in this film is widely praised.

7. Dil Se.. (1998)

• Director: Mani Ratnam
• Cast:
  • Shah Rukh Khan as Amarkant Varma
  • Manisha Koirala as Meghna
  • Preity Zinta as Preeti Nair
  • Malaika Arora as Special Appearance in “Chaiyya Chaiyya” song
  • Raghubir Yadav as Chapan Tikli
  • Piyush Mishra as C.B.I. Officer
• Synopsis: A love story set against the backdrop of insurgency in the northeastern region of India, exploring themes of love, terrorism, and patriotism.
• Production Company: India Talkies
• Budget: Approximately ₹9 crore
• Box Office: Approximately ₹17 crore
• Note: The film’s music, composed by A.R. Rahman, is particularly memorable.

8. Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (1992)

• Director: Mansoor Khan
• Cast:
  • Aamir Khan as Sanjaylal Sharma (Sanju)
  • Ayesha Jhulka as Anjali
  • Deepak Tijori as Shekhar Malhotra
  • Pooja Bedi as Devika
  • Mamik Singh as Ratan
• Synopsis: A sports drama centered around a cycling competition between rival schools and the journey of a young athlete who aims to win it.
• Production Company: Nasir Hussain Films
• Budget: Information not widely available
• Box Office: Approximately ₹5.3 crore
• Note: Known for its youthful energy and the iconic song “Pehla Nasha.”

9. Satya (1998)

• Director: Ram Gopal Varma
• Cast:
  • J.D. Chakravarthy as Satya
  • Urmila Matondkar as Vidya
  • Manoj Bajpayee as Bhiku Mhatre
  • Shefali Shah as Pyari Mhatre
  • Saurabh Shukla as Kallu Mama
• Synopsis: A gritty crime thriller that explores the Mumbai underworld through the eyes of a young man named Satya.
• Production Company: RGV Film Factory
• Budget: Approximately ₹2.3 crore
• Box Office: Approximately ₹15 crore
• Note: Satya is considered a landmark film in Indian cinema for its realistic portrayal of the underworld.

10. Andaz Apna Apna (1994)

• Director: Rajkumar Santoshi
• Cast:
  • Aamir Khan as Amar
  • Salman Khan as Prem
  • Raveena Tandon as Raveena
  • Karisma Kapoor as Karishma
  • Paresh Rawal as Teja
  • Shakti Kapoor as Crime Master Gogo
• Synopsis: A cult comedy that follows the misadventures of two friends who compete for the affections of a wealthy heiress while getting entangled in various hilarious situations.
• Production Company: Vinay Pictures
• Budget: Information not widely available
• Box Office: Approximately ₹8.5 crore
• Note: Although not a commercial success during its initial release, it has gained a strong fan following over the years.