Hindi Cinema’s Literary Gems: Stories and Dialogues That Endure
Mumbai, 16th September 2024 – With Hindi Diwas celebrated on 14th September, what better way to honour the richness of the Hindi language than by immersing in the timeless magic of classic Bollywood cinema. Many Hindi classics are deeply inspired by literary works, with rich narratives adapted from novels or stories, and their iconic dialogues have transcended time, becoming an integral part of India’s cultural lexicon. These films not only reflect the era they were made in but also continue to inspire generations with their timeless wisdom and evocative language.
The newly launched OTT platform, Ultra Play, is offering a unique opportunity to rediscover the golden era of Hindi cinema. With over 2,000 curated films spanning decades, Ultra Play is the ultimate destination for classic Bollywood lovers, and this Hindi Diwas, it’s time to celebrate with the top 10 must-watch Hindi classic films. As India’s first Hindi-exclusive OTT platform, Ultra Play provides a streamlined and unique experience for viewers with a movie streaming list like Evergreen 90s, Bollywood Jodi, Classical Gems, Top Retro Collections and more
Ultra Play’s flagship campaign, ‘Har Pal Filmy’, is dedicated to bringing the finest Hindi films back into the spotlight, giving both longtime fans and a new generation of viewers the chance to experience the beauty, drama, and culture captured in these masterpieces. Here’s a look at 10 must-watch Hindi classic films available on Ultra Play that will transport you to a world of cinematic wonder:
- Pyaasa (1957)
Guru Dutt’s soulful masterpiece, Pyaasa, is a poignant portrayal of a poet’s struggle to find love and recognition in a materialistic world. The film is celebrated for its lyrical storytelling and remains relevant even today. In a significant moment for the Indian film industry, Pyaasa, the timeless cult classic starring Guru Dutt, Waheeda Rehman and Mala Sinha had also become the first film to be restored by Ultra Media & Entertainment to its original quality for the Venice Film Festival in the recent past. The film is now available on Ultra Play OTT app.
- Do Ankhen Barah Haath (1957)
V Shantaram’s powerful approach to advocating humanism while still exposing injustice made this film a classic. Do Ankhen Barah Haath holds a unique place in Indian cinema’s history. This film achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Indian film to win and be nominated for a Golden Globe. The narrative of Do Ankhen Barah Haath revolves around a forward-thinking young warden who embarks on a transformative journey. The film beautifully addressed the themes of rehabilitation, hard work, and the significance of personal transformation.
- Boot Polish (1954)
Boot Polish is a 1954 Hindi comedy-drama directed by Prakash Arora and produced by Raj Kapoor. It won Best Film at the Filmfare Awards.[1] The film stars Ratan Kumar and Naaz in the lead roles. The simplistic plot rode on the shoulders of two child actors — Ratan Kumar played Bhola, and Kumari Naaz played Belu — who live with their wicked aunt, Kamla Devi (Chand Burke)
- Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962)
Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam is a 1962 Indian Hindi film produced by Guru Dutt and directed by Abrar Alvi. It is based on a Bengali novel, Sahib Bibi Golam, written by Bimal Mitra and is a tragic reflection of the decline of zamindari and feudalism in Bengal in the late 19th and early 20th centuries during the British Raj. The film tries to depict an idealistic friendship between a beautiful, lonely wife (Bibi) of an aristocrat (Sahib) and a low-income part-time slave (Ghulam).
- CID (1956)
Directed by Raj Khosla and produced by Guru Dutt, CID was released in July 1956. The film marked the Hindi film debut of Waheeda Rehman. This crime thriller had Dev Anand playing a police inspector working for the special branch and the dapper actor looked like he was born for such a role. Who can forget those melodious O.P. Nayyar compositions – “Leke pehla pehla pyar”, “Kahin pe nigahen kahin pe nishana”, “Yeh hai Bombay meri jaan”, penned by Majrooh Sultanpuri that still generate a thrill whenever they resonate in the voices of Mohammed Rafi, Shamshad Begum, Geeta Dutt.
- Dream Girl (1977)
Hema Malini, who was promoted at the original “Dream Girl”, starred in the movie of the same name. The story revolves around a young woman played by Hema Malini, who essayed five different characters in the film – Sapna, Padma, Champabai, Dream girl, and Rajkumari, to steal money in order to maintain a home for orphans. The movie’s evergreen title track “Dream Girl” sung by immortal Kishore Kumar still is popular amongst Bollywood buffs.
- Deewar (1975)
This classic Bollywood film released in 1975, directed by Yash Chopra and written by Salim-Javed, remains an iconic masterpiece in Indian cinema. The film, starring Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor, Nirupa Roy, and Parveen Babi, is celebrated for its compelling narrative and powerful dialogues that continue to resonate with audiences to this day. The iconic Deewaar dialogues echo through the annals of Indian cinema, carving a permanent place in the hearts of audiences across generations.
- Half Ticket (1962)
This 1962 Indian Hindi-language comedy film was directed by Kalidas and produced by Bombay Talkies. Starring Madhubala, Kishore Kumar and Pran. Vijay decides to leave the house and move to Bombay. The plot then shows Vijay disguising himself as a child, Munna, so that he only has to pay for the ‘half-ticket’ to board the train.
9) Bobby (1973)
Bobby is a musical romance film, produced and directed by Raj Kapoor, starring Rishi Kapoor & Dimple Kapadia. The film became a trend-setter. It was wildly popular and widely imitated. It introduced to Bollywood the genre of teenage romance with a rich-versus-poor clash as a backdrop. Numerous films in the following years and decades were inspired by this plot.
10) Maine Pyar Kiya (1989)
Bollywood has made us believe for ages in the “friendship before love idea”, and has demonstrated it to us in a million movies. Maine Pyaar Kiya is one such films where two youngsters Salman Khan and Bhagyashree (acting debut) fall in love after being friends. Maine Pyar Kiya is considered to be one of the most iconic and cherished films of the Khan. The popularity of the film and the dialogues on friendship and love have been exceptional and were regularly used in other films as well.
Rajat Agrawal, Chief Operating Officer and Director of Ultra Media & Entertainment Group, shared his enthusiasm, saying, “On Hindi Diwas, we want to take viewers on a journey through the golden era of Bollywood. Ultra Play offers a unique opportunity to revisit timeless classics that have shaped Indian cinema. With a curated selection of iconic films like Pyaasa, Deewar, and others, we’re celebrating the rich cultural legacy of the Hindi language and its influence on cinema. Our goal is to make these masterpieces accessible to everyone, providing high-quality content at an affordable price, so both seasoned fans and new audiences can rediscover these cinematic gems.
Ultra Play offers an affordable subscription plan of just ₹199 per year for viewers in India, making these cinematic treasures easily accessible to everyone. With no advertisements and superior picture quality, the platform guarantees a delightful viewing experience for fans of all ages.
As Hindi Diwas draws near, Ultra Play is the go-to platform for anyone looking to reconnect with the rich legacy of Hindi cinema. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or someone exploring these classics for the first time, this curated list of Top 8 Hindi Classic Films is the perfect way to celebrate the language and culture that continues to inspire generations.
So, gather your family, prepare your favourite snacks, and embark on a cinematic journey through the golden era of Bollywood—only on Ultra Play.
