20 Best Bollywood Movies That Should Never Be Remade

Watching movies is a perfect way to pass one’s time. Many movies make us feel really good, and then some feel like a waste of money and time. But then there are few works of gem whom we can call a masterpiece without any doubt. They are beyond perfect as they leave us flabbergasted and with a feeling of nothing but content. Remakes of the best Bollywood movies of all time can either be good or a total disaster.

As is said ‘Original is Original’. Today we will be talking about such satisfying Bollywood films that are so perfect that they should not be remade and tampered with. Do check them out if you have not!

1. Mera Naam Joker (1970)

With a hauntingly beautiful title, track, and theme song Jeena yahan marna yahan iske siva jana kaha one can with great certainty say that this flick is one of the best tear-jerkers ever produced by the Bollywood industry. Starring marvelous actors with sheer talent, Raj Kapoor has portrayed his lead role of ‘The great Clown in a not so graceful world’ way too beautiful.

No wonder why this movie is considered one of the best Bollywood movies to watch and is among the most memorable performances ever done by Raj Kapoor.

Mera Naam Joker IMDb: 7.9

Genre: Romance/Drama

Watch it on: Zee5

2. Hindi Medium (2017)

The title of the movie is clear enough to say what the movie revolves around. It talks about the social disparities which our society fails to acknowledge. The main theme of this movie focuses on the linguistic disparity and the complex feeling attached to it. How a common couple tries their best to get their daughter a seat in a reputed school but their linguistic background becomes a big hurdle in this journey. A must-see film and is one of the best family Bollywood movies.

Hindi Medium IMDb: 7.8

Genre: Comedy/Drama

Watch it on: Prime Video

3. Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958)

Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi is a legit cult classic of all time and one of the best old Bollywood movies. Starring three real-life brothers as reel life brothers this movie shows how the three of them run a garage. The story begins when the heroine with a broken car. The mechanic angle turns into a murder mystery which is super fun to watch.

The entertainment value of this masterpiece has lasted over half a century now. Thus it should never be remade as it still is loved by everyone as much as ever.

Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi IMDb: 7.9

Genre: Comedy/Musical

Watch it on: MX Player, Prime Video

4. Chak De! India (2007)

With such an inspirational storyline how can one not watch a movie as riveting as Chak De! India. Among the top 10 best Bollywood, the movie’s theme focuses on national integration, sportsmanship, woman empowerment, gender equality, and regaining one’s reputation after being wrongly accused of being unfaithful to one’s own team and supporting the opposite one. Shah Rukh Khan has beautifully portrayed his character.

Chak De! India IMDb: 8.1

Genre: Drama/Sports

Watch it on: Youtube, Prime Video

5. Mother India (1957)

Mother India is evergreen and truly historic movie by Mehboob Khan. With all kinds of emotions between a woman and everybody else in society, the hardships that she faces will surely make you realize a lot while you continue to sob. The love bond between a mother and her children is the most touching part that this film has gracefully portrayed. Mother India ranks among the best old Bollywood movies to watch.

Mother India IMDb: 7.8

Genre: Drama/Musical

Watch it on: YouTube

6. Manjhi – The Mountain Man (2015)

“Nothing is impossible if you dare to go far beyond your limitations” this is exactly what Manjhi teaches us all. Based out of Gehlaur village of Gaya district in Bihar this movie is a biography based on events and life of ‘Dasrath Manjhi’, the mountain man. This film has a place in the list of best old Bollywood movies.

Infuriated by how his pregnant wife died after slipping from a mountain and giving birth to their daughter Manjhi gets all determined to carve a road through the mammoth peak, only via his hammer and chisel.

Manjhi IMDb: 8.0

Genre: Drama/Romance

Watch it on: Youtube, Netflix, Voot

7. Pyaasa (1957)

If you are looking for a super emotional classic film pick this as it is among the best old Bollywood movies of all time that is beyond perfect then this is it. This movie will make you feel like no other movie is worth watching after this one. It is about how an avid yet struggling poet who faces constant refusal about getting his work published finds comfort and assistance from Gulabo who happens to be a prostitute. This is truly a masterpiece many decades ahead of its time.

Pyaasa IMDb: 8.3

Genre: Drama/Romance

Watch it on: YouTube

8. The Lunchbox (2013)

This is one of those films that you will to bits. Ritesh Batra and his whole team deserve a huge round of applause for making this gem. The whole concept of this beautiful film revolves around how ‘Love arises between strangers via food’. It is so unusual and so, so interesting to watch. If you haven’t watched this movie yet, then you must.

The Lunchbox IMDb: 7.8

Genre: Romance/Drama

Watch it on: Netflix

9. Mughal-e-Azam (1960)

Each and everything in Mughal-e-Azam is amazing. One cannot take their mind off the sheer scale and grandeur of this film. How Salim falls in love with a courtesan and how his father tries to keep them apart is so entertaining to watch. If you are a history buff and if you have watched this film you would agree that a remake of this masterpiece would be a sheer disgrace. Mughal-e-Azam is among the best evergreen old Bollywood movies.

Mughal-e-Azam IMDb: 8.1

Genre: Romance/Musical

Watch it on: Zee5/Jio Cinema

10. Swades (2004)

Swades is one of the finest movies ever made in the history of Indian Cinema. Especially that one scene with no dialogue per se, the scene on a train where a little child sells water and Shah Rukh’s reaction, is so touching and thought-provoking. There are so many things to appreciate and so many things to say about this movie but to cut it short we can say that it is an excellently compelling and beautiful film and everyone must try it.

Swades IMDb: 8.1

Genre: Drama/Musical

Watch it on: Netflix, Youtube, Apple TV

11. Andaz Apna Apna (1994)

A perfect romantic comedy in the 90s that is super entertaining to watch yes that is Andaz Apna Apna for you. One of the old best Bollywood movies, the plot has been so well written that one would never get bored while watching it. The witty banter and hilarious puns will surely make you laugh like crazy. How middle-class folks Amar and Prem set out to win the heart of a millionaire’s daughter is an epitome of fun to watch.

Andaz Apna Apna IMDb: 8.0

Genre: Comedy/Romance

Watch it on: Amazon Prime Video

12. Iqbal (2005)

There are two words to describe this movie which is one of the best IMDb rated Bollywood movies that it is truly a ‘terrific watch’. Kudos to actor Shreyas Talpade who executed the plot so, so wonderfully. He has so amazingly portrayed his character where his love for sports despite his hearing and speech deficiency is beautifully visible. How regardless of all the rejections a retried coach helps and trains him to get selected for the Indian cricket team is inspiring to see.

Iqbal IMDb: 8.1

Genre: Drama/Sports

Watch it on: Amazon Prime Video

13. Ankhon Dekhi (2013)

To feel is to be human and Ankhon Dekhi takes this quote a step forward as Bauji in this marvelous film finally acknowledged the feelings that he personally experienced ignoring what everyone else perceived. How Bauji’s daughter wants to marry a man who is constantly mocked by the villagers and how Bauji tries and understand that man despite whatever everyone says is so riveting to watch. Truly an eye-opener.

Ankhon Dekhi IMDb: 7.9

Genre: Drama

Watch it on: Voot, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video

14. Lagaan (2001)

An Oscar nominee film Lagaan will leave you spellbound, no doubt it is among the best Bollywood movies of all time. The adrenaline rush that one goes through while watching this movie is something that cannot be explained. It is set during the time of the British Raj when they used to oppress the farmers by charging heavy taxes.

How farmer Bhuvan and the villagers try to win off the cricket match against the Britishers so as to not pay the tax for the next three years will keep you on the edge till the very end.

Lagaan IMDb: 8.1

Genre: Sports/Musical

Watch it on: Netflix

15. A Wednesday (2018)

Excellent screenplay and storyline by Neeraj Pandey! Some movies give you internal satisfaction, this is that kind of movie. The concept of terrorism is well shown in this film. A truly authentic and relevant film that everyone should definitely try.

A Wednesday IMDb: 8.1

Genre: Crime/Thriller

Watch it on: Youtube

16. Baazigar (1993)

Even after 27 years, this is among the best old Bollywood movies 90s, a gem of a movie it still will give you great chills. SRK who has always portrayed a protagonist character in all of his movies dared to play the titular anti-hero role that was rejected by his peers Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar and must I say the performance by his was so intriguing and captivating.

An amazing action, crime, and thriller piece of a young ambitious man who seeks to take revenge and does so by seducing the daughter and killing her is definitely a must-see.

Baazigar IMDb: 7.6

Genre: Romance/Thriller

Watch it on: Prime Video

17. English Vinglish (2012)

Late actress Sridevi was truly a superstar and English Vinglish was undoubtedly one of her best works of all time. One of the best family Bollywood movies, the plot is very thought-provoking and leaves a great impact on how we treat our mothers at home or what and how much respect we pay to housewives.

How Sridevi after being constantly mocked by her family for not being able to speak in English finally embarks on a journey to learn it and how it eventually transforms her very own self is so, so riveting to watch.

English Vinglish IMDb: 7.8

Genre: Drama/Comedy

Watch it on: Prime Video/Zee5

18. Anand (1971)

A quintessential piece of Bollywood cinema, yes that is what is movie Anand is. One of the finest produced movies that tell you about the transient nature of life that is taken for granted. It encourages us to feel grateful for the tiniest of details and live life wholeheartedly loving everyone around us. In a movie that stars such veteran and versatile actors, a remake for this should never ever be made.

Anand IMDb: 8.1

Genre: Drama

Watch it on: Hotstar

19. Padman (2018)

With the evolution of the audience, we are definitely witnessing an evolution in the subjects being explored and taken up in today’s cinematic world. Lakshmikant a simple and common guy living in M.P. with his wife and family is saddened to see how his wife struggles during her menstruation and uses mere unhygienic cloth.

Thus he embarks on a journey to do something about it, helping every woman out there. Padman is one of the best Bollywood movies on Netflix.

Padman IMDb: 7.9

Genre: Comedy/Drama

Watch it on: Netflix/Zee5

20. Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)

One of the best romantic old Bollywood movies that the Bollywood industry bestowed us with has to be of none other than our very own King Khan and lovely Kajol. Yes, we are talking about the iconic movie DDLJ that recently marked the 25th year of its being released and is still loved by everyone as much as ever. A truly mesmerizing movie that undoubtedly holds a special place in everyone’s heart.

DDLJ IMDb: 8.0

Genre: Romance/Drama

Watch it on: Prime Video, YouTube

Some Bollywood movies are not meant for remakes as the originals are too good!