Anari (Film Poster 02)Shemaroo
The 40s to 60s are considered as the golden era of Bollywood that witnessed magnum opus films like Barsaat (1949) Shree 420 (1955) and Anari (1959).
The era gave rise to a string of superstars like Raj Kapoor, Dev Anand, Dilip Kumar, Madhubala, Vyjayanthimala, Waheeda Rehman carving their niche with their unique acting style. Bollywood through the 70s was primarily about romance and action blockbusters like Zanjeer (1973), Sholay (1975) and Amar Akbar Anthony (1977). However, the 80s were the game-changers of Bollywood cinema.
The movies in the 80s era were a melting pot of action, drama, romance, suspense, thriller and comedy. These movies were called ‘masala movies’ as they packed in a wide range of themes in a three-hour duration. In this era of versatility, audiences were entertained with such masala films but were equally captivated by experimental cinema like Ardh Satya (1983), Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983), Mirch Masala (1987), Ek Doctor Ki Mauth (1990) etc.
Film Poster for the movie SoutenShemaroo
In the 80s, family dramas were extremely popular. The plot of these movies revolved around middle-class joint families and most of the movie titles was suggestive of the plot.
The common themes were dowry, love marriages, infidelity, and family rifts. There was also a dollop of action, romance, and dance that made these complete masala films. Here are some of the 5 popular family dramas of the 80s.
Song: Kismat Ki Baazi Ka Faisla ToShemaroo
Aap To Aise Na The (1980)
Aap To Aise Na The is one such family drama with the popular Bollywood plot of a wealthy girl falling in love with a boy from a humble background. This was a recurring theme of the 80s era.
Directed by Ambrish Sangal, this movie starred the popular star Raj Babbar who shared the screen with upcoming stars Ranjeeta Kaur and Deepak Parashar. The trio shared the screen in the song 'Kismat Ki Baazi' from the movie.
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The movie has a song ‘Tu Iss Tarah Se’ which was sung by three singers: Mohammad Rafi, Manhar Udhas and Hemlata. This romantic number is a favourite among Bollywood fans. This version has the famous Mohammad Rafi voice.
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Avtaar Movie Booklet Avtaar Movie BookletShemaroo
Avtaar (1983)
Avtaar was one of the major hits in the 80s and bagged several awards in the 31st Filmfare Awards held in 1984. The story portrayed many themes including love, hardships, and success.
Avtaar also showcased a common plot of the 80s - parents being ill-treated by their ungrateful and apathetic children. The movie had superstar Rajesh Khanna and actor Shabana Azmi in the lead. That year he also won the All-India Critics Association (AICA) Best Actor award.
Song: Chalo Bulawa Aaya HaiShemaroo
The 80s movies depicted families with strong religious faith. There are numerous movie scenes showcasing actors offering prayers to God or embarking on a pilgrimage to seek solace in God.
Amrit movie has a popular devotional song - ‘Chalo, Bulaawa Aaya Hai, Maata Ne Bulaaya Hai’ - sung by Mahendra Kapoor, Asha Bhosle, Narendra Chanchal. In this song, actors Rajesh Khanna and actor Shabana Azmi head on a pilgrimage in the hope of curing their sick child. This song is still played at many Indian religious events.
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Souten Movie Booklet Souten Movie BookletShemaroo
Souten (1983)
Souten is claimed to be the first Bollywood movie filmed in Mauritius. This is yet another 80s movie with the recurring theme of love between a boy from a modest background and a rich girl. However, this movie also has the theme of illicit relationships or extra-marital affairs.
Song: Shayad Meri Shaadi Ka KhayalShemaroo
In Souten, the superstar Rajesh Khanna was paired with popular actor Tina Munim. Actor Padmini Kolhapure played the ‘other woman’ role. The famous song ‘Shayad Meri Shaadi Ka Khayal’ sung by the legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar is from this movie.
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Song: Ghar Tere Aaoongi Dulhan Ban KeShemaroo
Ghar Sansar (1986)
The title Ghar Sansar translates to ‘family world’ and the movie plot is all about family and blood ties. The movie has a huge star cast with superstars Jeetendra and Sridevi along with the famous comedian Kader Khan. The story is about how the eldest son, played by Jeetendra, rises to the occasion and battles poverty and unemployment to protect his family.
This family drama has a song ‘Ghar Tere Aaungi Dulhan Banke’ which showcases the much-loved on-screen chemistry between Jeetendra and Sridevi. As a hit Bollywood pair, they delivered a string of entertaining films like Himmatwala (1983), Justice Chaudhry(1983) and Tohfa (1984).
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Song: Chalo Chalo Chalen Door KahinShemaroo
Sindoor (1987)
Sindoor is a multi starrer movie including veteran actor Shashi Kapoor along with famous stars Jaya Prada, Govinda, Neelam, Kader Khan, Shakti Kapoor, Gulshan Grover, Aruna Irani and Asrani. Superstars Rishi Kapoor and Jeetendra, too, had special appearances in this movie.
The movie plot is focused on marital relationships, trust, and fidelity. Sindoor has a popular song starring actor Govinda and Neelam ‘Chalo Chalo Door Kahin‘.
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Song: Kisi Se Jab Pyar Hua Yun LagaShemaroo
Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani (1988)
The 80s Bollywood movies were also about joint Hindu families where the mothers-in-law bullied their daughters-in-law. Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani is one such movie resonating with this theme.
In this movie, the daughters-in-law, played by actors Padma Khanna and Jaya Prada, face ill-treatment from their mother-in-law played by actor Shashikala. The story also portrays other human emotions such as hatred and distrust in family relationships.
Like every Bollywood masala film, the movie has many songs; one of them is ‘ Kisi Se Jab Pyar Hua Yun Laga.’
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Song: Aa Ja Aa Khele Game KoiShemaroo
Jaisi Karni Waisi Bharni (1989)
Jaisi Karni Waisi Bharni, translating to ‘ What you sow, you shall reap’, portrays the popular 80s plot depicting children’s misbehaviour towards their parents and their greed to inherit their parent’s entire life savings.
In this movie, actor Kader Khan is cheated by his son, played by actor Shakti Kapoor, and his daughter-in-law, played by actor Shoma Anand. However, Kader Khan’s grandson in the movie played by Govinda seeks revenge for his parents' deeds.
The movie also showcases actor Govinda’s dancing skills in songs like ‘Aa Ja Aa Khelein’.
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Song: Yeh Jo Halka Halka Suroor HaiShemaroo
Souten Ki Beti (1990)
Souten and Souten Ki Beti were directed by Sawan Kumar Tak. Like many other family dramas, Souten Ki Beti also focuses on the ‘other woman’. The story also highlights another important reality of Indian society - the illegitimate child being considered an outcast.
The movie has superstars Jeetendra and Rekha and equally popular actor Jaya Prada. The song - ‘Yeh Jo Halka Halka Suroor Hai, Sab Teri Nazar Ka Kasoor Hai’ - was penned by the film’s director Sawan Kumar Tak.
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Most of these family dramas were remakes of movies from South Indian cinema. There were exceptions like Avtaar that was remade in all four South-Indian languages. The plots of 80s Bollywood family dramas may be repetitive yet their charm and entertained audiences across all ages.
