Mumbai, Dec 28 (NationPress) The initial years of the new millennium transformed Bollywood in extraordinary ways. This era introduced innovative narratives, fresh concepts, new faces, and a revitalized essence of grandeur, alongside authentic friendships and diverse expressions of love, romance, and heartbreak. Hindi cinema ventured into various realms, from high-octane masala entertainers to profound dialogues addressing mental health, societal challenges, and emotional well-being. The rich narratives from 2000 to 2025 reflected a significant evolution in storytelling and audience sensibilities. Below is a curated list of the top 15 Bollywood films that achieved iconic status for compelling reasons!

Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai (2000) marked the debut of Bollywood superstar Hrithik Roshan and Ameesha Patel, directed by Rakesh Roshan. The film resonated with the youth at the dawn of the 21st century, catapulting Hrithik to stardom with his dual role and hit tracks.

Interesting fact: Kareena Kapoor was initially cast opposite Hrithik but left midway, leading to Ameesha Patel stepping in to portray Sonia.

Mohabbatein (2000), featuring megastars Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai, was directed by Aditya Chopra. This musical romance showcased the clash between strict traditions and free-spirited love, bringing Amitabh Bachchan and SRK together on screen for the first time.

Interesting fact: Aditya Chopra spent four years crafting the script, marking his second directorial venture after Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge.

Lagaan (2001), directed by Ashutosh Gowariker and starring Aamir Khan and Gracy Singh, was an Oscar-nominated period drama that used cricket as a metaphor for rebellion against colonialism, illustrating its pivotal role in the quest for independence.

Interesting fact: The British actors portraying colonial officers underwent specialized dialect training to ensure historical accuracy.

Gadar: Ek Prem Katha (2001), directed by Anil Sharma and featuring Sunny Deol and Ameesha Patel, told a partition-era love story that became a cultural sensation, with Tara Singh emerging as a beloved patriotic figure.

Interesting fact: The famous hand-pump scene was not part of the original script but was improvised during filming.

Dil Chahta Hai (2001) redefined urban Indian cinema through the lives of three friends—Aakash, Sid, and Sameer—making their modern struggles and triumphs relatable. Farhan Akhtar’s debut film also initiated the trend of friend trips to Goa.

Interesting fact: Preity Zinta was initially considered for the role of Pooja, which eventually went to Sonali Kulkarni.

Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001), a grand family drama by Karan Johar, became a cultural milestone, with Kareena Kapoor’s Poo becoming a quintessential Bollywood character. The ensemble cast included SRK, Kajol, Hrithik Roshan, Amitabh Bachchan, and Jaya Bachchan, centering on familial bonds and love.

Interesting fact: Cameos from Abhishek Bachchan and Jugal Hansraj were filmed but cut from the final version.

Kal Ho Na Ho (2002), starring SRK, Preity Zinta, and Saif Ali Khan, told the poignant tale of Naina, Aman, and Rohit. Directed by Nikhil Advani, it became memorable for its emotional depth and captivating songs.

Interesting fact: Shah Rukh Khan filmed during a serious spinal injury treatment.

Devdas (2002), featuring SRK, Madhuri Dixit, and Aishwarya Rai, is renowned for its lavish visuals, emotional depth, and memorable dialogues.

Interesting fact: The film debuted at the Cannes Film Festival, garnering a standing ovation.

Munna Bhai M.B.B.S (2003), directed by Rajkumar Hirani, cleverly mixed humor with humanity, introducing the concept of 'Gandhigiri' and memorable characters like Munna Bhai and Circuit.

Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2005) stands out as a rare sequel that matched the original's success.

Interesting fact: The character of Circuit was initially a minor role but was expanded due to Arshad Warsi’s impressive performance.

Rang De Basanti (2006), featuring Aamir Khan, linked historical revolutions with contemporary youth struggles, transforming cinema into a voice for political awakening.

Interesting fact: Many scenes drew inspiration from real-life student activism.

Taare Zameen Par (2007), directed by Aamir Khan, sensitively addressed dyslexia and pressures of childhood, changing the narrative around education and empathy and highlighting the teacher-student bond.

Interesting fact: Aamir Khan took over direction halfway after Amole Gupte departed due to creative differences.

3 Idiots (2009), starring Aamir Khan, R. Madhavan, and Sharman Joshi, humorously critiqued the education system, with Aamir’s character Rancho becoming iconic.

Interesting fact: The film was loosely inspired by Chetan Bhagat’s novel Five Point Someone, though the author was initially uncredited.

Dabangg (2010), directed by Abhinav Kashyap, introduced Salman Khan’s Chulbul Pandey, a character that redefined commercial cinema and led to a successful franchise. It also marked the debut of Sonakshi Sinha, daughter of Shatrughan Sinha.

Interesting fact: Salman Khan was instrumental in shaping Chulbul Pandey’s unique body language and dialogue style.

Dangal (2016), based on the true story of the Phogat sisters, became one of India’s highest-grossing films. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, it starred Aamir Khan, Fatima Sana Sheikh, and Sanya Malhotra, with Sakshi Tanwar playing Aamir's wife.

Interesting fact: Aamir Khan underwent significant weight changes, gaining nearly 30 kg and then shedding it during production.