15 All-Time Romantic Jodi's Who Were Paired The Most On Screen
Posted On: 24 Jan 2022 | Last Updated : 30 Apr 2022 | Views : 7.9k
Bollywood is often stereotyped for its romance-driven films, which is the main reason why Bollywood fans have such high demands for their love life. From flying dupattas to pigeons carrying love letters, from running around the trees to dancing together in the rains, Indian filmmakers know how to romanticize even the simplest of things. Romantic Bollywood movies never go out of style and have been the favourite of cine-goers. Over the decades, some on-screen couples have gained huge popularity among their fans and their chemistry was lauded by both critics and audience. This became the main reason for the filmmakers to repeat the pairing in their films to create the same magic on-screen again and again and generate huge fares. These on-screen couples continued to mesmerize the movie-watchers and garnered a huge amount of attention from their audience. Let’s check out these top 15 Bollywood on-screen romantic couples of all time who came together on more than 15 occasions:
1. Raj Kapoor – Nargis (15)
One of the most important members of the cinematic Kapoor family, actor-director-producer Raj Kapoor started his acting career at the age of ten and went on to appear in several movies. Mehboob Khan’s 1949 film Andaz starring Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor and Nargis was a major hit, which played an important role in his career as an actor and also his first collaboration with actress Nargis. The two then appeared in 15 movies alongside each other and became one of the most iconic on-screen romantic Jodi’s of Bollywood. In his entire career, Raj Kapoor was rumoured to be in a romantic relationship with several actresses, including actress Nargis. Their relationship was later confirmed by Raj Kapoor’s second son, Rishi Kapoor in his autobiography ‘Khullam Khulla’ in 2017. Raj Kapoor and Nargis set the silver screen on fire with their performances in major hits like Barsaat (1949), Awaara (1951), Bewafa (1952), Shree 420 (1955), Chori Chori (1956), etc.
2. Dharmendra – Hema Malini (30) / Jaya Prada (16)
Known to be the ‘He-Man’ of Bollywood, Dharmendra worked with several hit actresses in his career span of over six decades. However, his most successful pairing was with actresses Hema Malini and Jaya Prada with whom he starred in 30 and 16 films respectively.
Dharmendra and Hema Malini: Hema Malini was evidently the top Bollywood actress of her times and still doesn’t fail to charm her audience. In her career span of over five decades, the actress has worked with many actors, but her most successful pairing was with Dharmendra with whom she starred in 30 films including Tum Haseen Main Jawan (1970), Seeta Aur Geeta (1972), Dost (1974), Sholay (1975), Charas (1976), etc. After working together in so many movies, the love blossomed between the two and they finally got married in 1980.
Dharmendra and Jaya Prada: After establishing her career in South Indian cinema, Jaya Prada took over Bollywood in the 1980s and became a top leading actress and the immediate rival of actress Sridevi. She had a successful collaboration with actors Amitabh Bachchan, Jeetendra and especially Dharmendra, with whom she has shared screen space in 16 films including Qayamat (1983), Dharm Aur Qanoon (1984), Shehzaade (1989), Elaan-E-Jung (1989), Kundan (1993), etc.
3. Rishi Kapoor – Neetu Singh (16)
The son of legendary actor-director Raj Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor made his screen debut with a cameo in his father’s film Shree 420 (1955). His role in the 1970 film Mera Naam Joker gained him popularity, and he further instituted his stardom with his debut as a lead actor in the 1973 film Bobby, which was one of the decade’s biggest hits in India. He worked with top heroines of his time, but his pairing with actress Neetu Singh was best liked by audiences and filmmakers. The pair become one of the best Bollywood romantic on-screen Jodi’s of all time and starred alongside each other in 16 movies including Khel Khel Mein (1973), Rafoo Chakkar (1975), Doosra Aadmi (1977), Amar Akbar Anthony (1977), Jhoota Kahin Ka (1979), Dhan Daulat (1980) and many more. After working together in several movies, their reel-life romance became real-life love and the two tied knots in the 1980s and became parents to two children including actor Ranbir Kapoor. Neetu Singh, like other ladies of Kapoor family, took retirement from her acting career after marriage, but made a comeback after around 30 years with Habib Faisal’s 2010 film Do Dooni Chaar, alongside Rishi Kapoor.
4. Jeetendra – Sridevi (18) / Jaya Prada (26) / Rekha (32)
Best known for his dancing skills, Jeetendra was the leading actor of Bollywood from 1960s to 1990s. He got his first major break in V. Shantaram’s Geet Gaya Patharon Ne (1964). He has acted in around 200 films as the main lead and was frequently paired with actresses Sridevi, Jaya Prada and Rekha.
Jeetendra and Sridevi: Sridevi was emerging as the top Bollywood actress in the 1980s, while Jeetendra already had established stardom. Despite the age gap of 21 years, the pair looked great on-screen. They starred alongside in 18 films including Himmatwala (1983), Tohfa (1984), Suhaagan (1986), Aulad (1987), etc. Though, their pairing didn’t garner much critical acclaim but was preferred by filmmakers as the films churned handsome fare.
Jeetendra and Jaya Prada: Jeetendra was also frequently paired with another top heroine of the 1980s, Jaya Prada. The two were paired together in 26 films and dozens of them co-starred Sridevi, the immediate rival of Jaya Prada. Some of their most remembered movies include Mawaali (1983), Maqsad (1984), Sanjog (1985), Swarg Se Sunder (1986), Souten Ki Beti (1989), etc.
Jeetendra and Rekha: Born to actors Gemini Ganesan and Pushpavalli, Rekha started her career in Bollywood with Mohan Sehgal’s film Sawan Bhadon (1970), which was followed by her other commercially successful films. She emerged as the leading Bollywood actress in the 1970s. Starred in more than 180 films, Rekha frequently got casted alongside actor Jeetendra and the two set the screen on fire with their performances in 32 movies including Judaai (1980), Maang Bharo Sajana (1980), Sadaa Suhagan (1986), Apne Apne (1987), and many more.
5. Shatrughan Sinha – Reena Roy (17)
One of the unconventional actors of Bollywood, Shatrughan Sinha started his acting career as a villain in the 1969 film Pyar Hi Pyar. Actress Reena Roy started her career at the age of 15 with the 1972 film Zaroorat. After starring in several films, the two were seen together for the first time in Subhash Ghai’s action thriller film Kalicharan (1976), which was a major hit. The movie marked the beginning of their successful careers. Despite their age-gap of 11 years, the pair gained immense popularity and teamed up in 16 more films, including Vishwanath (1978), Muqabla (1979), Heera Moti (1979), Jwalamukhi (1985), etc.
6. Anil Kapoor – Madhuri Dixit (16)
Born to film producer Surinder Kapoor, actor Anil Kapoor is known for his unique style of acting. He started his career in Bollywood with Umesh Mehra’s Humare Tumhare (1979), however, it was Yash Chopra’s Mashaal (1984) that gave him recognition. The actor appeared alongside several top heroines of his time, but his pairing with actress Madhuri Dixit was loved by all. Madhuri started her career in Bollywood with the 1985 film Abodh, but she immensely gained popularity with her performance in N. Chandra’s Tezaab (1988), alongside Anil Kapoor. The movie established Madhuri Dixit as a leading Bollywood actress, and made Anil and Madhuri one of the most iconic on-screen romantic couples of Bollywood. The pair created magic on the silver screen with their performances in movies like Ram Lakhan (1989), Jamai Raja (1990), Kishen Kanhaiya (1990), Beta (1992), Total Dhamaal (2019), etc.
7. Ashok Kumar – Nirupa Roy (30) / Meena Kumari (17) / Nalini Jaywant (15)
The legendary actor Ashok Kumar, fondly known as Dadamoni, was a member of the cinematic Ganguly family. He attained the status of an iconic actor in Indian cinema because of his versatile roles in the movies. In the career span of over six decades, Ashok Kumar starred in around 300 films and was cast alongside several actresses, but he was frequently paired with actresses like Nirupa Roy, Meena Kumari and Nalini Jaywant.
Ashok Kumar and Nirupa Roy: In the later years of his career, Ashok Kumar was often paired with Nirupa Roy. While Ashok Kumar switched from lead roles to character roles after the 1960s but was quite careful to not be typecast, Nirupa Roy, in her later years of career, got typecast in motherly roles of the lead and was noted for her portrayal of sorrow. The two worked together in around 30 films, including Bedard Zamana Kya Jane (1959), Aanchal (1960), Grahasti (1963), Phoolon Ki Sej (1964), and many more.
Ashok Kumar and Meena Kumari: In the span of 20 years, Ashok Kumar appeared frequently with actress Meena Kumari. The two worked together in 17 films and despite the age gap of over 20 years, the pair was praised by critics and the audience. In real life, the two were close friends and it was Ashok Kumar who introduced Meena Kumari to Kamal Amrohi, who later married her. Ashok Kumar and Meena Kumari have worked together in movies like Parineeta (1953), Farishta (1958), Aarti (1962), Sanjh Aur Savera (1964), etc.
Ashok Kumar and Nalini Jaywant: Another actress with whom Ashok Kumar was frequently paired during the 1950s was Nalini Jaywant, with whom he worked in 15 movies, including Samadhi (1950), Sangram (1950), Nau Bahar (1952), Lakirein (1954), etc.
8. Mithun Chakraborty – Ranjeeta Kaur (23)
The recipient of the National Film Award, the veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty started his acting career with the art-house drama Mrigyaa (1976). He is best known for his portrayal of Jimmy in the 1982 dance drama Disco Dancer. Ranjeeta Kaur, the Indian actress, who started her career opposite Rishi Kapoor in the 1976 film Laila Majnu, made a fabulous team with Mithun Chakraborty and the two have worked together in more than 23 films, including Surakshaa (1979), Taraana (1979), Aadat Se Majboor (1982), Gunahon Ka Devta (1990), Humse Badhkar Kaun (1998), and many more.
9. Dara Singh – Mumtaz (20)
Dara Singh is known for his undefeated worldwide streak in wrestling, who switched to acting in 1952 and made his Bollywood debut in Sangdil (1952). In the 1960s, he often partnered with the actress Mumtaz, who started her career with small supporting roles in movies like Stree (1961), Sehra (1963), Rustom Sohrab (1963), etc. Later, Mumtaz started getting the lead roles alongside the wrestler Dara Singh, and the two were seen together in 16 action films, including Faulad (1963), Veer Bhimsen (1964), Tarzan Comes to Delhi (1965), Sikandar-E-Azam (1965), Raaka (1965), Daku Mangal Singh (1966), etc. With her frequent appearance in action films, Mumtaz was labelled as stunt-film heroine and soon the two became highest paid B-grade film actors, with Singh receiving around 4 lakh rupees per film and Mumtaz receiving around 2.5 lakh rupees per film.
10. Raj Babbar – Smita Patil (20)
Smita Patil was one of the greatest and finest Indian actresses of all time. In her career span of over a decade, she appeared in over 80 films. She started her career in the 1970s and appeared in films of parallel cinema. She gradually moved to commercial cinema, and filmmakers like Raj Khosla, Ramesh Sippy and B. R. Chopra often praised her excellent acting skills. She was seen in glamorous roles in movies like Shakti (1982) and Namak Halaal (1982). She was frequently paired with actor Raj Babbar, as they appeared together in 20 films, including Tajurba (1981), Bheegi Palkein (1982), Aaj Ki Awaaz (1984), Awam (1987), etc. After working together in so many movies, the two got romantically involved. They also faced criticism, as Raj Babbar was already married, but they overcame all the problems and got married.
11. Nirupa Roy – Trilok Kapoor (24) / Paidi Jairaj (20) / Bharat Bhushan (21) / Balraj Sahni (22)
The Indian actress Nirupa Roy was noted for her motherly roles, her portrayal of sorrow and tragedy was so good that she was credited as the ‘Queen of Misery’ in Hindi cinema. In a career span of over five decades, she appeared in more than 250 films. She has acted alongside a number of actors, but she was frequently paired with actors like Trilok Kapoor, Ashok Kumar, Paidi Jairaj, Bharat Bhushan and Balraj Sahni.
Nirupa Roy and Trilok Kapoor: Trilok Kapoor was the younger brother of actor Prithviraj Kapoor. He was one of the highest-paid actors of the 1930s and 1940s and remained active in Bollywood until his death in 1988. He had worked with several top heroines of his time, including Nirupa Roy, with whom he acted in 24 films. Together they worked in movies like Amar Raj (1946), Har Har Mahadev (1950), Chakradhari (1954), Ahinsa (1979), Badle Ki Aag (1982), etc.
Nirupa Roy and Paidi Jairaj: Paidi Jairaj was an Indian actor, director, and producer, who also holds the record of having the longest career in Indian cinema. He starred in about 170 films in a career span of over seven decades. He was frequently paired with actress Nirupa Roy in the later years of his career. The two starred together in 20 films, including Jai Chitod, Lal Qilla, Garibi, Razia Sultana, Amar Singh Rathod, Hameer Hath, etc.
Nirupa Roy and Bharat Bhushan: Bharat Bhushan was best known for his role in the 1952 film Baiju Bawra. The actor was often paired with Nirupa Roy, with whom he worked in 21 films, including Udhaar (1949), Shuk Rambha (1953), Aurat Teri Yehi Kahani (1954), Rani Rupmati (1957), Samrat Chandragupt (1958), etc.
Nirupa Roy and Balraj Sahni: Balraj Sahni was a gifted writer and actor who acted with several heroines like Padmini, Nutan, Meena Kumari, Nargis and Vyjayanthimala, but his most frequent pairing was with Nirupa Roy, with whom he has acted in 22 films, including Do Bigha Zameen (1953), Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani (1970), Jawan Mohabbat (1971), Jawani Diwani (1972), etc.
12. Kader Khan – Aruna Irani (50)
The Indian actor Kader Khan is known for his comic roles in the movies. He made his debut with the 1973 film Daag and his career continued till his death in 2018. In a career that spanned over four decades, Kader Khan acted in over 250 films. He was often seen in lengthy supporting roles in movies and was often paired with actress Aruna Irani, the Indian actress who is best known for her supporting and character roles. The two were seen alongside each other in 50 films, including Mawaali (1983), Pyar Ka Karz (1990), Raja Babu (1994), Rajaji (1999), etc.
13. Mehmood – Aruna Irani (36) / Shubha Khote (30)
Mehmood Ali, popularly known by his first name Mehmood, was an Indian actor known for his comic roles in Hindi films. He got his first break as a killer in the 1956 film C.I.D., and went on to act in over 300 films in a career span of four decades. The actor often teamed up with actresses Shubha Khote and Aruna Irani, and also the fellow comedian I. S. Johar in the early years of his career.
Mehmood and Aruna Irani: Aruna Irani is an Indian actress, who is best known for her character and lengthy supporting roles in Hindi films. She often got paired with Mehmood in her earlier years of career. The two starred together in 36 films, including Aulad (1968), Waris (1969), Humjoli (1970), Naya Zamana (1971), Do Phool (1973), Pet Pyaar Aur Paap (1984), etc.
Mehmood and Shubha Khote: National swimming and cycling champion, Shubha Khote switched her career to acting and appeared in lengthy supporting and character roles in films and television. She often was casted alongside actor-comedian Mehmood, with whom she has acted in 30 films, including Love in Tokyo (1966), Tumse Achha Kaun Hai (1969), Humare Tumhare (1979), Janta Hawaldar (1979), etc.
14. John Cawas – Fearless Nadia (26)
John Cawas was an Indian actor and stuntman who made his screen debut with the 1935 film Hunterwali, alongside actress Fearless Nadia. The movie was the career-defining film for both the actors. It helped John Cawas to establish himself as a professional stuntman and gave Fearless Nadia the status of stunt-film heroine. The pair garnered praises of all and teamed up in as many as 26 films, including Miss Frontier Mail (1936), Diamond Queen (1940), Dhoomketu (1949), Jungle Ka Jawahar (1953), etc.
15. Vinod Mehra – Bindiya Goswami (16)
Another hit Bollywood Jodi that made to the list is of Bollywood romantic jodi’s is that of actor Vinod Mehra and actress Bindiya Goswami. Vinod Mehra started his career as a child actor with the 1958 film Raagini. As an adult, he started his career with the 1971 film Ek Thi Reeta. Actress Bindiya Goswami was first discovered in her teenage years by actress Hema Malini, who recommended her to film producers. She made her screen debut with the 1976 film Jeevan Jyoti. Vinod Mehra and Bindiya Goswami have worked alongside each other in as many as 16 or 17 films, including Dada (1979), Takkar (1980), Khoon Kharaba (1980) Sansani (1981), Dial 100 (1982), Lalach (1983) and many more. Their frequent pairing in films blossomed their love in real life as they tied the knot in 1980, but the marriage was short-lived and childless, which ended in 1984.
