From Shah Rukh Khan's ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham’ to Salman Khan's ‘Maine Pyar Kiya’: A look at classic Bollywood films through the modern lens

‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham’ is known for its large ensemble cast, memorable songs, and grand family drama. Its storytelling reflects early-2000s Bollywood, where emotional arcs and elaborate sequences played a central role. Today’s films often take a more restrained approach to family conflicts, highlighting how narrative styles have shifted. The contrast shows how different eras prioritize different storytelling elements.

‘Maine Pyar Kiya’ represented the late-80s style of romance, marked by innocence, melodious music, and clear-cut emotional journeys. The film’s structure mirrors a time when love stories relied heavily on idealism and emphasised family approval. Contemporary romantic films tend to use more layered characterisation and faster pacing. This comparison highlights how portrayals of relationships have broadened over the years.

‘Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar’ showcased themes of rivalry, aspiration, and youth culture that resonated strongly with audiences in the early 90s. The film follows a linear narrative with a focus on personal growth and sportsmanship. Modern youth-centric stories often experiment with complex characters and multidimensional conflicts. Placing both side by side shows how depictions of adolescence in cinema have evolved.

‘Pardes’ presents themes of cultural identity, tradition, and diaspora life that were strongly relevant in its time. The film portrayed distinctions between Indian and Western lifestyles through a lens common in the late 90s. Globalisation and changing social conversations have since diversified how such themes are explored in cinema. The comparison illustrates how cultural storytelling adapts to broader contexts over time.

‘Raja Hindustani’ blends romance, emotional intensity, and musical storytelling typical of mid-90s Bollywood. Its dramatic highs and lows reflect the popular cinematic tone of that decade. Recent films often adopt subtler emotional beats and different relationship dynamics. This shift underlines how audience preferences in romantic narratives have expanded.