Bollywood's evergreen love stories

Imran Khan and Sonam Kapoor starrer I Hate Luv Storys is the love story of Jay (played by Imran) and Simran (played by Sonam).

Jay hates love stories, but as an assistant director to Veer, the most famous romantic filmmaker of Indian Film Industry, Jay has little option but to live with larger than life, glossy, cinematic love on an everyday basis.

Simran on the other hand, loves luv storys. So much so that even her life has begun to resemble one. Her blissful and dreamy life is rudely interrupted by Jay's cynicism.

While we'll have to wait to find out whether Jay and Simran will ever find their love story in IHLS, here's a list of Bollywood's evergreen romantic films...

Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge: A love story you'll fall in love with - Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, is a story of Raj (Shah Rukh Khan) and Simran (Kajol) who meet on a whirlwind tour to Europe and eventually fall in love. But Simran's dad (Amrish Puri) has already arranged her wedding with his best friend's son. DDLJ traces Raj's journey to India and into the hearts of Simran's family members.

Awara: It is one of the true classics which created a very intense on screen chemistry between Nargis and Raj Kapoor. Most of the story occupies the flashback in which a slum boy fells in love with a lawyer. The reunion of the two after twelve years was one of the most heart touching scenes.

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak: Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak will always be remembered for its youthful exuberance. The movie had a rather predictable premise of two families loathing each other, their children falling in love and having to bear the brunt of their enmity. But Juhi and Aamir's chemistry and freshness worked wonders for this overdone concept.

Guide: The film is based on the critically acclaimed novel, The Guide, by RK Narayan, and is widely considered to be one of the masterpieces of the Indian film industry. Soulful music by SD Burman added to the romance in the movie.

Pakeezah: The song Chalo Dildar Chalo from this Meena Kumari-Raj Kumar starrer movie captured romance in the best possible way.

Mughal-E-Azam: Mughal-E-Azam is the epitome of an ideal Indian love story because it captures the essence of Salim's 'rebellion' and Anarkali's 'sacrifice' ever so beautifully. Prince Salim, leads an army to fight with his own father King Akbar (who refuses to accept Anarkali a courtesan as his daughter-in-law). Salim is defeated and is sentenced to death. Anarkali pleads for Salim's life and even agrees to sacrifice her own in return.

Maine Pyar Kiya: Sooraj Barjatya with this movie took a brave step of departing from the violence and gritty films that were so popular back then. Maine Pyar Kiya epitomised what we so often call 'innocent first love' and made Salman Khan a household name. The story revolves around Prem (Salman Khan) and his love for Suman (Bhagyashree) the daughter of an ordinary motor mechanic. Ram Laxman's music in songs like Dil Deewana beautifully captured the essence of the movie.

Barsat Ki Raat: The film revolves around two love stories. Pran (Raj Kapoor) and Reshma (Nargis) and Gopal (Prem Nath) and Neela (Nimmi). Two friends with opposite personalities, the rich but sensitive Pran and the womanizing Gopal, who disregards the faithful Neela (Nimmi) and condems her to wait faithfully for his return with the barsaat (rainy season).

Silsila: Released in 1981 and made under the crisp direction of Yash Chopra, Silsila was considered a movie ahead of its times. It dared to cover the topic of extra marital affair that was considered a taboo even in films.

Devdas: In 1956, Devdas proved to be a blockbuster film. The film was remade with Shah Rukh in the lead role and was again a success. Devdas is a rich and handsome young man who is madly in love with her beautiful neighbour, Paro. Forced by circumstances, Paro marries a rich but ageing zamindar. Heart broken, Devdas takes too drinking and gains sympathy of a nautch girl Chandramukhi. The fim has a tragic end with Devdas dying infront of Paro house.

Dil Ek Mandir: In Dil Ek Mandir Sita (Meena Kumari) is married to Ram (Raj Kumar) who is diagnosed to have cancer. Ram is admitted to a hospital where he is to be treated by Dr. Dharmesh (Rajendra Kumar). Dr. Dharmesh is Sita's former love and both of them are very much uncomfortable to interact in front of Sita's husband. This intense love triangle was a big hit.

Aradhna: With great music by S D Burman, Aradhna was a musical romantic movie starring Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore. This movie established Rajesh Khanna as a romantic hero.

Bobby: Bobby, Raj Kapoor's creation, is an all time classic. It marked the debut of future stars Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia. The movie was a trendsetter in every way. It was the first to introduce the genre of teenage romance with a rich versus poor clash as a backdrop. After its release quite a few films tried to ape this concept but they could never recapture the freshness exuded by Bobby.

Kagaz Ke Phool: Many claim that the film is semi-autobiographical work of Guru Dutt and that he portrayed his angst in the movie. At the time of production of the film, Guru Dutt's marriage to Geeta Dutt was under strain due to his liking for Waheeda Rehman. This was openly known causing Guru Dutt's personal life to resemble that of the protagonist in the movie. However, the forecast of his own (Guru Dutt's) death, to parallel the sad and imminent death of the protagonist in the film, is debatable.

Taj Mahal: This 1961 movie saw Beena Rai portray the role of Mumtaz Mahal the beloved wife of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. It was a tribute to their eternal love.

Hum Dono: The film had Dev Anand playing a double role, and also has Nanda, Sadhana and Leela Chitnis.

Dil Deke Dekho: This movie is a cute romantic-comedy by Nasir Hussain starring Shammi Kapoor and Asha Parekh.

Love Story: Love Story is a 1981 film directed by Rajendra Kumar. The film also stars Rajendra Kumar alongside his son Kumar Gaurav and Vijeta Pandit, who made their debut in this romantic flick.

Jab Pyar Kisise Hota Hai: This black and white romantic movie again by Nasir Hussain had Asha Parekh and Dev Anand playing the lead.

Madhumati: Madhumati is a 1958 Indian Hindi film directed by Bimal Roy and written by Ritwik Ghatak. Music by Salil Choudhury, lyrics by Shailendra. The movie stars Dilip Kumar, Vyjayantimala. It was one of the earliest films to deal with reincarnation and had a gothic noir feel to it.

Dil To Pagal Hai: This romantic saga directed byYash Chopra depicted the love-lives of dancers in a musical dance troupe. It had Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit and Karisma Kapoor, with a supporting role by Akshay Kumar.

Tere Ghar Ke Saamne: This movie starring Dev Anand and Nutan was a modern day love story.

Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam: The story of the movie was adopted from Maitreyi Devi's Bengali novel Na Hanyate. Starring Salman Khan, Ajay Degn and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, the movie told the saga of a carefree young musician, who falls for a small-town girl, but destiny had something else in store for them.

Saawan Bhadon: Sawan Bhadon is a 1970 film produced and directed by Mohan Segal. The film was the debut film for its lead pair Rekha and Navin Nischol.

Sangam: This love triangle is a psychologically multifaceted tale about male bonding, the meaning of love and friendship.

Tere Mere Sapne: A triangular love story starring Dev Anand, Mumtaz and Hema Malini had some beautiful and soulful music.

Barsaat: It is a 1949 Bollywood film directed by Raj Kapoor. The film stars the famous duo of Kapoor and Nargis as well as Prem Nath. Barsaat was one of the first major hit films directed by Kapoor.