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Dharmendra and Hema Malini
Number of movies together: 27
Number of hits: 16
Sholay, Seeta Aur Geeta, Jugnu, Chacha Bhatija, Pratigya, Charas, Raja Jani, Alibaba Aur 40 Chor, Dost, Patthar Aur Payal, Azaad, Tum Haseen Mein Jawan, Naya Zamana, Maa and Baghavat
Why they clicked: Perhaps the one thing that worked for these two was their off-screen chemistry. By the time the two were working together, the world and its mother knew about their love story. Hema Malini's chemistry with practically all her heroes was amazing. Yet when it came to Dharamendra, it was special. And it showed on the screen. Plus it also helped that she had a good sense of comic timing.
Jeetendra and Sridevi
Number of movies: 16
Number of hits: 11
Himmatwala, Mawaali, Tohfa, Justice Chaudhury, Maqsad, Ghar Sansar, Sone Pe Suhaaga, Dharam Adhikari, Akalmand, Aulad and Sarfarosh
Why they clicked: Not many may know, but Jeetendra's brother-in-law is a distributor. His company has distributed some very memorable films the most recent being Singh is Kinng. So Jeetendra's producers were ensured that their films would be distributed well. Also, Jeetendra tended to charge lesser than his contemporaries. Both Jeetendra and Sridevi had worked in a lot of South Indian films. And most importantly, they were both easily available and wrapped up their schedules faster than most others.
Number of movies: 16
Number of hits: 11
Himmatwala, Mawaali, Tohfa, Justice Chaudhury, Maqsad, Ghar Sansar, Sone Pe Suhaaga, Dharam Adhikari, Akalmand, Aulad and Sarfarosh
Why they clicked: Not many may know, but Jeetendra's brother-in-law is a distributor. His company has distributed some very memorable films the most recent being Singh is Kinng. So Jeetendra's producers were ensured that their films would be distributed well. Also, Jeetendra tended to charge lesser than his contemporaries. Both Jeetendra and Sridevi had worked in a lot of South Indian films. And most importantly, they were both easily available and wrapped up their schedules faster than most others.
Raj Kapoor and Nargis
Number of movies: 15
Number of hits: 10
Awaara, Barsaat, Shri 420, Andaaz, Aah, Aag, Anhonee, Chori Chori, Jagte Raho and Bewafaa
Why they clicked: Rumours of their affair perhaps did little to help their films at the box office. But what did help was the fact their most of Raj Kapoor and Nargis' films were made on relatively small budgets. But purely in aesthetic terms, there probably hasn't been another couple that looked so damn good on the screen. Think of it, the picturisation of 'Pyaar hua iqrar hua' perhaps makes it the most memorable love songs of all times.
Amitabh Bachchan and Parveen Babi
Number of movies together: 9
Number of hits: 6
Amar Akbar Anthony, Deewar, Khuddar, Kaalia, Do Aur Do Paanch and Majboor
Why they clicked: There were three basic reasons why this jodi worked in Bollywood. One – Parveen Babi was not such a busy actress. So her dates were easily available. Two – When the country's superstar recommends you for every other movie with him, there's little reason for the producer to refuse. And finally, Babi's only real competition was Zeenat Aman. She didn't have any qualms in exposing and invariably ended up playing the moll to the Bachchan, the anti-hero.
Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini
Number of films together: 13
Number of hits: 9
Trishul, Naseeb, Andhaa Kanoon, Veer Zaara, Desh Premee, Satte Pe Satta, Baagbaan, Kasauti and Gheri Chaal
Why they clicked: The most interesting thing about this onscreen couple is that they never really did a 'solo film'. Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini were paired in a little over a dozen films. But almost all of them were multi-starrers. It wouldn't be entirely incorrect to suggest that the star power was greatly responsible for the success of their films.
Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha
Number of films together:10
Number of hits: 8
Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Mr Natwarlal, Suhaag, Ram Balraam, Ganga Ki Saugandh, Khoon Pasina, Do Anjaane and Silsila
Why they clicked: Little needs to be said about Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha. No one's personal lives had been written about so extensively as theirs. It probably would not be entirely incorrect too say that Bachchan-Rekha was the one couple whose films benefited most because of the gossip columns. It was said that their films would start getting house full right from the Monday before the release.
Amitabh Bachchan and Raakhee
Number of films together: 10
Number of hits: 8
Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Trishul, Kaala Patthar, Kabhi Kabhi, Kasme Vaade, Barsaat Ki Ek Raat, Jurmana and Bemisaal
Rekha continues to remain one heroine who held her own despite sharing the screen with someone as charismatic as Amitabh Bachchan. Raakhee on the other hand with her docile roles proved to be a good counterfoil to the powerful characters Bachchan played. And perhaps that was the reason why they worked so well on screen.
Rajesh Khanna and Mumtaz
Number of films together: 8
Number of hits: 7
Do Raaste, Sachcha Jhutha, Dushman, Roti, Aap Ki Kasam, Prem Kahani and Bandhan
Why they clicked: Rajesh Khanna and Mumtaz have had some very memorable songs being picturised on them. And that has been the only reason for their success.
Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan
Number of films together: 9
Number of hits: 7
Sholay, Zanjeer, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Chupke Chupke, Silsila, Abhimaan and Mili
Why they clicked: Industry insiders will tell you how Jaya Bachchan recommended Amitabh for the lead role in Zanjeer. After the film's release, Bachchan's life changed forever. The two then went on to work in quite a few films together. But the most memorable of them will always be Silsila, which starred Amitabh, Jaya and Rekha at the time when rumours of 'the affair' were at their peak.
Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Kapoor
Number of films together: 11
Number of hits: 8
Amar Akbar Anthony, Kabhi Kabhie, Khel Khel Mein, Rafoo Chakkar, Duniya Meri Jeb Mein, Anjane Mein, Doosra Aadmi and Zehreela Insaan
Why they clicked: The buxom Neetu Singh and the young Rishi Kapoor instantly became the nation's heartthrobs after Zehreela Insaan hit the screens. Old timers in the industry will tell you how their films almost always got a great opening and advanced booking. But they were young and restless and everybody loved them. And this worked in their favour more than anything else.
Ganesh Kartikeya
Shiv Shakti
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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