5 most dramatic monologues in BW

Yes, Bollywood is mainly popular for larger than life drama, music and a whole lot of dancing. But, if you haven't figured already, there is much more to it than that. Over the years, Bollywood films have featured many hard hitting speeches that have stayed with us long after we left the theatre. These dramatic monologues have been able to depict various kinds of emotions as some might bring a tear to the eye along with arising a feeling of patriotism like Shah Rukh Khan's sattar minute dramatic monologue in Chak De India! and some are simply just for fun like Kartik Aaryan's popular rant about a women's behaviour in a relationship from the Pyaar Ka Punchnama series. Credit for these dramatic monologues must be given to the writer as well for conceptualising these special moments in the film and the actor for executing it in a way that the audience is able to connect with the emotion behind it. So, from a coach motivating his troops to a guy ranting about girls in a relationship, here are some of the most dramatic monologues that we have witnessed in Bollywood films over the years.

Shah Rukh Khan in Chak De! India



A speech that left everyone speechless! Shah Rukh Khan is known for having his way with words and he gave us a glimpse of the magic yet again in his dramatic monologue from Chak De India! Chak De India! also proved that the his skills are not just limited to playing the hopeless romantic. With Chak De India!, Shah Rukh was seen in a completely different light as he played the role of a retired hockey player turned coach with the aim of talking the India's women hockey team back to glory.


ZAfter successfully getting his team of warriors to the finals, he delivers an emotional yet dramatic monologue in which he explains how the expectation of a billion people lie on the shoulders of those young girls and how their actions will affect the lives of so many. And this dramatic monologue definitely seemed to do the trick as his players went on to play their hearts out in order to help India earn the title of world champions. This is one is surely one of the most dramatic as well as iconic monologues in Bollywood.




Ranbir Kapoor in Tamasha

Tamasha is probably one of Imtiaz Ali's most underrated films. The film showed us that why going with the safe' choice is wrong as compared to pursuing what you want. Sure, taking the safe option doesn't seem too hard as it'll deliver a steady life, a secure income and can tempt you even further with the fact that you will avoid a lot of struggle. However, you will never be able to achieve the true fulfilment that one enjoys when they're doing something they love. Ever since he was a child, Ved (Ranbir Kapoor) was fascinated with stories and everything related to it. However, his father always wanted him to become an engineer as according to him that was the only way his son can enjoy a life without financial troubles.

via GIPHY

So, Ved takes up the life his father wanted for him and while that does give him stability, of some sorts, he never really was happy with where he was. Eventually, when Ved feels that he couldn't take it anymore, he ends up quitting his job and opens up to his parents about his real passion in life in this dramatic monologue. The dramatic monologue is presented in a thought provoking manner and is backed a stunning performance of Ranbir Kapoor who looks completely in his element.





Kartik Aaryan in Pyaar Ka Punchnama



This dramatic monologue is a little different from others in the list due to the humour that comes with it, however, it's popularity amongst fans exists even today. Despite its comic nature, Kartik Aaryan's dramatic monologue in Pyaar Ka Punchanama is probably one of the most popular scenes amongst films in recent years. In fact, the dramatic monologue became so popular that the makers did another version of it in the second instalment of the film as well.


However, we don't think it tops the rant from the first part in terms of execution. While the dramatic monologue did seem a bit too sexist, the masses found it to be the straight out truth as they could in one way or another relate to the Kartik's words from an experience of their past. Kartik's plays the part of the frustrated boyfriend to the tee and makes the dramatic monologue more relatable to the audience.




Sunny Deol in Damini

Damini is a popular woman centric film from a time where Bollywood movies were all about macho heroes. The film gave us a glimpse of how power is utilised by the influentials to cover up their crimes and other wrongdoings and how important it is to fight for what is right.

via GIPHY

A courtroom drama is always welcomed in Bollywood but no courtroom scene has ever come close to this one thanks to the dramatic monologue delivered by Sunny Deol. An iconic scene from the film is when Sunny Deol's character advocate Govind (Sunny Deol) finally has enough of the court constantly trying to delay justice by further protecting the rich. Sunny does a brilliant job in making the frustration of his character very apparent through his dramatic monologue and also went on to win a national award for his performance in the film. The dialogue Tareek pe tareek' from this dramatic monologue is regarded as one of the most iconic ones in the history of Bollywood.




Naseeruddin Shah in A Wednesday

This dramatic monologue from the film A Wednesdayn definitely doesn't fall short in any compared to others in the list. A Wednesday was a story about a common man who takes a rather uncommon route to express his pain as he calls up the commissioner of police and informs him that he has placed five bombs in the city and will detonate them if his demands are not met. His demand was that they release 4 highly wanted terrorist. At first, the police takes the threat lightly and assumes that it is just a prank call. However, when they finds a bomb planted in front of the police station, they begin to search for the mysterious caller. As time passes and the police are unable to trace the caller, they have no choice but to give in to the caller's demands.


Eventually, in a dramatic monologue, the mysterious caller reveals that he is nothing but a common man who was sick of living in fear of terror and decide to take things in his own hands. The film was backed by two powerhouses of the Indian film industry - Naseeruddin Shah and Anupam Kher as it mainly revolves around the conversation between the two. However, in one scene Naseeruddin Shah (who is playing the common man) completely lets loose and tries to justify the purpose for his actions with a dramatic monologue. Naseeruddin Shah absolutely nails his dramatic monologue with a powerful performance making you feel nothing but empathy for his character.