I do not think that such a list of “Top 10 Hindi film posters” exists – at least I could not find one on Google and so I thought that I would compile one of my own. I really love making lists. I think we all do. Most of these posters are from my memory and I did consider a few more like Sholay with the classic font and Deewar with Mummy in between but these came out as the chosen few. I do not know why I was reminded of some poster featuring Nazia Hassan… to be precise her legs but could not come up with anything significant. I did find a similar poster which did make the cut and is given below. I somehow remember Nazia in a similar pose, may be you can help. But all this searching did ensure that I got to see lot of her photos. Damn!!! She was hot. The only other female I have such feelings for is Mallika Sarabhai during her Katha days. Here is the list in chronological order:

1953 – Do Bigha Zameen

There is no doubt that every Hindi cinema lover loves this film. Let me rephrase that. All movie buffs who have seen this Bimal Roy classic go gaga over it and I am one of them. It does remind me and many others of Sica’s Bicycle Thieves.

Quizzing Funda: It was the first film to win the filmfare and gets its name from a Tagore poem.

Why I like this poster: All of them looking up… represents hope.

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1957 – Mother India

Another classic of the old days. I like the film to a certain extent but not fully. The main reason for that is Sunil Dutt’s over the top acting. But who am I kidding… Hoping for subtlety in a Hindi film is like hoping that women will keep wearing sexy underwear after marriage. It happens sometimes if you are really lucky.

Quizzing funda: In the Oscars it lost to Fellini’s Nights of Cabiria. It is not an original but remake of Mehboob Khan’s Aurat (1940). It’s kinda obvious that a guy with name Mehboob would be obsessed with females and mothers.


Why I like this poster: This image of Nargis is synonymous with old Hindi films in my memory.

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1959 – Kaagaz Ke Phool

Definitely one of my all time favorite films. There are few Hindi films which come close to making such an impact. I do not even remember the number of times I have seen this film and marvelled at its beauty. As a symbol of pain, this seems much more real to me than Pyaasa or Dev-D.

Quizzing Funda: It was the first Indian film made in wide CinemaScope. Many believe it to be semi-autobiographical but there is another set which believes it was based on Gyan Mukherjee


Why I like this poster: Guru Dutt’s expression is so painful. Waheeda’s expression is so inviting. Conveys the ethos of the film brilliantly.

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1961 – Junglee

I did not know that Junglee had such a great poster. I used to like Shammi Kapoor as a kid and used to yell Yahoo a lot. Ok.. that’s a lie. I was a real geek when I was a kid. I came across this poster while I was searching for the Nazia Hassan film poster. My memory tells me that it was quite similar to this. May be it wasn’t Nazia. May be it was someone else. May be it was Chetna. May be I am too confused. Everything said and done, there is no doubt that the poster is a classic. Definitely this idea of a person appearing in between a female’s legs cannot be original. Would be obliged if one of you can tell me where this is from.

Quizzing Funda: The Yahoo yell wasn’t Shammi or Rafi but a relatively lesser known lyricist – Prayaag Raaj.

Why I like this poster: A bit too bold for its time. A bit too bold for any time.

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1965 – Guide

Based on a brilliant novel this masterpiece was well ahead of its time. I think they did screen it in Cannes couple of years ago. The songs are wonderful, the script is brilliant. Once again a bit of overacting by Dev Anand screws things a little but there are so many good things about guide that they can be ignored.

Quizzing Funda: The screenplay for the US version was written by the Nobel Laureate Pearl S. Buck. Vijay Anand did not want to direct it because it portrayed India in bad light.

Why I like this poster: It completes the list. Not in the finishing sort of way but in the Jerry Maguire way.

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1976 – Nagin

I do not think that there was anything decent in the film if you compare it with the above mentioned names. It probably had one of the greatest ensembles ever in Hindi cinema which is evident from the poster.

Quizzing Funda: Just try and identify all the people in the poster. If you can do that – you don’t need any funda about Hindi films in 70s.

Why I like this poster: I think the only thing I like about the film is the poster. They had a huge cast and that is displayed here brilliantly. I don’t know why but everyone holding a torch just adds to the awesomeness.


1979 – Jaani Dushman

I think this is the poster which prompted me to make the list. Around a month ago, I got a call from one of my friends – Ananya (YES I HAVE FEMALE FRIENDS :P ) inquiring about which poster to buy. She had a few choices but in my opinion if you can lay your hands on a gem like this – there is no choice. Not even an illusion of a choice. I honestly believe that this poster was designed by Dali enthusiast. How I wish I could verify that. I must add that Raj Kumar Kohli definitely knows how to pick posters as he is the only director to have two films on this list.

Quizzing Funda: Papa se poochna padega.

Why I like this poster: What is there not to like. The blood drops, the funny looking Sanjeev, the really really scary ghost (HOOOGA BOOGA BOO!!!!) and the bat just to add that definitive horror touch to it.

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1981 – Chakra

This was my initiation into the glorious world of parallel cinema. I don’t think they even use that term anymore. I feel old. The film was brilliant to say the least but there were many similar ones in that era. – Bhumika, Mantha, Junoon, Sparsh, Akrosh, etc. While I typed this line, I was wondering how come all these brilliant movies have such small names and suddenly it clicked – Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyun Aata Hai. Mohan Joshi Haazir Ho, Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron, etc. There is no rule for great cinema but I think hiring Naseer + Shabana has a very high success rate.

Quizzing Funda: It was the only film(made couple of insignificant documentaries) by Rabindra Dharamaraj who died even before the release.

Why I like this poster: It gives the bathing scene the importance that it deserves. It was a pivotal moment in the film as well.

2009 – Dev D

The only poster that I ever owned. That also not an original. I remember watching it with Nikhil and Vivek. I remember Nikhil asking the Fame waalas to give us a poster. I remember Vivek trying to steal this poster. I remember writing to Anurag Kashyap, UTV and FAMEwaalas requesting for a copy. All our attempts were in vain. Then one fine day I downloaded a highres version from the net and took a color print out.

Quizzing Funda: It was promoted with a LUSTLINE – 022-61424800 where callers could talk anything dirty!

Why I like love this poster: The colors. It is amazingly bright and beautiful. Prime example of Warholian pop-art.

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2009 – 3 Idiots

Let me just begin by saying that I do not think very highly of the film. *Ducks for cover* The jokes were repeated. The portrayal was cliched and let me not get started on how over the top the entire film was. It just had too many Karan Johar moments for me to like it. The chamatkar-balatkar joke was horrendously stupid. There. I said it. Sue me.

Quizzing Funda: It is the highest grossing bollywood film ever (Not adjusted for inflation).The film used real inventions in the ending Remya Jose – Bicycle cum washing machine. Mohd. Idris – bicycle powered horse clipper. Jahangir Painter – scooter powered flour mill.

Why I like this poster: This image has acquired a cult status and I am sure I will see it in many PPTs when MBAs will try to be humorous.

With this I bring this long post to an end. Probably the longest I have ever written. Definitely the longest on this blog. For those who do not know – my Birthday is around a month away – 17th August. In case you are wondering what gift to give – there are 10 choices in front of you. My address – 5, Arvind Park, Near Tonk Phatak, Tonk Road, Jaipur – 302015. :)