Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

Bollywood's Top 10 College Movies

Last updated on: March 15, 2011 15:17 IST
A scene from 3 Idiots

College has played the perfect backdrop for many Hindi movies. There are so many college romances that it's difficult to pick the top 10. Yet, we've tried.

Go through our list of the top 10 college Hindi films, and send us your own top 10 college films too!

3 Idiots

The film sent out a strong message on the Indian education system in a light-hearted way -- highlighting college ragging, obsession with high grades, and the dangerous repercussions of parental pressure on today's college-going kids.

Loosely based on Chetan Bhagat's novel, Five Point Someone, the film traced the lives of three college friends -- played by Aamir Khan, R Madhavan and Sharman Joshi. They had their share of fun -- drinking on campus, and flirting with the professor's daughter -- and disappointments, which made one of them attempt suicide.

Wake Up Sid

Last updated on: March 15, 2011 15:17 IST
A scene from Wake Up Sid

Wake Up Sid was a story of a regular college youth, who goes through an indecisive phase before finally deciding on which career path to take.

Ranbir's character was still partying hard, bunking classes, hanging out with friends and watching movies when his life turned a corner.

Jaane Tu ... Ya Jaane Na

Last updated on: March 15, 2011 15:17 IST
A scene from Jaane Tu...  Ya Jaane Na

Okay, so Genelia D'Souza claims quite early on in the film that their college life has come to an end, and wonders where the years went. Her pal Imran Khan's mother Rathna Pathak Shah says quickly, 'Phone pe, beta, phone pe!'

A sweet love story where best friends fix each other with other people because they're convinced they're not in love with each other, the film touched a cord with youngsters, making it an instant hit.

Rang De Basanti

Last updated on: March 15, 2011 15:17 IST
A scene from Rang De Basanti

The film showed the transition of four college friends, whose lives take a drastic change when their Air Force pilot friend (R Madhavan) dies in an air crash.

Their carefree lives are abruptly cut short, and they vow to avenge their fallen friend by killing a politician who they feel was responsible for it.

The film took a wonderful cruise through Delhi through its story.

Main Hoon Na

Last updated on: March 15, 2011 15:17 IST
A scene from Main Hoon Na

Shah Rukh Khan played an armyman posing as a high school student in Main Hoon Na, in order to protect his boss' daughter (Amrita Rao), and find his kid brother (Zayed Khan).

And while he was quite a mismatch with the younger students, we saw an interesting exchange with Zayed and Amrita's characters, the forgetful principal (Boman Irani) and the hot teacher (Sushmita Sen).

Yuva

Last updated on: March 15, 2011 15:17 IST
A scene from Yuva

Director Mani Ratnam's Yuva showed us a different aspect of college, by highlighting dangerous college politics. Ajay Devgn played the leader of a student's union while Abhishek Bachchan played a local goon, making their lives miserable.

Devgn plays an intense character, rooting for justice, and at the same time, romancing his wild girlfriend Esha Deol.

Dil Chahta Hai

Last updated on: March 15, 2011 15:17 IST
A scene from Dil Chahta Hai

Dil Chahta Hai told the story of three college buddies, who share their lives and Goa vacations together. After a carefree college life, the three go their separate ways to pursue their respective careers.

The film was a young, 'cool' film, very different from college films we had thus far seen.

Kuch Kuch Hota Hai

Last updated on: March 15, 2011 15:17 IST
A scene from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai

Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol played best friends in college, who loved to take on the other in basketball. While SRK's character was a charmer, Kajol's was a tomboy.

The principal's daughter -- Rani Mukerji -- enters their lives and changes it forever, as she falls in love with SRK.

One of the favourite characters in the film was the hot teacher Mrs Braganza (Archana Puran Singh).

Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander

Last updated on: March 15, 2011 15:17 IST
A scene from Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander

This Aamir Khan film was a beautiful, feel-good film about three high schools -- one of them for rich kids -- and how their lives meet.

Pooja Bedi plays the hot, rich girl, Deepak Tijori plays the rich spoilt brat, Aamir plays the carefree student while Ayesha Julka plays the smitten best friend.

In the end, it all came down to a cycle race that won the day for Aamir Khan and his gang.

Dil

Last updated on: March 15, 2011 15:17 IST
A scene from Dil

Dil was one of Aamir's earliest college romances.

A big part of the film saw him get on the wrong side of Madhuri Dixit. But the constant bickering only made them eventually fall in love.

List your own favourite college films!