(Writing a review with minimum use of prose has its advantages as well as drawbacks. For those with a strong right brain inclination, this may sound too tabular and devoid of any literary merit, while those having a somewhat left brain leaning, such a layout may appear extremely succinct and to-the-point. I’ve attempted this style in this review – don’t know how much it will be appreciated)

Presumption:

Bollywood pairs = one lead male actor and one lead female actor who have appeared together in atleast one Bollywood film (necessarily belonging to opposite sexes, else we could have SRK and KJ at the helm)

We already have 5 reviews on this topic which have, between them, covered almost all the good pairs we have seen over the years. So what more can this review add?

Well, apart from trying to justify the inclusion of these pairs in the top-10 list, what this review does is try to contrast this pairing with alternative pairings which haven’t exactly looked hot. This makes a sub-list of “no-nos” – which further highlights the attractiveness of the captioned couple.

For a couple to look good together, there has to be compatibility in terms of:
• Physical Attributes
• Demeanour (dignified, rustic, crass, etc.)
• Temperamental intensity

But most importantly, despite all this, they need to share on-screen chemistry – an indescribable element. So lest we run out of the word limit, let’s get straight to the point!!!

1. ANIL KAPOOR – MADHURI DIXIT
Compelling factors: Intensity match, powerful performances
Best in: Tezaab, Parinda, Beta, Pukar
Close seconds: Anil Kapoor – Sridevi, Madhuri – Sanjay Dutt
No-nos: Anil Kapoor – Amrita Singh, Madhuri – Shahrukh

2. RISHI KAPOOR- NEETU SINGH
Compelling factors: Natural true-life romance, intensity match, comic timing.
Best in: Kabhi Kabhie, Khel Khel mein, Amar Akbar Anthony
Close seconds: Rishi Kapoor – Jayaprada, Neetu Singh – Shashi Kapoor
No-nos: Rishi Kapoor-Shabana, Neetu Singh – Amitabh

3. AMITABH BACHCHAN – REKHA
Compelling factors: Forbidden romance, intensity match, physically compatible
Best in: Muqaddar ka sikander, Silsila, Do Anjaane
Close seconds: Amitabh Bachchan – Jaya Bhaduri, Rekha - Jeetendra
No-nos: Amitabh – Sridevi, Rekha – Rajesh Khanna

4. DHARMENDRA – HEMA MALINI
Compelling factors: Couple in love, physically compatible, romantic chemistry
Best in: Sholay, Jugnu, Seeta aur Geeta.
Close seconds: Dharmendra – Sharmila Tagore, Hema Malini – Jeetendra
No-nos: Dharmendra – Anita Raaj, Hema Malini – Raaj Kumar

5. AAMIR KHAN – JUHI CHAWLA
Compelling factors: Intensity match
Best in: Hum Hain Rahi pyaar ke, Ishq
Close seconds: Aamir – Sonali Bendre, Juhi – Sunny Deol
No-nos: Aamir – Neelam, Juhi – Shahrukh Khan

6. SHAHRUKH KHAN – KAJOL
Compelling factors: Intensity match, perfect chemistry
Best in: K3G, Baazigar, Karan Arjun
Close seconds: Shahrukh – Rani, Kajol – Ajay Devgan
No-nos: Shahrukh – Madhuri, Kajol – Saif

7. KISHORE KUMAR – MADHUBALA
Compelling factors: Intensity match, perfect comic timing
Best in: Chalti ka naam gadi, Jhumroo
Close seconds: Kishore Kumar - Nutan, Madhubala – Dilip Kumar
No-nos: Kishore Kumar – Meena Kumari, Madhubala – Pradeep Kumar

8. GOVINDA – KARISMA KAPOOR
Compelling factors: Intensity match, wackiness and energy compatibility
Best in: Hero No.1, Haseena Maan Jaayegi
Close seconds: Govinda – Raveena Tandon, Karisma Kapoor – Salman Khan
No-nos: Govinda – Urmila, Karisma – Manoj Bajpai

9. SANJEEV KUMAR – IAYA BHADURI
Compelling factors: Intensity match, powerful and sensitive performances
Best in: Koshish, Naye din nayi raat, Anamika
Close seconds: Sanjeev Kumar – Sharmila Tagore, Jaya Bhaduri – Amitabh Bachchan
No-nos: Sanjeev Kumar – Rekha, Jaya Bhaduri – Jeetendra

10. RAJ KAPOOR – NARGIS
Compelling factors: Scorching chemistry
Best in: Awara, Shree 420
Close seconds: Raj Kapoor – Nutan, Nargis – Dilip Kumar
No-nos: Raj Kapoor – Vyjayantimala, Nargis – Feroz Khan

Honourable exclusions: (particularly among today’s generation actors)
Vivek Oberoi – Rani Mukherjee
Ajay Devgan – Aishwarya Rai
Hrithik Roshan – Preity Zinta
Abhishek - Kareena

This folks, was my attempt to objectively assess hot pairings in the history of Hindi cinema. Many of us may have a dislike for some of the above actors individually, but as a pair, it is difficult to dismiss them as anything but sensational.