15 Bollywood Movies That Centered Around Brother-Sister Bonding

This family drama directed by L.V. Prasad was a remake of the 1952 Tamil hit movie En Thangai. Choti Bahen dealt with the theme of brother and sister bonding where Balraj Sahni and Rehman played brothers to Nanda who sacrifice their happiness for each other. The film not only became famous for its brother-sister bonding but also for its super hit Rakhi song by Lata – Bhaiya Mere Rakhi Ke Bandhan Ko Nibhana’, which is hummed to date.

The film was made twice with the same title but the later one with bigger stars became popular. The earlier one which had Rehman, Baby Naaz and Daisy Irani went unnoticed whereas the 1969 flick directed by A. Bhimsingh had Ashok Kumar, Sunil Dutt, Padmini, Nutan and Pran. Sunil Dutt and Padmini played brother-sister and while Ashok Kumar played the estranged father in this tear-jerker.

A remake of the Tamil super hit film Pasamalar, Rakhi was directed by A. Bhimsingh which figures as one of the top brother-sister sagas of Bollywood. Starring Ashok Kumar, Waheeda Rehman, Pradeep Kumar and Mehmood in the main cast, the tear-jerker was a runaway hit which had some memorable songs from music director Ravi. Ashok Kumar bagged that year’s Filmfare Best Actor award.

Director Mohan Kumar’s evergreen musical hit, Anpadh too had the brother-sister bonding as its central theme. Remembered more for its Madan Mohan melodies like Aapki nazaron ne samjha, the black and white classic had Balraj Sahni and Mala Sinha playing siblings whereas a young Dharmendra plays Mala Sinha’s husband.

One of actor-director Dev Anand’s cult films which was based on brother-sister relation where Dev sets out in search of his lost sister played by Zeenat Aman. Though Dev Anand had Mumtaz romancing opposite him but it was Zeenat Aman who walked away with all the applause. The film also highlighted the then famous hippy culture which caught on the world in a big way. And who can forget the brother-sister signature hit song, Phoolon ka taaron ka by Lata and Kishore Kumar.

As the title suggests this action-drama directed by Atma Ram was a story of a brother and sister relation played by Dharmendra and Kumud Chugani, respectively. The siblings undergo a separation due to unfortunate circumstances only to reunite in the end because of the silken thread that keeps them bonded. The track Behna Ne Bhai Ki Kalai Se Pyar Baandha Hai by Suman Kalyanpur stood out in the film which is still played on every Rakhi festival.

This lesser known film starring the then hit pair of Sachin and Sarika too revolved around a brother-sister theme. Though both the lead was romantically paired opposite each other it was the brother who protected the sister from evil forces. The film also starred Pallavi Joshi and Lalita Pawar.

This film too highlighted the brother-sister relation where Nutan played the elder sister and Raj Babbar played the younger brother. The relation falls apart due to a will which leads to some misunderstanding between the two. Nutan’s performance as the elder sister was one of her best. The film had some gems by Rajesh Roshan which included the Lata solo, Chhotaa Saa Bhaiyaa Hamaaraa, Behenaa Ke Dil Kaa Dulaaraa.

A remake of the 1978 Tamil film Mullum Malarum starring Rajinikanth, this film had Mithun Chakraborty and Tanvi Azmi playing brother and sister, respectively. Directed by Bapu, the film had Padmini Kolhapure playing Mithun’s love interest. Tanvi as the innocent young sister was apt who falls in love with her brother’s worst enemy. A must watch film for Mithun Chakraborty fans.

A remake of the Ashok Kumar – Waheeda Rehman 1962 film Rakhi’, this film had Jeetendra and Padmini Kolhapure playing siblings who marry Jaya Prada and Mithun Chakraborty, respectively. After lots of twists and turns the siblings unite only to die together in the end. The film though having a big star cast didn’t perform well at the box-office.

A remake of the Tamil film Pandithurai, Bandhan had Salman Khan and Ashwini Bhave playing siblings from a poor family. Ashwini marries a rich zamindar (Jackie Shroff) who takes along Salman with him as dowry. Salman falls for his brother-in-law’s sister, Rambha. Finally, it makes for a happy ending.

One of actor Suneil Shetty’s forgettable films which was a remake of the 1996 Malayalam film Hitler starring Mammootty. The film revolved around a brother (Suneil Shetty) and his six sisters whom he is very possessive about due to which he keeps losing his cool. The romantic female lead was played by Rambha and directed by Ashok Honda.

Film critic turned director, Mohammed Khalid’s directorial debut which had Karisma Kapoor and Hrithik Roshan playing siblings. The story focuses around Hrithik when he goes missing during the 1993 bomb blasts and sister Karisma goes in search of him only to later find out that he has joined a militant group. Jaya Bachchan as the mother added sheen to this brother-sister saga.

Nagesh Kukunoor’s film based on brother-sister bonding went down well with the audiences. The story was about how a young sister helps her deaf and dumb brother to become a bowler against their father’s wishes. The performances of Shweta Prasad as the little sister and Shyeras Talpade as the handicapped brother were the highlight of the film.

Set in the backdrop of Rajasthan, Dhanak was another heart-touching brother-sister saga by director Nagesh Kukunoor. The story is about a sister setting off on a journey along with her blind brother to retain his eyesight before his next birthday with a belief that her favourite superstar Shahrukh Khan will help her in this cause. The film surely goes down as one of the best brother-sister bonding on screen in recent times.