Best Emotional Bollywood Movies​

Bollywood is known for its grand scale, captivating performances, and, above all, its ability to stir deep emotions. From most emotional Hindi movies that leave audiences teary-eyed to Bollywood movies that make you cry, the industry has produced countless unforgettable films. This guide brings together best emotional movies in Hindi, covering classics and modern hits, with details on cast, songs, OTT platforms, and why each title deserves a spot in the top 10 heart touching movies Bollywood has ever made.

Bollywood has a unique gift for creating best emotional Bollywood movies that connect deeply with audiences, leaving an everlasting impact. From Bollywood sad movies that explore heartbreak to Hindi emotional films celebrating love, family, and sacrifice, these stories transcend generations. Some of the most iconic Bollywood tearjerker movies like Kal Ho Naa Ho, Veer-Zaara, and Baghban have redefined cinematic emotion, showing how relationships evolve with time. Whether it’s Hindi movies that make you cry such as Aashiqui 2 and Taare Zameen Par, or uplifting *heartwarming Hindi movies about family and relationships like My Name Is Khan, these films remain timeless.

Cinephiles often look for best underrated emotional Bollywood movies to watch alone that resonate on a personal level, as well as the top emotional Bollywood movies based on true stories like Shershaah, Rang De Basanti, and The Sky Is Pink. These titles also feature in the list of saddest Bollywood movies ever made, with their narratives earning a place in the hearts of millions. Many Bollywood movies with most emotional endings—such as Dil Bechara, Hamari Adhuri Kahani, and Sadma—deliver powerful closure that lingers long after the credits roll.

30 Best Emotional Bollywood Movies 

Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003)

• • Characters: Aman (Shah Rukh Khan) – a cheerful stranger hiding a secret, Naina (Preity Zinta) – a serious young woman, Rohit (Saif Ali Khan) – her best friend.
  • Storyline: A love triangle set in New York, layered with friendship, sacrifice, and life lessons.
  • Watch: Amazon Prime Video.

Veer-Zaara (2004)

• • Characters: Veer (Shah Rukh Khan) – an Indian Air Force officer, Zaara (Preity Zinta) – a Pakistani woman from a political family.
  • Storyline: A cross-border love story spanning decades, bound by duty and sacrifice.
  • Watch: Prime Video.

Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001)

• • Characters: Rahul (Shah Rukh Khan), Anjali (Kajol), Yash (Amitabh Bachchan).
  • Storyline: Family drama of love, separation, and reunion between parents and estranged son.
  • Watch: Netflix.

Rang De Basanti (2006)

• • Characters: DJ (Aamir Khan) and friends, Sue (Alice Patten) – a British filmmaker.
  • Storyline: A group of carefree college friends awaken to political activism.
  • Watch: Netflix.

Rockstar (2011)

• • Characters: Janardhan/Jordan (Ranbir Kapoor) – a musician, Heer (Nargis Fakhri) – his love.
  • Storyline: A passionate love story intertwined with the rise of a rock sensation.
  • Watch: Netflix.

Barfi! (2012)

• • Characters: Barfi (Ranbir Kapoor) – a mute and deaf man, Jhilmil (Priyanka Chopra) – an autistic woman.
  • Storyline: A tender romance and friendship in Darjeeling and Kolkata.
  • Watch: Netflix.

Tamasha (2015)

• • Characters: Ved (Ranbir Kapoor) – a man trapped in routine, Tara (Deepika Padukone) – free-spirited traveler.
  • Storyline: A love story about rediscovering one’s identity.
  • Watch: Disney+ Hotstar.

Lootera (2013)

• • Characters: Varun (Ranveer Singh) – an archaeologist with a secret, Pakhi (Sonakshi Sinha) – a zamindar’s daughter.
  • Storyline: Romance and betrayal in 1950s Bengal.
  • Watch: Netflix.

The Lunchbox (2013)

• • Characters: Saajan (Irrfan Khan) – a widower, Ila (Nimrat Kaur) – a lonely housewife.
  • Storyline: Two strangers connect through a lunchbox delivery mix-up.
  • Watch: Netflix.

Dear Zindagi (2016)

• • Characters: Kaira (Alia Bhatt) – a cinematographer, Dr. Jehangir (Shah Rukh Khan) – her therapist.
  • Storyline: Therapy sessions help a young woman heal emotionally.
  • Watch: Netflix.

Highway (2014)

• • Characters: Veera (Alia Bhatt) – a kidnapping victim, Mahabir (Randeep Hooda) – her abductor.
  • Storyline: A journey of unexpected freedom and self-discovery.
  • Watch: Netflix.

Piku (2015)

• • Characters: Piku (Deepika Padukone) – an architect, Bhaskor (Amitabh Bachchan) – her eccentric father.
  • Storyline: A road trip exploring love, family, and responsibility.
  • Watch: SonyLIV.

Chhichhore (2019)

• • Characters: Anirudh (Sushant Singh Rajput) – a father, Maya (Shraddha Kapoor) – mother, friends from college.
  • Storyline: A reunion to inspire their son through stories of friendship.
  • Watch: Disney+ Hotstar.

Dangal (2016)

• • Characters: Mahavir Singh Phogat (Aamir Khan) – a wrestler, his daughters Geeta and Babita.
  • Storyline: Training daughters to become wrestling champions.
  • Watch: Netflix.

M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story (2016)

• • Characters: M.S. Dhoni (Sushant Singh Rajput) – Indian cricket captain.
  • Storyline: Journey from small-town boy to cricket legend.
  • Watch: Disney+ Hotstar.

Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015)

• • Characters: Pawan (Salman Khan) – a devotee of Hanuman, Munni (Harshaali Malhotra) – a mute Pakistani girl.
  • Storyline: A journey to reunite a lost girl with her family across the border.
  • Watch: Zee5.

Taare Zameen Par (2007)

• • Characters: Ishaan (Darsheel Safary) – a dyslexic boy, Nikumbh Sir (Aamir Khan) – art teacher.
  • Storyline: Celebrating learning differences.
  • Watch: Netflix.

Guzaarish (2010)

• • Characters: Ethan Mascarenhas (Hrithik Roshan) – a paralyzed magician, Sofia (Aishwarya Rai) – his nurse.
  • Storyline: A plea for euthanasia and dignity.
  • Watch: Netflix.

Neerja (2016)

• • Characters: Neerja Bhanot (Sonam Kapoor) – flight purser.
  • Storyline: Bravery during a plane hijacking.
  • Watch: Disney+ Hotstar.

October (2018)

• • Characters: Dan (Varun Dhawan) – hotel intern, Shiuli (Banita Sandhu).
  • Storyline: Love through unspoken emotions and care.
  • Watch: Amazon Prime.

Black (2005)

• • Characters: Michelle (Rani Mukerji) – a deaf-blind girl, Debraj (Amitabh Bachchan) – her teacher.
  • Storyline: Triumph over disability.
  • Watch: Prime Video.

My Name is Khan (2010)

• • Characters: Rizwan Khan (Shah Rukh Khan) – autistic man, Mandira (Kajol).
  • Storyline: A journey to deliver a message of peace.
  • Watch: Disney+ Hotstar.

Tumhari Sulu (2017)

• • Characters: Sulochana (Vidya Balan) – a housewife turned radio jockey.
  • Storyline: Balancing career dreams and family.
  • Watch: Amazon Prime.

Raazi (2018)

• • Characters: Sehmat (Alia Bhatt) – Indian spy in Pakistan.
  • Storyline: A spy’s duty amidst personal emotions.
  • Watch: Amazon Prime.

Aashiqui 2 (2013)

• • Characters: Rahul (Aditya Roy Kapur) – singer, Aarohi (Shraddha Kapoor).
  • Storyline: Musical romance with tragic undertones.
  • Watch: Prime Video.

Kesari (2019)

• • Characters: Havildar Ishar Singh (Akshay Kumar).
  • Storyline: Battle of Saragarhi bravery.
  • Watch: Amazon Prime.

Swades (2004)

• • Characters: Mohan Bhargava (Shah Rukh Khan) – NASA scientist.
  • Storyline: Returning to India to make a difference.
  • Watch: Netflix.

Pad Man (2018)

• • Characters: Lakshmi (Akshay Kumar) – innovator in menstrual hygiene.
  • Storyline: Social reform and awareness.
  • Watch: Netflix.

Sairat (2016, Hindi dubbed)

• • Characters: Parshya and Archi – star-crossed lovers.
  • Storyline: Love across caste divides.
  • Watch: Netflix.

Mimi (2021)

• • Characters: Mimi (Kriti Sanon) – aspiring actress, surrogate mother.
  • Storyline: Surrogacy and motherhood journey.
  • Watch: Netflix.

Best Emotional Bollywood Movies​ Why These Films Stand Out

These aren’t just sad Bollywood movies list entries—they’re layered with emotional drama, powerful performances, and unforgettable soundtracks. Whether it’s the saddest Bollywood movies like Lootera or movies with sad endings Bollywood such as October, they resonate because they explore universal human emotions.

Popular Audience Questions

• Which Hindi movie is very emotional? – Kal Ho Naa Ho, Barfi!, and Veer-Zaara are top choices.

• Which movie makes you cry? – Taare Zameen Par, October, The Lunchbox.

• Which Bollywood movie has the saddest ending? – Lootera, Rockstar.

• Which Hindi movie is based on psychology? – Dear Zindagi, Tamasha.

OTT Availability

Many best emotional Bollywood movies on Netflix like Barfi!, Rockstar, Dear Zindagi, and The Lunchbox are just a click away. For Prime Video subscribers, Veer-Zaara, October, and Raazi are must-watch titles. Disney+ Hotstar also houses classics like Chhichhore and Taare Zameen Par.

Themes like emotional Bollywood films about parent-child relationships shine in movies such as Baghban and Taare Zameen Par, while must-watch Bollywood romantic sad movies like Aashiqui 2 explore love’s vulnerabilities. Even in the 2020s, cinema continues to evolve, giving us best Bollywood movies that will make you cry 2020s including Shershaah, Dil Bechara, and The Sky Is Pink. Whether it’s a rainy evening or a peaceful weekend, Hindi emotional movies for a good cry night offer comfort and reflection.

For fans of the King of Romance, emotional Indian films featuring Shah Rukh Khan such as Kal Ho Naa Ho, Veer-Zaara, and My Name Is Khan hold a special place. These titles often double as life-changing Bollywood movies with strong messages, inspiring viewers to embrace love, kindness, and resilience. Cinema also excels in portraying Hindi movies about friendship and loss, as seen in Rang De Basanti and Dil Bechara. In recent years, new emotional Bollywood movies 2024 and 2025 have brought fresh stories, while most touching Bollywood biographical films and emotional Bollywood movies based on real-life events continue to dominate the box office and critical acclaim, proving that emotional storytelling will always have a home in Indian cinema.