From Amitabh-Rekha to Prabhas-Anushka, 31 on-screen couples who changed the language of love

1. Romance and films have been intertwined from times since magic started unfolding on a silver screen. Whether it is Raj Kapoor-Nargis, Amitabh Bachchan-Rekha, Shah Rukh Khan-Kajol, Kamal Haasan and Abhirami or Prabhas-Anushka Shetty, these iconic on-screen pairs have set our definition of romance. Dilip Kumar and Vyjayanthimala were one such pair who sparkled the silver screen with their exemplary grace and charisma in six movies. Together, they gave hits like Naya Daur, Devdas and Madhumati. (Express Archive Photo)

Waheeda Rehman did a number of memorable films with Guru Dutt including Pyaasa (1957), Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959) and Sahib Bibi Aur Gulam (1962). It was Dutt who discovered Rehman after watching her dance number in a hit Telugu movie titled Rojulu Marayi. (Express Archive Photo)

Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha were addressed as the golden couple of Bollywood. Whenever they came together on-screen, they struck a chord with the audience with their sizzling chemistry. The two created magic in films such as Do Anjaane (1976), Alaap (1977), Khoon Pasina (1977), Ganga Ki Saugandh (1978), Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978), Mr. Natwarlal (1979), Suhaag (1979) and Silsila (1981). The Yash Chopra directorial Silsila was the last film where the audience got to see Amitabh and Rekha together on the screen. (Express Archive Photo)

Dharmendra and Hema Malini ensured a blockbuster hit whenever they came together on the silver screen. He was called the 'He-Man' of Bollywood and she was the 'Dream Girl'. Together, they made for a beautiful couple, both on and off screen. They starred together in movies like Sharafat (1970), Raja Jani (1972), Seeta Aur Geeta (1972), Jugnu (1973), Pratiggya (1975) and Sholay (1975) among others. (Express Archive Photo)

As much as this couple grabbed attention for their dreamy love story, Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Kapoor also made for a sizzling on-screen couple. Their playfulness made the youth of the country connect with them. They appeared together in Zahreela Insaan (1974), Rafoo Chakkar (1975), Khel Khel Mein (1975), Kabhie Kabhie (1976), Amar Akbar Anthony (1977) and Dhan Daulat (1980) among others. (Express Archive Photo)

The kind of chemistry which Raj Kapoor and Nargis shared on screen is impossible to recreate. They are the ones who romanticised rain for every Bollywood buff. This golden couple worked together in 16 movies including hits Awara (1956), Barsaat (1949), Shree 420 (!955) and Chori Chori (1956). (Express Archive Photo)

Farooq Sheikh and Deepti Naval used to bring warmth to their performance that made every common man relate to the stories they portrayed on the celluloid. The audience could find themselves in their characters and loved the simplicity with which they expressed their emotions. They worked together in half a dozen hits, including Saath Saath, Chashme Buddoor, Katha and were seen recently in Listen… Amaya as an older couple. (Express Archive Photo)

What happened when the first superstar of Bollywood - Rajesh Khanna romanced the Bengali beauty, Sharmila Tagore? Pure magic. They gave the Hindi cinema blockbuster hits such as Aradhana (1969) and Amar Prem (1972). Apart from these, they featured in Daag: A Poem of Love (1973), Raja Rani (1973) and Safar (1970). (Express Archive Photo)

Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol are counted among Bollywood's best on-screen jodis. They have rocked Bollywood with their sizzling chemistry for more than two decades. And every time you see them together, they make you fall in love with them all over again. They have worked together in just seven films - Baazigar (1993), Karan Arjun (1995), Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001), My Name Is Khan (2010) and Dilwale (2015), yet they have a massive fan following among the cinephiles. (Express Archive Photo)

In the 90s, the Khiladi of Bollywood, Akshay Kumar, and the beauty Shilpa Shetty, made for a good looking couple on the silver screen. They gave two massive hits, Main Khiladi Tu Anari (1994) and Dhadkan (2000). (Express Archive Photo)

Even before their real-life romance blossomed, Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan were seen in many films together. Not all of them were hits but fans loved their pairing and longed for the duo to appear on screen. From Dhai Akshar Prem Ke (2000), Kuch Naa Kaho (2003), Dhoom 2 (2006) to Guru (2007) and Raavan (2010), Aishwarya and Abhishek wooed the audience whenever they shared the screen. They are also remembered for the popular song “Kajra Re” from Bunty aur Babli. (Express Archive Photo)

The year 1988 saw the debut of two of the finest Bollywood actors, Aamir Khan and Juhi Chawla in Mansoor Khan's Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak. The film became a huge hit and the Hindi cinema got one of its most good looking couples. Chawla's innocence and bubbly aura, and Khan's chocolate boy look gave movie buffs a fresh pair and they adored their chemistry. They shared screen space in iconic films like Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke (1993) Ishq (1997), Love Love Love (1989) and Tum Mere Ho (1990). (Express Archive Photo)

Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone had set hearts racing with their first appearance together in 2008’s Bachna Ae Haseeno. But only after Ayan Mukerji’s Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani in 2013 did the two really work their magic on audiences. The former real-life couple even won many hearts with the kind of professionalism they showed in dealing with their break-up during the shoot of the film. Their chemistry as Ved and Tara in 2015’s Tamasha also made them one of the most loved pairs on screen. (Express Archive Photo)

But giving tough competition to Ranbir-Deepika is the latter's filmography with husband Ranveer Singh. Their sizzling chemistry in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Goliyon Ki Rasleela: Ram-Leela (2013) bowled audiences over. DeepVeer, as they are endearingly called by fans, have appeared in three Bhansali period dramas (Ram-Leela, Bajirao Mastani, Padmaavat) till date and their appearances together have been awe-inspiring. (Photo: Ranveer Singh/Instagram)

Both Salman Khan and Madhuri Dixit were the heartthrobs of the nation in the 90s. And, when they came together, their fans went berserk and showered them with immense love. They became popular with 1991 film Saajan and then the filmmakers banked on their popularity in films like Dil Tera Ashiq (1993), Hum Aapke Hain Koun (1994), and Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam (2002). (Express Archive Photo)

Anil Kapoor and Sridevi were an absolute treat to watch on screen. Though the two were great actors individually, they shone brighter every time they starred with each other. One cannot forget their scintillating chemistry in the song "Kaate Nahi Katate" in Shekhar Kapur's Mr India. In Yash Chopra's Lamhe, it was difficult to not take notice of the comfort the two shared while in the same frame. They also shared the screen in Heer Ranjha (1992), Mr Bechara (1996), Judaai (1997) and others. (Express Archive Photo)

Imtiaz Ali gave Bollywood one of the most adorable on-screen couples in Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor in his 2007 hit Jab We Met. Though the two earlier starred in films like Fida (2004), Chup Chup Ke (2006) and 36 China Town (2006), it was Jab We Met which made Shahid and Kareena fan favourites. (Express Archive Photo)

Hrithik Roshan and Katrina Kaif make a handsome pair on-screen. The hit pair were seen in 2011 film Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (ZNMD) and they reunited for Siddharth Anand’s Bang Bang. (Express Archive Photo)

Student of The Year co-stars Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt’s camaraderie really shined in 2014’s Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania. The film’s sequel Badrinath Ki Dulhania went on to become one of the highest-grossing films of 2017 and fans were in love with their rapport. (Photo: Varun Dhawan/Instagram)

While there are couples in Bollywood who have taught us romance, it is Govinda and Karisma Kapoor who have taught us how to be goofy and funny around your significant other. They are one crazy on-screen couple who brought the house down in films like Coolie No.1, Hero No.1, Haseena Maan Jayegi and Saajan Chale Sasural. (Express Archive Photo)

The charm and chemistry shared by Divya (Revathi) and Manohar (Karthik) redefined the onscreen romance for Tamil cinephiles in the 20th century. And over 35 years later, the onscreen couple still manages to charm their way into our heart every time we watch Mouna Ragam (Express Archive Photo)

At the turn of the century, Mani Ratnam again turned the romantic genre on its head with Alaipayuthey and turned Madhavan and Shalini into sweethearts of the nation.

Vijay and Simran remain a fan favourite to this day. Their chemistry in Thulladha Manamum Thullum and Priyamanavale are still hard to beat.

Whether it was the gentle romance of Anbuselvan and Maya in Kaakha Kaakha or the complex marriage of Gowtham and Kundavi in Sillunu Oru Kaadhal, Surya and Jyothika have never failed to charm us.

Together, Simbu and Trisha look like a million dollars in director Gautham Menon's Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa.

At one point, the Kannada film industry had perfected the art of making moving romantic stories with a strong flavour of melodrama. And Vishnuvardhan and Suhasini gave us some memorable love stories, including Bandhana and Muthina Haara.

The onscreen combination of Kunchacko Boban and Shalini was a rage in the 90s, with director Fazil's Aniyathipraavu capturing the imagination of the young audience at the time.

Dulquer Salmaan and Nithya Menen's onscreen chemistry is hard to miss. The companionship and the comfort they share on the screen is heartwarming, especially in director Anjali Menon's Ustad Hotel and Mani Ratnam's OK Kanmani.

Siddharth and Genelia gave us sizzling onscreen chemistry and shaped our idea of modern romance with films like Boys and Bommarillu

Prabhas and Anushka Shetty have been a favourite of fans with films such as the Baahubali series, Billa and Mirchi.