It's Valentine's Day and love is everywhere in the air. Love was always an essential part of Hindi films, so let's talk about some couples who shared splendid chemistry onscreen and went on to become a hit pair. Fropki articulates the Top 10 onscreen couples of all times on the Indian screen.

Raj Kapoor – Nargis

Raj Kapoor and Nargis were one of the earliest couples who shared a splendid chemistry onscreen. They lit up the silver screen with their romance in the black and white era. But the chemistry wasn't just restricted to onscreen. Off screen too they shared a soul-stirring affair despite Raj Kapoor being a married man.

After Awaara (1951) Nargis worked almost exclusively with Raj Kapoor, even turning down her mentor Mehboob's Aan (1952). The passion that they had for one another came live onscreen as they romanced each other in films like Aag, Barsaat, Andaaz, Awaara and Shree 420 .

Learning of his obsession for white, Nargis took to dressing in white and was known as his lady in white. She shocked the industry and the audiences when she boldly appeared in a swimsuit for Raj Kapoor's Awara way back in 1951

Reportedly she even met the then Home Minister Moraji Deasai to try and get permission to be Raj's second wife but Desai refused. Subsequently the couple broke up post Chori Chori (1956). After that they never worked together though Nargis did a special appearance in Raj Kapoor's Jagte Raho for the sake of good old times where she appears at the very end of the film and is (very suggestively) shown quenching Raj Kapoor's thirst by giving him water.

With Raj Kapoor's exit from her life, Mehboob Khan came back to Nargis's rescue and offered her Mother India (1957). During that film Nargis fell in love with Sunil Dutt and later on they got married.

Films together
Aag (1948)
Barsaat (1949)
Andaz (1949)
Jan Pahchan (1950)
Pyaar (1950)
Awaara (1951)
Amber (1952)
Anhonee (1952)
Ashiana (1952)
Bewafa (1952)
Papi (1953)
Aah (1953)
Dhoon (1953)
Shree 420 (1955)
Chori Chori (1956)
Jagte Raho (1956)

Song of the couple
Pyaar Hua Iqraar Hua – Shri 420

Love Trivia
Raj Kapoor had used archival footage of Nargis in his film Mera Naam Joker.

Guru Dutt – Waheeda Rehman: Golden Era Romance

When you think of the golden era of Hindi cinema Guru Dutt and his films like Kaagaz Ke Phool and Pyaasa instantly come to your mind. And the woman who gave Guru Dutt company in these films was Waheeda Rehman.

Guru Dutt was married to singer Geeta Dutt and his philandering ways didn't stop him from having an affair with Waheeda Rehman. Geeta even separated from her husband.

Then on Oct. 10, 1964 Guru Dutt was found dead on his bed. The reason was deemed as an overdose of sleeping pills. Doubts still linger as to whether his death was accidental or suicidal. There are still theories that Guru Dutt had committed suicide because Waheeda had jilted him.

Films together
Pyaasa (1957)
12 O'Clock (1958)
Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959)
Chaudhvin Ka Chand (1960)
Kala Bazar (1960)
Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962)

Song of the couple
Chaudhvin Ka Chand Ho

Love Trivia:
Geeta Dutt completely stopped singing for Waheeda Rehman and that is how Asha Bhonsle got her first break as a singer.

Dilip Kumar – Vyjayantimala

The original Devdas – Chandramukhi pair of Dilip Kumar and Vyjayantimala were quite a hit on the screen of the 60s. They shared a pure professional relationship only. Vyjayantimala (despite having a South Indian origin) spoke chaste Hindi and even Bhojpuri when she was paired opposite Dilip Kumar in films of that era.

Films together
Devdas (1955)
Naya Daur (1957)
Madhumati (1958)
Paigham (1959)
Gunga Jumna (1961)
Leader (1964)
Sunghursh (1968)

Song of the couple
Maang Ke Saath Tumhara – Naya Daur

Love Trivia:
Madhubala was the original choice for Naya Daur but her father had problems with her shooting out of Bombay and was giving the producers a tough time. She was subsequently replaced by Vyjantimala and the film went on to become a big hit.

Rajesh Khanna – Sharmila Tagore: Awesome Twosome

The first superstar of filmdom was known for his romantic roles. And he showed the best chemistry with Bengali beauty Sharmila Tagore. The duo went ahead to do a string of musical hits together. Their sensual chemistry was palpable in the number Roop Tera Mastana from Aradhana. In Amar Prem , a disillusioned Rajesh Khanna sought solace in the prostitute played by Sharmila. Yash Chopra's Daag had a love triangle but Sharmila won over Rakhee by winning Khanna. Avishkaar despite being an offbeat film had Sharmila trying her best to saving her marriage gone wrong.

Interestingly their offspring Saif Ali Khan (Sharmila Tagore's son) and Akshay Kumar (Rajesh Khanna's son-in-law) showed great male bonding in the early 90s with their Khiladi-Anari combination.

Films together
Aradhana (1969)
Safar (1970)
Amar Prem (1971)
Chhoti Bahu (1971)
Maalik (1972)
Avishkaar (1973)
Daag (1973)
Raja Rani (1973)
Tyaag (1977)
Naseeb (1981)

Song of the couple
Mere Sapno Ki Rani – Aradhana

Love Trivia:
There was always competition between Sharmila Tagore and Mumtaz who were both successful leading ladies with Rajesh Khanna. And they both always ended up giving hits at the box-office.

Dharmendra and Hema Malini: Record Breaking Rapport

He was the Punjab-da-puttar. She was the queen of South. The two co-starred in over 40 films which is a record of sorts. Love was brewing all through.

Hema Malini was much sought after even in real life. Both Jeetendra and Sanjeev Kumar had proposed marriage to her. But Dharmendra won her hand in the end. They fell in love on the sets of Ramesh Sippy's Sholay .

But like previous love stories that went kaput in Bollywood, even Dharmendra was a married man and his first wife Prakash Kaur refused to divorce him. As per Hindu Marriage Act, its illegal to remarry if your first wife is still alive and does not agree to a divorce. But Dharmendra and Hema were too head-over-heels in love with each other and nothing could come their way.

In a very filmi way, they converted to Islam on August 21, 1979 since Islam permitted a second marriage. Dharmendra was renamed as Dilawar Khan while Hema Malini was called Aisha Bi in their new acquired religion and they got married.

Films together
Dost (1974)
Chhoti Si Baat (1975)
Charas (1976)
Chacha Bhatija (1977)
Chala Murari Hero Banne (1977)
Dream Girl (1977)
Dillagi (1978)
Azaad (1978)
Dil Kaa Heera (1979)
The Burning Train (1980)
Alibaba Aur 40 Chor (1980)
Aas Paas (1981)
Baghavat (1982)
Andhaa Kanoon (1983)
Aatank (1996)
Do Dishayen (1982)
Jaan Hatheli Pe (1987)
Jugnu (1973)
Kahte Hain Mujhko Raja (1975)
Khel Khilari Ka (1977)
Kinara (1977)
Krodhi (1981)
Kunwara Baap (1974)
Maa (1976)
Meharbaani (1982)
Naseeb (1981)
Naya Zamana (1971)
Patthar Aur Payal (1974)
Phandebaaz (1978)
Pratiggya (1975)
Raaj Tilak (1984)
Raja Jani (1972)
Rajput (1982)
Razia Sultan (1983)
Samraat (1982)
Seeta Aur Geeta (1972)
Sharafat (1970)
Sholay (1975)
Swami (1977)
Tum Haseen Main Jawaan (1970)

Song of the couple
Koi Haseena Jab Rooth Jaati Hain – Sholay

Love Trivia
There are even stories that say that Dharmendra was interested in Thakur's role in Sholay. But in that case Sanjeev Kumar would have got to play Veeru and romance Hema Malini. Since Dharmendra assumed this to be a potential threat to losing Hema Malini, he accepted playing Veeru.