Bollywood has been making movies on infidelity and extra martial affairs since the black and white era. Here is a list of Top 10 movies on extra martial affairs. The list is placed in accordance to the seriousness and novelty of the subject like Gumraah tops the list for it solemn comment on society while Guide is placed second for portraying adultery for the first time on Indian screen while Pati Patni and Woh is placed at the last bottom for tackling the subject in a light and humorous style.
(Also Read): Famous Bollywood Stars And Their Love Stories Which Had A Sad Ending.
#'Guide' (1965)
Director: Vijay Anand
Sensitivity meter: Based on the eponymous novel by RK Narayan, the film explores the relationship between Raju (Dev Anand), a guide, and Rosie (Waheeda Rehman), a prostitute’s daughter who is unhappily married. Raju’s helpless attraction to Rosie and the latter’s desire to be able to live life on her terms takes them on a tumultuous journey. Not only was the film credited for dealing with the bold and sensitive subject of an extra-marital affair, it also showcased the many layers of human nature, including jealousy, greed and pride, quite skillfully. Guide is, therefore, considered as one of the masterpieces of Indian cinema.
Hit or not: The film was a box office hit and scooped up the National Awards for the Best Actor, Actress and Director.
#'Pati Patni Aur Woh' (1978)
Director: BR Chopra
Sensitivity meter: While most films took the ‘serious’ path towards establishing the consequences of an extra-marital affair, this one provided comical relief. Ranjeet Chadda (Sanjeev Kumar) and Sharda (Vidya Sinha) fall in love and eventually get married. The couple has a son and life seems blissful, until Ranjeet’s secretary Nirmala Deshpande (Ranjeeta Jaur) comes into the picture. He gets into a relationship with Nirmala on the pretext of having a terminally ill wife back home. However, when Sharda finds out about his shenanigans, all hell breaks lose.
Hit or not: The film set the cash registers ringing at the box-office with the songs striking an immediate chord with the audience.
#'Arth' (1982)
Director: Mahesh Bhatt
Sensitivity meter: In every sense, it was a film way ahead of its time. The semi autobiographical film dealt with several issues simultaneously. At one level, it does speak of issues relating to marriage and infidelity, while on the other hand, it sends across a strong message on gender quality. The viewers see Pooja’s (Shabana Azmi) character grow from a dependant woman, who is shattered after her husband cheats on her, to a strong and an independent, emancipated person who finds her place under the sun. The tactful handling of real issues is what made this film a masterpiece.
Hit or not: Arth was a box-office hit and won Shabana Azmi a National Award for her power-packed performance.
#'Silsila' (1981)
Director: Yash Chopra
Yash Chopra brought the real-life tension between Jaya Bachchan, Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha alive on screen on the lines of a story that almost mimicked their real-life romantic mess. Call it the charm of Rekha-Amitabh pairing or the satisfaction of seeing something that could never possibly happen in real life, but most fans wanted Chandni and Amit to end up together in the film even at the cost of cheating their loving and respecting partners. Also Silsila was the last movie featuring the Rekha Amitabh Bachchan magic.
Hit or not: Interestingly both Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan won Filmfare nominations as Best Actor and Best Actress. Excellent music and good critic’s reviews, still the movie failed to draw crowds as a Yash Chopra film does.
#'Life In A... Metro' (2007)
Director: Anurag Basu
Sensitivity meter: In one of the multiple parallel stories strung together, Shikha (Shilpa Shetty) is stuck in a loveless and bitter marriage. Neglected by an indifferent husband and bogged down by family chores, she finds comfort in the arms of an upcoming artiste, Akash (Shiney Ahuja). However, later, she feels guilty about straying and returns to her husband. The director, through Shikha’s character, presented the large majority of women who fail to muster the courage to quit a loveless marriage.
Hit or not: This critically acclaimed film was an average grosser at the domestic box office, the collections mostly aided by worth-of-mouth buzz.