Perfect Pairing: Bollywood couples

On Cupid's busiest day of the year, we bring you our tabloid!'s favourite onscreen couples from Bollywood where his work is clearly done.

Bollywood has the uncanny ability to weave its magic with the audience once the lights go down in the cinema.

Over the years, Bollywood's onscreen couples have indeed been an inspiration to real-life romances. Many of the film industry's hot pairs have won our hearts but few have left a tantalizing effect on the audience.

To celebrate Valentine's Day, here are our top 10 picks of the most romantic Bollywood couples through the years who have mesmerised us with their onscreen chemistry.

1. Raj Kapoor and Nargis
This legendary Bollywood pair managed to ooze passion hitherto unseen in Indian cinema. A lot of their chemistry was due to their off-screen romantic involvement replicated on the silver screen.

They literally set the screen on fire during the 1950s with films such as Barsaat, Awaara, Shree 420 and Chori Chori. Their memorable romantic number Pyar Hua Ikrar Hua in Shree 420 under the umbrella in heavy rain is considered subliminal romance at its best.

2. Guru Dutt and Waheeda Rehman
Ironically, Rehman was cast as a vamp with Dutt in their first film, C.I.D. but Dutt, impressed with her performance, cast her as his leading lady in Pyaasa, in which they both struck a chord.

In fact, Dutt fell in love with Rehman on the sets of Pyaasa and they went on to create classics in the '60s such as Kaagaz Ke Phool, Chaudvin Ka Chaand and Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam.

Their troubled off-screen relationship eventually led to Dutt committing suicide, adding an eternal poignancy to their
onscreen pairing.

3. Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore
Bollywood's first superstar Rajesh Khanna found an instant hit pairing with Sharmila Tagore thanks to their smash hit
Aradhana, which featured the sensuous number Roop Tera Mastana.

Their onscreen chemistry produced successful romantic films during the early 1970s such as Safar, Daag and Amar Prem. Khanna went on to find another successful onscreen pairing with Mumtaz, but it fell short of the Khanna-Tagore magic.

4. Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha
This pair was easily the most talked-about celluloid couple in the late '70s and '80s. They created something special in
films like Muqadaar Ka Sikander, Khoon Pasina, Suhaag and Mr. Natwarlal. At the peak of their onscreen and off-screen romance came Silsila, a film that depicted their real-life situation.

After the film's release they were never seen together again, personally or professionally, but their chemistry remains immortal on film. Even today their fans hope to see them back together one last time.

5. Dharmendra and Hema Malini
These two can be described as Bollywood's ultimate He-man and Dreamgirl couple. Ever since they came together onscreen in the 1970s, the audience has been enthralled with their chemistry in films like Charas, Dream Girl, Aas Paas, Raja Jaani and Jugnu.

Dharmendra was obsessed with Malini during the shooting of Sholay, and this was evident in the film. Eventually, he tied the knot with Hema Malini to the delight of their fans.

6. Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit
After the blockbuster Tezaab, these two never looked back and worked wonders together in the '80s hits Ram Lakhan and Kishen Kanhaiya.

Who could forget their love-making scene in Parinda or the highly seductive number, Dhak Dhak from Beta in the early '90s? They made their last appearance on screen in 2000's romantic thriller Pukar.

7. Aamir Khan
With Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, Bollywood delivered the cutest onscreen couple. They appealed even in mediocre films like Love Love Love, Tum Mere Ho and Daulat Ki Jung.

But whenever they were backed by a strong script, they became simply irresistible, as seen in Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke and Ishq. For those who enjoyed their pairing on screen, it's a real shame they had a spat and vowed never to work together again.

8. Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol
Easily the most endearing romantic onscreen couple to hit the Indian screen in decades. Their sizzling chemistry in Baazigar, Karan Arjun, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Kabhi Khusi Kabhie Gham set the screen on fire.

All these films were huge blockbusters as the audience loved watching them together again and again. Even their short cameos in Kal Ho Na Ho and Om Shanti Om were enough for their fans to flock to see them. Leaving us panting for more, we wait with baited breath for their next flick.

9. Abhishek Bachchan and Rani Mukherjee
Their chemistry was evident right from their first film, Bas Itna Sa Khwab Hai. They played a dysfunctional couple in Yuva and featured as a lovable pair in Bunty Aur Babli.

Their pairing was reminiscent of Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan, and in fact the rumour mills were busy marrying this couple off. They repeated their chemistry in Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna and even in the flop Laaga Chunari Mein Daag they stood out.

10. John Abraham and Bipasha Basu
Considered the hottest couple in tinsel town, their onscreen passion in Jism was Bollywood at its erotic best - and had
audiences asking for more. Their off-screen romance only added to their cinematic appeal whenever they came together in films like Aetbaar and Madhoshi.

Today, they have matured as a couple as was evident in Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal. Fans are guaranteed to see more of this eye-candy couple in years to come... unless there is a twist to their relationship.