One of the things that fans love about Bollywood is the love stories – we can’t get enough of them. And it is the two actors who make the love come alive and make us feel. Sometimes the combination does not work and so the film does not work. However, when it does, it is magic!! We all have our favorite jodis – the couples that just makes us sigh when we see them together on screen. There are classics jodis, of course, but we also get to see new combinations, which make a film work and make it an instant hit. Who do we think made magic together on the silver screen in 2009? Read on to find out!
10 – Imran Khan – Shruti Hasan (Luck)
Their pairing may not have set the box office on fire, but there’s no denying that Imran and Shruti share some kick-ass chemistry. Surely, their off-screen camaraderie can’t hurt. In Luck, the two were completely at ease with each other and make a visually appealing and natural pair. However, we get the feeling that we have yet to see the full potential of this jodi. Let’s hope producers take note—second time’s a charm? Let’s hope so!
9 – Salman Khan – Ayesha Takia (Wanted)
Who expected this? Initially when Ayesha Takia was cast opposite Salman Khan in one of 2009’s biggest money spinners, nobody was too excited about yet another pairing of a man in his 40s with a girl in her 20s. In fact, it’s getting kind of creepy. But we have to admit, somehow, these two made it work and turned out to be quite charming! They may not have been the hottest jodi of the year, but they must possess some sort of chemistry considering that nobody complained about them together. There’s something about Salman that makes him look good with almost anyone.
8 – John Abraham – Katrina Kaif (New York)
Considering the once-upon-a-time cold vibes between John-Bipasha and Salman-Katrina, one would expect the jodi of John Abraham and Katrina Kaif to be completely cold. Surprise! In New York, the two put their personal differences aside to create believable (at least to some extent!) characters. Most importantly, John and Katrina looked like an average, real couple. We’re not sure whether they’ll ever team up again, but we think that this jodi definitely has potential worth maximizing.
7 – Aamir Khan – Kareena Kapoor (3 Idiots)
Kareena Kapoor is seriously spoilt for choice. In the past year she made a film with all the top Khan’s and ended the year with an all-time blockbuster. Audiences have appreciated the fresh jodi of Kapoor and Aamir Khan…and in a big way! Seems like Kareena knew what she was talking about when she said she had always been dying to work with Aamir. In 3 Idiots, the two actors were completely in-sync with each other, feeding off of each other’s excellent performances.
6 – Saif Ali Khan – Kareena Kapoor (Kurbaan)
On the other hand, her jodi with real-life beau Saif Ali Khan was not universally appreciated. Regardless of what others say, we think the two make a pretty hot couple and their intensity scorched the screen in Kurbaan. For this jodi, it wasn’t really about great lines, but the fact that their chemistry is visible simply in their eyes is what makes them special.
5 – Shahid Kapoor – Rani Mukerji (Dil Bole Hadippa)
Before watching Dil Bole Hadippa, it was hard to visualize Rani and Shahid romancing on-screen. Somehow, the duo pulled it off brilliantly. Perhaps it was their sheer energy that made their jodi exciting, but you could tell that both actors were having fun—which is always infectious! After repeatedly seeing Rani act with the same actors over and over again, seeing her on-screen with Shahid was a welcome change.
4 – Saif Ali Khan – Deepika Padukone (Love Aaj Kal)
We’re not sure whether to attribute the excellent chemistry between Saif and Deepika to the actors themselves or to the genius of Imtiaz Ali, who seems to know all the right ingredients to creating perfect harmony in his leading pairs. Regardless, this jodi was fun and completely refreshing. A perfect example of this is watching them together in the track ‘Chor Bazaari’ where they shed their inhibitions and get completely involved in the song.
3 – Ranbir Kapoor – Katrina Kaif (Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahani)
Thank God Katrina has found other people to act with besides Akshay Kumar! And just look at the results. Her jodi with Ranbir Kapoor was undoubtedly one of the most popular of the year. Not only do they look good together, but creatively they seem to mesh well considering that both actors delivered above average performances in the comic caper Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahani.
2 – Shahid Kapur – Priyanka Chopra (Kaminey)
F-f-f-uper jodi! That’s about all we can say for this brilliant pair, who warmed our hearts in the action flick Kaminey. With no glamour quotient attached, Shahid and Priyanka prove that you don’t need fancy clothes or extravagant dance numbers to make a hit jodi. You need a good script and some excellent timing. And who can forget Chopra’s classic line: “Toh kya rape kiya maine tumhara?!” These two are seriously on-screen dynamite.
1 – Ranbir Kapoor – Konkona Sen Sharma (Wake Up Sid)
Opposites must attract. At least the incredible duo of Konkona Sen Sharma and Ranbir Kapoor says so. The most unexpected pair of the year has turned out to be the best. Kudos to director Ayan Mukherjee for taking such a risk in casting two unlikely actors in Wake Up Sid, proving that when risks pay off, the dividends are large. Individually, both Ranbir and Koko are excellent actors, so it’s no wonder that they are even better together. They say you find love in some of the most unlikely places, and in 2009, we found our favourite jodi in the most unlikely of pairs. (Cheesy, I know!) It’s not because they shared a sizzling kiss or look flawless — Koko and Ranbir created the kind of jodi you root for while watching a movie. You forget about their off-screen personas and become immersed in their coming-of-age love story. Let’s hope the success of this pair acts as a wake up call to other filmmakers — unconventional jodis are sometimes the best ones.
Special Mention:
Amitabh Bachchan – Vidya Balan (Paa): Hands down, the best mother-son duo of the year.
So there you have it, the couples that made the movies! We hope to see each of them fall in reel love again! We cannot wait to see who will make us sigh in 2010!
