Andaz (1949): Raj Kapoor and Nargis with Dilip Kumar thrown in for a melodramatic twist in the triangle. Watch Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar match acting talents in a story of love and suspicion. Hear Naushad’s unforgettable Tu kahe agar. Bombay’s Liberty theatre opened with Andaz – it ran there for two years!

Awara (1952): A story much deeper than it appears to be. When judge Prithviraj Kapoor pronounces dacoit Jaggu (K. N. Singh) guilty merely on the grounds that “his father was a thief, so he too automatically must be a thief”, the dacoit swears revenge. Jaggu kidnaps the judge’s son (Raj Kapoor) and trains him to be a criminal. Raj, the awara (loafer) grows up and falls in love with lawyer Nargis. A crime he commits, lands him in the court where his father is the judge. Which will prove stronger – nature or nurture? Sway to Ghar aya mera pardesi and Awaara hoon.

Shri 420 (l954): Tramp Raju whistles through his travails, with his theme song Mera Jotha hai Japani (which became a giant hit in India and Russia – and remains till date, Raj’s signature tune). He falls in love with a simple schoolteacher (Nargis). But, he meets Maya (Nadira) who entices him with the bright lights of the city. Which side will win – high morals or his baser desires? With Ramiyah vastavaya , Pyar hua ikrar hua and Mud mud ke na dekh.

Anari (1959): Simpleton Raj shares a mother-son relationship with his landlady, Mrs. D’Sa (Lalita Pawar). He falls in love with Nutan, who hides from him the fact that she is the daughter of his boss. Her father’s factory is manufacturing spurious medicines. When one of the bogus drugs claims Mrs. D’Sa’s life, Raj sets out to expose his boss – but the cunning boss frames Raj instead!

Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behta Hain (1961): Simpleton Raju stumbles on the hideout of a gang of dacoits and tries to reform then by love and reason. He made this movie after his split with Nargis and it became vital to show the world (and her) that he could still make great movies without her! One of his finest stories with some of his best songs – Mera naam Raju, O basanti, Aa ab laut chal, Hum bhi hai, tum bhi hai and others.

Sangam (1964): The eternal love triangle – but with the RK treatment. Two intervals, scrumptious songs and four hours of movie that fly by – leaving viewers begging for more! (Bol Radha Bol, Dost dost na raha, Yeh mera prem patra and other hit songs)

Mera Naam Joker (1970): This one broke the showman’s heart – this autobiographical musical melodrama (again with two intervals and four hours of running time) that did not click with the public. Though the songs (Ay bhai jara dekh ke chalo and Jeena yahan marna yahan) have become immortal favourites.

Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1986): His last great movie with his most powerful plot entwined with a fascinating, symbolic journey. The travails of a young girl which follows the descent of the River Ganges — from the Himalayas to the city of Kolkata, before it enters the sea. A Technicolor, kaleidoscopic pilgrimage through the heartland of India and straight to the heart!