Raksha Bandhan is all about celebrating the special bond between siblings; the teasing, arguments, secrets, and of course, being there for each other when it matters most. And Bollywood has given us plenty of stories that capture these complicated but beautiful relationships. From the picture-perfect family in Hum Saath-Saath Hain to the complicated dynamics of the Mehra siblings in Dil Dhadakne Do, these films remind us that siblings can drive each other crazy one minute and stand by each other the next.
Hum Saath-Saath Hain (1999)
If there is one Bollywood film that puts family at the centre of everything, it has to be Hum Saath-Saath Hain. The film revolves around the three brothers – Vivek, Prem and Vinod – and their strong bond, alongside their sister Sangeeta. Despite misunderstandings and family tensions, the siblings remain deeply connected. With its songs, emotional family drama and message about staying together, the film remains a popular family-watch.
Dil Dhadakne Do (2015)
Priyanka Chopra and Ranveer Singh played siblings Ayesha and Kabir Mehra in Dil Dhadakne Do. Their relationship is far from perfect. They tease each other, argue and have their own complicated relationship with their parents. But underneath it all is a genuine understanding between brother and sister. Sometimes, they are the only people who truly understand what the other is going through, making their bond one of the film’s most relatable aspects.
My Brother… Nikhil (2005)
My Brother… Nikhil explores the sibling relationship in a far more emotional way. Juhi Chawla plays Anamika, whose brother Nikhil faces rejection and isolation after being diagnosed with HIV. While others turn away, Anamika remains firmly by his side. The film shows the depth of sibling love and the importance of standing with someone when society chooses to judge them.
Josh (2000)
Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan played twin siblings Max and Shirley in Josh. The siblings have very different personalities, but their relationship forms an important part of the story. When Shirley becomes involved with someone from a rival group, Max becomes protective of his sister, setting the stage for much of the film’s conflict. The film gives the sibling bond an action-packed Bollywood twist.
Fiza (2000)
In Fiza, Karisma Kapoor plays a sister who refuses to give up on her missing brother Amaan, played by Hrithik Roshan. After he disappears during the Mumbai riots, Fiza spends years searching for him. When he eventually returns, she tries to help him rebuild his life. The film’s emotional core is the sister’s determination to bring her brother back home.
Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na (2008)
This coming-of-age favourite is primarily about friendship and young love, but family relationships also add warmth to the story. The film’s young characters navigate growing up, relationships and family expectations, making it a nostalgic choice for anyone looking for a lighthearted watch around Raksha Bandhan.
Karan Arjun (1995)
“Mere Karan Arjun aayenge” is one of Bollywood’s most unforgettable lines, and it is rooted in a mother’s faith in her two sons. Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan play brothers Karan and Arjun, whose bond survives even after tragedy separates them. Reincarnation, revenge and plenty of action make the story larger than life, but the relationship between the brothers remains at its heart.
Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001)
At its heart, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham is a story about family and separation. Shah Rukh Khan’s Rahul and Hrithik Roshan’s Rohan share a particularly touching sibling relationship. Even after Rahul leaves home, Rohan refuses to let the family remain divided and eventually sets out to bring his brother back. It is a classic Bollywood example of sibling love becoming the force that reunites an entire family.