The best Yash Raj production films include Kabhi Kabhie (1976), Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), Veer-Zaara (2004), Bunty Aur Babli (2005), Chak De! India (2007), the Dhoom and Tiger franchises, and Saiyaara (2025), which became the highest-grossing Indian romance film.
Yash Raj Films (YRF) was founded in 1970 by filmmaker Yash Chopra, and its first production was Daag (1973). Over five decades, the banner has shaped how Hindi cinema handles romance, music and, more recently, large-scale action. Here are eight YRF films and franchises worth watching, in order of release.
1. Kabhi Kabhie (1976)
Directed by Yash Chopra, Kabhi Kabhie follows Amit, a poet played by Amitabh Bachchan, who loves Pooja (Raakhee). Her parents arrange her marriage to Vijay (Shashi Kapoor), and years later the families’ lives cross again through their children.
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The film is remembered for Khayyam’s music and Sahir Ludhianvi’s lyrics. It won four Filmfare Awards, including Best Music Director, Best Lyricist and Best Male Playback Singer for Mukesh, for the title song.
2. Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)
Aditya Chopra’s debut as director, DDLJ stars Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol as Raj and Simran, two young NRIs who fall in love on a trip across Europe. Simran’s father has already fixed her marriage in Punjab, so Raj follows her to India to win the family over instead of eloping.
The film won 10 Filmfare Awards, a record at the time, and the National Film Award for Best Popular Film. It has played at Mumbai’s Maratha Mandir cinema since its release in 1995, and was still being screened there in 2026.
3. Veer-Zaara (2004)
Directed by Yash Chopra, Veer-Zaara is a cross-border love story between Veer, an Indian Air Force pilot (Shah Rukh Khan), and Zaara, a Pakistani woman (Preity Zinta). Veer spends years in a Pakistani jail until a young lawyer, played by Rani Mukerji, takes up his case.
Released on Diwali 2004, it earned over Rs 97 crore worldwide in its first run and was the highest-grossing Indian film of that year. It won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film, and its songs use compositions left by the late composer Madan Mohan. The film returned to cinemas in 2024 for its 20th anniversary.
4. Dhoom series (2004 to 2013)
The Dhoom films are cop-and-thief action thrillers built around ACP Jai Dixit (Abhishek Bachchan) and his partner Ali (Uday Chopra). Each film brings in a new, stylish thief: John Abraham in Dhoom (2004), Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in Dhoom 2 (2006) and Aamir Khan in Dhoom 3 (2013).
The bikes, chases and title track made the series a youth favourite. Dhoom 3 was the biggest of the three, with a worldwide gross of over Rs 550 crore.
5. Bunty Aur Babli (2005)
Directed by Shaad Ali, this crime comedy stars Abhishek Bachchan and Rani Mukerji as two small-town dreamers who become con artists, with Amitabh Bachchan as the police officer chasing them. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan appears in the hit song “Kajra Re”.
It was the second-highest-grossing Indian film of 2005. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy’s music and Gulzar’s lyrics won Filmfare Awards. A sequel, Bunty Aur Babli 2, released in 2021 but received mostly negative reviews.
6. Chak De! India (2007)
Directed by Shimit Amin, this sports drama stars Shah Rukh Khan as Kabir Khan, a disgraced former hockey player who coaches the Indian women’s hockey team. The team, drawn from different states, has to learn to play for India rather than for themselves.
The film became a reference point for Indian sports cinema, and its title song is still played at stadiums. It won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.
7. Tiger series and the YRF Spy Universe (2012 onwards)
Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif play Tiger, an Indian agent, and Zoya, a Pakistani agent, in Ek Tha Tiger (2012), Tiger Zinda Hai (2017) and Tiger 3 (2023). The films led to the YRF Spy Universe, which now includes War (2019), Pathaan (2023), War 2 (2025) and Alpha (2026).
Pathaan is the biggest hit of the universe, with a worldwide gross of over Rs 1,000 crore. The later films have struggled: War 2 got mixed to negative reviews, and Alpha, starring Alia Bhatt and released on 3 July 2026, earned the lowest box office in the franchise so far.
8. Saiyaara (2025)
Directed by Mohit Suri, Saiyaara introduced newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda as Krish, an aspiring musician, and Vaani, a writer. Released on 18 July 2025, it grossed about Rs 579 crore worldwide and became the highest-grossing Indian romance film.
Its success showed that a music-led love story with new faces can still fill cinemas. It has been streaming on Netflix since 12 September 2025.
YRF films at a glance
| Film | Year | Director | Genre |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kabhi Kabhie | 1976 | Yash Chopra | Romantic drama |
| Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge | 1995 | Aditya Chopra | Romance |
| Veer-Zaara | 2004 | Yash Chopra | Romantic drama |
| Bunty Aur Babli | 2005 | Shaad Ali | Crime comedy |
| Chak De! India | 2007 | Shimit Amin | Sports drama |
| Saiyaara | 2025 | Mohit Suri | Romance |
For more film lists, see our Entertainment section and celebrity stories in People.
Further reading: YashRaj Films.
Frequently asked questions
Who founded Yash Raj Films?
Filmmaker Yash Chopra founded Yash Raj Films in 1970. His son Aditya Chopra now heads the company.
Which is the biggest YRF film at the box office?
Pathaan (2023), starring Shah Rukh Khan, is the highest-grossing film of the YRF Spy Universe, with over Rs 1,000 crore worldwide.
Is DDLJ still running at Maratha Mandir?
Yes. Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge has been screened at Mumbai’s Maratha Mandir since 1995, the longest run for an Indian film.
Where can I watch Saiyaara?
Saiyaara has been streaming on Netflix since 12 September 2025.
Sources: Wikipedia: YRF Spy Universe, Wikipedia: Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, The Hollywood Reporter India on Saiyaara’s box office, Wikipedia: Veer-Zaara.
