Madhuri-Naseer, Amitabh-Hema: Most romantic senior onscreen jodi? VOTE!

Romance is ageless, and some of the best chemistry is shared by senior onscreen couples.

Showbiz’s constant celebration of youth could compel one to believe that no other phase of life is worthwhile. But growing old brings its own charm, experience and grace.

Even as Hindi cinema is taking baby steps towards broadening its spectrum of novelty and exploration, some filmmakers specifically focus on the relationships of middle-aged or elderly protagonists.

With Dedh Ishqiya releasing this week, we thought we’d ask you to VOTE for your favourite on-screen senior couple of Bollywood.

Your options are:

Naseeruddin Shah and Madhuri Dixit

If the previous installment saw Naseeruddin Shah’s ‘dil’ turn ‘bachcha’ for the curvaceous Vidya Balan, the sequel has the veteran fawning over the lady with a million dollar smile.

Shah’s ardour, Madhuri Dixit’s splendour -- quite the combo, no?

.

The evergreen Ek Main Aur Ek Tu Jodi may no longer tiptoe in the backyard of a hostel in bell bottoms and boots.

Yet the effortless, effervescent affection they exude even as an old couple in Do Dooni Char or Besharam is warmer than a tub of delightful hot chocolate.

Some chemistry never runs out of fizz.

The fabulous camaraderie Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia of Bobby, Saagar and Pyaar Mein Twist certainly indicates so.

The most elegant Libran couple of tinsel town starred in several hits like Satte Pe Satta, Nastik, Desh Premee in their heydays.

But it’s their heart-warming portrayal of a happily married couple in their 60s going through life’s ups and downs together in Baghban that struck an unforgettable chord with viewers of all ages.

Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan’s chemistry is understated, uncomplicated and underlined by a deep friendship, which makes Bollywood’s most rock-solid marriages a delight on screen as well.

And from discussing Botany in Chupke Chupke to re-enacting Aati kya Khandala in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, look how far they’ve come.

Friends and colleagues, Farooque Shaikh and Deepti Naval shared an easy rapport on the sets resulting irresistible romance on celluloid.

Without doubt, their journey from the 20-somethings of Chashme Buddoor to 60-somethings of Listen... Amaya is most believable and beautiful.

The gentlemanly Farooque Shaikh and a gorgeous Sarika come together as reel-life husband and wife in Club 60 to depict the concerns and crisis against an elderly scenario.

Don’t they make a handsome pair?

Anurag Basu’s relationship anthology Life... In A Metro explores romance in various walks and age groups against the backdrop of Mumbai’s breathless pace.

And the tender exchanges between a beaming Dharmendra and gorgeous Nafisa Ali is one of the sweetest aspects of his finely crafted film.

With his macho good looks and her glamorous persona, Vinod Khanna and Dimple Kapadia made quite a sight for sore eyes in both commercial (Insaaf) and critically-acclaimed (Lekin..) films.

Years later, they got together for more mature outings in the indie Leela or as Salman Khan’s parents in 2010 blockbuster, Dabangg.

Shabana Azmi and Boman Irani convey the anxieties and thrills of late romance and marriage without inhibition in Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd.

There’s a lot to appreciate about their come-as-you-are understanding.

He’s goofy. She’s feisty.

Together, Boman Irani and Farah Khan make quite an unlikely but endearing team in the Parsi-flavoured rom-com, Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi.

While her co-stars Anil Kapoor, Sunny Deol and Sanjay Dutt continue to romance heroines half their age, Sridevi plays closer to hers in a much applauded comeback, English Vinglish.

What did you think of Sri’s pairing with Adil Hussain as her first apathetic, later apologetic hubby?

In Gautam Ghose’s bizarre romance tale, Yatra that alternates between fact and fancy, Rekha and Nana Patekar embody the classic author-muse relationship.

Rekha (with her fineries) and Nana (with his earthiness) have a go at it.

They didn’t make much of an impression as a pair in 1970s fare like Besharam and Faraar.

That didn’t deter Mahesh Manjrekar from casting Amitabh Bachchan and Sharmila Tagore together to play a senior citizen couple who lose their only son in the social drama, Viruddh.

So what are you waiting for? Vote now!