There’s something about the 1990s that resonates differently. It wasn’t a decade—it was a feel. A decade when we had fewer apps but more patience, fewer screens but more imagination, and much more heart in the little things. If you grew up in the ’90s, you must have seen some amazing things, chances are, you’re still holding on to some of that retro charm (and singing the Shaktimaan theme song in your head at this very moment). So sit back for a good dose of nostalgia—here are 10 things only real millennials will recall (and secretly still miss!).
1. Waiting for Your Favorite Song on TV or Radio
Long before Spotify and YouTube, music lovers relied on MTV, Channel V, and Radio Mirchi to catch their favorite tunes. Remember setting a cassette tape to record the radio, just hoping the DJ wouldn’t talk over the intro? Or watching Chitrahaar and Superhit Muqabla for that perfect Bollywood throwback moment? Those hits from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge or Rangeela weren’t just songs—they were rituals.
2. Having a Walkman Was a Status Symbol
If you owned a Sony Walkman, you were the kid. Having a pocket full of mixtapes marked “Love Songs” or “Govinda Hits,” life was complete. Streaming services today may be convenient, but they’ll never match the excitement of switching a tape to Side B.
3. Doordarshan Evenings and TV Time with Family
Before Netflix profiles and wars fought from afar, television was a family experience. Everyone sat together to watch Shaktimaan, Alif Laila, or the Sunday morning Bollywood rerun movies on DD National. The image might have been fuzzy, but the feelings were as clear as crystal.
4. Dialing Landlines and Hoping Your Friend Answers
“Hello, aunty! May I speak with Rahul?”—This was the lifeline of every nascent friendship or infatuation. No caller ID, no privacy, and absolutely no assurances. And yet, somehow, those calls seemed more authentic.
5. Filmfare Magazines and Star Posters on Walls
Each teenager had a corner of their bedroom space allocated to Bollywood posters—from Kajol in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai to Salman Khan in Hum Aapke Hain Koun! Filmfare was the monthly bible, and winning a poster was like winning the jackpot.
6. Playing Antakshari in Trains and Classrooms
No school lunch break or road trip was complete without a boisterous round of Antakshari. Extra marks if someone warbled a Lata Mangeshkar or Kishore Kumar number. It was the first viral challenge, minus the ‘net and minus the pretension.
7. Waiting for Photos to Be ‘Developed’
Photographing involved snapping delicately (a mere 36 shots per roll!) and then waiting days to view them. No filters, no do-overs—straight, candid gold. And all photo albums from the ’90s are today a treasure of memories and Bollywood throwback style.
8. Govinda’s Fashion and Dance Steps Were Goals
Whether it was neon tees, mismatched trousers, or those legendary dance moves, Govinda epitomized ’90s swag. People attempted to emulate his steps from Coolie No. 1 or Hero No. 1, and no party was ever complete without a Govinda song playing.
9. Collecting Tazos, Stickers, and Phantom Cigarettes
Snacks weren’t only food—they had collectibles. Cheetos Tazos, Boomer tattoos, and those chalky Phantom “cigarettes” made you feel cooler than you were. Own up to it—you still miss them.
10. Handwritten Notes, Slam Books, and Autograph Diaries
When there weren’t DMs and WhatsApp, we used to pass notes during class and request friends to complete slam books. These were filled with questions such as “Best memory with me?” and “Favorite movie?” (Always a Bollywood film.)
The ’90s were a golden era, teeming with joy, madness, and enchantment that no digital convenience can ever beat. Whether it’s the grainy beauty of a Doordarshan film or the rush of watching Dil Se for the umpteenth time, a Bollywood flashback is not nostalgia—it’s comfort food for the heart.
So the next time you hear a Udit Narayan number or stumble upon an old cassette tape, don’t resist the smile. It’s your inner ’90s child greeting you.
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