For those who are not familiar with Bollywood movies, a real treat awaits. Based in Mumbai, India, Bollywood is one of the largest film producers on the planet. Their audiences expect to get a lot for their money, so such movies are often three hours long (with an intermission) and include romance, action, and lots of singing and dancing. They’re also not above blatantly ripping off the plots of Hollywood movies, and I’ve even seen a Bollywood version of reserve dogs (yes, there was singing).
The following list provides a selection of Bollywood movies perfect for those who are not familiar with Hindi cinema. After watching a few, you may find that a whole new world of cinema has opened up to you.
Raajneeti (2010) – The title translates to “Politics,” so you can expect plenty of intrigue and double dealing in this Bollywood thriller. Politicians are assassinated, accused of rape and forced to choose between love and power. An epic story of ambition and greed, starring Nana Patekar and Ajay Devgn.
My name is Khan (2010) – The highest-grossing Bollywood film in foreign markets, the film follows the efforts of autistic Rizwan Khan (Shahrukh Khan) to meet with the President of the United States and utter the following sentence “My name is Khan, and not I am a terrorist.” Along the way, he helps hurricane survivors, informs the FBI about possible terrorist activities, and tries to win back the love of his wife.
3 idiots (2009) – The highest grossing Bollywood film of all time, 3 idiots is a wacky comedy about three engineering students (Aamir Khan, Sharman Joshi, and Madhavan) who chafe under the strict rules of their school. based on five points someoneChetan Bhagat’s best-selling novel.
Luck (2009) – Sanjay Dutt plays a gamer who recruits “lucky” people to be on his new reality show. What the contestants don’t realize is that losing means paying with your life. Among those involved are a soldier, a serial killer and a 16-year-old. But despite the bleak subject matter, the filmmakers still find a way to work on some musical numbers.
Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year (2009) – Ranbir Kapoor shows off his comedic talents as Rocket Singh, a master salesman who decides to start his own company. Oddly enough, he initiates him within his own company, using an elaborate series of cons to stay one step ahead of senior management. Rising star Shazahn Padamsee makes her big screen debut.
jodhah akbar (2007) – Set in the 16th century and directed by Ashutosh Gowariker, this lavish romance centers on an arranged marriage between two different Indian cultures and religions. But despite the odds, a true romance begins to blossom between the couple played by Aishwarya Rai and Hrithik Roshan. This epic includes big battles, musical numbers, romance, betrayal, and well-choreographed dance routines. The epitome of what Bollywood cinema is.
If you’re starting to warm up to Bollywood movies, you’ll have no problem finding more selections on online rental sites like Netflix and Blockbuster. While your local video store may not carry any of the titles, there are numerous websites dedicated to selling and reviewing these colorful and often melodramatic works of art.
