Bollywood Favorites

List creator: kamapuaa Created on: June 11, 2003 - 8:40 PM PDT Description: Favorites from the Indian film industry - you gotta love the random dances, the bad guys with mustachios, and the hyper-driven melodrama! Green Cine's Bollywood selection is limited, but all these picture are worth watching.

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	movie title	related list	average rating	MPAA rating	watch	rent	buy
	Dil Chahta Hai (2001)
Hip, with much better writing (particularly good dialogue) than your typical Bollywood movie. Feels more modern & real than most Bollywood flicks - which isn't entirely a good thing.
	Mother India (1957)
A classic, and more serious than the other movies on this list. Indian movies often revolve around family relations, but the themes are never stronger than here. Incorporates, localises, and comments on themes of Russian social realism - hence the title
	Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998)
If you ask your average moke their favorite Hindi film, this will be it. I didn't like the music, but it fit the story, and the bright colors (it's more psychedelic than Super Mario) and melodramatic mastery make it a defining movie for Bollywood.
	Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham (2001)			Not Rated
Uses every cliche in the book, and often recycles the more spirited KKHH. BUT: the most charismatic actors in the genre, excellent music, and the cinematography and art direction are glossy, colorful, and dream-like.
	Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)
The top-grossing Bollywood movie ever. Heavily imitated, and missing the gloss of later Bollywood flicks, but more down-to-earth and intelligent (it's all relative, of course). Breakout role for both Kajol & Shah Rukh Khan, who have great chemistry.
	Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003)
As much an intelligent, fun, and modern romantic comedy as a Bollywood masala. Benefits from being filtered through Karan Johar's glossy & enjoyable stylization, and set in a cartoon New York City. Newbies should start here.
	Raincoat (2004)			Not Rated
A one-act play stretched to two hours. Aishwarya Rai is amazing. Ghosh is amazing. Hopefully movies such as these signal a new path for Bollywood.
	Sholay (1975)
Also considered a classic. A Bollywood-styled spaghetti Western, with dancing, Kung-Fu, and cheesy 70's Indian clothes thrown in for good measure.
	Khuda Gawah [God is My Witness] (1992)
I love this movie - a paean to a modern-day Muslim saint played by Amitabh Bacchan. It was filmed on location in pre-Taliban Afghanistan, and the tribal costumes (and stereotyping) certainly are fascinating, and nothing like PBS.
	Hum Aapke Hain Koun ..! (1994)
Don't start here, but I admit I really enjoy the inanity of this film. No real plot, but people sing and dance about it for 3 and a half hours. The world depicted in this film is heaven-like (or perhaps, Teletubbies-like), all beauty with no conflict.
	Bombay (1995)
Mani Ratnam's best, and probably the most intelligent Bollywood-esque movie (it's Tamil). A melodramatic musical that still manages to be smart and touching. Good acting and music, well made.
	Dil Se (1998)
Manisha Koirala and Mani Rathnam are greats in top form, and the "Chaiya" video is maybe the most famous Bollywood video, ever? The plot didn't live up to its potential, but was fascinating and intelligent, especially by Bollywood standards.
	Jism: The Dark Side of Desire (2003)			Not Rated
Not a classic, but the noir plot worked surprisingly well in the Indian setting - perhaps because the taboos being broken are stronger? Well made.
	Kabhi Kabhie (1976)
A multigenerational soap opera, complete with devices such as twins separated at birth, everybody from Delhi knowing each other, and the organs so overused in 70's melodramas. Still, it's very fun, and you often have no idea where the movie might go.
	Yuva (2004)			Not Rated
The structure is overly "Amores Perros" and the politics is naive, but some excellent acting, some great scenes, and an over-the-top ending as only Bollywood can deliver.
	Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam (2002)			Not Rated
An utter mess of a production, but Dixit is excellent in her role, the theme of a failing marriage is interesting, and there's an occasional thematic intensity and honesty you won't find elsewhere in Bollywood.
	Hum Tum [You & Us] (2004)
A fun if unspectacular romantic comedy, as much in the Western mode as the Bollywood.
	I Have Found It (2000)			Not Rated
A companion piece to "Bride and Prejudice": Aishwarya Rai stars, it's based off Jane Austen, and it feels a bit Indian and a bit Western. Good if not great, with AR Rahman music, strong female characters, and Ms. World looking her best. A Tamil movie.
	Bride & Prejudice (2004)
I don't think this movie measures up to others on the list (the songs are entirely embarassing, for one), but it's still the best example of a English-language Western movie playing off Bollywood conventions.