All right so the premise of this post is to introduce you to the magic that is Bollywood without leaving you bemused, befuddled and bedazzled. What is Bollywood you ask? It is the Indian movie industry based out of Bombay (now called Mumbai). Get it? B for Bombay and ollyhood as a reference to Hollywood. Clever isn't it? What I am going to do is provide you with a list of movies you can see in no particular order. Anyone of these movies would be a good introduction to Bollywood movies.
Before you start watching the movies keep in mind a couple of things.
1. These movie are from a different culture. They are different from what you expect movies to be.
2. Yes there will be singing and dancing involved. But these movies are not American Musicals. Because they are............ (good job) from a different culture.
3. I was going to translate the movie names but then realized they translate into idiotic stuff like 'Rent' or 'Something Something Happens'. So I decided not to.
All right lets dive into the movies themselves.
Monsoon Wedding
This is what is know back home as a cross-over movie. What it means is that basically this movie was not intended for the vast masses of India. This is a Hindi movie primarily meant for people living outside India. It explores one of the most glorious experiences in the Indian culture - The Wedding. Unlike American weddings the bride and the bridegroom are really not very important to the Wedding itself. They are the cause of it but not really the reason for it. The wedding is and excuse for everyone to get together, be loud, colorful and for parents to fix up their children's nuptials as well. Mira Niar films the movie in a very authentic manner portraying the whole process in a very honest manner. Also the movie is mostly in English (albeit accented) so you don't necessarily have to read subtitles to understand it.
Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi
This is a great example of modern Indian cinema. The movie is about Siddarth - the rich Marxist idealist, Vikram - the poor unscrupulous capitalist and Geeta - the girl they both love. The movie is set against the backdrop of the 60s and the 70s. In India this wasn't a time for hippies or muscle cars. India went through 2 wars and a totalitarian regime. These were the decades when India lost its innocence. If you want to try and begin to understand India is movie is as good as a place to start. It is a raw and unadulterated look into the conflicting psyche of India.
Lagaan
If you decide to watch this movie first then it is going to be baptism by fire. it is one of India's most successful movies of all time. It was nominated for an Oscar and earned rave reviews everywhere (8th best sport movie of all time according to Rotten Tomatoes). It is also nearly 4 hours long. Features 7 different song-and-dance routines with tons of back up dancers (all color co-ordinated of course). It is also about cricket. But if you have ever wanted to experience Bollywood cinema in all its riotous exuberance and glory then this is the ticket. The movie is magnificently pure and idealistic in a way that only Sports and Bollywood movies can be. And this is both! of particular note in this movie is the cinematography. Each shot is beautifully composed and is evocative of an India seldom seen on the silver screen. Oh, also if possible get you hands on the official DVD release because the subtitle are excellent.
Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam
The thing about Americans and romance is that they are too self-conscious and cynical about it. And so any movie about romance also has to be a comedy at the same time. It is also invariable labeled a 'chick flick'. Not so in India. In a country where most marriages are arranged love stories are a part and parcel of almost every movie. The movie is in the tradition of all the Bollywood romances of the last 20 years. Thus all the extened family lives under one roof in a huge house. There are also festivals abound to give everyone a chance the sing and dance songs that everyone mysteriously knows the words and steps too. it also isn't an obvious boy-meets-girl movies, showcasing the immense importance of family values in Indian culture. Also the movie features Aishwarya Ria who is probably one of the most beautiful women on Earth.
Other Recommendations:
Black - The Indian re-telling of the Hellen Keller story. Acting here is par-excellence.
Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge/Kuch Kuch Hota Hai/Kal Ho Na Ho - The great Indian romance movie!
Company - Partially based on the life of Daweeod Ibrahim this is one of the best Indian gangster movies.
Dil Chahta Hai - My favorite movie and the definitive coming of age movie of Indian cinema.
Earth - A gut wrenching look at the partition of India and Pakistan.
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