The typical Bollywood “masala” film can seem over-the-top and genre-blending if you are used to Hollywood. Bollywood will require you to suspend your disbelief! If you can do that, you may learn to love Bollywood as I do. Bollywood creates movies to appeal to an audience who generally live stressful lives. They go to the movies for fun! They want to sing and dance along with the players on the screen. Even if the film has action and adventure, the audience still expects great song and dance numbers. Without further ado, here is a list of my personal favorite Bollywood movies, in no particular order.
Bride and Prejudice
RO 12031
A fun and vibrant rendition of Pride and Prejudice! While this technically isn’t a true Bollywood movie, it’s a great place to start.
Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India
FL HIN 1002
The stakes are high as a small village wagers its rice tax on a cricket game against the British Imperialists and losing could cost them everything.
My Name is Khan
RO 16581
War. Loss. Hate. Prejudice. Discrimination. Religious differences. Hatred or forgiveness? A Muslim man with Asperger’s syndrome wants you to understand: “I am not a terrorist.”
Taare Zameen Par
FL HIN 1037
A rambunctious little boy struggles with school. Finally, he meets a kind teacher who takes the time to understand him and help him find his place in the world.
Swades
FL HIN 1034
Mohan, a NASA engineer, returns to India hoping to bring his childhood nanny to America to provide her with a good life. Instead he is set on both an outward and inner quest to find where he truly belongs.
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
FL HIN 1008
After reading a letter her mother had written for her before she died, Anjali decides to bring together her widowed father, Rahul, with his true love and her namesake.
Kal Ho Naa Ho
FL HIN 1024
Nania, a depressed and lonely student, meets a man annoyingly filled with life and happiness. Eventually he befriends her and reminds her life can be good.
Bunty Aur Babli
FL HIN 1076
Dreaming of a life more than marriage and work, Rakesh and Vimmi run away from their villages, meet by chance, and together become a successful con duo—until a disgruntled cop takes special interest in their case.
Kuch Naa Kaho
FL HIN 1020
Raj reluctantly agrees to attend his cousin’s wedding, knowing his family will push him to marry. His uncle arranges for one of his employees to help Raj find love, but he has no interest in any of the girls she’s found for him. He’s only interested in her.
3 Idiots
FL HIN 1078
Two old college friends search for their long-lost friend who inspired them to live their lives how they wanted without conforming to their parents’ expectations.
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There are so many phenomenal foreign language movies in our collection. I highly recommend giving them a try! You never know what you might stumble upon.
Written by Josie, Assistant Media/General Reference Librarian
