A Westerner Watches Bollywood and Indian Art House Cinema
Work in progress. Huge fan of Indian cinema in all its forms and this is a labor of love. The good, the bad the ugly: these films range from Bollywood to parallel cinema to regional cinema to documentaries. (Have seen almost 300 films, so still adding to this list.(Forewarning: SRK fan.)
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- DirectorRajkumar HiraniStarsAamir KhanMadhavanMona SinghTwo friends are searching for their long lost companion. They revisit their college days and recall the memories of their friend who inspired them to think differently, even as the rest of the world called them "idiots".Excellent, very funny but also heart-breaking parody of educational and parental pressure for Indian students to become something successful (like an engineer) instead of follow their own path. Bowman Irani delights and Aamir Khan is at his best
- DirectorMahesh BhattStarsRahul RoyAnu AgarwalAvtar GillRahul and Anu fall in love with each other, but before they unite, they have their own problems to deal with.Based on "A Star Is Born" but with a few differences. I found the acting wooden on all counts (except Tom Alter, known as a speaker of almost perfect Hindi) , but it was still considered a romantic hit. Directed by Maneesh Bhatt who has certainly given better films in his career.
- DirectorShankhadeepStarsIshaan Singh ManhasAnkita SrivastavaDheeraj MiglaniA dark complexioned waitress develops an online relationship with a hunk in her college.Odd little piece of cinema based on Hillary Duff's "A Cinderella Tale". Looks like a beginning film student's project, but I watched it to the end because some of the unknowns in it (and they were all unknowns) showed promise.
- DirectorBhushan PatelStarsBipasha BasuKaran Singh GroverSulabha AryaA supernatural mystery about a young woman whose dead sister relentlessly haunts her.Indian "horror" film with Bipasha Bau and Karan Grover Singh. Double role by Bipasha as wife and also dead sister. Not very scary
- DirectorHrishikesh MukherjeeStarsRajesh KhannaAmitabh BachchanSumita SanyalThe story of a terminally ill man who wishes to live life to the fullest before the inevitable occurs, as told by his best friend.Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan in classic Hindi cinema at its best. A must-see! Rajesh Khanna is terminally ill man who is determined to find joy until the end and also to help doctor friend find it as well. "Happiness"
- DirectorRajkumar SantoshiStarsAamir KhanSalman KhanRaveena TandonTwo slackers competing for the affections of an heiress inadvertently become her protectors from an evil criminal.Great Hindi comedy in true Bolllywood style, complete with romance, bad guys, crazy schticks and moral lessons. Salman Khan, Aamir Khan. "Our Style"
- DirectorRahul RawailStarsMadhuri DixitShah Rukh KhanTinnu AnandVijay falls in love Shivani and proposes her only to be rejected every time. However his love turns into an obsession and turns her life into a hell.One of SRK's villain roles, almost as good as Darr, but not quite. Spoiled rich brat wants uninterested girl and is willing to murder to get her. Decent film and should be on any SRKian's list.
"Consequences" - DirectorSantosh SivanStarsShah Rukh KhanKareena KapoorDanny DenzongpaThe epic tale of King Asoka's life is recounted.SRK. Not well received in India partly due to historical inaccuracies, but won two awards (Filmfare and IIFA)and nominated for 17 other prestigious awards. Did well overseas. Kareena Kapoor is great. LONG but amazing cinematography. Ashoka or Asoka is Maurya Emperor who gave up empire to help spread Buddhism. Worth seeing.
- DirectorAtul SabharwalStarsArjun KapoorZahrah S KhanPrithviraj SukumaranKingship knows no Kinship and there can be only one Emperor in Aurangzeb's world. In Gurgaon, to bring down a criminal the law has to think like one.Arjun Kapoor plays two roles, which Bollywood loves. He is undercover for the cops, taking place of gangster's son. Average.
- DirectorRavi ChopraStarsAmitabh BachchanSalman KhanHema MaliniWhen his only son dies in an accident, Balraaj urges his depressed daughter-in-law to marry a man who has long loved her in silence.Film with Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan, John Abraham, Hema Malini and Rani Mukerji (wow!) should have been better, but wasn't. First half, decent; second half, not so much. John Abraham replacing Salman Khan? Nahin...
- DirectorS.S. RajamouliStarsPrabhasRana DaggubatiAnushka ShettyA child from the Mahishmati kingdom is raised by tribal people and one day learns about his royal heritage, his father's bravery in battle and a mission to overthrow the incumbent ruler.Telugu film, also done in Tamil at same time and dubbed into other languages, including French. Prabhas is foundling prince. Indian cinema is great at epic historical pieces. First South Indian film to gross over 600 crore worldwide. Highest grossing Telugu film of all time. Excellent. Worth seeing.
- DirectorAbbas Alibhai BurmawallaMastan Alibhai BurmawallaStarsShah Rukh KhanKajolDalip TahilA young man with a vendetta against a business tycoon seduces the man's younger daughter, but she begins to suspect her new lover's connection with her elder sister and his ulterior motive.Shah Rukh Khan is psychotic, ruthless villain, Kajol the victim. Predates their DDLJ and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai jodi. This film is literally "crazy" fun with SRK in one of his best villain roles. "Illusionist".
- DirectorSriram RaghavanStarsVarun DhawanNawazuddin SiddiquiYami GautamRaghu begins walking a fine line between good and evil as he exacts violent revenge on two criminals who killed his family 15 years ago.This is NOT typical Varun Dhawan, but an attempt to break out of the Humpty roles. Violent, violent, violent revenge film. Nawazuddin Siddhiqui is good in this. And you will never look at Varun Dhawan the same. Badlapur is city in Mumbai District.
- DirectorManeesh SharmaStarsRanveer SinghAnushka SharmaRanjit BatraShruti and Bittoo become partners in their very own "Wedding planning ka bijness" in Delhi and in the process discover friendship, love and one another.Bajirao Mastani star Ranveer Singh's first lead role with favorite Anuskha Sharma. Great little Bollywood gem...entire film is worth the line (after huge dance number) when friend addresses him as the next SRK. Possibly prophetic? Worth seeing if it hadn't been a star vehicle for Ranveer.
- DirectorSiddharth AnandStarsHrithik RoshanKatrina KaifPawan MalhotraA young bank receptionist gets mixed up with Rajveer Nanda, a man who has a mysterious background.Authorized remake of Tom Cruise film "Knight and Day". Hrithik Roshan and Katrina Kaif do a credible job. Soundtrack and dancing are awesome. Don't know why it isn't rated higher. Super-fun guilty pleasure action film which my two non-Bollywood fan grown daughters also loved.
- DirectorAnurag BasuStarsRanbir KapoorPriyanka Chopra JonasIleana D'CruzThree young people learn that love can neither be defined nor contained by society's definition of normal and abnormal.Beautiful, beautiful film with Ranbir Kapoor as deaf man and Priyanka Chopra as his mentally challenged friend. This is the kind of film that lifts up a heart. They both show their major acting chops in this one, particularly Priyanka, playing so drastically against type. Must see.
- DirectorSushrut JainStarsKunal NayyarPrithvi ShawAs India, host of the 2011 World Cup of Cricket, begins its campaign to win the Cup after a 28-year drought, three ordinary Indians seek their salvation/escape from a difficult life through their passion for cricket - Sudhir, a penniless superfan who cycles across India to cheer the team; Prithvi, a 12-year old boy wonder who is a cricket prodigy; and Akshaya, a girl cricketer from Mumbai's slums. We follow Sudhir to see what drives the man who has renounced so much, including marriage, for his dream of cheering Team India forever; Akshaya as she competes in the trials for selection to the Mumbai Women's Team, and Prithvi as he copes with the unique pressures of being a cricket phenom in a cricket-crazy nation.Very well-done documentary with three different viewpoints on India's cricket craze. A fan, an up and coming athlete and a girl who plays cricket. If you want to understand just how much India loves this sport, this is an excellent piece to see.
- DirectorPriyadarshanStarsIrrfan KhanLara DuttaOm PuriIn an Indian village, a struggling barber sees his luck begin to turn when residents learn that a famous actor he once knew is coming to town.Based on eternal friendship of Hindu Lord Krishna and Sudama. Very sweet story of a regular guy (Billu) who was childhood friends with a mega-star. A feel good kind of film well worth seeing, although oddly not one of SRK's most popular, probably because he plays himself. Item numbers with 3 Bollywood divas, Priyanka Chopra, Kareena Kapoor and Deepika Padukone are awesome.
- DirectorSiddiqueStarsSalman KhanKareena KapoorRaj BabbarThe daughter of a wealthy nobleman secretly falls in love with her bodyguard.Not one of Salman Khan/Kareena Kapoor's best--mostly for Salman fans. Still, it was one of the first Salman movies I screened, and while it is no Bajrangi Bhaijaan or even Ek Tha Tiger, it isn't really bad.
- DirectorVivek SharmaStarsAmitabh BachchanJuhi ChawlaSatish ShahMoving into a new house, a family witnesses an unfriendly ghost who wants to drive them away from the house. However, he befriends a little boy who changes his outlook forever.A great Amitabh Bachchan vehicle for the family, especially since ghost is funny, not scary. SRK has tiny role as father of the boy Amitabh's character befriends. Juhi Chawli is mom. Cute film for the kids. Better than the sequel "Boothnath Returns". Booth: Hindi for ghost.
- DirectorNitesh TiwariStarsAmitabh BachchanBoman IraniParth BhaleraoA ghost returns back from his world to prove something. But on earth, he has something more to do for his country.Sequel to Bhoothnath with Amitabh Bachchan and this time, Bowman Irani (always a funny guy). This time, the ghost runs for public office and the second half is over-blown, but still good family fun and definitely worth seeing. Tiny cameo by you-know-who.
- DirectorMohit TakalkarStarsMohan AgasheRadhika ApteRajit KapoorThis is a story of Shiv. Shiv, with a supportive family, a close group of friends and a normal life in all respects, sets out on a journey to discover what he seeks in the outside world, not knowing when, if at all, he will return. He is searching for something but isn't sure what exactly he seeks. Experiencing a whole new life is simultaneously frightening, exhilarating and intense as he ventures out, completely vulnerable, on a journey that takes him through diverse landscapes of life arid, vast, claustrophobic, open, abundant. He faces insecurity, enjoys adventure and freedom and learns about different philosophies. A trembling mind has set out on a journey into the unknown towards light. Its own light.Example of Hindi parallel cinema. Mohan Agashe is Shiv, college graduate who leaves everything behind to see what is out in the rest of the world. Very slow, but patient viewer is rewarded with some remarkable moments. Nominated for best film at Shanghai International Film Festival.
- DirectorTigmanshu DhuliaAjit SableSanjiv TrigunayatStarsSaif Ali KhanSonakshi SinhaVidyut JammwalA common man who transforms into a gangster revolts against the very system he once obediently followed by declaring war on the police, the government, and the industrialists.No idea what happened to Saif Ali Khan after such a bright start in Bollywood, but this film is typical now. Nothing to really recommend it except some decent action. Even the dancing is not up to par. For Saif Ali Khan fans only.
- DirectorShimit AminStarsShah Rukh KhanVidya MalvadeSagarika GhatgeKabir Khan, the coach of the Indian Women's National Hockey Team, dreams of making his all-girls team emerge victorious against all odds.Literally, "Go win, India", film is widely touted as one of Shah Rukh Khan's best. None of his trademark romance; a very serious role as an unjustly disgraced Indian athlete who returns to coach a national women's field hockey team. Extremely well-received by audiences and critically acclaimed, but don't expect Raj/Rahul to show up. Worth seeing.
- DirectorAziz MirzaStarsShah Rukh KhanRani MukerjiJas AroraA man pursues a woman who is already engaged and eventually gets married to her. Differences between the two lead to a bitter separation that threatens to destroy their relationship forever.Talk surrounding this film is almost more famous than film as this is supposedly where the (now over) rift between Salman Khan and SRK got started. Story: Truck driver falls in love with rich girl. They marry and but don't exactly live happily ever after. One of SRK's slightly more realistic romances. Rani Mukerji is good. Worth seeing.