Bollywood Top Movie Recommendations

I received a request to give out my recommendations on my favorite Hindi movie Bollywood recommendations.  These are some of my favorites and I will update them periodically so check into this.  If you watch Hindi movies and you have something I should add to this please let me know!

1.       A Wednesday– This is a great movie, but not your typical Hindi movie – no song and dance.  It is an intense, thought provoking movie about terrorism in India.  Its short compared to other Bollywood movies – about 90 minutes (compared to an average Bollywood movie at 160 minutes!). 

2.       Sholay* – A cult classic from the mid 70's and it is one of my favorite movies from my childhood.  There is some violence so I wouldn't watch it with the kids – I don't know what our parents were thinking when they let us watch it.  Also, one of the main characters, Jai (Amitabh Bachchan) is my first love.

3.       Hum Tum*– Bollywood's take on When Harry Met Sally. Even though this is a copy of an American movie, I think they have done a fabulous job.

4.       Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayange (DDLJ) – A classic romance movie from the mid 90's.  The main actor, Shahrukh Khan, has come to be known for being the chocolate lover boy!

5.       Dus Kahaniyaan– This is 10 short stories, by 10 different directors and each short movie has different actors in it.  This is a new concept for Hindi cinema.  Most of the stories are good.  But, each one is short so it's easy to watch it over a few nights.

6.       Life in a Metro– Takes place in Mumbai and covers several characters whose lives are intertwined together.  Many of the characters also work at a call center so it gives some insight on life in this new industry in India.  The next time you have a customer rep on the phone from India you'll be thinking about this movie.

7.       3 Idiots*– One of top grossing films of 2009.  Three friends in an Engineering college (IIT), pressure to perform in a very real life competitive field – bad things can happen including a suicide.  While it's a loaded, serious topic, the movie has a little bit of everything, comedy, drama, romance, and of course some song and dance. It's based after a book written by Chetan Bhagat.

8.       Dhoom 2* – A favorite for boys! Full of action! The stunt scenes in this are very good for Bollywood standards. 

9.       Jab We Met– Cute romantic movie that was a recent box office hit.  The hero, Shahid Kapoor is Sachi's favorite actor.  Watch her blush when you ask about him.

10.    No One Killed Jessica– True story of a woman who was shot in a New Delhi night club in front of 300 people.  Despite many witnesses (all get bribed), the killer gets off the hook - years later, a journalist uncovers the truth and has the case re-opened.  Intense movie sans Bollywood masala.

11.  Yeh Jawaani Hai Dewani – I nice love story film about two friends who eventually fall in love.  Lots of beautiful scenery and great songs.  A nice light and enjoyable film.

12.       Dhobi Ghat – a film about Mumbai and four characters in it.  This is a serious film with no songs in it.  It's a great film and you can relate to this if you live in a big city.  It's not so much about India as much as it is about life in a big city.

13.       Barfi – a great story about a man who is both deaf and dumb and how he moves through life.  This was India's nomination to the Oscar's  last year.

14.       Dehli Belly – an edgy movie about youngsters in Dehli.  They get themselves into a lot of trouble and there is plenty of humor and drama in this movie.  A new genre for Bollywood.