Bollywood Film Recommendations

[SanFranBear]

I've recently joined an international movie club and its been fab.. this month, to celebrate Diwali, we focused on movies from India and I have fallen in love with Bollywood films.

So far, on recommendations from friends I've watched:

• Sholay - what an absolute belter of a film, the most fun I've had in ages.. so multi-faceted with a beautiful friendship at it's heart! Just wonderful!
• Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge - another really fun movie and I loved the transition from Europe and the UK to the traditions and celebration in India
• Grand Masti - didnt realise this was a sequel and not sure I'll be watching the first one as all a bit dated and misogynistic but there were some really daft bits in it and a couple of banging songs
• Kalki 2898 AD - epic, big screen blockbuster which I got really sucked into and really looking forward to the next installment
• Kuch Kuch Hota Hai - just pressed play on this one.. its got 5 stars on Prime so am hoping it'll be fab although off to a pretty tragic start!

Thanks so much - I'm really looking forward to exploring more. I think some of the above are described as Masala movies (mixture of all genres) but I'd love more recommendations (and where they can be watched if you know).

I love Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham. (Same leads as DDLJ and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.

You might also like Kal Ho Naa Ho.

I really like Taare Zameen Par. And most things with Aamir Khan in it - 3 idiots was another good one.

DD used to love Jab we met.

I'll try and think of some others that I've enjoyed.

Sorry, no idea where they can be watched... some might be on prime/netflix

Mohabbatein
Veerzaara
Kal Ho Na Ho
Hum Aapke Hai Kaun
Devdas

are some classics… Netflix sometimes have these sort of movies.

we are British Asian and my 10 year old has just watched Kuch KUch Hota Hai and loved the colours and dancing, she also commented on some of the over the top acting but it’s part of the fun of Bollywood if you ask me!

I am loving the ridiculousness of it - that's what makes it so special.

I had no idea it was the same two leads in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai as in DDLJ - they've got lovely chemistry and Kajol is very beautiful!

Thank you so much for the suggestions - I'll definitely have to watch them. Prime has a great selection and having recently discovered the international side of Netflix, it's not too shabby either. Having some to actually search for will be really helpful!

Devdas- my all time fave. Enjoy

I hope you enjoy your Bollywood journey…. You’ll have to keep us posted on what you watch next 🙂

DD has agreed to watch Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Khum with me on Friday night as sounds like something she'd enjoy.

I also started this in Chat last night and had no responses but looked today and there's some great choices:
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5217756-bollywood-film-recommendations?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share

So I might then look into one of the more modern ones (Hasee Toh Phasee maybe as that looks to be on Netflix) for the lazy Sunday afternoon or perhaps RRR as sounds fun or maybe Devdas... argh, choices 😁

Jab Tak Hai Jaan

I still love this movie as much as I did back in 2012.

I ended up watching Devdas last night as DD wasn't well or feeling up to a marathon viewing...

I enjoyed it very much - I think it portrayed a very different time from the others I've watched and my goodness, the mansions were absolutely glorious, you could fit my entire house in one of the rooms! It's a sad sad story but goodness, he went off the deep end, didn't he! But Paro was so very beautiful...

Devdas is so brilliantly made and the costumes and sets are exquisite. I’m going to watch Maine Pyaar Kiya next weekend, it’s an oldie but goodie!
Hope your DD is better soon

Does it have to be an old one? Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani is amazing

Absolutely not... very much up for watching more modern films too!

Not crazy recent but I did watch Hasee Toh Phasee yesterday (around various chores - I don't just sit in front of my TV, as much as I'd like to 😁). I liked the fact that it was more up to date with 'current' fashions and a more recognisable Mumbai. It also didn't hurt that Sidharth Malhotra was very handsome... not destined to be a classic, maybe, but it dealt with some big topics sensitively!

I'm in kitchen mode today - making soup and a big chilli - so might pop something on to watch as I potter. Can be tricky with subtitles though so might just save it for later (and thanks for your kind thoughts about DD - she's fine, just 15 and hormonally all over the place!)

So I watched Dil Dhadakne Do last night and its in the running for my most favourite as the whole premise was so daft - loved it! A couple of great dances too and, whilst extreme, some really relatable family dynamics... although wasn't a fan of Dad Kamal, even with his late 'redemption'...

Few days 'off' now as I plough through school runs, work and a few 'extra-curricular' bits and pieces! Probably for the best but I'm having so much fun 😁

Me and my boyfriend watched Dhoom last night and I have to say - what a wonderfully ludicrous film 😄

They managed some epic leaps and stunts and defied the laws of gravity more than once - it was fabulous. I also wasn't expecting the dancing and songs which just added to the crazy.

I am very much looking forward to watching the two sequels...

I would recommend Lagaan and my all time favourite movie (that 8 year old
me loved) Naseeb.

Oh just thought I’d another one… Gadar is a good one. Taal is another one. And if you want a real oldie I recommend Mughal-e-Azam. In fact I may have to watch some myself over the Christmas holidays

Maine pyar Kiya
Baazigar
Dhadkan
Main khiladi tu anari
Darr
Ishq
Ajnabee (Akshay Kumar one)
Sultan
Bajrangi bhaijan
Pk

Most of them are a mixture of comedy/romance and I'd second most of the ones all listed above. I'm going to have to revisit them myself!

Also add Kambakht ishq. Love that film.

Only managed to watch one this weekend as Christmas shopping and visiting friends was more the order of the day... but it was a cracker...

Mohabbatein! So good ole Shah Rukh Khan made an appearance but also Jai from Sholay and the dafter one from Dhoom! And I really enjoyed it - the ending was a bit rubbish and not unexpected but I still enjoyed it - the big dance scenes with the whole village were absolutely amazing!! So much fun..

I also watched Jalebi in the week as it was leaving Prime as was just over an hour and a half! Can't say I particularly enjoyed it which was a shame.. but I didn't 'believe' in their love story which made the whole film a bit rubbish. Ah well - first real dud so far!

I'm off work from the 23rd to the New Year so am hoping to be able to watch quite a few more!

OMG, @greenwich23 - had just a rubbish day today and was feeling so blue... I watched this and you're right, absolutely amazing! Definitely my favourite of all the ones I've watched. I found the relationship between Rocky and Rani just so beautiful and believable and I utterly loved it. Some of the dances were stunning - the one in the temple where they're all dressed in red was a particular highlight!

Thank you for recommending as I'd seen it on my 'We Think You'll Like' but it didn't appeal but today I thought, sod it - and I'm so so glad I did!

Sorry - the above message was supposed to quote your Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani recommendation 😍

I went with one of your recommmendations this time, @maybeinanotherlifetime, and watched the rather marvellous Veer-Zaara. It wasn't what I was expecting and the parts set in India were wonderful - especially the festival. Spoilers but glad it all worked out for Veer & Zaara in the end... took a while 😁 it was great to also see some old faces too in the aunt, uncle and grumpy prosecutor!

Hi @SanFranBear glad you’re enjoying the recommendations and I hope you’re having a lovely festive period. 🙂

If you like biopics can recommend Gangubai Kathiawadi and Padmavaat (both directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali (who directed Devdas). Stunning sets, costumes and strong female characters.

There are lots of more contemporary films that tackle social issues and taboo subjects also like Padman (menstruation) etc, Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga (homosexuality and the title is reference to the song from an older film 1942: a Love Story)

I love the older Bolllywood classics too as they make me feel nostalgic (parents are Asian and have fond memories of the films and music). Dilip Kumar was my dad’s favourite actor, he played the tragic hero and starred in some epic films like Mughal e Azam, but my all time favourite (if you can find it) is a black and white film called Madhumati. A tragic love story with a beautiful heroine and the songs!

Oh yes Padmaavat is a beautifully made film.