Ever since reading When Dimple Met Rishi (you can read my review here) last year, and the mention of a dance from Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008), I’ve been itching to watch more Indian films. I’ve seen Om Shanti Om (2007) (and it’s one of my faves and I’ve seen it 3 times now), Bride and Prejudice (2004) (I’ve seen around 4 times), and Ki & Ka (which I need to re-watch ASAP)! But as you can see that list is pretty short. Since reading When Dimple Met Rishi, I also had the honour of attending one of my friend’s weddings (which was a Bengali wedding, and was absolutely amazing! I was encouraged to wear a saree for the morning ceremony, and now I want to wear one all the time! Gah!) So, it should come as no surprise that after all of the movie references in my most recent read, My So-Called Bollywood Life (review coming soon), and the super helpful movie reviews at the end of the book, I had to make a list of the top 10 Indian movies that I need to watch next! (P.S. In order to keep from offending anyone, I ran some polls over on Twitter to make sure that I’m using the proper wording. If something offends you, please message me privately and I will try to fix my wording ASAP!)
– Ten –
Sholay (1975)
Judging from the last section in My So-Called Bollywood Life, this movie seems to be Nisha Sharma’s favourite of all time? So, even though I don’t generally watch 70s movies, I’ll listen to Nisha and will watch it sometime soon, haha!
– Nine –
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998)
This one I also found through this Twitter thread since it’s the song at the top. It seems very sad, but their acting was just perfection, and I really like the song too. This movie sounds like it’ll make me cry, but I still wanna give it a try! (It turns out that it’s also included in the back of My So-Called Bollywood Life but I just didn’t notice it. Woops!)
– Eight –
Kapoor & Sons (2016)
This movie was also mentioned in My So-Called Bollywood Life, and although I’m not sure how I feel about realistic Indian movies either (something that Sharma mentioned in her little comment about it), I really liked the trailer, and the actors (their chemistry as a family, and romantically), so I’ll have to give watching this one a shot!
– Seven –
Dostana (2008)
Ok, so this one I’m no longer so sure about. I’d been recommended to me a lot over the years, but Nisha Sharma mentioned it in the back of My So-Called Bollywood Life and mentioned that it’s kind of a fail and also offensive. I really like the songs I’ve heard from it though, and am a fan of Priyanka Chopra … so I need your help with this one!
– Six –
Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kFDQkNmA5Y
I actually initially had another movie on this list (Hum Tum), but ended up bumping it off when my Twitter friend @anvireads recommended Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani! This looks so great! Thank you! I’m excited to watch it!
– Five –
Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008)
This one I actually found out about through When Dimple Met Rishi last year (as I mentioned in the intro to this post)! I’m assuming Sandhya Menon likes it, I like the songs, and am a fan of Shah Rukh Khan, so it made the list!
– Four –
Bend It Like Beckham (2002)
Another one that I’m not sure about (even though it’s in the top 5 on this list). I really liked Bride and Prejudice which was directed by the same director. And I’m super happy to see that Keira Knightley is in this one, because I’m a fan of hers. However … the male lead (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) really freaks me out in the trailer. Something about his face just looks … off? But at the same time, Nisha Sharma really recommends this one in My So-Called Bollywood Life, and it looks like a great 90s Rom-Com.
– Three –
Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela (2013)
This movie was also mentioned in My So-Called Bollywood Life, and Sharma mentions that while the plot doesn’t seem to be anything original (another take on Romeo and Juliet), the director is known for their cinematography. And after watching the trailer, I must say that the cinematography looks crazy good, and I like the actors!
– Two –
Bajirao Mastani (2015)
This one I also found out about through the Twitter thread that I keep mentioning, and this is actually the post that lead me to it. I am obsessed with the song in the tweet that I linked, and the cinematography and everything. There’s another song that I’ve heard from this movie that I also really like, and I like the actors that were cast in this. Also, Pryanka Chopra is in this one again (though I’ll feel bad for her since it looks like she’ll be the third wheel … sigh)!
– One –
Queen (2014)
And finally, Queen! This one I 100% found out about through My So-Called Bollywood Life. And after watching the trailer, I can only agree that the main actress looks like she’ll be hysterically funny in this movie. Plus, I think she’s touring Europe on her own? And I tend to like movies with this kind of plot, and am curious to see how it’ll turn out!
Update: I’ve watched this one now, and you can read my review here!
Do you guys recommend any of these? Do you not recommend any of them? Or do you have any movies that you recommend which I didn’t list? I know that there are probably so so many that I haven’t even stumbled upon yet. I’m having some friends over and we’re going to watch either Bajirao Mastani, Queen, Bend It Like Beckham, Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela, or re-watching Om Shanti Om … or one of the others that I mentioned above or that you recommend. I don’t know what to do! Halp!
Also, do any of you know where the saying “Holy Baby Shah Rukh Khan” comes from? It’s mentioned in My So-Called Bollywood Life quite a bit, and I don’t understand the reference (if there is one) hahaha.
– Recommendations From You Awesome People –
THANKS SO MUCH FOR READING! HAVE YOU WATCHED ANY OF THESE MOVIES? AND IF SO, WHAT DID YOU THINK? IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THEM YET, ARE YOU PLANNING TO? WHY? WHY NOT? DO YOU HAVE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ME? HAVE YOU HEARD OF, OR WATCHED ANY INDIAN FILMS BEFORE READING THIS POST? LET ME KNOW IN THE COMMENTS BELOW!
The Gif at the end is from the film Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham. I loved your list and I would personally like to recommend English Vinglish. It’s a good movie. 🙂
Ohhhh thank you! I will have to watch that movie then as well hahaha. Ohhhh and English Vinglish too! Thank you for the rec 😀
Okay, I realize this is a serious post, and I’ve watched some great Indian movies too, but I just need to leave this here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsRgtaS70WA 😀 😀 😀 Btw, I’ve watched Bend It Like Beckham and I really liked it! 🙂
Oh my gosh those are some creative action scenes! Hahaha. And ooo that’s good to know! I ended up watching Queen yesterday (and it was so so good!) but will likely watch Bend It Like Beckham next 😀
I know haha xD Awesome, I may watch it too soon 🙂 Yay hope you like it! 🙂
Yaaay! I hope you like it! And thanks! 😀
I love that the author included a list of fave movie recommendations, this is a great list Flavia! thank you for sharing 🙂
Right?! So awesome and cute 😀 Hehe. And the book was awesome as well! I’m giving it 5 stars 😀 And ahhh thank you for reading! <3
Awesome post, Flavia! I’m actually half Indian, but I don’t watch as many Indian movies as I’d like to. However, one of my favorite movies growing up was Veer Zara. It was very emotional from what I remember and had terrific music .
Awe thank you so much! And I’ll definitely have to look up Veer Zara 😀 Thank you! <3
Omg Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani is such a fun movie! I’ve rewatched it so many times! And Kuch Kuch Hota Hai is a classic! There are some sad parts in it, but I wouldn’t say it’s too much. It’s more of a comedy/family movie if you ask me! If you want to watch a sad bollywood movie, I’d recommend Kal Ho Naa Ho. It’s one of my all-time favorites and it completely broke my heart! AND OMG Main Hoon Na is SO GOOD! It’s so heartwarming and hilarious…plus it just went on Netflix! Annnnnd if you want a bollywood movie that has been released more recently, PK is so amazing. It’s such a feel good movie! (sorry I rambled so much, I got waaay too excited. brb while I go binge watch bollywood movies now )
Don’t apologize for rambling! I love it! And I can tell that you’re really passionate about these movies! I’ve written down every one of your recommendations 😀 thank you so so much!!! <3 I tend to stay away from sad stuff because I'm a crybaby hahaha, but I think that I'll definitely watch Kal Ho Naa Ho :D
The thing about Kal Ho Naa Ho for me, was that I had no clue it was a sad movie, until I was about halfway through…but then of course I had to finish it
Oh nooo! I hate when that happens haha. I’m sorry!
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai is such a classic, I’ve seen it soo many times during my childhood! Also, Bajirao Mastani cinematography’s is AMAZING, I’m also into it because of Dewaani Mastani 🙂 Do you know that they build the glass palace for real and now it’s a museum?? I didn’t really get into the story but it’s definitely a beautiful movie. I recommend you to watch Kal Ho Na Ho (such a tear-jerker) and Three Idiots (one of the best of ever) 😀
Yeahh I ‘m getting that classic vibe from it 😀 hehe. And I have a feeling I’ll feel the same about Bajirao Mastani (about the cinematography and plot hehe). And oh my gosh I didn’t know that! That’s so cool! I wanna go see it now when I visit India 😀 And I’ve written down your recommendations! Thank youuuu! 😀 <3
AS A INDIAN I HAVE WATCHED ALL OF THEM AND I LOVE THESE MOVIES. LOVE FROM INDIA
Yaaaaaay! I’m so happy to see how excited you are about this post! And so happy to hear that all of these movies are good! Thank you for reading! 😀 <3
I haven’t watched most of these, but you did right in adding Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani to your list! It’s one of my mostest favourites and yes, Kapoor and Sons is amazing too and you should totally push these two even higher up your list xD
I’d also rec I Hate Luv Storys, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, Aashiqui 2, Dear Zindagi and 3 Idiots! <33 Hope you have fun watching allll of these!
Ohhh yay I’m glad that you enjoyed those ones! I’ve also written down your recommendations! (I might add everyone’s recs to the bottom of this post to keep track of them hahaha) Thank you! <3 :D
OH GOD I’M SUCH A BOLLYWOOD MOVIE FREAK! I love Kuch Kuch Hota Hai it’s my first bollywood movie. Kapoor and Sons, not so much. Some that I love are Khabi Kushi Khabi Gham, MUJHSI DOSTI KAROGE, Kahoo Na Pyar Hai, Devdas, Koi Mil Gaya, 3 Idiots, BHAJRANGI BHAIJAN. OMG I COULD TALK FOR HOURS so I’m just gonna stope here. Happy watching!!
Ahhhhh yay! And that’s so good to hear about Kuch Kuch Hota Hai! And yeah I feel like Kapoor and Sons is kind of different from all of the movies on this list. And ahhhh thank you for all the recs! Please feel free to keep talking too! I’m so happy that so many of your are enjoying this post and talking to me about it! <3 Happy tears!
I’m gonna get back at you soon! Just keep us updated once you watched any of them
For sure! I actually watched Queen on Wednesday with some friends and we LOVED it! I wonder if I should maybe leave a note on each movie as I watch them? Haha
That’s such a great idea
I also have a review for Queen ready to publish hahahaha
It really makes me so happy to see the popularity of Hindi Cinema across the world. Delhi 6, Rock On, Raazi (this is absolute latest!) Highway, Mom are also worth putting on the list!
Yaaay! I’m glad to have added to that happiness 🙂 And I will add those recs to the list! Thank you! 🙂
YEH JAWAANI HAI DEEWANI is one of favorite films.I love everything about it.As an Indian, I watched most of these and all of these are great.You should add CHENNAI EXPRESS too because it’s a hilarious film.
Great list, Flavia <3 Hope you have fun watching these 🙂
Yaaaay that’s so great to hear! I hope to watch that one (and all of them really) very soon! I’ll also be sure to add that rec to the list! Thank you!!! 😀 <3