Bollywood/Kollywood for Westerners?

PaoloNL · Nov 4th, 2009, 04:13

I am about to embark on a trip which will lead me to Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Goa and Mumbai, and I thought it might be interesting to watch both a Kollywood and a Bollywood flick before departing.

I think this could be interesting and useful on many levels. At worst, it will give me an idea of what people talk about when they cite Indian cinema. At best, I might chance upon a huge artistic treasure trove that could delight me for years to come.

But approaching Indian cinema is really hard. I searched the web for a while, but just came away more confused, as all the resources I could find are clearly geared towards people who already know what is being discussed.

I have seen some YouTube clips, but taken out of context they didn't help me at all. In fact, judging from the clips alone, I would think that it's all a very cheesy affair, as if Indian movies were but over-the-top parodies of Broadway comedies. I am sure that this is not the case, and that there are bound to be some movies I would appreciate (if only I knew where to find them).

I suspect that on this site there are many Westerners who have experienced (and perhaps even learned to love?) Indian cinema, and I am hoping that somebody could suggest a good Tamil as well as a good Hindi 'beginner' movie for me to watch.

So please, tell me where I should start my cinematic journey from.

Mahadevarun · Nov 6th, 2009, 22:16

'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge' would be a good place to start!
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112870/

adiyar · Nov 7th, 2009, 05:22

Tamil - Subramaniapuram, Chennai 600028

Subramaniapuram - an excellent depiction of 70s/80s life. still very relevant. just a few details have changed today.

Chennai 600028 - about a group of friends in chennai and also about cricket.

not typical kollywood movies most of which i can't stand. if you want those you can't go wrong with "sivaji" (starring the super star rajinikanth). googling him will be interesting. dasavatharam (story starts in US and ends with depiction of the tsunami) might be interesting too.

"cheesy affair, as if Indian movies were but over-the-top parodies"

cheesy and over the top are the defining characteristics of most of the movies. the first two are not. there are lot of exceptions in recent movies (bollywood - dev d). add paruthiveeran to the exception (nice village based story)

NeeliAankhen · Nov 20th, 2009, 09:11

Best place for a westerner to learn about Bollywood, and all of Indian cinema too, is the forums at Bollywhat.com.

What you might enjoy from Bollywood depends, like any movie choice, on what you might enjoy in general, I think!! Don't know Tollywood so won't try to go there.

I have done a lot of Bollywood introducing so these are at least "tested":

For a wonderful mix of naturalistic acting and OTT Bollywood bliss, drama and humor, song and dance, I highly recommend this movie-about-the-movies from 2008, Luck By Chance. This is probably my top recommendation for a "beginner," if you watch it let me know if you like it.

(Full of cameo and small parts played by current stars, too.)

For a big, star-studded, lavishly-produced modern turn on love and parental disapproval, I suggest Kabhhi Kushie Khabi Gaum - I think it's powerful and exciting. If you can't find it (Netflix was out of it for awhile), try Kal Ho Na Ho.

For a musical movie with a serious theme and wonderful songs, Dil Se.

For a black-and-white classic with astounding music and cinematography, and fine acting, Kaagaz Ke Phool.

Pure fun - Om Shanti Om - part I is a loving parody of Bollywood of the 70s.

Totally different from these, and from what you asked for - Akasa Kusum, a "regional" movie, set in Sri Lanka - no music, more like a European art-house movie, just wonderful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duf-FeQ001A Akasa Kusum trailer

And one more serious intelligent "regional" movie: Ore Kadal.

Nov 4th, 2009, 04:13	#1
PaoloNL Forever Noob Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 5	Bollywood/Kollywood for Westerners? I am about to embark on a trip which will lead me to Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Goa and Mumbai, and I thought it might be interesting to watch both a Kollywood and a Bollywood flick before departing. I think this could be interesting and useful on many levels. At worst, it will give me an idea of what people talk about when they cite Indian cinema. At best, I might chance upon a huge artistic treasure trove that could delight me for years to come. But approaching Indian cinema is really hard. I searched the web for a while, but just came away more confused, as all the resources I could find are clearly geared towards people who already know what is being discussed. I have seen some YouTube clips, but taken out of context they didn't help me at all. In fact, judging from the clips alone, I would think that it's all a very cheesy affair, as if Indian movies were but over-the-top parodies of Broadway comedies. I am sure that this is not the case, and that there are bound to be some movies I would appreciate (if only I knew where to find them). I suspect that on this site there are many Westerners who have experienced (and perhaps even learned to love?) Indian cinema, and I am hoping that somebody could suggest a good Tamil as well as a good Hindi 'beginner' movie for me to watch. So please, tell me where I should start my cinematic journey from.

Nov 7th, 2009, 05:22	#3
adiyar Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: desi in USA Posts: 36	Tamil - Subramaniapuram, Chennai 600028 Subramaniapuram - an excellent depiction of 70s/80s life. still very relevant. just a few details have changed today. Chennai 600028 - about a group of friends in chennai and also about cricket. not typical kollywood movies most of which i can't stand. if you want those you can't go wrong with "sivaji" (starring the super star rajinikanth). googling him will be interesting. dasavatharam (story starts in US and ends with depiction of the tsunami) might be interesting too. "cheesy affair, as if Indian movies were but over-the-top parodies" cheesy and over the top are the defining characteristics of most of the movies. the first two are not. there are lot of exceptions in recent movies (bollywood - dev d). add paruthiveeran to the exception (nice village based story) Last edited by adiyar : Nov 7th, 2009 at 05:48. Reason: more details

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Nov 6th, 2009, 22:16	#2
Mahadevarun Account Closed Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: London England Posts: 1	'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge' would be a good place to start! http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112870/

Nov 20th, 2009, 09:11	#4
NeeliAankhen Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: New York, NY USA Posts: 338	Best place for a westerner to learn about Bollywood, and all of Indian cinema too, is the forums at Bollywhat.com. What you might enjoy from Bollywood depends, like any movie choice, on what you might enjoy in general, I think!! Don't know Tollywood so won't try to go there. I have done a lot of Bollywood introducing so these are at least "tested": For a wonderful mix of naturalistic acting and OTT Bollywood bliss, drama and humor, song and dance, I highly recommend this movie-about-the-movies from 2008, Luck By Chance. This is probably my top recommendation for a "beginner," if you watch it let me know if you like it. (Full of cameo and small parts played by current stars, too.) For a big, star-studded, lavishly-produced modern turn on love and parental disapproval, I suggest Kabhhi Kushie Khabi Gaum - I think it's powerful and exciting. If you can't find it (Netflix was out of it for awhile), try Kal Ho Na Ho. For a musical movie with a serious theme and wonderful songs, Dil Se. For a black-and-white classic with astounding music and cinematography, and fine acting, Kaagaz Ke Phool. Pure fun - Om Shanti Om - part I is a loving parody of Bollywood of the 70s. Totally different from these, and from what you asked for - Akasa Kusum, a "regional" movie, set in Sri Lanka - no music, more like a European art-house movie, just wonderful. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duf-FeQ001A Akasa Kusum trailer And one more serious intelligent "regional" movie: Ore Kadal.