if u could pick 4 movies...

Merchant · Feb 22nd, 2006, 10:21

Excellent choices so far. Mani Ratnam's Bombay is great for history/social commentary. Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge since it is the longest running Bollywood movie of all time (and turned SRK into a superstar). You have to include something with Amitabh Bachchan in his prime, so pick something classic like Sholay. Then try something totally off the wall like Koi Mil Gaya (Hrithik Roshan's Forrest Gump character gets a visit from ET--no kidding). It's a charming movie, actually, very enjoyable.

mridula · Feb 22nd, 2006, 10:50

Mine would be:

Mr. & Mrs. Iyer
Sholay
Satya
Golmal

nomad · Feb 22nd, 2006, 11:12

Jane bhi do yaoroN
Bandini
Satya
sahib bibi aur gulam

sudheer poppa · Feb 22nd, 2006, 11:12

Bandit Queen - almost a 'western' depiction of rural life quite factually

Bride and Prejudice - east meets west, family marriage which may talk better to the american minds than 'Monsoon Wedding'

Kuch Kuch Hota Hai - A classic bollywood movie with songs and emotions..

Ghayal - Another classic bollywood action movie, can be replaced with a Mr India as well.

Theon · Feb 22nd, 2006, 11:21

I'd go with:

Pather Panchali - If your audience is REALLY new to Indian films, this is a must.
Sholay - Probably the most popular Indian film of all time, with the most popular actor.
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai/Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge - For an introduction to Shah Rukh Khan and 90s mass entertainment.
Kannathil Mutthamital - Something recent from Tamil Nadu directed by Mani Ratnam with music by A.R. Rahman

Others that would be great: Pyaasa - Guru Dutt; Swades - Ashutosh Gowarikar; Dil Chahta Hai - Farhan Akhtar; Monsoon Wedding - Mira Nair

jyotirmoy · Feb 22nd, 2006, 11:24

Ghor e baire by Satyajit Ray
36 Chowringhee Lane by Aparna Sen
Iqbal by Nagesh Kukunoor
Saalam Bombay by Mira Nayar
There are many more great films but you had asked for 4.

jyotirmoy · Feb 22nd, 2006, 11:33

It is difficult to get the prints though but one must not miss the films made by Ritwik Ghatak, a phenomena by itself! Luckily CD's of his films are now available.
Long time ago we were sitting in the park adjacent to the Church of Notre Dam in Paris(one of our most favourite places to hang out) & happen to chat with some local students doing diploma in film making. We were so surprised to hear them talking about Ritwik's films. They told us that as a part of their studies they have studied his films very deep.

sam371 · Mar 9th, 2006, 23:26

Sholay
Dil Chahta Hai
Guide
Earth

Zaranna · Mar 9th, 2006, 23:36

1. as an art film/crossover: Monsoon Wedding

2. As a modern Indian film: either Kal Ho Naa Ho (for India/US crossover), Swades, or Dil Chahta Hai - or either of Bunty Aur Babli or Bluffmaster (both of which are closest to the kind of film narrative Western audiences expect to see)

3. A historical epic: one of Lagaan, The Rising, Gandhi, or something by Satyajit Ray

4. A spectacular Bollywood "traditional India" film: Parineeta, Paheli or Devdas

Enjoy!

Zaranna

In the parlour · Mar 10th, 2006, 01:44

I second Pather Panchali. A great movie. In fact, any one or all three of the Apu trilogy (Pather Panchali, Aparjito, World of Apu) would be outstanding choices.
Mr. & Mrs. Iyer would also be very good for a film festival.
Guilty pleasure, but a lot of fun: Amer, Akbar, Anthony.

KatyQueen · Mar 10th, 2006, 02:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by maree

I liked Salaam Bombay - early Mira Nair film set in the slums of Mumbai focusing on the world of street kids, drug dealers and prostitutes....very gritty and a far cry from Bollywood.

I agree, it's an amazing movie. Definitely very different from Bollywood, but it's a very realistic account of life in the slums.Alot of the cast members were actual street kids, not actors.

*jyoti* · Mar 10th, 2006, 05:23

Lagaan--because it shows cricket and some of the historical British/Indian tension.

Salaam Bombay is also a very good suggestion. Very different from Bollywood, and gives a very different POV from many flicks with very upper class characters.

Kal Ho Naa Ho because it's one of my faves, it's funny, and non-indians can get the humor.

Devdas, because it's beautiful and because it shows some of the Indian view of love/marriage, etc. And because it's one of my favorites.

Swades because it shows a Westernized person entering village culture. Are there any other movies that are shot in the villages, though? I like this one a lot, but maybe there are better depictions of what happens in villages...

*jyoti* · Mar 10th, 2006, 05:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by sudheer

Bride and Prejudice - east meets west, family marriage which may

No, no, no, no, no!

It tried so hard to incorporate West that all the Western stuff was silly and cliche

, and all the Eastern stuff was silly and cliche, and it missed the mark on both counts. Most Americans I know would rather not watch Bollywood at all or watch something more authentic rather than rehashed Westernisms... I would say "something less cheesy" but that certainly would not apply to Bollywood...

traceyam · Mar 10th, 2006, 05:53

I second "Salaam Bombay." Bollywood only teaches you about Indian culture in a removed, esoteric way.

sam371 · Mar 15th, 2006, 20:45

Speaking of Bollywood movies, has anyone watched "Rang De Basanti"?
If so, can you please provide your honest opinion of what you thought of it. I haven't watched it yet, but hear conflicting views on it.

Thanks.

Feb 22nd, 2006, 10:50	#17
mridula Sair Kar Duniya Ki Galib , Jindagani Fir Kahan ... Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 1,128	Mine would be: Mr. & Mrs. Iyer Sholay Satya Golmal __________________ mridula http://www.gonomad.com/traveltalesfromindia/

Feb 22nd, 2006, 11:12	#18
nomad Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Singapura Posts: 595	Jane bhi do yaoroN Bandini Satya sahib bibi aur gulam __________________ Rahul Verma http://rverma.smugmug.com www.pbase.com/rverma

Feb 22nd, 2006, 11:12	#19
sudheer poppa Senior brick in the wall Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Pole Posts: 1,475	Bandit Queen - almost a 'western' depiction of rural life quite factually Bride and Prejudice - east meets west, family marriage which may talk better to the american minds than 'Monsoon Wedding' Kuch Kuch Hota Hai - A classic bollywood movie with songs and emotions.. Ghayal - Another classic bollywood action movie, can be replaced with a Mr India as well. __________________ We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools - MLK Pic Page 1 Pic Page 2 When my life changed over a week

Feb 22nd, 2006, 11:21	#20
Theon Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Toronto Posts: 146	I'd go with: Pather Panchali - If your audience is REALLY new to Indian films, this is a must. Sholay - Probably the most popular Indian film of all time, with the most popular actor. Kuch Kuch Hota Hai/Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge - For an introduction to Shah Rukh Khan and 90s mass entertainment. Kannathil Mutthamital - Something recent from Tamil Nadu directed by Mani Ratnam with music by A.R. Rahman Others that would be great: Pyaasa - Guru Dutt; Swades - Ashutosh Gowarikar; Dil Chahta Hai - Farhan Akhtar; Monsoon Wedding - Mira Nair __________________ My First Time to India

Mar 10th, 2006, 01:44	#25
In the parlour Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The US Posts: 83	I second Pather Panchali. A great movie. In fact, any one or all three of the Apu trilogy (Pather Panchali, Aparjito, World of Apu) would be outstanding choices. Mr. & Mrs. Iyer would also be very good for a film festival. Guilty pleasure, but a lot of fun: Amer, Akbar, Anthony. __________________ It is great to shake off the trammels of the world and public opinion...and to be known by no other title than The Gentleman in the Parlour. -William Hazlitt

Feb 22nd, 2006, 10:21	#16
Merchant Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: New York Posts: 2,071	Excellent choices so far. Mani Ratnam's Bombay is great for history/social commentary. Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge since it is the longest running Bollywood movie of all time (and turned SRK into a superstar). You have to include something with Amitabh Bachchan in his prime, so pick something classic like Sholay. Then try something totally off the wall like Koi Mil Gaya (Hrithik Roshan's Forrest Gump character gets a visit from ET--no kidding). It's a charming movie, actually, very enjoyable.

Feb 22nd, 2006, 11:24	#21
jyotirmoy Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 3,946	Ghor e baire by Satyajit Ray 36 Chowringhee Lane by Aparna Sen Iqbal by Nagesh Kukunoor Saalam Bombay by Mira Nayar There are many more great films but you had asked for 4.

Feb 22nd, 2006, 11:33	#22
jyotirmoy Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 3,946	It is difficult to get the prints though but one must not miss the films made by Ritwik Ghatak, a phenomena by itself! Luckily CD's of his films are now available. Long time ago we were sitting in the park adjacent to the Church of Notre Dam in Paris(one of our most favourite places to hang out) & happen to chat with some local students doing diploma in film making. We were so surprised to hear them talking about Ritwik's films. They told us that as a part of their studies they have studied his films very deep.

Mar 9th, 2006, 23:26	#23
sam371 Dreaming of India... Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New York Posts: 370	Sholay Dil Chahta Hai Guide Earth

Mar 9th, 2006, 23:36	#24
Zaranna Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: London Posts: 15	1. as an art film/crossover: Monsoon Wedding 2. As a modern Indian film: either Kal Ho Naa Ho (for India/US crossover), Swades, or Dil Chahta Hai - or either of Bunty Aur Babli or Bluffmaster (both of which are closest to the kind of film narrative Western audiences expect to see) 3. A historical epic: one of Lagaan, The Rising, Gandhi, or something by Satyajit Ray 4. A spectacular Bollywood "traditional India" film: Parineeta, Paheli or Devdas Enjoy! Zaranna

Mar 10th, 2006, 05:23	#27
jyoti gori ferungi ladki Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Bangalore, usually Posts: 232	Lagaan--because it shows cricket and some of the historical British/Indian tension. Salaam Bombay is also a very good suggestion. Very different from Bollywood, and gives a very different POV from many flicks with very upper class characters. Kal Ho Naa Ho because it's one of my faves, it's funny, and non-indians can get the humor. Devdas, because it's beautiful and because it shows some of the Indian view of love/marriage, etc. And because it's one of my favorites. Swades because it shows a Westernized person entering village culture. Are there any other movies that are shot in the villages, though? I like this one a lot, but maybe there are better depictions of what happens in villages...

Mar 10th, 2006, 05:53	#29
traceyam Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 426	I second "Salaam Bombay." Bollywood only teaches you about Indian culture in a removed, esoteric way. __________________ "Don't you sometimes wish the arctic was strawberry flavoured?" -- Thermoman

Mar 15th, 2006, 20:45	#30
sam371 Dreaming of India... Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New York Posts: 370	Speaking of Bollywood movies, has anyone watched "Rang De Basanti"? If so, can you please provide your honest opinion of what you thought of it. I haven't watched it yet, but hear conflicting views on it. Thanks.

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