Popular Bollywood Analyst cum Business Transformation Expert Hirav Shah says, “Bollywood is home to some great films. The Indian movie industry is a titan in cinema that’s long and often been overlooked by western audiences, which is a serious mistake. In what other genre can you find love triangles, family drama, class clashes, a hunky hero and stunning heroine, and sweeping musical numbers with epic dance sequences all within one film? The answer is nowhere else because only a Bollywood film can provide you with that take-your-breath-away whirlwind experience.”
Now, Hirav Shah brings you the list of 11 must-watch Bollywood movies for the newcomers to explore Hindi cinema.
Table of Contents
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998)
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai is a classic film for many South Asian Americans and often their first taste of the genre. The film revolves around college BFFs Anjali (Kajol) and Rahul (Shah Rukh Khan), who bond over their love of basketball (and arguing over who’s the better player) and distaste for school. When a new girl Tina (Rani Mukerji), shows up at college, Rahul instantly falls in love with her; knowing that Rahul loves Tina, what will Anjali do? Will she again meet Rahul in her life? To know that, you have to watch this feel-good romantic family drama.
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)
In Bollywood, especially in the ’90s and early 2000s, any combination of Kajol and Shah Rukh Khan as love interests was bound to be a raging success among the moviegoers. Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge is one among them. The main crux is between two students who meet on a train in Europe and hate each other initially. After traveling across the continent together, Raj (Khan) tries to win over Simran’s (Kajol) parents to marry her. But Simran’s parents have different plans for her. DDLJ is one of the most successful movies in Bollywood history and is the longest-running film in the history of Indian cinema. After its release, the film had 25 years run at a theatre in Mumbai. One should not miss this romantic family drama.
Monsoon Wedding (2001)
Monsoon Wedding is a comedy-coated film that may not seem like your typical Bollywood movie for the time, but that’s exactly why you should watch it now. Monsoon Wedding is about the chaos leading up to a modern Indian wedding, as families from all over the world come together to celebrate the arranged marriage of Aditi (Vasundhara Das). The movie deals with a lot, including topics of sexual assault and grooming within a family. This was groundbreaking for the time as sexual violence has historically been seen as taboo within Indian culture and media. The film is a hard-hitting drama one should watch.
Queen (2013)
Queen is another Bollywood film that broke the mold by focusing on a young woman’s journey of self-discovery without a romantic love interest. The movie follows the heroine Rani (Kangana Ranaut), who goes on her honeymoon to Paris and Amsterdam alone after her fiancé leaves her at the altar. The film focuses on the girl-power aspect and is a must-watch for the issue it addresses.
Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001)
Bollywood filmmaker Karan Johar’s Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham is about the über wealthy Raichand family: billionaire businessman Yashvardhan “Yash” Raichand, who lives in a massive Delhi home with his wife, two sons, and his mother. Adopted son Rahul (Shah Rukh Khan) falls in love with Anjali (Kajol), who’s from a lower-class family, and of course, his family doesn’t approve. Drama ensues, and so does a multi-year, cross-world tale of loving your family. Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan’s acting is also a major advantage for the movie.
Devdas (2002)
Devdas, starring Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai, is an epic created by ace director Sanjay Leela Bansali. The film revolves around two childhood friends, Devdas Mukherjee (Khan) and Parvati “Paro” (Rai). After graduating from law school in London and returning to marry Parvati, Devdas’s family rejects the marriage, and he turns to alcohol. This tragic romance drama is a must-watch in the genre.
Lagaan (2001)
Set in the 1893 time period during the Victorian days, Lagaan is about a small village challenged to a cricket match by the British. If the villagers win, the British will cancel their taxes for three years (if the British win, the villagers will have to pay triple their tax at the end of the year). There’s only one problem: the villagers have to learn how to play the game. The movie is a must-watch because it covers a period not often seen in films. Aamir Khan gave his career-best performance in the movie.
Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999)
This 90s film starring Salman Khan, Aishwarya Rai, and Ajay Devgn is a twist on the classic love triangle. After Sameer (Khan) comes to study classical music under Nandini’s (Rai) father, the pair falls in love. However, Sameer is sent away when Nandini’s father discovers their affections. The movie is a must-watch for its style of narration.
Mohabbatein (2000)
Mohabbatein, the 2000 film, is all about a mysterious music teacher who comes to a prestigious college with an über strict headmaster. But, as expected, he breaks the rules and encourages the students to follow their passions. This movie sees Shah Rukh Khan on-screen with Amitabh Bachchan. The drama between Amitabh and Shah Rukh Khan makes the film a must-watch.
Pyaasa (1957)
Pyaasa is all about Vijay (Guru Dutt), a poet who’s not taken seriously by his family, encounters a case of mistaken identity when a man he’d previously given his coat to is killed in a train accident. Vijay’s brothers and an acquaintance believing Vijay’s dead steal his poems and have them published to reap the benefits. Meanwhile, Vijay tries to prove to those around him that he is, in fact, the real Vijay. Pyaasa is considered one of the best films in the family drama genre.
Koi…Mil Gaya (2003)
Starring Hrithik Roshan and Preity Zinta as the lead pair, Koi…Mil Gaya is one of the must-watch films in Bollywood for its kind of treatment and the genre it addresses. Being directed by Rakesh Roshan, the film has even franchises in the form of Krish, Krish 2, Krish 3, and Krish 4.
Conclusion :
Hirav Shah concludes by saying, “The sounds and sights of Hindi cinema are constant in our country. In much of India – particularly the north, the center, and Mumbai – travelers can expect to encounter Bollywood at every turn. Watching a few of the most popular movies is like finding the key to a secret box of delights; suddenly, there are names to those faces on the posters, songs to sing along to, and friendly debates to be had over masala chai. A little Bollywood knowledge adds a blast of familiarity to an otherwise brand new landscape.”
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