If you thought Hollywood produced a lot of films each year, then you haven’t seen anything yet. The Indian film industry, more coyly known as Bollywood produces more films than you can even imagine. In fact, it produces so many films that  Netflix couldn’t possibly carry them all and this is why they probably don’t. In 2006, Bollywood’s profits were around 1.75 billion and that number is expected to rise to 3.4 billion in 2010 according to sources pooled by Mutiny, a blog about a wide array of topics concerning India.

Bollywood is a 110-year-old industry, so if you are looking to explore it, you can imagine the confusion and hassle picking films to watch presents. For this primer, the focus will be on films made in the last 10 years.

photo by Meanest Indian

Finding Bollywood Films

Before you begin watching Bollywood films, you might be wondering where you can acquire them. Well, you’re in luck because Netflix has a plethora of popular Bollywood titles for you to choose from. With a monthly subscription costing anywhere from $8.99 to $16.99 depending on how many videos you choose to have sent to you, this is probably the most economical choice. Your next option would be to buy your films. When I first started delving into the curious world of Bollywood, many of my Indian friends scowled at the thought of me actually paying for DVDs, as these films are guaranteed to be streamed online at some point (most likely illegally). The problem with that is that to someone like me who cannot speak Hindi, it doesn’t work, as most of them do not have subtitles online. The most reputable and inexpensive site I have found where you can buy DVDs from is Nehaflix, Here you can find most films under $20. You can also find them at local Indian stores if you live in a metropolitan city but chances are that they are overcharging you. So Netflix is probably your best bet.

Genres to Choose From

There’s bad, really bad and horrible. Then there’s semi-good, all around good, and absolutely amazing. The great thing about Bollywood is that there is something for everyone. You have your serious, artsy films, your epics and your profound love stories that transcend class and socioeconomic status (newsflash: most Bollywood films center on and exploit this theme). Then, you have your cheesy films, with Westernized styling, sets, language and music laced throughout the film, you comedies that borrow heavily and more or less plagiarize concepts used in American films and your 4 hour never ending dramas that will literally drain you of your life and soul (and your weekend) by the time you finish watching. So you, yes you, you lucky viewer, have A LOT of variety to choose from. In my experience, I’ve found that sampling a bit of all genres is a good idea. It keeps you grounded and balanced and allows you to laugh at something that is so horrifically cheesy while praise a unique storyline with superb acting.

The First Ten

The Basics

• Bride and Prejudice (2004) – If you have never, ever seen a Bollywood film before or been remotely exposed to Indian culture or subject matter, this is probably where you should be starting. As you might have guessed, this is a Bollywood adaptation of the Jane Austen novel, “Pride and Prejudice” starring Aishwarya Rai, Martin Henderson and the  dude from LOST, Naveen Andrews. The plot follows its Western counterpart, with some character name changes to suit the cultural backdrop. There is a knee- slapping hilarious scene of a “cobra” dance,  as well as costumes you will drool over.  This is a perfect “East meets West” film and one that you will definitely enjoy.

• Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (2001) -This is another recognizable title, as it was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Bollywood heavy hitter Aamir Khan produced and played the lead role in the film, while it was based on an original story by Ashutosh Gowarikar. “Original” is hard to come by in Bollywood these days, as most films are rip off entire story lines and plot points of their Hollywood counterparts. Set in the Victorian era of the British Raj, it revolves around high-taxed peasants who agree to a proposition put forth by officers that if their village is able to beat them at cricket, their taxes will be cancelled for three years. With a soundtrack by a now recognizable A.R. Rahman, Lagaan is pretty much considered Bollywood gold and works well for an international audience.

Next Steps

• Devdas (2002) – Congratulations, you have made it past the basics to fully immerse yourself in a  bona fide Bollywood film you probably haven’t heard of. Starring Sharukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai and Madhuri Dixit, Devdas tells the story of forbidden love between two childhood sweethearts, whic I suppose, is a pretty standard story as far as Bollywood goes. The difference here is the production quality, cinematography, costumes, elaborate dances and acting. This is a sob fest, but one that you’ll be happy to indulge in. I must warn you that it’s three hours long and towards the end it does drag on a lot, but overall it’s a visually pleasing film that will leave you wanting more.

• Dhoom 2 (2006) - You might recognize that this is a sequel by the “2″ in the title, but rest assured, you need absolutely no knowledge of “Dhoom” to enjoy this over the top, Westernized thriller that will give you more laughs and enjoyment than you could have imagined. Full disclosure: this is not by any means a cinematic classic. It’s cheesy, it’s hilarious – and not always for the right reasons. Dhoom 2 gives new meaning to the term “movie magic.” Case in point: in one of the first scenes, Abhishek Bachchan, clad in a bombastic red leather jacket, flies out of the a RIVER on a jet ski and lands on the dock in order to save his partner. Twenty seconds later, he’s fully dry.
  

• Veer-Zaara (2004) – Another star-crossed romance on your plate will do a body good. Especially one that involves two lovers from different backgrounds. Veer Pratap Singh (Shahrukh Khan) is an Indian Air Force officer who falls in love with Zaara, a Pakistani woman played by Bollywood darling Preity Zenta. Though they both love each other, Zaara’s family convinces Veer to leave her alone out of respect to not tarnish the family name, as news of their Pakistani daughter being in love with a Hindu man would cause a backlash. Veer respects their wishes, however the man Zaara was meant to marry frames Veer as being an Indian spy out of spite and for the shame he has brought upon him. Enter Rani Mukherjee, a Pakistani lawyer who finds Veer in prison (where he has been for the last 20 years) and tries to help him reuinite with Zaara. The film is told in flashback style, with Veer recounting his days before his imprisonment. It also has a really wonderful scene depicting the Hindu Lodi festival. Having won several awards and considered to be the highest grossing Bollywood film of 2004, Veer-Zaara is not one to be missed.

• Salaam Namaste (2005) – Think of this as Bollywood’s answer to Hollywood’s “Nine Months” (1995) with Hugh Grant and Julianne Moore. Starring Saif Ali Khan and Preity Zinta, Salaam Namaste was the first Indian movie to be filmed entirely in Australia. The backdrop, as well as the plot line are entirely Western and show modern Indians and their integrated life with Australian society. The film tells the tale of Nick and Ambar, two Indians who have left their homeland to live and work in Melbourne. Ambar is a medical student who has a rocky relationship with her father because of her decision to leave home and Nick is an up and coming young chef living the playboy life. Ambar is a radio d.j at a local station named “Salaam Namaste.” Their relationship starts off quite rocky when Nick completely forgets he had an interview with Ambar at the radio station. The rest of the film documents the time they spend together, from their decision to lease a home together, to breaking up upon the revelation that Ambar is pregnant. With an excellent soundtrack and a hilarious, yet touching plot, you wont even notice that you’ve somehow seen this film before.

Deep Cuts

• Khabi Al Vida Naa Kehna (2006) – Before you watch this, know that it is 194 minutes long. That’s over three hours, for those of you keeping track. Despite the fact that your entire backside might go numb after finishing the film, it is well worth it. Khabi Al Vida Naa Kehna, or “Never Say Goodbye” stars a slew of Bollywood stars including Shahrukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, Preity Zinta and father and son team Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan. I’m sure some of these names are starting to sound familiar. This romantic drama is set in modern New York City and deals with the relationships of two couples who struggle with their own identities along with adultery and extramarital affairs. It’s quite funny, touching and heart breaking all at the same time. The film became the high grossing Indian film of all time after its release. The script of the film was even invited to be included in the library of Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.It was even reviewed by a New York Times critic, which can be your judging meter right there – if a NY Times film critic took his time out to review a Bollywood film, then it must be good, and it is, it really is.

• Kabhi Kushi Kabhi Gham ( 2001) – Often shortened to K3G, the title of this film translates to “Sometimes Happiness, Sometimes Sadness.” K3G was the highest grossing Indian film overseas until 2006, when its record was broken by Khabi Al Vida Naa Kehna. The story revolves around the adopted son of a famous business man, Rahul who falls in love with a middle-class girl named Anjali (Kajol). Because of her status,  Rahul’s father Yash forbids him to marry her. He complies, however when he learns that Anjali’s father has passed away, he marries her immediately. As usual, because Rahul has dared to fall in love and marry someone not of his parent’s choosing or status, he is excommunicated from the family. Meanwhile, Rahul’s brother Rohan (who is the biological son of Yash and his wife), finally figures out why Rahul has left and sets off to London where he meets Pooja (Kareena Kapoor), Anjali’s sister, and asks her to help him to reunite both sides of his family. What follows is an adventure full of ups and downs in an effort to bring the family together. You’ll laugh (mostly thanks to the comedic genius of Kareena Kapoor) and you’ll cry and afterwards, you’ll probably want to hug your mom.
  

• Kal Ho Na Ho (2003) – Another film set in New York City with familiar names (Shahrukh Khan, Preity Zinta, Saif Ali Khan), Kal Ho Na Ho or “Tomorrow May Never Come” is a bit of a tear jerker. Naina (Preity Zinta) is a young woman who has had a lot to deal with in her life time. From her father’s suicide, to coping with the financially stressed restaurant her mother runs and the fact that her paternal grandmother blames her mother for her father’s absence, she’s turned into a bitter and angry woman. Naina finds that the only things in her life that relieve her from her daily troubles are her good natured mother and her MBA classmate Rohit (Saif Ali Khan). Soon enough Aman Mathur (Sharukh Khan), a new neighbor arrives and notices how tangled the lives of his neighbors are. His optimism and attitude change things for the better and even though Naina is resistant to his ways at first, she realizes that she’s falling in love with him. At the same time, Naina’s friend Rohit has managed to fall in love with her. Cue in the three way love triangle. But wait, things are set to get more complicated.  Unfortunately, Aman suffers from a sever condition that weakens his heart and sacrifices his love to  play matchmaker between Rohit and Naina. Kal Ho Na Ho has an amazing soundtrack complete with an Indian rendition of Roy Orbison’s “Pretty Woman.” This is a great film to watch after you become familiar with Shahrukh Khan, Preity Zinta and Saif Ali Khan through the previously mentioned films.

• Taal (1999) – Starring Akshaye Khanna, Aishwarya Rai and Anil Kapoor (Slumdog Millionaire), Taal is the oldest film on this list and perhaps the hardest to digest because of this reason. Manav (Khanna) comes to visit his wealthy father when he meets Mansi (Rai), the daughter of a spiritual singer named Tara Babu. He of course, falls in love with her, except lo and behold, since she is of low social status, Manav’s father Jagmohan does not approve and packs up his family, moving them to Mumbai and away from Mansi.  When Mansi and her father travel to Mumbai to meet Manav’s family and sort out the matter, they endure hostile treatment from the family which causes Mansi’s father to get into a physical altercation with Jagmohan. After Manav witnesses this, he too reprimands Mansi’s father. Hurt and upset, Mansi tells Manav that she no longer wants anything to do with him and sets off home, where she soon meets Vikrant Kapoor, a music producer who is a fan of her father’s work. Mansi soon lands a contract with Vikrant, where she performs dance numbers and remixes to her father’s songs and more. She soon becomes a sensation in India, even going to Canada to receive an International MTV Award. However, she soon finds herself with two suitors: Vikrant and the ever apologizing Manav, who has come back to win her over.  It is interesting to note that this film did not do well at the Indian box office.  However, it became the first Indian film to reach the top 20 on Variety’s box office list in the U.S. The music was composed by now world famous composer, A.R. Rahman.

There you have a top 10 list that should keep you satisfied for at least two months. I have to point out that there were a lot of films that could have made it on this list. In my opinion, these are the films that would suite a Western ‘beginner’ audience the best. Some of these films are considered high up on the ladder of amazing cinema, others might be an embarrassment to even mention. Remember, that this isn’t the end, but just the beginning (Oh dear, I sound like an inspirational poster). There are so many movies you can choose from, it’s ridiculous. Also, keep in mind that  Bollywood is a complex industry. Indian films are a way for people to escape their normal every day lives, this is why they are almost always glazed with elaborate dance routines, lavish sets and outlandish plot lines. The most important thing to remember while watching a Bollywood film boils down to one statement:  For the most part, don’t take yourself, or the films you’re watching too seriously. This isn’t to say that there aren’t amazing, deep and profound movies in Indian cinema. On the contrary, there are, some of which appear on this list, but as a starting point, the above films will serve you well. More posts on Bollywood coming soon.