For almost the past century, Bollywood has provided the Indian audience, with an astonishing collection of amazing films. The dance, acting and the glamour of these films have remained unique to Bollywood, giving the country popularity around the world. Here are some of the finest Bollywood movies, that every movie buff should watch.
1. Sholay (1975)
The film that began it all for the Indian film industry, Sholay is a movie that has an emotional connect with the audience of the country. The film revolves around the life of two petty criminals, Jay and Viru portrayed by Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra who are hired a retired police officer to catch the dacoit Gabbar Singh. The film was the highest grossing film in India for almost 20 years, with the characters of the films becoming household names throughout the country.
2. Rang de Basanti (2006)
A tribute the freedom fighters of India’s independence, the Rang de Basanti is truly a must watch for all Indians. The film revolves around the lives of 6 young friends who help and Englishwoman make a documentary on Indian independence. In doing so they overcome the petty differences created by religion. The film truly encompasses the feeling of what being an Indian means. The film went on to win the Best Picture at the Filmfare awards.
3. Veer Zara (2004)
An unconventional love story between an Indian boy and a Pakistani girl, Veer Zara tries to depict the unanimity of love. Veer is a pilot in the Indian Air Force, who resigns to pursue the love of his life. While in Pakistan, he is wrongly mistaken for an Indian spy and sent to prison. It won the Best film award at the Filmfare along with Best Story, Best Actor and Best Director to name a few.
4. Hera Pheri (2000)
One of the classics of Indian cinema, Hera Pheri is a comedy film that has passed the test of time. The legendary comic timing of Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal and Sunil Shetty, has the country laughing to this day. The story revolves around the lives of three men, who get a phone call from an unknown number demanding ransom for the release of a young girl. The men find out that the girl is the granddaughter of a big businessman and try to make money by slyly involving themselves in this equation.
5. Gangs of Wasseypur (2012)
Away from the glamour and the dance of Bollywood, Anurag Kashyap’s Gangs of Wasseypur is an unconventional film that will make you bite your nails. The film is bloody and intense and filled with gang violence. The raw portrayal of the ugliness in the Indian society is what makes the film beautiful. The acting in the film is off the charts with Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Manoj Bajpai baffling the audience with their characterization. The film won the Best Film (Critics) at the Filmfare awards with Huma Qureshi taking home Best Actress (Critics).
6. Haider (2014)
The film based in militant struck Kashmir is a beautiful portrayal of the Shakespearean play Hamlet under Indian circumstances. The film revolves around a student and poet named Haider, who returns home after the disappearance of his father. Upon his arrival, he is dragged into the politics of the state and discovers dark secrets about his family. The film went on to win the people’s choice award at the Rome film festival. It is Vishal Bharadwaj’s third adaptation of a Shakespearean play after Maqbool and Omkara.
7. Chak de! India (2007)
A hockey centric film, Chak de India is the story of a once popular hockey player Kabir Khan and his efforts to lead an Indian women team to the World Hockey Championship. Shahrukh Khan plays the role of a serious coach and tries to unite a team of girls who hail from different parts of the country. The film is a great example of the diversity within the country and how people unite together the under the name of the country. The movie also breaks stereotypes about women. All the girls teaming together to beat up a bunch of eve teasers is an extremely powerful scene.
8. Lagaan: Once upon a time in India (2001)
Yet another film that unites the country on the basis of sport, Lagaan is a battle against the oppressors of India. The film revolves around the lives of people in a small village who find it hard to deal with the heavy taxes of the British Government. Anmol, the protagonist along with a few of his friends challenge the Britishers to a game of cricket, with their victory leading to the reduction of taxes. It is beautiful to observe the contrast in the game of the well-dressed English gentleman and a few illiterate boys from a village.
9. Guzaarish (2010)
Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Guzaarish is a romantic drama that revolves around the life of a paralyzed magician named Ethan Mascarenhas. Ethan is only able to move his neck and is completely dependent on his caretaker Sofia (Aishwarya Rai). The film takes a drastic turn when, Ethan who is now a motivational radio jockey, applies to a court to grant him permission to commit suicide. The beautiful love story of the paralyzed magician and his caretaker has won a lot of hearts.
10. Tumbaad (2018)
One of the finest horror movies to ever appear on Indian cinema, Tumbaad is a jaw dropping Marathi horror film. It is the story of a treasure hunt in a 20th century British village in India named Tumbaad. The film was screened at the 75th Venice International Film Festival and was the first Indian film to be screened there. The film is a must watch if you are into horror. The first draft of the film was written back in 1997 when the Rahi Anil Barve was just 18 years old.
Indian cinema has a certain flavour to it unlike any other industry in the world. The dance, the music and the drama is often topped off with great direction and incredible acting.