May 29, 2011

Hindi films recommendations

So, the Hindi film evening went very well, and both my friends enjoyed the movie to the end. Here are some recommendations: I've selected the ones that moved me, some made well before I was born, but which I discovered through my dad's relentless efforts to make us learn more about them. Additional suggestions are welcome.

Awaara (1951 - Raj Kapoor.
The tramp and the lady, where not everything is actually rosy.
Teesri Manzil (1966) - Vijay Anand.
A thriller, with a love story, and Shammi Kapoor's crazy dance moves.
Abhimaan (1973) - Hrishikesh Mukherjee
Two singers, husband and wife, and what happens when ego enters the equation.
Sholay (1975) - Ramesh Sippy
The ultimate Indian Western movie: two close friends, bandits, revenge, love.
Silsila (1981) - Yash Chopra
Love, duty, betrayal, passion.
Kaash (1987) - Mahesh Bhatt
A husband and wife separate, with a child in the middle.
Lamhe (1991) - Yash Chopra
A movie that ended up being controversial for no reason, with a great love story.
Dilwale Dulhanie Le Jayenge (1995) - Aditya Chopra
THE love story par excellence: the beginning of Punjabi everything in Hindi films.
Virasat (1997) - Priyadarshan
A young man returns from his studies abroad to a rural context that threatens to disrupt all his civilised lessons learnt.
Dil Se (1998) - Mani Ratnam
Shocking, unexpected, heart-rending. No taboos, and no reason in love.
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) - Karan Johar
Sweet, fun and heart-skipping moments, particularly when you're a young girl dreaming of THE one.
Dil Chahta Hai (2001) - Farhan Akhtar
The coming-of-age movie that marked a turning point in Hindi cinema for many of my generation.
Lagaan (2001) - Ashutosh Gowariker
A group of villagers fight for tax exemption from the British through a cricket game. Beautifully done.
Devdas (2002) - Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Opera-like grandeur and excess, gorgeous costumes, a retake on a classic. Went to Cannes, a favourite of many French people I've met.
Yuva (2004) - Mani Ratnam
India's youth represented by 3 very different characters whose lives somehow intersect on a bridge.
Black (2005) - Sanjay Leela Bhansali
A pioneer movie in India. Bare emotions, great acting.
Taare Zameen Par (2007) - Aamir Khan
A sweet story about a dyslexic boy and how he finds his place inside mainstream schooling.
Guru (2007) - Mani Ratnam
Loosely based on Dhirubai Ambani's life: a powerful story with occasional slip-ups, but beautiful music and worth a watch.
3 Idiots (2009) - Raj Kumar Hirani
Adapted from Chetan Bhagat's "Five Point Someone". Poignant in its description of a competitive, rote-learning society, with hope at the end. Also, great humour, love and songs.
Band Baajaa Baraat (2010) - Maneesh Sharma
My favourite of 2010: New Delhi, lovable characters, great cinematography, fun and drama. Above all, total wedding dhamaka.
Peepli Live (2011) - Anusha Rizvi
A satire on the government program that's been set up to compensate the family of the farmers who commit suicide every year because they can't repay their loans.
Dhobi Ghat (2011) - Kiran Rao
Slice of life movie: 4 characters whose lives intersect in New Delhi, with a look at each one's soul-searching.

If you reached the end of this list, maybe you're brave enough to attempt to watch some of them, even if you've never seen a Hindi film before.

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