If you ever give me the least chance, I'll make you watch a Hindi film. All you need to do is show a sliver of interest. My best experiments have been introducing Hindi films to people who had never seen one before.
With a Quebecer friend of mine, we went to see Devdas (2002) in Montreal. I don't assume that everyone will be as impressed as I am, so I always offer the option of leaving half-way through, or, if we're watching it at home, to stop and do something else. Devdas is a particularly heavy film. She was completely gripped by it. At one point she was moved to tears. In that theatre, in a totally unexpected way, we found common ground. She didn't have to ever watch another one. I'll always remember that she was able to let go of her pre-conceived notions long enough to open herself to the experience.
Two years ago, when L's 19-year old cousin visited from Paris, I suggested we watch Dhoom 2. She enjoyed it, and even introduced her mum to the music when she went back!
More recently, a French friend of ours suggested I bring a Hindi film for the evening. I chose Band Baajaa Baaraat. We had great fun. I also then discovered she had spent one month in India, loved it and would like to go again.
This week, I'm giving it another try with two girlfriends. We'll make a night of it, with Indian food. It can be as fascinating to me to hear how others feel about a Hindi film as as it is to watch the film itself. And often, if it doesn't work with one film, it could always work with another.
PS: In case you're wondering, the films are always subtitled in English.
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