From “Slumdog Millionaire” winning an Oscar to Kate Sharma in “Bridgerton”, South Asian elements have been implemented in Hollywood for a very long time. Regardless, when I talk to people about watching Bollywood, I sense fear. Maybe it’s the fear of trying to understand something that is foreign to them. Maybe it’s the fear of missing out on important details because the dialogue might not be in English. Either way, there is apprehension.
One thing to know about Bollywood is that there is a lot of melodrama, music, and a whole lot of dance. Mostly every Bollywood movie is a musical but better. But I am a firm believer of “don’t knock it til you try it”.Being the Bollywood buff I am, I thought it was only appropriate to make a little list of Bollywood Movies on Netflix that I think would make for a great intro to the world of Bollywood.
I have hand-picked and curated about 3 movies on Netflix for each type of popular genre in Bollywood. The hope is that some of them intrigue you. Without wasting any more time, here are my recommendations on Bollywood movies on Netflix that you absolutely NEED to watch!
(These are in no particular order, so just watch what appeals to you)!
Starting off strong with the Rom-Coms:
“Kuch Kuch Hota Hai”(Things Happen):
This movie is the throwback of our generation. I might be biased since I watched this as a kid, but I always come back to this movie. The movie plot is a very early 2000s trope of a guy falling in love with a random girl only to find out later in life that he was in love with his girl best friend. Classic. Despite it being a common plot, there are so many unique elements in this movie that make it so fun to watch. It has nostalgic music, great costumes, and comedic relief characters (those are always necessary). I definitely recommend this movie if you’re into traditional rom-coms, and slightly dated movie quality. It is no Oscar-nominee, but it has my heart!
“Jab We Met” (When We Met):
If you smile at the thought of meeting a stranger and turning into lovers as time goes by, this movie is just for you. It is about a man and woman from different backgrounds meeting on a train and eventually falling in love after hurdles of chaos and confusion. One thing about this movie is it gets you in your feels but it also makes you laugh a lot. The sympathy I feel for the characters is everything when I am watching a movie, and this movie makes the characters relatable and sympathetic which is great! It is mostly set in Punjab, India which is where most of my family is from, so there is a homey feel to it as well for me. Regardless, the scenes, humor, music and relatability are unmatched. The onscreen chemistry is to die for and this movie probably checks all the boxes of a good romantic comedy.
“Dil Dhadakne Do”& “Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara”(Let Your Heart Beat & You Only Live Once):
I know what you are thinking: “Aakriti, why did you list two movies at once”? It is an odd thing to do but I have a reason. These two movies are actually directed by the same director, Zoya Akhtar. They have a very similar feel. They are both 21st century movies that have very modern themes represented within the plot. That being said, the movie plots are completely different and that is why I recommend watching both. Some of the actors overlap but some of my favorite actors are cast in this movie which is why I always come back to these. I would say watch “Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara” before you watch “Dil Dhadakne Do” because it came out first and I like to watch movies in order. Other than that, it is completely up to you. “Dil Dhadakne Do” is a feel-good movie about multiple families, who know each other, going on an anniversary cruise together, only to make connections while facing hurdles. It keeps you on your toes and surprisingly touches on a lot of topics that were once taboo in south asian communities. So not only is it a happy movie, but it is also sentimental in a great way. “Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara” is about three guys going on a trip to Spain to celebrate their buddy’s bachelor party, which turns into a life lesson and a wake-up call for all of them. Completely different movies, but I felt amazing after watching both, so I could not recommend them enough! Plus, the music and choreography in these movies is iconic!
Now onto some movies that are hard-hitting. These are rom-coms but slightly more emotional and touching, meaning you will cry while watching all three of these. Let’s get into it!
“3 Idiots”:
This movie got multiple nominations at the Filmfare awards but it was a winner for me! “3 Idiots” touches on the topic of family pressure and the burden that students in India feel because of external pressure from principals, family, and more. There are so many hard-hitting scenes in this movie, I can’t even count them all on my finger. Regardless, it never fails to make you laugh. You could be in the middle of crying, and start laughing all of a sudden. It is just THAT funny. The soundtrack is amazing and has some fun filmography that is bound to encapsulate you.
“Dear Zindagi” (Dear Life):
Working in the film industry, a girl struggles through some heartbreak and after going to therapy, processes through a bunch of her unhealed trauma from the past. This movie addresses the taboo topic of mental health/illness. I loved watching a Bollywood movie about it because it made me realize how many south asians disregard the topic of mental health. This movie was a breath of fresh air. It contains romance, love, heartbreak, and happiness. Definitely a must-watch. It is set in a very recent time point, so I am sure it can be relatable for a lot of us.
“Taare Zameen Par” (Stars on the Ground):
This movie was a devastating and heart-breaking movie. It is about a young boy with Autism Spectrum Disorder who gets sent to boarding school for his lack of ability to “do anything right”. There, a teacher is invested in the boy’s story and a unique friendship forms. If any movie will make you cry, it is this one. It is one of the saddest movies I have ever seen, but also one of the most important movies to watch. It was great. So comical and gut-wrenching at the exact same time. It will change your life, I am telling you now!
Now onto one of my favorite movie genres, the mystery/thrillers:
“Drishyam” (scene):
This is a Bollywood (Hindi) adaptation of a Malayalam-language movie and the plot is so good. I think I have watched it at least 5 times, and it never gets old. In fact, I feel like watching it right now! It is a crime thriller about a man who tries to save his family after they committed a crime. I will say, it contains a bit of sensitive content that not everyone will be comfortable watching. That being said, the plot, the dynamics, the direction of this movie is impeccable. Each scene is important to the plot, and it has you hooked from the very beginning. It is also great because unlike some suspense movies, this walks you through each scene and makes sure you understand what’s happening. That is something I thoroughly enjoy and I think you will too!
“Darlings”:
This is a very recent release and I watched it with my mom a couple months ago. I won’t lie and say we expected greatness. My mom and I were totally expecting some lame, time-consuming 3 hour movie that would feel like a waste of our time. Boy, were we wrong. This movie had so many unexpected twists and turns. It is a revenge movie that touches on domestic violence and keeps the audience fully entertained. One thing about Bollywood movies is that they can introduce so much depth while still cracking jokes here and there. A part of me feels like Bollywood shaped my identity that I carry with me today, and I am not mad at that. Another movie that is kind of like this is “Jalsa”. Both incredible movies with insane acting and insane scenes!
“Andhadhun” (Blind Rage):
No summary I could come up with will do this movie justice. The plot is so unique and so thrilling. I have seen it so many times, and each time, this movie has me hugging my blanket and spitting my tea from suspense-driven anxiety. It is amazing. It is about a piano player that pretends to be visually impaired witnessing a crime, which signals chaos to ensue. You’ll never know what’s coming next, and it is the ultimate suspense movie!
Lastly, here are some of my favorite history/sports/patriotic movies of all time:
“Swades” (Our Land):
This movie has a special place in my heart. It is about an Indian man who is financially comfortable in the U.S.A working for Nasa. He travels to India to meet his nanny/care-taker who has raised him most of his life. There, he finds comfort in his Indian roots and heritage and goes on a quest to find himself. This is something I think all immigrants feel when they have left their homeland: a struggle to find themselves. You feel torn between two cultures/worlds and it can be hard to adjust to either. I love this movie, because I found it very endearing and relatable (especially for my parents). It felt very real. The music is amazing. I also really love the onscreen chemistry between the protagonist and the love interest in this movie. Lots of great subthemes in this movie!
“Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India” (Tax):
There are a bunch of movies that talk about the history of India, the India-Pakistan partition, and the British Raj. Overall, this movie was one of the most popular/iconic ones made. The movie released in 2001 but it is set in the late 1800’s during the time when India was ruled by the British. It is about villagers that come together to oppose British governance using the game of cricket that had recently been introduced to them. This may not give you much about what happens in the movie, but as you watch it, it becomes clear! I love recommending this movie to people who maybe want to know more about how India was ruled by the British empire, as many people I know had no idea until I told them! This movie is heart-breaking yet revolutionary at the same time. Honestly, a great movie to start off with if you want to learn a little more history!
“83”:
“83” is a pretty recent movie about a famous cricket player named Kapil Dev. It is set in 1983 when India wins the Cricket World Cup. I will say sports movies aren’t usually my favorite. Don’t get me wrong, they are amazing, but compared to all the other Bollywood genres, they can be boring. However, “83” to my surprise, was incredible. It was a great production, great visuals, and great training. The cast was amazing. In fact, the two main characters are actually husband and wife in real life. It makes you feel proud and happy, but most importantly, this movie has some of the best jokes I have ever heard to date. The comedy in this movie was completely insane, I was laughing the entire time in the theater when I watched it. In fact, the whole theater was hysterical. If sports and laughing are your cup of tea, you NEED to watch this movie.
These are only some of the movies that I recommend. Trust me when I say I have seen pretty much every movie out there. I would love to see some of you watch these movies and maybe share your thoughts. If you ever need more background on the movies I have listed, the trailers are available on youtube and give you a great feel on how the movie will go! Grab a glass of wine (or a shirley temple), order your favorite takeout and get to watching. Enjoy!