It’s the festival of lights, so what better time to drink in the highlights of the Indian culture. The aroma of masala drenched curries and spice set our senses ablaze, while Serangoon road is decked up with decorative lights and displays of glamorous Indian wear.
Indian films is another cultural highlight that brings the entire nationality together in celebration. Movies like Lagaan and Slumdog Millionaire inspire the common man to dream big and remember the gems life has to offer.
If you are thinking about the stereotypical Indian films where two overly exuberant individuals prance around a coconut tree, you are sorely mistaken.
Bollywood movies have a lot more to offer nowadays. They contain epic and entertaining plots while preserving the essence of the Indian cinema.
Here is a line-up of Must-Watch Indian movies the young and old will enjoy
#1 – 3 Idiots
Starring: Aamir Khan, R Madhavan, Sharman Joshi and Kareena Kapoor
This comedy starts off with two friends, Farhan and Raju embarking on a quest to look for a long lost college friend, Rancho. On this journey, they crashed a wedding, barged into a funeral and got into lots of zany adventures.
Along the way, they recalled how they met Rancho, a lively personality who touched the lives of many with his free-spirit and creative thinking.
Rancho was credited for all the positive changes in his friends’ lives during the college years. However, he disappeared abruptly after graduation and was not heard of since. 5 years later, his friends got together to settle a bet made in college and decided to track down the mysterious disappearance of Rancho.
While the movie is filled with tummy splitting jokes and quirky dialogues, it is also very enlightening as it explains the important of self-actualization in a materialistic world.
For more recommendations on must see Bollywood flicks, check out page 2
#2 – Aaja Nachle (pronounced as Aa-ja Nash-leh)
Starring: Madhuri Dixit, Akshaye Khanna, Kunal Kapoor, and Irfan Khan
Injected with a festive spirit, Aaja Nachle is great for those who love musicals. The musical numbers, intricate choreography, glamorous outfits and splashes of color add to the majestic quality of the movie. This movie has just enough drama to spice up the plot.
Dia (Madhuri Dixit) sets out on a mission to protect a dance institution where she learnt to dance and where her life philosophies were cultivated. This much-loved institution is under the threat of demolition from local politicians who feel that it is a waste of prime real estate land.
In order to preserve the institution, Dia has to prove that arts are vital to the community. The politicians dared her to organize a musical, but she could only choose her cast members from the tiny village. If she pulled off this challenging task, she gets to keep her dance institution.
With the limited pool of talent and a cast consisting of a thug, a teashop owner and even an insurance agent, can Dia pull off this “impossible” mission? You will be dancing on your seat by the end of this movie.
#3- Jab We Met
Starring: Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor
This is a fun movie that preaches nothing less than to live life to the fullest. Hence, each scene is entertaining and filled with pockets of joy.
The movie is about a defeated industrialist, Aditya (Shahid Kapoor), who loses the zest for life. Unable to muster up the courage to face life, he drifts around aimlessly and ends up boarding a train, with no destination in mind.
On the train, he meets Geet (Kareena Kapoor), a beautiful but annoyingly talkative girl who is on her way to her hometown. As fate has it, the two miss the train at a break station and find themselves stranded on a desolate station with no luggage or money.
They then begin their trek through the exuberant North Indian heartlands to reach her home. On the way, Aditya was greatly influenced by Geet’s optimism and received a new lease on life.
Upon arrival at Geet’s hometown, the two were mistaken for lovers by her family. The seemingly innocent journey exploded into adventure and became a case of mistaken perceptions.
Expect a gentle and soothing ride in this movie as audiences are treated to scenes of the authentic North Indian and Nepalese landscapes and culture.
#4 – Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham (pronounced Kah-bee Kush-shi Kah-bee Gam)
Starring: Shahrukh Khan , Amitabh bachan , Kajol , Kareena Kapoor, Hirthik Roshan and Jaya Bachan
The movie title says it all: “Sometimes Happiness, Sometimes Tears”.
The Raichand’s are a filthy rich and happy family with everything going for them. The problem sparks off when their eldest son, Rahul (Shah Rukh Khan), falls in love with a girl from a middle class family.
Despite his father’s disapproval, Rahul married his true love and brought her home, much to the ire of his arrogant and pride-conscious father. In an angry outburst, the father discloses that Rahul was adopted and banished the newly-weds from the family home.
When Rahul’s brother, Rohan (Hirthik Roshan) learnt of the issue upon his return from boarding school, he made it his mission to bring the family back together.
This movie is a gentle reminder of family love and to cherish the bond we have with our loved ones.
#5 – Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge ( Dil-Waleh Dol Haani Leh Jah Yehn Geh)
Starring: Shahrukh Khan and Kajol
This is a not-to-be-missed classic movie! Clinching a place in the list of the “1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die”, Diwale is one of only 2 Hindi films that were selected to be on the list.
Raj (Shahrukh Khan) is a carefree guy living in the United Kingdom, and Simran (Kajol) is the daughter of a man who strictly adheres to Indian values. In a classic boy-meets-girl story, the two crossed path on a Euro trip, and what begins as pranks and fun and games, ends in love.
By the time they realize it, Simran has left for India to be married to her childhood fiancé. Raj leaves for India to pursue his love, thus setting off a series of sweet, funny and emotional episodes.
The theme of good triumph over evil is common in the above recommended films. Also, they are warm, light-hearted and all about the celebration of life with family and friends. A definite must to share with your own family and friends.
These movies are available at any CD/DVD shop in Serangoon road or Mustafa Centre. We wish you all happy viewing them this Deepavali!
Also read: Deepavali celebration in Singapore: Outsider’s guide to the Festival of Lights