10 bollywood movies i love and why

if i look in the mirror hard enough i can see my reflection

Growing up, I wasn’t really exposed to Indian cinema. Because I wasn’t exposed to it, I didn’t develop a taste for it either. In a good year, I’d watch one or two Bollywood movies in passing, at a relative’s house or if they happened to be running on TV. I didn’t feel like I was really missing out on anything until I went to college, where I discovered that my knowledge of Bollywood was severely below that of the average Pakistani. Still, I didn’t relent.

Fast forward to lockdown and I came across an edit from the modern classic Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013). It’s the scene where Naina and Bunny are sitting with their feet in the water with a beautiful backdrop of Udaipur by night. Even though music played over the clip, something about this scene felt so peaceful. It was a feeling of warmth and reverence that I was aching for during that difficult time in my life. It was my gateway into Indian cinema, and I haven’t looked back since.

Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013)

That summer, I must have watched at least 30 Indian movies. I became well-versed in the blockbusters of the last two decades, consuming everything from romcoms to black comedies to horror flicks. I was taken aback my the depth and breath of Indian cinema. Sure, Pakistani cinema has experienced a revival in the last 10 years, but it just doesn’t have the same range yet.

Despite what I previously thought, Bollywood movies aren’t just about glamor. Behind the facade, I began to see myself in these stories; maybe not completely, but in parts, at least. Indian cinema has been around for so long that only now are we seeing more complex plots about the mundane. Even though I’m not Indian, I feel fortunate to be able to understand Hindi cinema and relate to it. It has made me feel represented in a way Hollywood never could, despite its numerous DEI attempts (cue Ms. Marvel).

In short, seeing versions of myself on the big screen has been healing. If you’re willing to venture deep into the cultural lexicon, you, too, can find these moments of relatability in Indian films. To help you get started, I’ve tried my best to put together a list of titles that not only span numerous genres, but are also individually a pleasure to watch. These are 10 Bollywood movies I love and why:

1. Stree (2018; comedy/horror) is a chaotic combination of comedy and horror—the first film in what’s come to be known as the “Maddock Supernatural Universe.” Based on a folk legend, Stree tells the story of a female spirit that haunts a small town for a few days each year, causing men to disappear. During this time, men are told not to stay out late at night and to walk in groups for safety—a concept so mind-boggling that this may as well have been a sci-fi flick. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a bad Rajkummar Rao movie and this was no exception. Rao plays a tailor of women’s clothes, gifted with the ability to measure his client’s size just by looking at them. I wouldn’t call this a horror film per se, but it’s definitely spooky. A great Halloween watch, actually.

2. Bareilly Ki Barfi (2017; romance/comedy/drama). One of my favorite Bollywood rom-coms, emphasis on the rom. It’s the story of Bitti, a tomboy from Bareilly who loves breakdancing, English movies, and smoking cigarettes in secret. Unfortunately, none of her arranged marriage suitors like these things about her, which makes her think she’ll never find love. She’s ready to give up on the whole institution until she discovers a book written by a boy who loved a girl that fits her exact description.

   This movie struck a chord because I, too, have been Bitti—desperate to find someone who would love me for me. Bareilly Ki Barfi gave me hope at a time when I needed the reassurance that there was someone out there looking for someone like me. Thank goodness he finally did.

3. Udta Punjab (2016; crime/drama) is one of those rare films that somehow tackles a social issue without compromising on performance. The film tells the story of the drug epidemic in the state of Punjab, through four unique perspectives, that of a rockstar, daily wage worker, doctor, and junior policeman. Despite being mysteriously intertwined in each others lives, each character is uniquely impacted by the rampant drug abuse surrounding them.

   Though considered a crime drama, I’m tempted to call this film a black comedy. Even in its difficult-to-watch moments, dark humor carries the film forward. More than a commentary on politics and class, it’s a story of four unassuming individuals and their unique circumstances that shed a unique light on a plague that’s destroying their community.

4. Laapataa Ladies (2023; comedy/drama) only came out recently yet stands out in comparison to any other film of its time. It tells the story of two newly wed brides that get mixed up on a train going back to their husbands’ villages. Given the film’s conservative rural setting, it’s not farfetched, as both brides are practically blinded by the veils hanging over their faces. Without giving too much away, the remainder of the film centers on both the brides and their journeys home.

   In essence, it’s the story of two women who, despite appearing similar enough to get mixed up, are faced with very different circumstances. In some ways, it’s an unconventional story on feminism and arranged marriages. It’s also a commentary on how much society values women; not all arranged marriages are bad, but there are some that are a complete nightmare. This film explores both.

5. Jab We Met (2007; romance/comedy) will always be iconic. Prior to JWB, we had never before seen a character like Geet’s in Indian cinema. In an age where women are always expected to be less, Geet is too much. I mean, who can forget that iconic line: Main apni favorite hoon (I am my own favorite)? She’s so authentically herself, overflowing with passion and consumed by love. She comes into Aditya’s life and saves him, literally—something I don’t think we see a lot of in romcoms: the idea that the guy could rescue the guy.

   And when the tables are turned, he saves her, which wouldn’t have been possible if she hadn’t been there for him in the first place. If you really think about it, Geet, more than Aditya, is the hero of this story. More than anything, I love that Aditya’s love for Geet isn’t selfish. It’s like the film is actively trying to prove the age old adage: “If you love someone, let them go, for if they return, they were always yours.” Oh, to love and be loved in return.

   

   Jab We Met (2007)

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