And comedy, guys, Munnabhai MBBS, about a Mafia don who needs to pretend he’s a medical student/doctor to win over the doctor he fell in love with! This one’s a keeper!

I totally think that romance readers/writers would love Bollywood movies! I am a HUGE junkie, being indian and all, I loved all of the movies you listed above. I wrote this book recently that my agent is going to start selling soon, about a YA girl who compares her life to Bollywood movies. I was so excited about your post because it just confirmed my initial gut feeling that romance in Bollywood and in romance novels really does have a connection!

Thanks for sharing. I don’t even know what else to add becuase this list is great. I mean, there is Saalam-e-ishq, Dil Chatha Hai (AMAZING!) Doom 2 (which is better than Doom 1), Taal, and Bachna ae hassino.

Yeay! Happy watching!

<3Nisha

Thanks!

A friend of mine sent me the link to this post. I’m of Indian origin, and grew up on a steady crop of Indina movies! It’s my kids’ fave today too, even if like me at their age, they don’t understand a word of the language! I think the songs work for them!

Lovely list, but I also have to add – why haven’t you seen K3G yet (Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, roughly translates to some joy, some sorrow, which sums up what life is basically about.) On of the most beautiful movies I’ve ever seen, great acting, wonderful songs, and Shah Rukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan and Amitabh Bachchan in the same movie! The hit duo still unequalled in Indian cinema, SRK and Kajol, which are a joy to watch together. It’s almost as if they aren’t acting so much they’re natural together.

Another good one is Namastey London, about a second generation Indian girl in London and how her father wants her to marry a traditional boy from his native village. Stars Katrina Kaif and Akshay Kumar.

Action, you don’t get better than Dhoom 2. Humour, love, action, thrills. Closer to a Hollywood plot is Race, with Saif Ali Khan and Akshaye Khanna. Adrenalin-filled rush, this one, complete with steamy love triangles and betrayal.

Goal with John Abraham is a good portrait of Indians in Southhall, the little India around London, about a team of football players who need to win the championship to be able to pay the lease on their pitch which an unscrupulous developer wants to turn into a shopping mall. Lovely story of resilience and what roots are about, a bit like Chak De India.

India’s reply to Love Actually, you have to see Salaam-e-Ishq. Follows the love story of 8 couples, totally fun, lovely and a tear jacker at times. Wonderful acting by every one of the cast.

More in tune with the ‘Indian’ spirit, Delhi 6 features Abhishek Bachchan, and Swades:We, The People with Shah Rukh Khan.

Love stories closer to ‘reality’, again with SRK, are Chalte Chalte and Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna. These really explore true couple dynamic, a bit away from the sappy Bollywood mainstream. Powerful though, really makes you reflect.

Lol, I cannot think of more now, other than also recommend the older classics too, such as Mughal-e-Aazam, the fordidden love story between Prince Salim and courtesan Anarkali. Also Do Dadan, star-crossed lovers separated by fate and society. This one would be, imo, Bollywood’s answer to Casablanca!

Great post, loved it! here’s to Bollywood!

Cheers!

Nalini, I loved Cheeni Kum too! Tabu is such a talented actress. Great chemistry there between her and Amitabh.