Indian Cinema is expanding it reach in the United States.
- On Google Play, there is a whole genre dedicated to Indian Cinema - perhaps due to Indian American CEO Pichai Sundararajan, also known as Sundar Pichai.
- American movie theater chain Regal Entertainment Group regularly features Indian films - at least in the Washington, DC area.
- Every week Indian films past and present are added to the streaming services Netflix and Amazon, why are trying to break into the Indian market.
If you are new to Bollywood, here are five more Hindi films to watch.
1. Jodhaa Akbar
Release Date: 15 February 2008
Director: Ashutosh Gowariker
Music by: A. R. Rahman
Produced by: Ronnie Screwvala, Ashutosh Gowariker
Description: Historical drama. Set in 16th-century India, this is a dramatized account of the love story between Jalaluddin Mohammad Akbar (Hrithik Roshan), the Mughal Emperor of Hindustan, and Rajput princess Jodhaa (Aishwarya Rai). In order to extend his empire, Akbar agrees to a marriage of alliance to young and fiery Jodhaa but soon realizes he has to defend his choice of the bride as his courtiers voice their displeasure at the idea of their Muslim Emperor marrying a Hindu.
Why I Love This Film: Besides providing a bit of a history lesson about Akbar the Great, this epic film offers a memorable storyline, a stellar performance by the cast, and an outstanding soundtrack.
2. Haider
Release Date: 2 October 2014
Director: Vishal Bhardwaj
Music by: Vishal Bhardwaj
Produced by: Vishal Bhardwaj, Siddharth Roy Kapur
Description: Crime drama. An adaptation of Shakespeare's Hamlet, a young man (Shahid Kapoor) returns to Kashmir after his father's disappearance to confront his uncle - the man he suspects of playing a role in his father's fate.
Why I Love This Film: Using the 1990s armed insurgency in the region as a backdrop, this tragedy brilliantly recreates the themes of the source material: Deception, madness, revenge, and love. The narrative is punctuated with a powerful soundtrack that highlights the drama.
3. Highway
Release Date: 21 February 2014
Director: Imtiaz Ali
Music by: A. R. Rahman
Produced by: Sajid Nadiadwala, Imtiaz Ali
Description: Drama. Veera (Alia Bhatt), a young bride-to-be, is abducted by Mahabir (Randeep Hooda), a common criminal, on the eve of her wedding. Instead of being terrified of her abductor, Veera discovers an adventurous and liberating life.
Why I Love This Film: Combining a road-trip with a tragic romance, the vulnerable characters in this film are portrayed with a brutal honesty that makes this a stand-out film.
4. Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran
Release Date: 25 May 2018
Director: Abhishek Sharma
Music by: Sachin-Jigar, Jeet Gannguli, Sandeep Chowta
Produced by: JA Entertainment, Zee Studios, KYTA Production
Description: Historical action drama. A dedicated government official (John Abraham) puts his career in jeopardy by executing the first successful underground nuclear bomb test, a goal that powerful forces resist.
Why I Love This Film: Based on the true story of how India became a nuclear power, this film shows the challenges of a country seeking to establish itself as a nuclear power.
4. Queen
Release Date: 7 March 2014
Director: Vikas Bahl
Music by: Amit Trivedi
Produced by: Viacom 18 Motion Pictures, Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane, Madhu Mantena
Description: Rani (Kangana Ranaut), an insecure Punjabi girl, is stood up on her wedding day. Instead of remaining at home, she decides to go on their pre-paid honeymoon alone. Traveling around Europe, she makes new friends, expands her horizons, and gains new-found independence.
Why I Love This Film: Watching the naive but enthusiastic Rani take an adventurous journey and develop into a confident woman is a cinematic trip worth taking.
The following playlist features trailers for each of these films.
Check out our related posts:
- 5 More Films to Watch on Netflix If You Are New To Bollywood
- 5 Hindi Films to Watch on Netflix If You Are New To Bollywood
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