For as long as I can remember, I have always loved watching Indian movies. There is just something so spectacular and extravagant about Indian movies that always draws my attention. I also enjoy coming together with my family and watching with them. Just as movies in all other cultures do, Indian movies are made that span across a wide variety of topics and themes. Some movies cover a lot of important and contemporary themes and the way in which the message is conveyed is always so effective and creative. Here are five Indian movies that I think everyone should watch!
- 3 Idiots
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3 Idiots is one of the most popular movies in India and is definitely a classic. The storyline revolves around a group of three close-knit friends as they navigate through their college years together. Each of the three friends is unique in their own way. Rancho is a bit of a troublemaker and is always the one to do something creative (and crazy) that is out of the box. Farhan’s true passion is to pursue photography but he studies engineering instead in order to keep his parents happy and so that he can earn a decent living. Chatur comes from a very underprivileged background and family, and as a result, has very low self-esteem and self-confidence. The principal of their engineering college is strict and advocates for a disciplined and competitive education system in which there is only one way that things can be done. Rancho always challenges the principal about his belief because he has a much more carefree and open mindset about the importance and value of education. The film overall provides its audience with an important message about the true meaning of receiving an education and about the value of true friendship.
- Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (“The Big-Hearted Will Take The Bride”)
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Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge is a classic romantic comedy that will make viewers fall in love with this movie, the characters, and the setting. Raj and Simran live in London. Simran has always dreamed of marrying someone she loves but she is forced into an arranged marriage due to a promise that her father made to his friend twenty years ago. Raj and Simran both meet on a trip throughout Europe and instantly fall in love with each other. The rest of the movie is about how Raj decides to fight for his true love.
- Pink
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Trigger warning: Mentions of sexual assault
Pink is a wonderful movie that addresses an important contemporary issue and does so in a realistic and effective manner. The storyline revolves around a close group of three friends who live together. All three girls attend a party one night with a group of three boys. One of the boys sexually assaults one of the girls and she hits him in the head with a beer bottle out of self-defense. The boy is extremely wealthy and privileged as he is the son of a powerful politician. The remainder of the movie is a big battle between the two parties about what really occurred on the night of the party. As the boy is from an elite family, they take a lot of measures and misuse their power and authority which makes it extremely difficult for anyone to believe the girl about what really happened.Â
- Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (“You Only Live Once”)
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Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara is a great movie that provides a lot of useful life lessons for people of all ages. The film follows a group of three friends who are all living in different towns and leading their own lives. Arjun is a workaholic who takes his job way too seriously. Kabir is happy for the most part and works at his family’s construction business. Imraan has many unanswered questions about his birth father. Kabir is getting married, so all three of them go on a bachelor trip to Spain where they discover new things about themselves, about each other, change perspectives, make realizations, and come to new conclusions about their own lives.
- Queen
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Queen is a movie that all girls should watch as it is very empowering. The storyline revolves around Rani, who decides to go to Europe on her honeymoon alone after her fiance calls off their wedding. Coming from a very traditional family and society in which women have very limited responsibilities and opportunities, Rani discovers newfound independence and freedom on her trip.
I could go on and on about Indian movies forever because they will always hold a special place in my heart. The bottom line is that you should all watch these incredible movies!
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