The Big Pitch :: It's a common perception that all Bollywood films are exactly the same - overly melodramatic rip-offs of "Romeo and Juliet".  Though it is true that there are many an Indian film about lovers separated by caste, religion, status, m... View page for full story

WARNING: INTRO CREDITS DO SEEM TO GO ON!

Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (Something Happens)

The young daughter of a widower tries to reunite him with his best-friend from college.  He had been oblivious to her growing affections at college, but his new feelings for her will not change the fact that she is engaged to marry someone else. 

Without a doubt, this is one of the most romantic films in the world and stands as the most popular film I introduce to Bollywood beginners.  Forgive the cheesiness, or give yourself into it, all Bollywood romcoms have tried to emulate the formula of this film since it was released in 1998.  There wasn't a dry eye in the cinema at the end of it.  

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (The Groom Will Take The Bride Away)

A rich, carefree second-generation Indian boy falls in love with a traditional, respectable second-generation Indian girl whilst traveling Europe.  However, the girl's father has betrothed her to a slimeball in India.

This was the first Bollywood film that opened my eyes to the fact that Bollywood films could actually be good.  It may even be the film that inspired me to start writing scripts in the first place, since before settling on writing a spoof Bollywood play, I was ready to write a stage adaptation of this.  Have no idea how I would've made it work though!  Being one of the first Bollywood films based on a British-Asian point of view, stressing on the whole inter-generational conflict of respecting the wishes of your folks, it opened the eyes of many Asian families across the country.

Dil Chahta Hai (The Heart Wants)

Three very distinct best friends graduate from college and find their friendship drifting apart as they fall into relationships that are beyond their control.

2001 was a killer year for Bollywood film, the multitude of which must be thanked to Aamir Khan, the amazing actor that stars in both this and the Oscar-nominated (and unbelievably brilliant) film, Lagaan.  As well as celebrating love, this film celebrates youth and explores the transitions that we must go through when finally deciding to grow up.

Monsoon Wedding

A stressed father, a bride-to-be with a secret, a smitten event planner, and relatives from around the world create much ado about the preparations for an arranged marriage in India.

Okay, so it's not exactly a 'Bollywood film' per se, but might as well be if it were to be translated into Hindi with some songs and dances thrown in.  This was a successful worldwide film that won accolades due to its charm, amazing acting and controversial subplots that were very well portrayed and tackled.  Actually, this might be the best choice for entry-level Bollywood.  Not that cheesy, not in Hindi, but still very Indian.

I think it's great that more 'un-bollywood' films are being green-lighted and appreciated.  You have to wonder whether something like Black or Taare Zameen Par would have been made say 20 years ago - although even then Bollywood would occasionally break the mould with films like Silsila (extra-marital affairs), Masoom (child out of wedlock) and Prem Rog (treatment of widows) but all still in the domestic realm.

Shout out to Aamir Khan for being his perfectionist self and bringing Indian cinema to the notice of International Film Industry - really hope Taare gets an Oscar!!

yeah good tips shai, as we all know sometimes old is gold and i think i may have to stick KKHH as well tonight! also im glad that bollywood are tackling more meaty topics,  taare zameen par was good - another amir khan production showing the trials and tribulations of a young indian dyslexic kid surrounded by loads of ppl who dont understand him...  and maybe surprisingly (in my non-screenwriter opinion) i thought it was great and really well made! it seems like theres more and more of these types of films coming out whcih can only be a good thing!

I love all these movies.  Especially Kuch Kuch and Dilwale - they are the epitome of Bollywood romance..... may have to watch one tonight!