10 Indian films worthy of Hollywood

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

An exciting plot and deep meaning, no endless dancing, fake fights and blood feud - Lifehacker has selected the best Indian films.

My name is Khan

• Drama.
• India, 2010.
• Duration: 155 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 0.

A touching story of a Hindu Muslim named Rizwan Khan, to the point of chills and a lump in the throat. He has Asperger's syndrome, any social interaction is torture for him. But he falls in love with Mandira and does everything to achieve reciprocity, and when their relationship cracks, he embarks on an incredible journey across America.

Due to the similarity of the plot and characters of the main characters, the film is often compared to Forrest Gump. However, the painting by Karan Dzhokhar has its own zest, as it raises important socio-political problems of our time.

Lunch box

• Drama, melodrama.
• India, France, Germany, 2013.
• Duration: 104 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 8.

A film that does not fit into the stereotypes of Indian cinema at all. A lonely accountant who is about to be retired starts a correspondence with a married but equally single woman. Correspondence via lunchboxes! Their romance will not be continued, but it will help everyone change their lives.

Despite the uncomplicated plot, the film collected several national awards and won the Audience Award at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival.

Brother Bajrangi

• Action, drama.
• India, 2015.
• Duration: 163 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 5.

A film that instills faith in people and the victory of good over evil. In the story, a dumb Pakistani girl ended up in India. Bajrangi decided to take the poor man home, although he understood perfectly well that the task was not an easy one and many trials awaited them in a hostile country.

The picture is very dynamic, with excellent acting and camera work - it looks in one go.

3 idiots

• Drama, comedy.
• India, 2009.
• Duration: 170 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 4.

A film about real friendship, about how important it is not to cheat on yourself and follow your dreams. Two friends go in search of a third, whom they met in college. In parallel with the travel around the country, there is a journey through memories.

The film was not without songs, dances and hyperbolism in the best traditions of Bollywood, but viewing still leaves a pleasant feeling of inspiration. 3 Idiots have won numerous awards and are ranked 96th on IMDb's 250 Best Movies.

PK

• Science fiction, drama, comedy.
• India, 2014.
• Duration: 153 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 2.

A film from the director of "3 Idiots" Rajkumar Hirani with a very similar style. The main role was played by the same actor - Aamir Khan. Only now it's a sci-fi comedy.

Alien PiKey arrives on Earth to study life on our planet. He asks everyone uncomfortable questions and takes him by surprise with his childlike spontaneity. The picture could be considered just a cute comedy, if not for the moral: people should not defend God, especially through terrorist attacks.

Stars on the ground

• Science fiction, drama, comedy.
• India, 2007.
• Duration: 165 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 5.

In this motion picture, Aamir Khan not only played the main role, but also acted as a director and producer.

This is the story of eight-year-old Ishan Avasti, who is noticeably lagging behind in development from his peers. The father sends the boy to a boarding school, where he would undoubtedly have died if not for the art teacher Ram Nikum. The film sparkles with light and kindness and allows you to understand a lot about education, self-expression and mercy.

Dangal

• Drama, biography, sports.
• India, 2016.
• Duration: 161 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 6.

Another great acting and production work by Aamir Khan. He played the real-life athlete Mahavir Singh Phogat. Due to poverty, Phogat was forced to give up the struggle. He dreamed of a son, from whom he would make a champion, but he had four daughters. The man practically despaired until he suddenly noticed how lively his girls were - they did not give anyone a chance and even beat the local hooligans. Phogat started training his daughters and made them champions!

The film has collected several national awards and became the leader of the Indian and Chinese box office in 2017.

Barfi

• Drama, comedy, adventure.
• India, 2012.
• Duration: 131 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 1.

Director Anurag Basu told the love story of the deaf-mute boy Barfi and the girl Shruti. They sincerely and seriously fell in love with each other, but in the eyes of the public, such a strange couple has no right to the future.

This film is often accused of "copy-paste": the fact that the scenes and plot are copied from Hollywood melodramas. But people continue to watch the film and admire its kindness and sensuality.

Will come tomorrow or not

• Drama, melodrama, comedy.
• India, 2003.
• Duration: 186 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 0.

In the center of the plot is the fate of 23-year-old Neina Kapoor. The girl is young and beautiful, but deeply unhappy. Her father committed suicide, and the family was mired in squabbles and financial problems. The appearance of the cheerful Aman and Rohit in her life helps to understand: you need to live and rejoice, no matter what. You never know if tomorrow will come.

The film is imbued with philosophy and does not leave indifferent even those who cannot stand melodrama.

Once upon a time in Delhi

• Drama, comedy, crime.
• India, 2011.
• Duration: 103 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 6.

It would have been a "Bachelor Party in Vegas" if not for the amazing Indian flavor. The dynamics, acting and soundtrack make you watch without stopping. Each absurdity in the plot gives rise to a chain of new absurdities, which ultimately lead to a happy ending.

If you like theater of the absurd, you want to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of noisy unwashed Delhi and get a healthy dose of endorphin, be sure to watch this movie. Just don't drink orange juice!

Do you like Indian films? Complete our selection in the comments with your favorite pictures.