I have one: the immortal Sholay [Embers] 1975. :cheers:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bx5sqAE86e0 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bx5sqAE86e0)
This film seems to be almost like a Western at times.
In the 2010s it became a "thing" for German television to show modern Bollywood movies. They made each broadcast like a special TV event.
Not my kind of entertainment. I just can't warm up to Bollywood movies.
Much though I like the general esthetic of Bollywood (not to mention the musical numbers) I rarely make it through an entire movie, as the pacing is really not for me. However, if they are sufficiently gorgeous (and contain Deepika Padukone, which comes to much the same thing), I will enjoy the whole thing, as in Bajirao Mastani (2015)
I've not seen many.
Quote from: RCMerchant on November 17, 2023, 05:47:19 PM
I've not seen many.
Sholay is great: kind of like an western from India with a real great villain who makes Dr Hannibal Lecter seem like a nice guy :question: :wink:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khuda_Gawah
I LOVED this one
I'm not a big fan. My favorite has to be NO SMOKING, which is the one of only 2 or 3 surrealist-influenced Bollywood pictures (and an unauthorized rip-off of Steven King). TASHER DESH is even stranger---I don't remember if there were a lot of musical numbers (there must have been, though, it's a law).
RRR is entertaining, but like most Bollywood pics way too long. The action sequences in BAAHUBALI 2 were ridiculous fun.
Usually Bollywood works better as clips than features.
https://youtu.be/rlA9KHbY_kY?si=iaczYJMRZ625II5z
Added: Bollywoood has become more acceptable in the US. I remember in the 90s I lived within walking distance of an Indian restaurant that also rented Bollywood VHS to Indian locals. I once asked if I could rent one and they pretty much refused, assuring me I wouldn't like them!
I can't say I have a favorite because I've only seen a handful due to the remaining time available in my life and the usual length of Bollywood movies being at odds with each other. However, there is one I watched recently called Mahakaal which is strongly inspired by Nightmare on Elm Street. It's 2 1/2 hours long (of course) but I would totally recommend it. It's a hoot.
Also, I don't know if this is common knowledge, but I have heard from someone that used to live in India that the song and dance numbers in Bollywood movies are supposed to be representative of romantic intimacy going on since they're not allowed to show the actual deed. I just started watching a Bollywood movie (don't remember the name) with a musical scene that had a lady dancing in the middle of a bunch of men.. sooo... hmm.