Let's talk about indian tv shows/movies

[piranna]

Thanks for the recommendation! I’m going to add here what was suggested previously, so I don’t have to look for many topics

@irmar

Although I do love some Bollywood movies (and have a particularly sweet spots for those from Kerala), I can’t say the same about Indian TV-series.
Yes, most of them are very wholesome, promoting traditional values etc. just like k-drama, but there are many that indict social evils.
What I love about them is the mix of genres. A movie can have romance, yes, but also politics, social issues, comedy, thrills and tragedy too, and at the same time be a musical. I just love that, although in later years the musical part has subsided.
An apt example would be Bombay, which is about the strife between Hindus and Muslims and the terrible inter-communal violence in the city - but it’s through a love story. It drives its point forcefully (the music by E. Rahman is wonderful!) but it also entertains at the same time.
Another one is “My Name is Khan”, which was made in 2010 and refers to the September 11th events at the Twin Towers, after which every Muslim automatically became a suspect and was harassed in the US. A beautiful story of a pure soul, an autist-savant, who tours the country to find the president and tell him in person he’s not a terrorist, and win back the woman he loves.
Another one is Dharm, about a Hindu priest adopting an abandoned baby and then discovering the baby is a Muslim.
But there are even more controversial ones, such as “Water”, about Hindu widows who are kicked out from their homes and sent to a center in Varanasi - the young and beautiful ones, including child-brides, facing a terrible fate. That one made a great stir when it was first announced, and had problems completing its filming because of public outrage. But it did complete, and it is an unforgettable film (beautiful music too).
A visually gorgeous movie about a love affair between two people of different classes that gets ruined by social expectations and by the lead’s weak character is “Devdas”, based on a famous 19th century Bengali novel. While a great favourite of mine, “Parineeta”(also taken from a Bengali novel), again has social differences as well as character differences coming between the two lovebirds - but this one ends well.
I mean, Indian movies are so diverse, they can cater to the lowest denominator (like Welcome to Waikiki in Corea), with crude humor, overacting, eye-rolling etc., to the most delicate and artistic.
Sometimes the main theme is loyalty and friendship, and the love story is secondary. I loved Eklavya: The Royal Guard , where an old guard’s loyalty to his king is challenged in the most cruel way, making him question everything he has lived for. It helped that there are outstanding actors in the film.
For me the best Hindi comedy is Munna Bhai M.B.B.S , about a mafia don who poses as a doctor every time that his parents come visit him in the city (they don’t know his real “occupation” and think he’s a doctor). His headquarters get instantly transformed into a small clinic, his henchmen into doctors, nurses and patients. Then at some point he falls in love and decides to go to a real medical school. When a corpse is needed for the anatomy class, he… Okay, I won’t spoil. I laughed so much that I cried. Oh yes, it’s also a musical. If you find it, do watch it.

@irmar

I did see quite a lot that I’ve watched, that are not bad. Here are a few:
Lagaan In 1890s India, an arrogant British commander challenges the harshly taxed residents of the Champaner village to a high-stakes cricket match. Very well-made and “sweeping”, with great music. Lagaan received widespread critical acclaim and awards at international film festivals, as well as many Indian film awards. It became the third Indian film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film I’d gladly watch this for the 3rd time, I think.

Queen Dumped by her fiancé, a sheltered young woman decides to go on her honeymoon to Europe alone, embarking on an exhilarating journey of self-discovery. Good one, with very good acting by the main lead. Queen was praised for its direction, screenplay and performances (particularly from the female lead), with various critics and publications citing it as the best film of 2014. At the 62nd National Film Awards ceremony, the film won the Best Hindi Film and Best Actress awards.

Paheli It tells the fairy-tale story of a wife (Rani Mukerji) who is left by her husband (Shah Rukh Khan) and visited by a ghost, disguised as her husband, who is in love with her and takes her husband’s place. I liked it because I love the main actors and it was visually very appealing and pleasant to watch, although it wasn’t totally gripping. (Paheli was India’s official entry to the 2006 Oscars).

Oh My God . Satirical film on religious frenzy. After a low-intensity earthquake hits the city, only one shop is destroyed. At the insurance office, a mearchant learns that the disaster claim does not cover any damage caused by natural calamities classified under “Act of God”. Running out of options, he decides to sue God. The matter escalates.

Peepli Live Satirical comedy film directed by a woman, based on real-life problem, the topic of farmer suicides and the subsequent media and political response. Two poor farmers drowned in debt decide to commit suicide for their families to receive State financial help. The media catches on and every kind of journalist camps there to transmit the suicides. It was India’s official entry for the 83rd Academy Awards Best Foreign Film category although it was not nominated.

Jodhaa Akbar Luscious and visually stunning telling of a historical love story. In 16th-century India, what begins as a strategic alliance between a Mughal emperor and a Hindu princess becomes a genuine opportunity for true love. Very good-looking actors in gorgeous period costumes. It’s fun, and watchable, although by no means a masterpiece.

Wake Up Sid Freeloading off his wealthy parents, an unambitious brat is compelled to reevaluate his choices when a mature, goal-oriented woman enters his life. Urban, intelligent romantic comedy, for the first time a female lead who is not really pretty but an awesome actress. The male lead is a good actor as well, so if you watch one romantic comedy, this one could be of your liking. It’s not cheesy and silly.

Welcome to Sajjanpur Affectionate comedy about a man who writes letters for uneducated people, sometimes changing them as he wishes. Not the usual flashy Bollywood fare.

Mumbai Meri Jaan A portrayal of the 2006 train bombings in Mumbai, this Indian drama follows the interconnected stories of several strangers. I haven’t watched this but I’ve heard good things about it.