Bollywood movies can be very intimidating. With their intricate plots, grand scale sets, costuming and, lest we forget extravagant musical numbers, Bollywood is in fact very reflective of the best parts of South Asian culture. But one of the best things about Bollywood is that while it does thrive on its vibrancy and pop status, it wouldn’t be Bollywood without films that focus on more serious social issues, presented in admittedly dramatic scenarios.
English Vinglish (2012)
The late Bollywood Superstar Sridvei stars as a sweet and unassuming housewife who decides to take up English lessons in secret while planning her niece’s wedding in America. It’s a story of overcoming anxiety and fear, and growing despite factors such as her age, the confinement that her role as a mother brings, and a fear of the large, unfamiliar world.
Dil Chahta Hai (2001)
The story of three friends and their individual journeys through adulthood. This film is emblematic of the struggle of people in their mid-twenties, going through huge transitions- from student to work life, from single life to marriage, from Mumbai to Sydney. Throughout it all, they have to battle between what their parents and society define their lives as and “what the heart wants”.
Dangal (2016)
Dangal is the semi-biographical story of Geeta and Babita Phogat, renowned Indian wrestling champions and daughters of Mahavir Singh Phogat. Mahavir was a former amateur wrestler who decided to teach his daughters wrestling despite being undermined and ridiculed by the rest of his community and society. Geeta went on to become the first Indian to win gold in wrestling at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, while her sister Babita won silver at the same games, and gold in the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Dangal won many accolades domestically, including Best Film, Director, Actor, Supporting Actress and Child Actor awards for the Zee Cine, Star Screen, Film Fare Awards among others. Internationally, the film was very popular in China, being listed among the highest rated films on Chinese Film sites Douban and Maoyan, and also won awards at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne and Australia’s AACTA Awards.
Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
Introverted medical student Naina Talwar finds herself on a spontaneous journey through the Himalayas, accompanied by three former high school classmates. Their time together teaches them all about the experiences that typically come with youth – the beauty of spontaneity, the value of friendship and knowing when to love and when to let go.
Queen (2014)
A bride who is left at the altar decides to go on her honeymoon to Paris by herself, despite never having travelled anywhere alone before. Through her journey, she meets new friends and establishes an independence that she didn’t know she could have before.
Lead actress, Kangana Ranaut’s performance is what drives the film to success, with highly esteemed critics such as Anupama Chopra giving top ratings and calling her performance “artfully transparent and heartfelt”.
Dil Dhadakne Do (2015)
On the surface level, this is a story about a family of rich socialites that seem to not have a care in the world, but they all suffer from problems rooted in larger societal issues such as gender inequality, eating disorders, class difference, adultery and so many others. Through it all, they realise that the only way they can overcome their problems is with each other.
Lipstick Under My Burkha (2017)
The story of four women, each with their own challenges rooted in their manipulative, abusive and patriarchal families, sharing a common desire for freedom.
The film first debuted at the Tokyo and Mumbai Film Festivals, where it won the Spirit of Asia Prize and the Oxfam Award for Best Film on Gender Equality. After it’s official release a year later, the film became a commercial success, receiving two nominations at the 63rd Filmfare Awards.
Piku (2015)
A father-daughter relationship revolving around one ever-lasting topic – his toilet habits. Piku is a relatable story about having to grow up in the face of household responsibilities and dealing with an ageing, intrusive parent who seems to have nothing better to do than attempt to control every aspect of your life.
PK (2014)
An alien (Aamir Khan) comes to Earth on a research mission, only to lose the “remote” that allows him to go back home. He is told by whoever he asks that we will find his amulet “by God’s will”, which sets him off on a quest to find a place of prayer to ask God for his amulet. But he soon finds out that there is more than one God, and has to adjust to the many ways humans devote themselves to the divine. Throughout all this, he meets Jaggu, a Television reporter who is intrigued by his mission and vows to debase the fraudulent religious leaders seeking to exploit their followers.
PK is currently the third highest grossing Bollywood film ever, behind Dangal (2016) and Secret Superstar (2017), both also starring actor Aamir Khan.
3 Idiots (2009)
Two college friends go looking for their third musketeer while recounting stories of their college days at the Imperial College of Engineering. The movie highlights the struggles of the strict education system in India, the gendered nature of the system and its dire consequences.
Taare Zameen Par (2007)
Known internationally as “Like Stars on Earth”, the film focuses on 8-year-old Ishaan, his difficulties in the schooling system and how he, along with his caring new school teacher Ram Nikhumb, uses his imaginative and artistic tendencies to battle his dyslexia and reignite his passion for learning.
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998)
The most famous love triangle in Bollywood, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai focuses on the story of Rahul, Anjali and Tina, and the love that is expressed and goes unspoken between them. 8-Year-old Anjali is given a mission passed on by her late mother, Tina, through her old letters – help her father reunite with his former best friend and first love, Anjali. This sets us back into the college days of Rahul, Anjali and newcomer Tina, and the heartbreaking events that unfolded from there.
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai is the only film in history to win all the four acting category awards at the 1999 Filfare Awards and was the highest grossing Hindi film ever until the release of director Karan Johan’s next film, “Khabi Khushi Khabie Gham” (2001).
Khabi Khushi Khabie Gham (2001)
Also known as K3G, it is perhaps the most iconic and renowned Bollywood film in history, nominated for 26 domestic awards, of which it won 17, along with 5 wins at the Valenciennes International Film Festival. It is still among the highest grossing films worldwide even 17 years after its release.
The film centres on the estranged Raichand Family and the younger son’s mission to reunite the family. The film is complete with some of the most timeless songs and dance numbers, as well as a cast that flawlessly portrays the emotions needed for such dramatic scenes. Although it’s on a bit of a grander scale, K3G is ultimately a well-rounded film about the importance of family and the devastating consequences of conflict based on outdated social prejudice.
Om Shanti Om (2007)
A young aspiring actor, Om, is killed when getting involved in a plot to murder famous 70’s actress Shanti. He is immediately reincarnated and grows up to be a famous actor, regains his memories of his past life and is set on a fated path to avenge both of their murders. The film was commercially successful, grossing over ₹1.49 billion worldwide, the highest grossing Indian film at that point, and winning 26 awards out of 72 nominations, with music and cinematography receiving the most attention.
Devdas
One of the most famous period films in Bollywood, Devdas is a film that exemplifies the struggles of class difference. Devdas is the son of a rich nobleman who has returned after studying in England for 10 years. Paro is the daughter of a former dancer, who has spent the last 11 years waiting for him, never allowing the candle she lit when he left to extinguish. Devdas’ mother refuses the union, which prompts Paro’s mother to marry her off to an old, rich widow out of spite. Both Paro and Dev fall into unhealthy coping mechanisms as a result of this separation, showing the devastating effects of class conflict on the individuals caught in between.
Although the grandeur of Bollywood movies is sometimes written off as being without substance, it is the films that use their extravagance to tackle social issues that would otherwise be ignored. It immerses the audience in the pure culture of South Asia, which gives an unmistakable feeling of joy, belonging and camaraderie to whoever watches.
What is your favourite Bollywood film and why? Comment below!
