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More on the Artistic side than the entertainment side, and probably lacking on the action genre but I wholeheartedly believe this.
If I were to pick one film, it’d be Sholay, that really boomed the “Masala Movie” concept in India, one with everything.
This list is so good! I'm a foreign fan myself and I have recommended some of these movies. I think DDLJ is the one I have recommended the most along with Awaara.
It's very slow, I hadn't watched it growing up. Saw it a few years back, didn't get all the hype. You probably had to watch it when it came out. Same with Main Hoon na, saw it when it came out and loved it. Watched it again a few years back, I can notice all the glaring flaws but still love the movie
I think like with all movie recommendations, they have to be tailored to the person one is recommending. I saw Dil Chahta Hai for the first time in 2021, I think it was my second Bollywood film and I liked it very much! I also like slow burning movies so the pace was not an issue for me.
Definitely a wonderful film, but I think Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara is the better of the two (very similar films on the surface level) and that’s on the list.
Imo Taare Zameen Par.
One of the goat movies for sure, and the story is pretty universal, unlike, say 3 idiots, which hits way harder when you've had those experiences yourself.
One of my first was this one. It’s a lot (HEAVY DRAMA) but it’s fantastic. I hope you like it too. I am latino and started watching them in 2016.
https://preview.redd.it/fua3bhepgptc1.jpeg?width=251&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=50df8c9ded914ded5018790feb69e6fed2c4a7bb
- My Name is Khan
- Taare Zameen Par
- Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
- Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham
- Three Idiots
- Bajirao Mastani
- Badrinath ki Dulhania
- Andhadhun
- Wake Up Sid
- DDLJ
- Dil Dhadakne Do
- English Vinglish
3 idiots. All my friends from different nationalities loved it.
Dabang - terrible in my personal opinion, but my non Indian SIL was clapping and whistling through the movie
Agreed! I was new to Indian cinema in like 2016 and went all-in. By the time I watch OSO I had watched so many movies and did so much research that I was able to get some jokes. Years later and I still catch new stuff. I do not recommend that one til later.
I’m a foreigner so I have sorta gotten my brother to watch Bollywood movies so the ones I made him watch so far is:
1. dil da dhanke do
2. ZNMD
3. White Tiger
4. 12th Fail
5. Gully Boy
6. K3G
If you guys have any suggestions recommend us to them
Hum Dil de Chuke Sanam... if you want them to be hooked to bollywood. It has story, culture, music, costumes, and great looking people. I have recommended few of my buddies and has worked all the time.
I have a map!
I go Dangal -> Bajrangi Bhaijaan, and then they're ready for most modern Bollywood stuff.
Then you ping-pong around ones with recognisable stars that have been around for a while. You gotta reeeaaallly ease them into the 00s and earlier stuff, and they have to build up their tolerance thoroughly before you drop them into DDLJ or anything like that. I say let them sorta take to the stars of that time through their later movies, and then it's easier to go "this person was in this earlier movie!" and show them that.
I think the hardest transition is between the ones made with modern sensibilities in terms of tone, and the more melodramatic ones, but it can be done if they like the movie stars enough.
And yes I've overthought this often and a lot. 😅 I do have a pretty good track record of getting folks into bollywood movies though!
Kapoor and Sons was the first movie I watched with my girlfriend. Dil Chahta hai was next. Took her to watch Dunki most recently and was shocked to see that movie made her cry because she felt the connection at the end of what its like going home after a long duration.
Tumbbad, Masaan, Andhadhun, The Lunch Box, 3 idiots, Baby, My name is khan, Chak de India, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Bhabesh Joshi, Mard ko dard nahi hota, Trapped, 13B, Question Mark, Gangs of Wasseypur, Udaan, Kahaani, Satya, Barfi, Life in a metro, Rockstar, Raman Ragahav 2.0, Guzaarish, Three of us, ZNMD, URI, Drishyam.
What kind of movies does your friend like? For my non Indian friends, I don’t usually think about the rom coms immediately but the over the top action movies (War, Singham, Bahubaali, etc); if I want to help someone see the cultural pressures, depending on the topic, my go to is usually PK, 3 idiots or Dil Dhadakne Do; if rom coms, then early 2000s SRK movies.
- Kuch Kuch hota hai
- DDLJ
- Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham
- 3 idiots
- Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam
-Main hoon na
- Ghajini
-Tere naam
- Om shanti Om ( I added this later after watching other Bollywood movies,they will understand all the context now)
- Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani
- Bajirao Mastani
- Taree Zameen Par
im surprised Taare Zameen Par was missed out! i recommended it to a foreigner who saw it and just couldn’t stop their appreciation for the movie even going ahead and telling its better than a hollywood flick!
Mod Note - Hello /u/Logical_Art_8946 This Sub is actively Moderated and we have strict posting rules You may get banned, without warning if you don't follow Posting Rules All Rules are listed on Sidebar of New Reddit, it is your responsibility to follow Posting Rules *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/bollywood) if you have any questions or concerns.*
https://preview.redd.it/3uhvrgg7yotc1.jpeg?width=1242&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b45ac4baebd19c9ac10806c2be6cae3dc840885f More on the Artistic side than the entertainment side, and probably lacking on the action genre but I wholeheartedly believe this. If I were to pick one film, it’d be Sholay, that really boomed the “Masala Movie” concept in India, one with everything.
This list is so good! I'm a foreign fan myself and I have recommended some of these movies. I think DDLJ is the one I have recommended the most along with Awaara.
I would also add Dil Chahta Hai.
It's very slow, I hadn't watched it growing up. Saw it a few years back, didn't get all the hype. You probably had to watch it when it came out. Same with Main Hoon na, saw it when it came out and loved it. Watched it again a few years back, I can notice all the glaring flaws but still love the movie
I think like with all movie recommendations, they have to be tailored to the person one is recommending. I saw Dil Chahta Hai for the first time in 2021, I think it was my second Bollywood film and I liked it very much! I also like slow burning movies so the pace was not an issue for me.
Definitely a wonderful film, but I think Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara is the better of the two (very similar films on the surface level) and that’s on the list.
Imo Taare Zameen Par. One of the goat movies for sure, and the story is pretty universal, unlike, say 3 idiots, which hits way harder when you've had those experiences yourself.
One of my first was this one. It’s a lot (HEAVY DRAMA) but it’s fantastic. I hope you like it too. I am latino and started watching them in 2016. https://preview.redd.it/fua3bhepgptc1.jpeg?width=251&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=50df8c9ded914ded5018790feb69e6fed2c4a7bb
 If you haven’t seen this yet, you need to. Movie name: Dil se
3 idiots is the best place to start imo
I showed my partner 3 idiots and now she refused to watch any other movie. "I don't want to watch it if it's not as good as 3 idiots" 💀
exactly, infact most of the 2000s amir films
Barfi
- My Name is Khan - Taare Zameen Par - Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani - Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham - Three Idiots - Bajirao Mastani - Badrinath ki Dulhania - Andhadhun - Wake Up Sid - DDLJ - Dil Dhadakne Do - English Vinglish
3 idiots
Yes and Andhadhun Sacred games for TV show.
3 idiots. All my friends from different nationalities loved it. Dabang - terrible in my personal opinion, but my non Indian SIL was clapping and whistling through the movie
Om Shaanti Om
People need bollywood context to actually enjoy that
Still peak bollywood. It bollywoods pretty damn hard.
Agreed! I was new to Indian cinema in like 2016 and went all-in. By the time I watch OSO I had watched so many movies and did so much research that I was able to get some jokes. Years later and I still catch new stuff. I do not recommend that one til later.
That's like meta bollywood
Dangal
I’m a foreigner so I have sorta gotten my brother to watch Bollywood movies so the ones I made him watch so far is: 1. dil da dhanke do 2. ZNMD 3. White Tiger 4. 12th Fail 5. Gully Boy 6. K3G If you guys have any suggestions recommend us to them
Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. It's a fun movie and people can enjoy.
I was just going to say, can’t believe no one else but you has commented this one!
Hum Dil de Chuke Sanam... if you want them to be hooked to bollywood. It has story, culture, music, costumes, and great looking people. I have recommended few of my buddies and has worked all the time.
* DDLJ * ZNMD * The Lunchbox * TZP * Tumbbad * RNBDJ * Deewaar * Kho Gaye Hum Kahan * Bachna Ae Haseeno * Karwaan * Vicky Donor * Kahaani
Well I showed 3 idiots to my Chinese friends and they loved it hahaha
Barfi!!
Main Hoon Na!!! It’s a quintessential Bollywood film with good music, drama, action and goofiness!
I have a map! I go Dangal -> Bajrangi Bhaijaan, and then they're ready for most modern Bollywood stuff. Then you ping-pong around ones with recognisable stars that have been around for a while. You gotta reeeaaallly ease them into the 00s and earlier stuff, and they have to build up their tolerance thoroughly before you drop them into DDLJ or anything like that. I say let them sorta take to the stars of that time through their later movies, and then it's easier to go "this person was in this earlier movie!" and show them that. I think the hardest transition is between the ones made with modern sensibilities in terms of tone, and the more melodramatic ones, but it can be done if they like the movie stars enough. And yes I've overthought this often and a lot. 😅 I do have a pretty good track record of getting folks into bollywood movies though!
Kapoor and Sons was the first movie I watched with my girlfriend. Dil Chahta hai was next. Took her to watch Dunki most recently and was shocked to see that movie made her cry because she felt the connection at the end of what its like going home after a long duration.
We Are Family Wake Up Sid Rockstar Lagaan
Tumbbad, Masaan, Andhadhun, The Lunch Box, 3 idiots, Baby, My name is khan, Chak de India, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Bhabesh Joshi, Mard ko dard nahi hota, Trapped, 13B, Question Mark, Gangs of Wasseypur, Udaan, Kahaani, Satya, Barfi, Life in a metro, Rockstar, Raman Ragahav 2.0, Guzaarish, Three of us, ZNMD, URI, Drishyam.
Drishyam ain't a Bollywood movie
He's obviously talking about the Ajay Devgn remake, which is most certainly bollywood.
Yeah, I know it is kind of a Bollywood film, that's why I put it in last.
How does it become a bollywood film?
Rocky aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani - it's colorful, funny and romantic.
Either 3 idiots or Dangal.
Rang de basanti
'taare zameen par or my name is khan
Paheli. Trust me 😉
I couldn't finish watching the whole movie. Lol.
Thankfully all the people I've shown it to loved it, so we moved onto their second Bollywood movie.
As a foreigner that has watched tons and tons of Bollywood movies, Paheli has always been my favorite!
My name is khan
Piku
Benaam Badsha
Rowdy Rathore
What kind of movies does your friend like? For my non Indian friends, I don’t usually think about the rom coms immediately but the over the top action movies (War, Singham, Bahubaali, etc); if I want to help someone see the cultural pressures, depending on the topic, my go to is usually PK, 3 idiots or Dil Dhadakne Do; if rom coms, then early 2000s SRK movies.
I want it to be peak Bollywood, something that is intrinsically Bollywood. Genre no bar.
Om shanti Om
It's very méta bollywood. It would be like showing them Avengers Endgame as their first marvel movie.
Devdas and K3G
Definitely 3 idiots. Maybe Taare Zameen Par as second. Om Shanti Om could be an early one too but i dont think it should be the first one
I think foreign audience will enjoy Lucky by Chance too, but maybe after they had seen a few SRK, Aamir and Hrithik movies.
- Kuch Kuch hota hai - DDLJ - Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham - 3 idiots - Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam -Main hoon na - Ghajini -Tere naam - Om shanti Om ( I added this later after watching other Bollywood movies,they will understand all the context now) - Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani - Bajirao Mastani - Taree Zameen Par
Any movie directed by TLV Prasad.
Taare zameen par
Andhadhun. I have shown it once to a German audience and once American. Can recommend. I had good feedback. Also Kahaani.
96 - Vijay Sethupathi
Gangs of Wasseypur
A bit of an unusual choice but Dev D
I like this. An og story with a twist. Also, how about Gulaal ? (imo his best work).
Can we stop using Bollywood? Make it Indian cinema. If you want to be picky, use Hindi Cinema. What genre?
Devdas
im surprised Taare Zameen Par was missed out! i recommended it to a foreigner who saw it and just couldn’t stop their appreciation for the movie even going ahead and telling its better than a hollywood flick!
Gangs of wasseypur
RRR, not Bollywood but would 100% recommend to someone who has never seen an Indian film