Bollywood flows in our blood. We all have grown up watching bollywood movies and have witnessed all the changes taking place in it. Most consider cinema as the source of entertainment for masses that help them escape from the reality to a world of fantasy. But Indian cinema from its inception, through some of its iconic films, has also served as a mirror to the stark reality of the world.
Hop onto this journey, as we look as some of the most exemplary films that were way ahead of their times and continue to stand the test of time.
1. Dil Se (1998)
This movie is a romantic thriller, set during the insurgency in Northeast India and directed by Maniratnam.
When Journalist Amar (Sharukh) falls for a mysterious woman, Moina (Manisha Koirala) on an assignment, she does not reciprocate his feelings.When he is about to get married to another girl, played by Preity Zinta, Moina shows up at his doorstep. You will get to see brilliant performances by the actors of this film along with mind blowing story line and direction.
2. Fire (1996)
A 1996 Indian-Canadian romantic drama film, it starred Shabana Azmi and Nandita Das and was directed by Deepa Mehta. Sita and Radha are young women whose husbands choose celibacy or mistresses over them, leading them to explore an intimate, passionate relationship in a traditional orthodox society.
Loosely based on Ismat Chughtai’s 1942 story, Lihaaf (The Quilt), it was one of the first mainstream Bollywood films to explicitly show homosexual relations. It triggered protests and opened debates around homosexuality and freedom of speech in 1998, after its release in India.
3. Chameli (2004)
A 2004 film starring Kareena Kapoor (in the role of a prostitute) and Rahul Bose (in the role of a wealthy banker) shows a rainy night encounter between a distressed wealthy banker and a prostitute at a railway station. From shaming her to understanding and respecting her after delving into her life story, the film chronicles how one encounter changes his life.
4. Tare Zameen Par (2007)
A 2007 film starring Aamir khan (in role of Ram Shankar Nikumbh) and Darsheel Safari (in role of Ishaan Awasthi). Ishaan cannot seem to get anything right at his boarding school. Fortunately, a new unconventional art teacher Ram Shankar Nikumbh helps him realise he has dyslexia and uncover his hidden potential.
This movie makes us believe that every child is different and talented in his/her own way. All they need to shine up is the support of their loved ones.
5. Tamaasha (2015)
A 2015 film starring Deepika Padukone (in role of Tara) and Ranbir Kapoor (in role of Ved) was directed by Imtiaz Ali. Ved and Tara fall in love while on a holiday in Corsica and decide to keep their real identities undisclosed. Tara returns to Delhi and meets a new Ved, who is trying to discover his true self.
While Ved tries to bury all his dreams and wishes somewhere deep inside him and live a “so called normal life” suggested by society , Tara makes him realise that he is not what he is trying to be to satisfy others and help him in discovering his true self.
All these 5 movies have deep meaning in them with brilliant acting and story line. If you are also a bollywood fan. You must watch these 5 movies.
