zen Posted February 1, 2021 Posted February 1, 2021 (edited) If you had to list only one favorite Bollywood film now (can change w/ time), which one would it be and why? After reflecting back, my favorite happens to be Awara (1951) at the moment. Some of the reason as to why it continues to be relevant in 2020s: Great Bollywood films have certain intangible qualities to them and Raj Kapoor's films tend to capture those perfectly. Awara is among his best works The character of Raj (certain elements inspired by Charlie Chaplin), along with its theme song "Awara hoon", is iconic. Time magazine included Raj Kapoor's performance among 100 great performances of all time iirc. The film and its theme song still remain popular internationally today (was a sensation in the Arab world, Soviet Union, China,Africa, Europe, etc.) The film continues to leave its impression on many Bollywood films. Many of its sequences and dialogues (like import-export, idhar ka maal udhar, udhar ka maal idhar) are repeated in various films The acting, story, songs, etc. are all top notch. Once Raj grows up (I do not like the "growing up" parts that much in Bollywood films), there is hardly a dull moment It is a quintessential Bollywood film that blends masala and arty elements while providing a good message (at least during its time) Edited June 16, 2024 by zen Mariyam 1
coffee_rules Posted February 1, 2021 Posted February 1, 2021 (edited) Satya Best BGM of all time. I have never heard it again Edited February 1, 2021 by coffee_rules BacktoCricaddict, Mariyam, Jimmy Cliff and 1 other 4
bowl_out Posted February 2, 2021 Posted February 2, 2021 Not watched pre-90s Bollywood. From the relatively new gen, two movies that I love - Lagaan and Taare Zameen Par. Mariyam 1
Tibarn Posted February 2, 2021 Posted February 2, 2021 Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior Mariyam, Laaloo, sandeep and 1 other 4
Ankit_sharma03 Posted February 2, 2021 Posted February 2, 2021 Cant pick one but ill say LAGAAN was the most complete film.
Clarke Posted February 2, 2021 Posted February 2, 2021 Deewar The number of iconic lines in a single film is unparalleled. Until recently I didn't know it was a trendsetter outside of India. Mariyam 1
BacktoCricaddict Posted February 2, 2021 Posted February 2, 2021 (edited) 15 hours ago, coffee_rules said: Satya Best BGM of all time. I have never heard it again Loved both Satya and Company. Khallaas is among my favorite songs of all time. But, my all-time favorite movie is the original Agneepath. Amitabh and Manjunath's portrayal of ADC VDC had some kind of impact on my mind that I cannot describe. Even with my low attention span today, I could watch it non-stop and be hooked to the screen (except when Mithun pulls the OTT Madraasi crap). Edited February 2, 2021 by BacktoCricaddict coffee_rules 1
coffee_rules Posted February 2, 2021 Posted February 2, 2021 7 hours ago, Clarke said: Deewar The number of iconic lines in a single film is unparalleled. Until recently I didn't know it was a trendsetter outside of India. It was good for its time, but you watch it now, it has not aged well. I see only hypocrisy in the writing of Salim-Javed. Atheist/Agnostic father-hating hero, abuses Shivji in his mandir, it's was cool that he wouldn't do namaskaar or take prasad,, but is all respectful of a saath sau chiyaasi billa. Quintessential Hindu hating movie. It would have faced protests in this age, by some obscure shivji ka sena!
Yoda-esque Posted February 2, 2021 Posted February 2, 2021 It was good for its time, but you watch it now, it has not aged well. I see only hypocrisy in the writing of Salim-Javed. Atheist/Agnostic father-hating hero, abuses Shivji in his mandir, it's was cool that he wouldn't do namaskaar or take prasad,, but is all respectful of a saath sau chiyaasi billa. Quintessential Hindu hating movie. It would have faced protests in this age, by some obscure shivji ka sena!Gems of bollywood had exposed all these mofos
Straight Drive Posted February 2, 2021 Posted February 2, 2021 (edited) Sholay The crowd noise and appreciation for this movie while I was watching in the cinema hall and also when we moved out was the best I have witnessed. Never seen and heard such an applause for any other bollywood film. Edited February 2, 2021 by Straight Drive Clarke and Mariyam 2
Clarke Posted February 2, 2021 Posted February 2, 2021 1 hour ago, coffee_rules said: It was good for its time, but you watch it now, it has not aged well. I see only hypocrisy in the writing of Salim-Javed. Atheist/Agnostic father-hating hero, abuses Shivji in his mandir, it's was cool that he wouldn't do namaskaar or take prasad,, but is all respectful of a saath sau chiyaasi billa. Quintessential Hindu hating movie. It would have faced protests in this age, by some obscure shivji ka sena! Bollywood always has had the left tilt, so no surprises there. I can find a dozen flaws if I wanted to depending on the angle I looked at, it wouldn't matter to me since the overall film, especially the script is unbelievably good as far as I'm concerned. Most good movies have one, maybe two good scenes and dialogues that we cherish for a long time. This one must have like a dozen! The awesomeness per minute of reel ratio is the burj khalifa in the universe of bollywood. This is strictly a personal opinion, I never would expect anyone else to agree, rather this is an opportunity to re-watch some other gems suggested in this thread. coffee_rules and BacktoCricaddict 2
BacktoCricaddict Posted February 2, 2021 Posted February 2, 2021 Just now, Clarke said: Bollywood always has had the left tilt, so no surprises there. I can find a dozen flaws if I wanted to depending on the angle I looked at, it wouldn't matter to me since the overall film, especially the script is unbelievably good as far as I'm concerned. Most good movies have one, maybe two good scenes and dialogues that we cherish for a long time. This one must have like a dozen! The awesomeness per minute of reel ratio is the burj khalifa in the universe of bollywood. This is strictly a personal opinion, I never would expect anyone else to agree, rather this is an opportunity to re-watch some other gems suggested in this thread. Yeah, the thread is asking about favorite, not best, movies. Agneepath was probably not a great movie, but it is my favorite. coffee_rules 1
BacktoCricaddict Posted February 2, 2021 Posted February 2, 2021 1 hour ago, coffee_rules said: It was good for its time, but you watch it now, it has not aged well. I see only hypocrisy in the writing of Salim-Javed. Atheist/Agnostic father-hating hero, abuses Shivji in his mandir, it's was cool that he wouldn't do namaskaar or take prasad,, but is all respectful of a saath sau chiyaasi billa. Quintessential Hindu hating movie. It would have faced protests in this age, by some obscure shivji ka sena! Are there no movies that showed the son of a Muslim man rejecting or disrespecting Islam just because they were rebellious?
Clarke Posted February 2, 2021 Posted February 2, 2021 1 hour ago, Straight Drive said: Sholay The crowd noise and appreciation for this movie while I was watching in the cinema hall and also when we moved out was the best I have witnessed. Never seen and heard such an applause for any other bollywood film. Did you happen to watch Shaan as well in those times ? We loved it as kids when we saw it on cable tv with the bond style villain & what not and found it weird that it wasn't as much of a box office success, perhaps ahead of its time as compared to Sholay. What's ur take ?
coffee_rules Posted February 2, 2021 Posted February 2, 2021 9 minutes ago, BacktoCricaddict said: Are there no movies that showed the son of a Muslim man rejecting or disrespecting Islam just because they were rebellious? not aware of any, ho to batao. At least not in the era of Salim-Javed
coffee_rules Posted February 2, 2021 Posted February 2, 2021 16 minutes ago, Clarke said: Bollywood always has had the left tilt, so no surprises there. I can find a dozen flaws if I wanted to depending on the angle I looked at, it wouldn't matter to me since the overall film, especially the script is unbelievably good as far as I'm concerned. Most good movies have one, maybe two good scenes and dialogues that we cherish for a long time. This one must have like a dozen! The awesomeness per minute of reel ratio is the burj khalifa in the universe of bollywood. This is strictly a personal opinion, I never would expect anyone else to agree, rather this is an opportunity to re-watch some other gems suggested in this thread. Agree , not the thread to debate such issues.
BacktoCricaddict Posted February 2, 2021 Posted February 2, 2021 Just now, coffee_rules said: not aware of any, ho to batao. At least not in the era of Salim-Javed Nah ... I wouldn't know. And I have a terrible memory anyway, so even if I watched any, I wouldn't remember. There was a recent movie - Secret superstar (2019?) - in which a Muslim man was a brutal wife-beater, and his wife and daughter show him his true aukat at the end. I hadn't thought of the religion angle in that movie until this thread, but I guess if a Muslim person wanted to be offended that Bollywood was showing their people in a bad light. they can pick on that movie.
coffee_rules Posted February 2, 2021 Posted February 2, 2021 15 minutes ago, BacktoCricaddict said: Nah ... I wouldn't know. And I have a terrible memory anyway, so even if I watched any, I wouldn't remember. There was a recent movie - Secret superstar (2019?) - in which a Muslim man was a brutal wife-beater, and his wife and daughter show him his true aukat at the end. I hadn't thought of the religion angle in that movie until this thread, but I guess if a Muslim person wanted to be offended that Bollywood was showing their people in a bad light. they can pick on that movie. It is not one off. You are quoting one in the modern times. But, in 70s-2000s , most movies showed the Deewar angle, but none from the other side. Christians were shown as open to dating, pre-marital sex, drunkards, Hindus were either god-hating, thieves and Muslims as pious and truthful, but also die coming in between the bullet and the hero! Anyway, not a discussion for this thread. Will stop here.
BacktoCricaddict Posted February 2, 2021 Posted February 2, 2021 3 minutes ago, coffee_rules said: It is not one off. You are quoting one in the modern times. But, in 70s-2000s , most movies showed the Deewar angle, but none from the other side. Christians were shown as open to dating, pre-marital sex, drunkards, Hindus were either god-hating, thieves and Muslims as pious and truthful, but also die coming in between the bullet and the hero! Anyway, not a discussion for this thread. Will stop here. Was Kancha Cheena Hindu / Christian / atheist / Muslim?
Straight Drive Posted February 2, 2021 Posted February 2, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, Clarke said: Did you happen to watch Shaan as well in those times ? We loved it as kids when we saw it on cable tv with the bond style villain & what not and found it weird that it wasn't as much of a box office success, perhaps ahead of its time as compared to Sholay. What's ur take ? Amitabh and Shashi Kapoor were the crowd pulling pair. Namak Halaal, Do aur do paanch, Suhaag, Silsila, Kaala Patthar, Deewar and Roti kapda aur makaan were some of the many movies this star pair featured in. I liked Shaan movie as well. There was never a dull moment while watching it. The scene in which Amitabh talks about car and Shashi Kapoor talk actress is still in memory. Who can forget Shakaal in that movie. He did his job well as a villain. Just imagine there were only posters put up in theatres thise days to draw the crowd. No movie trailers on tv channels, no songs released, no Facebook , whatsapp and twitter etc publicity. Not so much fake means of publicity. Yet watched by many. Edited February 2, 2021 by Straight Drive Clarke and Mariyam 2
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