Bollywood For Beginners
by Tito W. James
As I’ve been making my rounds on the Internet, Bollywood has come up as a source for absurdist humor. I first started watching Bollywood action films on Netflix during my college years. Much like the Fast and Furious franchise, these films contain questionable physics and machismo to the point of homoeroticism. The following is a list of the good, bad, and weird Bollywood films I’ve seen and would recommend.
Endhiran
I’ll start with the film people typically reference when looking for bizarre Bollywood content. Endhiran is supposed to be India’s answer to The Terminator and concludes with a ludicrous fight between the hero and a giant snake made out of his own clones.
Ek Tha Tiger
Ek Tha Tiger opens with a kick to the face that’s half a minute long! I died laughing the first time I saw that scene.
Aladin (Bollywood Version)
Move over, Disney because I have the real live action version of Aladdin. This was the first Bollywood movie I ever saw. While the plot stumbles in places, it totally makes up for it with a fantastic genie and threatening villain.
Dhoom 2
In Bollywood, sequels are better because they have higher budgets than the previous film. Dhoom 2 has the best of “so bad it’s good.” From its cartoon physics to its persistent music video styled editing, Dhoom 2 is a perfect introduction to what makes Bollywood weird and wonderful.
Krrish 3
Remember how I said that sequels are always better? Well, the first two Krrish movies are garbage but the third one is finally ok. Why watch the film? Because it stars the same actor who played the villain in Dhoom 2 playing a Matrix rip-off styled superhero.
Gunday
Gunday starts out as a light romantic comedy that slowly turns into a dark crime thriller. It’s surprisingly emotional considering how campy it gets.
RA One
In RA One, a video game creator builds the ultimate super-villain as a boss in a game that he was going to give to his son. This final boss comes to life and kills the kid’s dad. Now the son must bring the hero of the game to life to save the world.
Race 2
Race 2 is a gripping psychological thriller with enough mental trickery to satisfy fans of Death Note. This film has the best plot and best soundtrack of any on the list. I would highly recommend Race 2 if you want a serious Bollywood film.
Baahubali 1 and 2
Baahubali is the film that people have been referencing on the Internet lately. Baahubali combines the visual presentation of 300 with an epic story rooted in Indian legends. An absolute feast for the eyes and proof that no one can do excessive opulence like Bollywood.