Hindi Cinema Discussion

[Cricketman]

I don't think I've ever watched a bollywood film that I've liked. Maybe Sholay but even then...

They're just so awfully made, especially new films. Some things are just plain common sense that they can't get right. Everything is so unrealistic. People being cool is so cringeworthy. The songs are so ridiculous - why do they just break into song?! Because the film needs to make more money by selling CD's, that's pathetic. The comedy is awful, it's terrible slapstick and PG humour. Stuff that over here nobody would find funny. And that Akshay Kumar guy pisses me off so much. He's in a new film every month ffs, and they've all got the same cast and the same crappy jokes with a ridiculous plot.

Iqbal? Lagaan? Kuch Kuch Hota Hai? 3 Idiots? gotta be kidding me. Bollywood is a culture. Maybe its just not meant for you. Entertains billions around the world.

 

[Dr. Pepper]

Iqbal? Lagaan? Kuch Kuch Hota Hai? 3 Idiots? gotta be kidding me. Bollywood is a culture. Maybe its just not meant for you. Entertains billions around the world.

I've seen Lagaan and only enjoyed it because it was a cricket film tbh. 3 Idiots, are you being serious? That's the best bollywood has to offer? That's just an average slapstick film, and it's one of bollywood's best?

 

[Cricketman]

It was good. Any aamir khan movie is good.

Idk. 80% of ALL movies I watch are crap. Tamil, Hindi, Hollywood, hell even Spanish movies... you name it. Maybe you are just watching the wrong ones. :\

 

[pcfan123]

I think Mani has a point. Indian cinema rarely wins the pretigious film awards, the movies lack subsistence, Its overly commercial.

For the amount of movies they make, how many have made it to Sun Dance? BAFTA? or the Academy? compare that to smaller nations like Italy and Germany who make it regularly.

Its crass and boorish to non-Indians, at least Americans.

 

[jkartik]

Kuch Kuch Hota Hai?

ah well, everyone is entitled to their opinions.

except for raavan,i havent watched any hindi movie since the past 4-5 months.
too engrossed in the tamil / telugu films.

but planning to do a hindi film marathon this weekend.

 

[Dr. Pepper]

I think Mani has a point. Indian cinema rarely wins the pretigious film awards, the movies lack subsistence, Its overly commercial.

For the amount of movies they make, how many have made it to Sun Dance? BAFTA? or the Academy? compare that to smaller nations like Italy and Germany who make it regularly.

Its crass and boorish to non-Indians, at least Americans.

Yeh, 90% of bollywood films I've seen are just "boy meets girl" films with a load of irrelevant songs chucked in there. I haven't seen a film with genuine drama or emotion, or even something genuinely unique and inspirational. Everything is so damn cheesy and basically dumbed down to the lowest common denominator.

 

[Cricketman]

Everyone is entitled to their opinions.

I've got Once upon a time in Mumbai. Going to watch it tonight, i've heard great things about it. Supposedly its about Dawood Ibrahim?

 

[jkartik]

I think Mani has a point. Indian cinema rarely wins the pretigious film awards, the movies lack subsistence, Its overly commercial.

For the amount of movies they make, how many have made it to Sun Dance? or the Academy? compare that to smaller nations like Italy and Germany who make it regularly.

Its crass and boorish to non-Indians, at least Americans.

primarily, its because indian cinema has always been larger than life, OTT and more on the commercial side.
and its not as though the audience is not ready for it. if that was the case, why would a film like "Inception" blow even the indian releases out of the water ?

tbh, majority of the so-called "Art / Parallel / Path-breaking" cinemas here are big duds. they are way too metaphorical, depressing, boring etc. nobody wants to pay 200Rs(add another 200 for the eatables) to get bored.
Movies are primarily for entertainment....and i know the definition of entertainment varies with each individual but after observing the indian audience for over a decade, this is the conclusion i've reached.

For me, my primary expectation from any movie is entertainment. and that means i should not feel the time pass by. e.g, lagaan is 3 hr 40 mins long but still i was hooked till the very end. i dont care how the director has used each and every frame to convey some message or some shot technique.

btw, my definition of the "Art" films are the preachy ones that feel the film is going to change the world.

jkartik added 6 Minutes and 33 Seconds later...

Yeh, 90% of bollywood films I've seen are just "boy meets girl" films with a load of irrelevant songs chucked in there. I haven't seen a film with genuine drama or emotion, or even something genuinely unique and inspirational. Everything is so damn cheesy and basically dumbed down to the lowest common denominator.

have you watched any of these hindi movies ?

Sholay (1975)
Lagaan (2001)
Rang de basanti (2006)
A Wednesday (2008)
Dil chahta hai (2001)
Sarfarosh (1999)
Swades (2004)
Satya (1998)
Maqbool (2004)
Ek Hasina thi (2004)
Company (2002)
Iqbal (2005)

 

[Dr. Pepper]

I've seen Sholay and I quite liked it. I've also seen Lagaan which I enjoyed because it was a cricket film. Seen a bit of Rang de basanti, and I thought it was quite unique compared to the majority of Bollywood films but even still it was a bit cheesy with the whole realisation of loving your country stuff for my liking. But haven't seen the rest though.

I get what you're saying about the audiences. Personally I like to watch a film where the director did something for a real reason, a film that creates drama and emotion, rather than something where you go to the cinema, have a few chuckles for an hour and a half, then go back home. But that's just me.

 

[Cricketman]

thats boring.

 

[SaiSrini]

Iqbal? Lagaan? Kuch Kuch Hota Hai? 3 Idiots? gotta be kidding me. Bollywood is a culture. Maybe its just not meant for you. Entertains billions around the world.

I am sure many people outside India wont like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai if they see it. It represents the typical over the top Bollywood that is slowly being made fun of. For its time, it was a great entertainer, but now such films are being made fun of.

3 Idiots will be enjoyed by people who know quite a bit about our education system. Lagaan is a universal film which will be liked by many people.

SaiSrini added 0 Minutes and 58 Seconds later...

Everyone is entitled to their opinions.

I've got Once upon a time in Mumbai. Going to watch it tonight, i've heard great things about it. Supposedly its about Dawood Ibrahim?

Very good film. I liked it! Yes, it has shades of Dawood's life (atleast I guess, because I dont know much about Dawood's life other than hearing bits and pieces).

Tried watching 'Tere Bin Laden' fully (with the good print that has come out). Unbelievable torture! Dont know how this film was criticially acclaimed. Something must be wrong with me, I guess! Karan Johar'ish nonsense! Mark, watch this film. Would love to see your reaction to it!:laugh

 

[Pakistani Army]

IMO, definatly watch Ghajini. That film is immense. The plot, Aamir's acting aswell as the songs.

Guys, was it true that Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge aired for over a year in the cinemas?!

 

[Dr. Pepper]

It's a shocking copy of Memento.

 

[SaiSrini]

IMO, definatly watch Ghajini. That film is immense. The plot, Aamir's acting aswell as the songs.

Guys, was it true that Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge aired for over a year in the cinemas?!

Dont say it to him. He must have watched 'Memento'. Those who have watched Memento most likely wont appreciate Ghajini.

Dilwale Dulhania and 1 year? Its running for freaking '15 years' on the trot in Mumbai (AND STILL RUNNING!). The longest running film in the world, I guess! Right now, they are running it at 'no profit no loss', which is such an achievement because the movie is 15 years old. People are just so obsessed with the film even though the DVD and Blu-Ray versions of it are out. I wish I could go there once and watch the film in that theatre (just for the nostalgia). Probably even my grandchildren will be able to achieve that feat (considering the way they are still running it).

 

[Bounce]

Sholay (1975)
Lagaan (2001)
Rang de basanti (2006)
A Wednesday (2008)
Dil chahta hai (2001)
Sarfarosh (1999)
Swades (2004)
Satya (1998)
Maqbool (2004)
Ek Hasina thi (2004)
Company (2002)
Iqbal (2005)

You missed out on Black.