I wanted to do a piece on the modern classics of Bollywood, the movies that define and invent modern Bollywood and take it to world class. Anyone interested in Bollywood, should see these movies and know these movies, because these will be remembered as Bollywood classics in the future.
Top 10 Modern Classics of Bollywood:
Note: IMDB ratings are only mentioned as a guide.
Lagaan(2001)
Lagaan has already become a classic, being the 2nd Bollywood film to have received an Oscar nomination after Mother India almost half a century ago. It also was nominated for best Foreign film at the European Film awards. It was a raging hit internationally, and won many awards at major film festivals and is now a well known movie to international critics. It did not become India’s Crouching Tiger, but it did set-up the world for the ongoing Bollywood phenomena and set the bar for quality in Bollywood. After Lagaan, Bollywood films have been gaining recognition from all major film festivals and critic circles in the world. The quality of Bollywood productions since Lagaan have undergone a quantum leap. Lagaan ushered in the modern era of Bollywood. IMDB: 7.6/10(2, 909 votes)
Devdas(2002)
Devdas, then most India’s expensive film($10 million), became the first Bollywood film to be honoured at the prestigious Cannes Film festival and also met international acclaim and a nomination at Britain’s Oscars, the BAFTAs, for best foreign film. Admittedly, it was it’s foudroyance, razzle-dazzle and opulence that mesmerized them. Time Magazine called it’quite possibly the most visually stunning movie ever made’ The Film Federation of India submitted Devdas as India’s Oscar entry, but it was not received well by the Oscar jury, which are said to have walked out of the screenings. However, it was not the same case in Asia who could relate to the operatic epic love story and awarded it best Asian film at the MTV(Asia) awards. IMDB: 7.3/10(1, 122 votes)
Black(2005)
Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s in his penultimate film based on the life of Michelle Keller, creates a songless masterpiece, that is as visually stunning with it’s chirusco lighting and immaculate framing as Devdas and has the sensitivity and panache of Khamoshi. After Lagaan, this is the most refreshing and pathbreaking piece of cinema from India and a truly an Oscar caliber film that deserves to be awarded. As 85% of the film is in the English language this film can easily be seen by non-Indians. IMDB: 8.4/10(1, 232 votes)
Kal Ho No Ho(2003)
Karan Johar, the director of Bollywood super hits, Kabhi Kushi Kabhi Gham and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, lets his assistant, Nikhil Advani take the directors chair and himself the writers chair this time and what results is an intelligent, sophisticated, modern romantic comedy-drama set completely in New York city and covers mature and risque themes like sex, homosexuality and incest, It’s fresh, it’s cool, it’s funny and touching and will make you laugh, cry and dance - sometimes at the same time. IMDB: 7.7/10(740 votes)
Koi Mil Gaya(2003)
India’s first every science fiction film on extraterrestrial contract went onto become one of India’s most highest grossing film and a big relief to Rakesh Roshan(producer and director) who spent lavishly on it’s special effects. The film itself, was quite silly and disney, but also very entertaining and with occasional glimpses of brilliance. Rakesh Roshan is already at work on his next sci fi, Krish, in which Hrithik Roshan plays a character with superhuman powers. Sci fi has arrived in Bollywood. IMDB: 6.4/10
The Legend of Bhagat Singh(2002)
An ambitiously made Rajkumar Santoshi biographical historical on India’s legendary revolutionary Bhagat Singh, that many see as the counterpart to Ghandi, with very high production values and music by maestro A R Rehman and critically acclaimed was a dud at the boxoffice, mainly because it released on the same day as another movie on Bhagat Singh. It didn’t go unawarded at awards ceremonies where it won best film(critics) and was awarded the national award for best Hindi film. Ajay Devgan essays the role of Bhagat Singh and gives the performance of his career, for which he won his second National Award. This is a piece of history caught on celluloid that everyone should see. IMDB 8/10(240 votes)
Veer Zara(2004)
This is such a touching and moving magical love story of epic dimensions and unites bitter rivals, India and Pakistan, in a love story that transcends geographical boundaries. It seems to be particularly liked by European critics and has been a hit with the French and German. VZ is quintessential Bollywood as it’s best. 7.3/10(546 votes)
Abhay(2001)
Abhay is a bizzare and abstract$6-7 million action-thriller, whose protagonist is a highly intelligent and psychotic killer who escapes from a mental asylum to hunt down and assassinate his twin brother’s wife in whom he sees his evil stepmother. Most of this film is told through the POV of Abhay, whose perception reality is completely distorted. His psychosis worsens when he takes drugs, and his world becomes transformed into a kind of kids world, where he sees violence and murder as cartoons and hallucinates all kind of bizarre things. While, Abhay is such a dangerous character, he has a childishness and innocence about him that is endearing. Sleek cinematography, visceral editing and good special effects.
I’ve read plenty of reviews of this film since it’s release a few years ago and I’ve seen many raving about it being some new classic. So I had to include this.
Samay - When Time strikes(2003)
Samay, is a suspense thriller like Se7en about a single mother cop on the trail of a serial killer who kills according to a pattern. It is a very sleek and stylistic and has an intelligent, taut and gripping screenplay. It is possibly the best thriller ever made in India. 7.5/10(47 votes)
Main Hoon Na(2004)
Farah Khan, Bollywood’s top choreographer’s directional debut is an instant classic. But not, because it as an example of intelligent cinema, but because it’s immensely entertaining, fun and larger than life and the entire film dances and jokes about. The song and dance numbers and the matrix style action scenes are very silly, but so vibrant, spectacular and bursting with energy that they keep you watching. It’s a Bollywood masala movie, with just the right amount of thrills, laughs and tears to give you one heck of a ride. IMDB: 7/10(481 votes)
The following films are notesworthy: Swades, Ek Hasina Thi, Hum Tum, Company, Munnha Bhai MBBS.
Note: I have not seen Parineeta and Maqbool, of which I have read good reviews, to comment on them.