Lately we’ve been watching a lot of Bollywood at Unicorn Cove. If you are a movie lover and have never experienced a Bollywood film you are severely missing out.

Bollywood films are different from the Hollywood films most Americans are used to. For starters, their movies average at about 3 hours long. Though that seems like a long time to an American movie-watcher, the stories are often so well told and so entertainingly filmed and choreographed (more about that below) that you hardly notice how much time has passed. For example, the first Bollywood film we ever watched was Lagaan, which is almost 4 hours long (!) but was such a great film that we watched it in full again the next day.

Bollywood films also usually have a few musical dance numbers throughout. Now don’t let that throw you. Whereas American “musicals” usually have certain themes and appeal to a certain type of audience, Bollywood films contain musical and dance numbers as their own separate pieces within the film which are often very entertaining in and of themselves. In fact, much of the videos shown on MTV in India and the songs heard on the radio there are from films.

Bollywood actors are not only expected to act, they also must be able to dance. While many of Hollywood’s top actors are chosen because they look a certain way, most Bollywood actors seem chosen for their sheer versatility. They act and dance and are expected to do both well.

I won’t go on forever about Bollywood films, but suffice it to say that anyone who is seriously interested in film should check out the offerings from our friends overseas, as they will be opened up to a whole new world of worthwhile cinema.

Here’s a partial list of some great movies to rent and watch:

Films that will make you glad you watched them:
Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India
Jab We Met
Taare Zameen Paar
The Blue Umbrella
Lage Raho Munna Bhai
Kabhi Kushi Kabhi Gham
Chak De India
Billu Barber

Political, strength or just good message films:
Chingaari
Mangal Pandey: The Rising
Jodhaa Akbar
Guru
Legend of Bhagat Singh
Rocket Singh Salesman of the Year
Three Idiots

Beautiful (but tragic!):
Devdas
Asoka

Fun:
Kriish
Om Shanti Om
Aaja Nachle
36 China Town
Partner

This is by no means an extensive list, just the ones I could think of off the top of my head. I will be posting more information about specific films and our reactions to them as I think of it (and get the time to do so). In the meantime, if you can only rent three Bollywood films to start with, I recommend Lagaan, Jab We Met and Om Shanti Om to start with. Devdas or Asoka are also great (though tragic!). All are fantastic, well-told stories with great visuals, music and dance scenes. The first three will leave you feeling good. The last two may leave you sobbing but it’s worth it as they are both so beautiful.

If you don’t have an Indian movie rental place near you two places you can rent from online are Desi Company and Indian Movie Club. Have fun!