An American's Guide to Bollywood

Hannah & Rose discuss Maine Pyar Kiya (1989), a romantic comedy about two people who fall in love in spite of his father’s wishes. This film is directed by Sooraj Barjatya with music by Raamlaxman. It stars Salman Khan and Bhagyashree. Recommended for advanced viewers. Rated for young teens. Other names mentioned in the episode are Nasir Hussain, Kajol, Shah Rukh Khan, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Reema Lagoo, Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela, Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone and Salman Khan. The songs used in this episode are Dil Deewana, Maine Pyar Kiya, and Aaya Mausam Dosti Ka. All of these songs are available for purchase through Amazon or iTunes. Next: Phool Aur Kaante (1991)

Hannah & Rose discuss Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988), a romantic drama about two people from rival families falling in love. This film is directed by Mansoor Khan with music by Anand–Milind. It stars Aamir Khan and Juhi Chawla. Recommended for advanced viewers. Rated for young teens. Other names mentioned in the episode are Nasir Hussain, Kajol, Shah Rukh Khan, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Reema Lagoo, Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela, Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone and Salman Khan. The songs used in this episode are Ae Mere Humsafar, Gazab Ka Hai Din, and Papa Kehte Hain. All of these songs are available for purchase through Amazon or iTunes. Next: Maine Pyar Kiya (1989)

Hannah & Rose discuss Saathiya (2002), a drama about a young couple who elopes in spite of their families’ wishes. This film is directed by Shaad Ali with music by A. R. Rahman and Gulzar. It stars Rani Mukerji and Vivek Oberoi. Recommended for intermediate viewers. Rated for young teens. Other names mentioned in the episode are Mani Ratnam, Yuva, Abhishek Bachchan, Tabu, Shah Rukh Khan, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Naseeruddin Shah, Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn, and Akshay Kumar. The songs used in this episode are Maangalyam, Chupke Se, and Saathiya. All of these songs are available for purchase through Amazon or iTunes. Our next series is the breakthrough movies for the heroes of the 90s and includes Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988), Maine Pyar Kiya (1989), Phool Aur Kaante (1991), Khiladi (1992), and Daar (1993).

Hannah & Rose discuss Pagglait (2021), a drama about what happens when a young woman is widowed in modern day India. This film is directed by Umesh Bist with music by Arijit Singh. It stars Sanya Malhotra. Recommended for beginners. Rated for all ages. Other names mentioned in the episode are Ashutosh Rana, Mulk, Raees, Pad Man, Akshay Kumar, Vivek Oberoi, Rani Mukerji, Mani Ratnam and Yash Chopra. The songs used in this episode are Nagamani Nagamani, Roja Jaaneman, and Chinna Chinna Aasai. All of these songs are available for purchase through Amazon or iTunes. Next: Saathiya (2002)

Hannah & Rose discuss Roja (1992), a drama about a two newlyweds caught up in a terrorist in Kashmir. This film is directed by Mani Ratnam with music by A. R. Rahman. It stars Arvind Swamy and Madhoo. Recommended for intermediate viewers. Rated for young teens. Other names mentioned in the episode are Haider, Muthu, Shahid Kapoor, Dil Se… and Sanya Malhotra. The songs used in this episode are Nagamani Nagamani, Roja Jaaneman, and Chinna Chinna Aasai. All of these songs are available for purchase through Amazon or iTunes. Next: Pagglait (2021)

Hannah & Rose discuss Sairat (2016), a drama about a low caste man and high caste woman who fall in love. This film is directed by Nagraj Manjule with music by Ajay-Atul. It stars Akash Thosar and Rinku Rajguru. Recommended for intermediate viewers. Rated for older teens. Other names mentioned in the episode are Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and Singham. The songs used in this episode are Sairat Zaala Ji, Yad Lagla, and Zingaat. All of these songs are available for purchase through Amazon or iTunes. Next: Roja (1992)

Hannah & Rose discuss Hum Aapke Hain Koon…! (1994), a romantic comedy about two families joined by marriage. This film is directed by Sooraj Barjatya with music by Raamlaxman. It stars Madhuri Dixit, Salman Khan, Renuka Shahane and Mohnish Bahl. Recommended for intermediate viewers. Rated for all ages. The songs used in this episode are Hum Aapke Hain Koun, Joote Do, Paise Lo, and Samdhi Samdhan. All of these songs are available for purchase through Amazon or iTunes. Next: Sairat (2016)

Hannah & Rose discuss the 2015 film Dilwale about two men who meet while traveling and the journey they have along the way. This film is directed by Rohit Shetty with songs by Pritam. It stars Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon. Recommended for beginners. Rated for older children. Other names mentioned in the episode are Any Body Can Dance, Student of the Year, Farah Khan, Johnny Lever, Pankaj Tripathi, Jackie Shroff, Boman Irani, Salman Khan, Madhuri Dixit, Mani Ratnam, Sanya Malhotra, Vivek Oberoi, and Rani Mukerji. The songs used in this episode are Janam Janam, Gerua, and Tukur Tukur. All of these songs are available for purchase through Amazon or iTunes. Our next series is about marriage and includes Hum Aapke Hain Koun… (1994), Sairat (2016), Roja (1992), Pagglait (2021), and Saathiya (2002).

Hannah & Rose discuss Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003), a romantic comedy drama about three friends and their lives in New York. This film is directed by Nikkhil Advani with music by Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy. It stars Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta and Saif Ali Khan. Recommended for advanced viewers. Rated for all ages. Other names mentioned in the episode are Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham…, Karan Johar, My Name Is Khan, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, Hrithik Roshan, Mohanlal, Dostana, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Dil Se…, Varun Dhawan, Kajol and Johnny Lever. The songs used in this episode are Kal Ho Naa Ho, Pretty Woman, and Maahi Ve. All of these songs are available for purchase through Amazon or iTunes. Next: Dilwale (2015)

Hannah & Rose discuss 2.0 (2018), a superhero movie about a robot who saves India from a bird-shaped threat. This film is directed by S. Shankar with music by AR Rahman. It stars Rajinikanth, Akshay Kumar and Amy Jackson. Recommended for intermediate viewers. Rated for older kids. Other names mentioned in the episode are I, Enthiran, Muthu, Pritam, Aamir Khan, and Vikram. The songs used in this episode are Raajali, Pullinangal, and Endhira Logathu Sundariye. All of these songs are available for purchase through Amazon or iTunes. Next: Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003)

Hannah & Rose discuss Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa (1993), a dramedy about a slacker in love with a girl who is in love with someone else. This film is directed by Kundan Shah with music by Jatin–Lalit. It stars Shah Rukh Khan, Suchitra Krishnamoorthi and Deepak Tijori. Recommended for advanced viewers. Rated for all ages. Other names mentioned in the episode are Ranveer Singh, Ranbir Kapoor, Ayushmann Khurrana, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Rajinikanth, Enthiran, Hrithik Roshan, and Akshay Kumar. The songs used in this episode are Kyon Na Hum Milke Pyar, Woh Toh Hai Albela, and Sachi Yeh Kahani Hai. All of these songs are available for purchase through Amazon or iTunes. Next: 2.0 (2018)

Hannah & Rose discuss Sanam Teri Kasam (2016), the tragic love story of a librarian and an ex-con. This film is directed by Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru with music by Himesh Reshammiya. It stars Harshvardhan Rane and Mawra Hocane. Recommended for beginners. Rated for preteens. Other names mentioned in the episode are Kamal Haasan, Saif Ali Khan, Vijay Raaz, Murali Sharma, Singham, and Shah Rukh Khan. The songs used in this episode are Sanam Teri Kasam, Ek Number, and Kheech Meri Photo. All of these songs are available for purchase through Amazon or iTunes. Next: Kabhi Haan Kathi Naa (1993)

Hannah & Rose discuss the 2003 film Anbe Sivam about two men who meet while traveling and the journey they have along the way. This film is directed by Sundar C with songs by Vidyasagar. It stars Kamal Haasan, Madhavan and Kiran Rathod. Recommended for advanced viewers. Rated for older children. Other names mentioned in the episode are Muthu, Aamir Khan, Rajinikanth, Baahubali, Shah Rukh Khan, Enthiran, Akshay Kumar, Preity Zinta, Saif Ali Khan, Rohit Shetty, and Johnny Lever. The songs used in this episode are Anbe Sivam, Mouname Paarvayai, and Naatukkoru Seithi. All of these songs are available for purchase through Amazon or iTunes. Our next series is movies that are so bad they’re good and includes Sanam Teri Kasam (2016), Kabhi Haan Kathi Naa (1994), 2.0 (2018), Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003), and Dilwale (2015).

Hannah & Rose discuss Iruvar (1997), the story two friends who become political rivals. This film is directed by Mani Ratnam with music by A. R. Rahman. It stars Mohanlal, Prakash Raj and Aishwarya Rai. Recommended for advanced viewers. Rated for all ages. Other names mentioned in the episode are Tabu, Dil Se…, Agni Natchathiram, Singham, and Kamal Haasan. The songs used in this episode are Udal Mannuku, Narumugaye, and Hello Mister Edhirkatchi. All of these songs are available for purchase through Amazon or iTunes. Next: Anbe Sivam (2003)

Hannah & Rose discuss Muthu (1995), the story of a worker and his landlord who fall in love with the same woman. This film is directed by K. S. Ravikumar with music by A. R. Rahman. It stars Rajinikanth, Meena and Sarath Babu. Recommended for advanced viewers. Rated for children. Other names mentioned in the episode are Mohanlal, Manichitrathazhu, Johnny Lever, Kajol, Enthiran, 2.0, Akshay Kumar, Aishwarya Rai, Mani Ratnam, and Dil Se… The songs used in this episode are Oruvan Oruvan, Kokku Saiva Kokku, and Thillana Thillana. All of these songs are available for purchase through Amazon or iTunes. Next: Iruvar (1997)

Hannah & Rose discuss Agni Natchathiram (1988), the story of two men who are half-brothers and rivals. This film is directed by Mani Ratnam with music by Ilaiyaraaja. It stars Prabhu and Karthik. Recommended for advanced viewers. Rated for children. Other names mentioned in the episode are Dil Se.., Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai, Vansh, Anupam Kher, Amrish Puri, Rajinikanth, and Enthiran. The songs used in this episode are Raaja Raajathi, Thoongatha Vizhigal, and Ninnukori Varnam. All of these songs are available for purchase through Amazon or iTunes. Next: Muthu (1995)

Hannah & Rose discuss Maro Charitra (1978), the love story between a Telugu girl and a Tamil boy. This film is directed by K. Balachander with music by M. S. Viswanathan. It stars Kamal Haasan and Saritha. Recommended for advanced viewers. Rated for teens. Other names mentioned in the episode are Singham and Sridevi. The songs used in this episode are from Kalisi Unte Kaladu Sukhamu, Ey Teega Poovuno, and Bhale Bhale Mogadivoi. All of these songs are available for purchase through Amazon or iTunes. Next: Agni Natchathiram (1988)

Hannah & Rose discuss the 2018 film Mulk about the family of a terrorist who are taken to court for his crimes. This film is directed by Anubhav Sinha with songs by Prasad Sashte and Anurag Saikia. It stars Rishi Kapoor and Taapsee Pannu. Recommended for beginners. Rated for teens. Other names mentioned in the episode are Rajat Kapoor, Monsoon Wedding, Dil Chahta Hai, Ashutosh Rana, Pagglait, Sanya Malhotra, Kamal Hassan, Karthak, Prabhu, Dil Se…, Rajinikanth, Enthiran, Mohanlal, Aishwarya Rai, and Mani Ratnam. The songs used in this episode are Khudara, Thenge Se, and Piya Samaye. All of these songs are available for purchase through Amazon or iTunes. Our next series is South Indian Classics and includes Maro Charitra (1978), Agni Natchathiram (1988), Muthu (1995), Iruvar (1997), and Anbe Sivam (2003).

Hannah & Rose discuss Madras Cafe (2013), a thriller about an Indian intelligence agent who is trying to thwart a plot in the Sri Lankan civil war. This film is directed by Shoojit Sircar with music by Shantanu Moitra. It stars John Abraham and Nargis Fakhri. Recommended for intermediate viewers. Rated for teens. Other names mentioned in the episode are Airlift, Prakash Belawadi, Tillotama Shome, and Monsoon Wedding. The songs used in this episode are from Entry to Jaffna, Khud Se, and Sun Le Re. All of these songs are available for purchase through Amazon or iTunes. Next: Mulk (2018)

Hannah & Rose discuss Fanaa (2006), a romantic thriller about a tour guide that falls in love with a blind girl. This film is directed by Kunal Kohli with music by Jatin–Lalit. It stars Aamir Khan and Kajol Recommended for intermediate viewers. Rated for teens. Other names mentioned in the episode are Bang Bang, Hrithik Roshan, Katrina Kaif, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Yash Chopra, Dil Se…, Shah Rukh Kahn, Rishi Kapoor, Kirron Kher, Anupam Kher, Kurbaan, Tabu, and Lara Dutta. The songs used in this episode are from Mere Haath Main, Dekho Na, and Chand Sifarish. All of these songs are available for purchase through Amazon or iTunes. Next: Mulk (2018)