An American's Guide to Bollywood

We’re two Americans who love Indian movies and want to help others do the same. Each episode we review an Indian movie from an American perspective, tell you how accessible it is to a westerner, where you can watch it, and if you might like it.

Episode 85: Saathiya

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 … Continue reading "Episode 85: Saathiya"

08-02
34:40

Episode 84: Pagglait

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, … Continue reading "Episode 84: Pagglait"

06-21
22:45

Episode 83: Roja

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, … Continue reading "Episode 83: Roja"

05-31
35:54

Episode 82: Sairat

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 … Continue reading "Episode 82: Sairat"

05-10
30:49

Episode 81: Hum Aapke Hain Koon…!

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 … Continue reading "Episode 81: Hum Aapke Hain Koon…!"

04-08
28:29

Episode 80: Dilwale

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 … Continue reading "Episode 80: Dilwale"

03-15
31:01

Episode 79: Kal Ho Naa Ho

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 … Continue reading "Episode 79: Kal Ho Naa Ho"

02-08
41:24

Episode 78: 2.0

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, … Continue reading "Episode 78: 2.0"

11-16
43:31

Episode 77: Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa

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. … Continue reading "Episode 77: Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa"

09-28
32:19

Episode 76: Sanam Teri Kasam

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, … Continue reading "Episode 76: Sanam Teri Kasam"

09-07
55:34

Episode 75: Anbe Sivam

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 … Continue reading "Episode 75: Anbe Sivam"

06-22
34:36

Episode 74: Iruvar

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, … Continue reading "Episode 74: Iruvar"

05-25
34:06

Episode 73: Muthu

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 … Continue reading "Episode 73: Muthu"

04-20
26:12

Episode 72: Agni Natchathiram

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, … Continue reading "Episode 72: Agni Natchathiram"

03-23
27:29

Episode 71: Maro Charitra

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 … Continue reading "Episode 71: Maro Charitra"

02-17
29:23

Episode 70: Mulk

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 … Continue reading "Episode 70: Mulk"

01-26
26:48

Episode 69: Madras Cafe

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 … Continue reading "Episode 69: Madras Cafe"

01-06
25:25

Episode 68: Fanaa

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 … Continue reading "Episode 68: Fanaa"

12-16
31:51

Episode 67: A Wednesday!

Hannah & Rose discuss A Wednesday! (2008), a thriller about a bomb threat in Mumbai. This film is directed by Neeraj Pandey with music by Sanjoy Chowdhury. It stars Naseeruddin Shah and Anupam Kher. Recommended for intermediate viewers. Rated for teens. Other names mentioned in the episode are Monsoon Wedding, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Prem … Continue reading "Episode 67: A Wednesday!"

11-24
23:21

Episode 66: Dil Se…

Hannah & Rose discuss Dil Se… (1998), a romantic thriller about a radio broadcaster who meets a mysterious woman. This film is directed by Mani Ratnam with music by A. R. Rahman and Gulzar. It stars Shah Rukh Khan, Manisha Koirala, and Preity Zinta. Recommended for intermediate viewers. Rated for older teens. Other names mentioned … Continue reading "Episode 66: Dil Se…"

11-03
28:41

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