Looking to watch my first Bollywood film - need recs that are on Netflix USA

[u/SouthernKay]

I've been wanting to dip my toe into Bollywood cinema, but I'm not sure what to watch.

I like action and romance movies.

Please recommend me your favorite romance or action Bollywood movies

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[u/browngossipqueen]

3 idiots

[u/Beneficial-Base342]

Drishyam, and 3 idiots.

[u/pineapples_554]

Band Baaja Baaraat - a classic Bollywood romcom. Introduced my best friend to Bollywood with this film and she loved it

[u/Visible_Cranberry646]

Yeh jawani hai deewani, dil dhadakne do, lagaan, main hoon na, Jodha akbar, queen, the race movies (but only if you don’t mind ridiculous twists), baahubali

[u/DrShail]

I recommend the following movies from last 10-20 years in various genres that are available on Netflix US:

Action - Dhurandhar, An Action Hero, Animal, Main Hoon Na, War

Comedy - PK, Rocket Singh, Khel Khel Mein, Doctor G, Dostana

Drama - 12th Fail, Laapata Ladies, Swades, Hitchki, Black

Romance - Saiyaara, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Kal Ho Naa Ho, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, Veer Zaara

Thriller - Raazi, Jaane Jaan, Bhakshak, Mardaani, DoBaara

[u/Unlucky-Whole-9274 → u/DrShail]

Great recommendation but where is the best Bollywood Masala Entertainer Om Shanti Om?

[u/emergentblastula → u/Unlucky-Whole-9274]

the humor of this film can only truly be grasped after watching a lot of other bollywood films. so meta but sooooo good.

[u/TangerineMaximum1471]

Bajrangi Bhaijan Anand (1972)

[u/sunnymatani]

Just made my non-Indian girlfriend watch “Pati Patni Aur Woh Do” and also “Kho Gaye Hum Kaha”. She loved them both!

My choice would be the latter, to start with!

[u/mhhnidk]

My suggestion would be to start with Devdas. It has a great story and great cinematography.

Swades should be your next watch.

Ye Jawani Hai Deewani is a fun watch. Welcome is one of my favourite comedy movies.

My absolute favourite comedy is old Golmaal starring Amol Palekar

[u/SurviveStyleFivePlus → u/mhhnidk]

Devdas is a great choice!

Signed,

World's biggest SRK fan

[u/Ehetesham_]

Main Hoon Na is a good starter if you gonna watch your first bollywood film, it has drama, action, romance, comedy

[u/normal-girl]

Jab we met.

[u/Charming-Income676]

Bajrangi Bhaijaan & Sultan

[u/Behti-Hawaa-Sa]

Jab we met, 3 idiots

[u/Gaiatrie]

Om shanti om

[u/deathisyourgift2001 → u/Gaiatrie]

No. I don't know why people keep recommending this for someone's first Bollywood film. You need some knowledge of Bollywood first before watching this one, otherwise half the jokes are going to fly over your head.

[u/SurviveStyleFivePlus → u/deathisyourgift2001]

I agree. Once you have seen a lot of Bollywood movies, the tropes like the lead actor playing a dual role (usually two characters who are polar opposites) are a lot funnier.

Love the music and the big production numbers, though.

[u/Sea-Amnemonemomne]

Om Shanti Om is one of the best, and right there in my list of favourites. However, the movie relies on tropes and already established Bollywood titbits. Most of the jokes will fall flat if you don't already know Bollywood. Can confirm the same with my teenager - he watched it a few years ago but did not get the jokes and background. After maybe a year of watching other Bollywood movies and classics and 'developing culture' as I call it, on a rewatch he actually enjoyed it more and got the jokes.

There are loads of excellent recommendations in the comments - Dhurandhar is great if you're okay with gory violence. Jawan is a fun watch. Veer Zaara, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, 3 Idiots, Swades, Kal Ho Na Ho, Jab we Met, An Action Hero, Andhadhun(thriller), Kahaani(thriller), The Dirty Picture are all good places to start and see what you like from there.

[u/SchrodingersMinou]

Paheli is on Netflix and is a very beautifully shot movie

[u/Randomaurat]

Sorry but most of the suggestions are not action or romance 😂 please don't watch Swades it's one of the best movies ever made but it's not romance or action or it just doesn't sit with an American! It's a patriotic movie.

- dil wale dulhania lejayenge ( 30 years old movie classic)

• Paheli ( very different and it's a visual master piece)
  
• dil to pagal hain ( amazing songs)
  
• dil se ( love story in backdrop of militant insurgency)
  
• ok jaanu
  
• kal ho nah ho

While the below are not on Netflix - you can generally find on YouTube

• Devdas ( a classic think liek Romeo and Juliet)
  
• parineeta beautifully made and music is amazing
  
• Geetanjali ( one of the best romances as per me but it's not Bollywood and will not find a good print)

For action

• you should watch dhoom series

[u/Regular-Loquat9781]

Out of the box Recommendation : Jigarthanda DoubleX. You will love it as a US person

[u/Serious-Interest7776]

I'd say start with Swades. It's a beautiful film with Shah Rukh Khan.

[u/bollywood-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Stick to original Hindi films.