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100 Years, 100 Movies – Miscellaneous

100 Years, 100 Movies – Miscellaneous

Archive, Cinema


These movies defy classification, but had to be listed as must-watch. For instance, Om Shanti Om listed here is a spoof AND a musical AND a rebirth saga! Umrao Jaan is celebrated for its representation of a certain milieau basking in old world charm and Urdu poetry.

AAYIRATHIL ORUVAN (1965) – Tamil – A swashbuckling tale of adventure set in the high seas and pirate islands, the movie tells of a medicine man who is enslaved, then forced to become a pirate to fight the cause of his oppressed slave brethren.

THILLANA MOHANAMBAL (1968) – Tamil – Mohana, a Bharatnatyam dancer and Shanmuga Sundaram, a Nadaswaram pipe musician fall in love with each other. But before they can be together, they have to contend with misunderstandings between them and the manipulations of those around them.

UMRAO JAAN (1981) – Urdu – Amiran, a young girl, is kidnapped and trained to become Umrao Jaan, a courtesan for the wealthy. When she finally meets her family again, she realises that there is no going back for someone from her profession.

DIL CHAHTA HAI (2001) – Hindi – The relationship between three friends is ruptured when one of them falls in love with an older woman. The friends go their separate ways, experience life, love and heartbreak. When they meet again, their friendship moves on to a deeper, more unconditional plane.

MONSOON WEDDING (2001) – Hindi/English – When Lalit organises his daughter, Aditi’s wedding, little does he realise that amidst the preparations, Aditi is secretly meeting her ex-boyfriend, two romances are brewing right under his nose and a disturbing family secret cannot be concealed anymore.

MITR, MY FRIEND (2002) – English+Hindi/Tamil – Lakshmi reaches a dead-end in her relationship with workaholic husband Prithvi and rebellious teen daughter, Divya. When she makes a new friend in an online chatroom, she begins to see life through new eyes.

HAZARON KHWAISHEN AISI (2003) – Hindi – A triangular love story set in the corridors of power and the Naxal movement, of Geeta, Siddharth and Vikram who have different ideologies and loyalties, which each eventually gives up.

PITHAMAGAN (2003) – Tamil – Chithan is orphaned when the grave-tender who raised him in isolation dies. He forms an unlikely friendship with conman, Sakthi and is absorbed in the latter’s social cocoon.

MUNNABHAI MBBS (2003) – Hindi – To redeem himself in the eyes of his father, gangster Munna joins Medical College. However, he does this by cheating his way in. He proceeds to become very popular, much to the chagrin of the Dean, Dr.Asthana.

OM SHANTI OM (2007) – Hindi – A fond comical tribute to the rebirth saga genre and popular cinema of the 1970s, the movie is about Om Prakash, a junior film artiste who is reborn as Om Kapoor to avenge the death of his lover, Shanti. 

An edited version of the article was published in Culturama’s May 2013 Issue.


100 Years, 100 Movies – Biopic/Period Cinema

100 Years, 100 Movies – Biopic/Period Cinema

Archive, Cinema

Early Indian filmmakers turned to the rich trove of Indian mythology for subjects – audiences would be familiar with them, and it was an opportunity to awe them with the visual magnificence of costumes and palaces. This is a formula that still works although the expensive detailing has extended to Independence sagas and later period settings as well.

MAYABAZAR (1957) – Tamil/Telugu – A mythological story presumably excerpted from the Mahabharata, the film narrates the role of Bhima’s son, the immense Ghatotkacha in uniting estranged lovers, Arjuna’s son Abhimanyu and Krishna’s niece, Sasirekha.

MUGHAL-E-AZAM (1960) – Hindi – When Mughal prince Salim (who was later named Jahangir) falls in love with Anarkali, a dancer at the royal court, this creates a rift between him and his father, Emperor Akbar, leading up to war between father and son.

NAYAGAN (1987) – Tamil – Based on the life of Varadharaja Mudaliar and cast in the mould of Godfather, Nayagan tells the story of Velu, an immigrant from Tamil Nadu. A chance incident thrusts him into a life of crime and he eventually becomes a godfather to the beleagured masses.

BANDIT QUEEN (1994) – Hindi – Based on the life of Phoolan Devi, this movie traces her life from the child bride to an abusive man to the young woman at the receiving end of caste-based atrocities to the dreaded dacoit who finally exacts her revenge and then surrenders.

IRUVAR (1997) – Tamil – The film, loosely based on politics in Tamil Nadu, narrates the story of the fond friendship between actor Anandan and poet/writer Tamilselvan, who enter the world of politics and at one point, are even on opposite sides.

THE LEGEND OF BHAGAT SINGH (2002) – Hindi -This is a biopic about the young revolutionary, Bhagat Singh, who,despite being inspired by Gandhi, had a diametrically opposite approach to freedom struggle, that of armed strife. 

GURU (2007) – Based on the life of Dhirubhai Ambani, Guru traces the  journey of ambitious Gurukant from weaving dreams of immense success in a small village in Gujarat to becoming an industrial tycoon in Mumbai.

HARISHCHANDRACHI FACTORY (2009) – Marathi – This curiously titled film narrates the true story of how the doyen of Indian cinema, Dadasaheb Phalke set about making India’s first motion picture in the midst of failed experiments, umpteen trials and a unique challenge regarding women characters. 

BALGANDHARVA (2011) – Marathi – A biopic that traces the life of Marathi stage actor and singer, Balgandharva (1888-1967), renowned for his convincing portrayal of women characters in an era when women did not act in theatre. 

PAAN SINGH TOMAR (2010/2012) – Hindi – This is the story of a runner-turned-rebel – Paan Singh – who was an ex-Army man and champion athlete, but, following a land feud in his village, turned into a dreaded bandit.

An edited version of the article was published in Culturama’s May 2013 Issue.
100 Years, 100 Movies – Family Drama

100 Years, 100 Movies – Family Drama

Archive, Cinema

Drama takes on many hues in Indian cinema, from emotion-charged melodrama to poignant relationship sagas and ruptured family stories.

THULABHARAM (1968) – Malayalam – When the lives of widowed Vijaya and her three children turn pathetic, she poisons the children but is stopped just before she can commit suicide. Vijaya is implicated for the childrens’ death by her old friend, Vatsala, a lawyer.

KOSHISH (1972) – Hindi – Hari and Arti, both hearing and speech impaired, get married. Despite the many challenges due to their disabilities, they build a life together, bringing up a son who they hope, will one day marry a girl with a disability.

YAADON KI BAARAAT (1973) – Hindi – When their parents are murdered, three brothers are separated from each other. Years later, when fates makes them cross paths, the grown siblings don’t recognise each other but are finally brought together by a song unique to their family.

AVARGAL (1977) – Tamil – Anu returns to Chennai, divorced and with a small child, to find support from an unexpected quarter – her mother-in-law. She rekindles her relationship with an old love and has a secret admirer at work, but in a strange twist of fate, her abusive ex-husband returns, repentant.         

MULLUM MALARUM (1978) – Tamil – Winch operator Kali dotes on his sister Valli, but is at loggerheads with everybody else including the new manager. Following a freak accident, Kali loses his job. When the manager asks for Valli’s hand in marriage, Kali’s stubborn pride blinds his affection for his sister.

ELIPATHAYAM (1981) – Malayalam – Unni lives in denial of the changes happening in the external world, whiling away his time ensconced in his ancestral house, tended by his two unmarried sisters.

ARTH (1982) – Hindi – Pooja’s world falls apart when she learns of her husband’s infidelity. Her self-respect kicks in and she pieces together an independent identity with a little support from a musician, Raj.

SAARAANSH (1984) – Hindi – An elderly couple grieve the death of their only son. When they learn that the young woman they have sublet a room to, is pregnant, the elderly woman’s will to live is renewed as she believes her son will be reborn as the young woman’s child.

DWEEPA (2002) – Kannada – When their village is inundated, help arrives for Nagi and her husband Ganapa in the form of an acquaintance. Ganapa suspects Nagi’s fidelity and withdraws into himself, leaving her to safeguard their home and life. Nagi’s isolation mirrors that of Sita’s in the Ramayana.

SHALA (2011/2012) – Marathi – Shala is the innocent adolescent love story of Joshi and Shirodkar, and of Joshi’s band of school friends, all growing up in the rural India of the 1970s.

An edited version of the article was published in Culturama’s May 2013 Issue.

100 Years, 100 Movies – Thriller/Horror

100 Years, 100 Movies – Thriller/Horror

Archive, Cinema

Some of these spine-chilling tales hide a web of deceit so fine, that it will be difficult to make out if these stories are about sinister plots, eerie presences, crazed killers, or in the case of rebirth sagas, all three!

KARZ (1980) – Hindi – Inspired by The Reincarnation of Peter Proud, Karz is about a popular singer, Monty, who realises that in a previous lifetime he was Ravi Varma, murdered by his wife, Kamini. Monty sets out to avenge Ravi’s death.

IYER THE GREAT (1990) – Malayalam – When the clairvoyant Iyer’s first prediction about a train disaster is ignored resulting in numerous deaths, his subsequent revelations are heeded. But soon, he develops enemies among those who stand to gain from the disasters he helped avert.

MANICHITHRATHAZHU (1993) – Malayalam – Ganga unlocks a mysterious room in her husband’s ancestral home setting off a series of bizarre accidents. When evidence points to her being possessed by a vengeful spirit, a psychiatrist and the family’s Tantrik priest join hands to help her.

DARNA MANA HAI (2003) – Hindi – Stuck in a forest one night, seven friends vie to narrate the most horrific tale. One by one, five of them go missing. Finally, a stranger narrates the story of seven friends stuck in a forest one night.

DOMBIVALI FAST (2005) – Marathi – What begins as an argument about small change proves to be the last straw for Madhav’s pent up rage over the wrongs in society. He takes the law into his own hands to set things right.

MANORAMA SIX FEET UNDER (2007) – Hindi – Satyaveer is hired by the Irrigation Minister’s wife, Manorama, to find evidence of the minister’s love affair. He uncovers that Manorama isn’t quite who she claims to be and the situation is murkier than it appears. Inspired by Polanski’s Chinatown.

A WEDNESDAY (2008) – Hindi – This is a cat-and-mouse game between the Commissioner of Police and a mysterious common man who holds the city ransom in exchange for the release of four militants.

EERAM (2009) – Tamil – When Vasudevan is asked to investigate the death of his ex-girlfriend, Ramya, he finds that her neighbours are dying one by one under suspicious circumstances involving water.

YAVARUM NALAM/13B (2009) – Tamil/Hindi – Manohar and his family move into a new apartment. When their lives begin to mirror the story of a television series that the family is addicted to, Manohar sets out to uncover the secret about the house.

KAHAANI (2012) – Hindi – A pregnant Vidya arrives in Kolkata and with the help of Officer Rana from the local police station, tries to unravel what happened to her missing husband, even as a ruthless killer closes in on her.

An edited version of the article was published in Culturama’s May 2013 Issue.
100 Years, 100 Movies – Social Dramas

100 Years, 100 Movies – Social Dramas

Archive, Cinema

Indian cinema has always had a strong leaning towards social dramas not only in the Art cinema space, but also in the mainstream especially in the decades following Indian Independence. Common themes are industrialisation, social reform, corruption, unemployment, the caste system and untouchability. 

PARASAKTHI (1952) – Tamil – After a sudden reversal of fortune, and an arduous struggle for survival, Gunasekaran is arrested for attacking a priest who tried to molest his sister. In a court of law, he mocks religion, voices his disillusionment and enumerates the ills that plague society. 

DO AANKHEN BARAH HAATH (1957) – Hindi – Jail Warden Adinath believes that he can transform six dangerous criminals into peace-loving citizens, by the metaphoric act of getting them to turn a piece of barren land into a lush farm.

PYAASA (1957) – Hindi/Urdu – Vijay’s radical poems about society are deemed unfit to be published. But a prostitute who admires his work tries to get them published. Vijay is mistakenly presumed to be dead and when he arrives to claim credit, nobody steps forward to vouch for his identity.

JALSAGHAR (1958) – Bengali – As the days of the zamindari system draw to a close, Biswambhar hosts one last musical soiree in his crumbling ancestral mansion to outdo his neo-rich neighbour’s festivities and relive his glorious days as a patron of music.

SAMSKARA (1970) – Kannada – The Brahmin community of a village ask their head, Praneshacharya to solve the quandary about the funeral rights that befit Naryanappa who was born in a Brahmin household, but had rejected the community.When he breaks his holy vows, Praneshacharya himself undergoes a moral dilemma.

VARUMAIYIN NIRAM SIVAPPU (1980) – Tamil – Idealistic Rangan finds the going tough in getting employment that does not compromise his integrity. His friends, however, have no such qualms. Finally, Rangan decides to not let his qualification come in the way of honest employment.

36 CHOWRINGHEE LANE (1981) – English/Bengali – Violet is an elderly English Teacher in Kolkata whose loneliness is disspelled when a former student and her boyfriend request the use of her house while she is away at school. It is only later, that Violet realises their deception.

CHANDNI BAR (2001) – Hindi – Mumtaz is a bar dancer whose life changes when Potiya, a gangster marries her. When Potiya is gunned down by the police, Mumtaz is at the crossroads, fighting to keep her children away from her former life, but fails.

BLACK (2005) – Hindi – Black is inspired by the story of Helen Keller and her teacher, Anne Sullivan. Visual- and speech-impaired Michelle’s life is transformed when she comes under the unconventional tutelage of Debraj Sahai.

CHAK DE! INDIA (2007) – Hindi – Kabir Khan takes on the job of coaching the Indian womens’ field hockey team in an environment of discrimination and favouritism. Under his mentorship, the young women learn to set aside personal differences and ultimately win the Gold at the Commonwealth Games proving their detractors wrong.

An edited version of the article was published in Culturama’s May 2013 Issue.
100 Years, 100 Movies – Patriotic Cinema

100 Years, 100 Movies – Patriotic Cinema

Archive, Cinema

The events and heroes of the Indian Independence struggle and the Partition of India and Pakistan form the basic themes for most Indian patriotic cinema. Other subjects include contemporary social realities such as terrorism and corruption. And then, of course, there’s cricket!

PURAB AUR PASCHIM (1970) – Hindi – As an extension of the theme of Indian Independence, this movie is about the idealistic son of an Indian freedom fighter who visits London and is pained by the erosion of national pride and Indian values among Non Resident Indians.

TAMAS (1987) – Hindi – A controversial television series, now available on DVD, Tamas is a fictionalised narrative set during the Partition of India and Pakistan told from the perspective of the common man who is depicted as a victim of mindless brutality in the name of religion.

ROJA (1992) – Tamil – When her husband is abducted by militants in Kashmir, a young bride from South India shows grit and determination in getting him freed. This mirrors a story from the Mahabharata, of Savitri who negotiates with the God of Death for her husband’s life.

INDIAN/HINDUSTANI (1996) – Tamil/Hindi – After a personal tragedy, an elderly former freedom fighter decides to weed out corruption in modern society by becoming a vigilante hunting down corrupt goverment employees, not sparing even his son.

KAALAPANI/SIRAICHALAI/SAZA-E-KALA PANI (1996) – Malayalam/Tamil/Hindi – Govardhan is implicated in a case involving a train bombing and is shipped off to serve his sentence at the dreaded Cellular Jail in the Andaman Islands where along with other political prisoners, he experiences atrocities meted out by the sadistic jailor.

HEY RAM (2000) – Tamil/Hindi – When his wife is raped and murdered by a mob of Muslims in Kolkata, a traumatised Saket Ram kills them all. He returns to his South Indian roots and remarries, but is soon drawn into a plot by a Hindu militant outfit to assassinate Mahatma Gandhi for what they perceive as his lenience towards Muslims and Pakistan.

LAGAAN (2001) – Hindi – In pre-Independent India, a motley group of villagers, under the leadership of a young peasant, takes on the might of the British empire in a settlement against land taxes by way of a game of the latter’s choice – cricket!

LAKSHYA (2004) – Hindi – Karan is a listless young man who, on a whim, joins and then subsequently quits the Indian Military Academy. When his girlfriend breaks up with him, he returns determined to complete the course at the IMA. Karan finally finds his purpose in leading his men against Pakistani troops in a fictionalised incident during the Kargil War.

MANGAL PANDEY – THE RISING (2005) – Hindi – Based on historic events, that of Mangal Pandey leading the Sepoy Mutiny against the English East India Company in 1857, this movie has excellent period detailing and adds an interesting dimension using a fictional Englishman called Gordon as narrator and Pandey’s friend.

RANG DE BASANTI (2006) – Hindi – A group of disaffected youngsters with no sense of national pride are cast in a documentary on the Indian Freedom Struggle. Enraged by the political apathy surrounding a death, their actions become a poignant mirrorring of the idealism depicted in the documentary.     

An edited version of the article was published in Culturama’s May 2013 Issue.

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