The Bollywood film industry seems quite exotic to westerners. It’s a totally different vibe compared to Hollywood. Most people who know a little about Bollywood envision it as vibrant, energetic, lighthearted, and action-packed.
But to say that this is the entirety of Indian film is misleading. India has tons of different cultures, like Kannada (not Canada), Telugu, Tamil, Bangali, Malayalam, etc. They all have different local film industries. Thus, to say that the Bollywood film industry is the Indian film industry is like saying all of Europe has one film industry.
There are tons of differences between Bollywood films (which are known for their romantic themes) and Tollywood film (the Telugu film industry, which is known for action). I grew up watching South Indian films. As a Teluguvaru, I used to watch a lot of Tollywood, as wel as Kollywood (the Tamil film industry) and a little bit of Sandalwood (the Kannada film industry). Since most American film enthusiasts don’t know much about the South Indian film industry, let me introduce a new perspective on cinema.
The South Indian film industry is a lot more action-packed and nonsensical. In fact, a lot of the movies in this region defy physics. It is fun to see the main character demolish a hundred goons with a bare fist while the goons flip all over the place. The directors from this region go above and beyond in their fight scenes. Unfortunately, this does sometimes come at the cost of storytelling.
One of my favorite South Indian movie universes has to be the Lokiverse. Although there have only been two movies so far, Vikram and Leo, I consider them some of the best of all time. Both are action thrillers, with each movie having its own storyline. At the end of each film, the audience gets a glimpse of a possible team-up against a larger villain. It is a really unique cinematic experience compared to the sea of masala movies in the South.
Another must-watch is KGF Chapters 1 and 2. These movies follow Rocky, a man who rises from poverty to power after taking over a gold mine. In the beginning, we root for him, but in the second film, we begin to question whether he is truly a hero. The story is complex, but always engrossing, with many different characters either helping or hurting Rocky.
Hanu-Man was one of the biggest surprises for me. I did not expect to enjoy it, but it completely defied my expectations. The story follows a man from an isolated village and a villain who dreams of becoming a superhero. A drop of the god Hanuman’s blood crystallizes and grants superpowers when sunlight passes through it. What makes this movie great is its balance between humor and seriousness. While the CGI can be a little silly at times, it is a hidden gem that beautifully reflects Hindu culture.
Lastly, my sister’s favorite movie is Salaar. The first half is pretty slow, but the second half is excellent. The world-building is top tier, and the storyline is as complex as KGF. Without spoiling too much, the plot revolves around a conflict between tribes in Kansar, a fictional country that indirectly controls India and possibly the world. While it is just the first film in a series, it is a solid start. Some scenes in the first half feel unnecessary, but overall it is a strong film.
Regardless of which Indian films you begin to explore, you are certain to be impressed by the scope and quality of the country’s film industry. It is an entirely new world of cinema that is open for exploration.
