Bollywood Classics

 Although the term "Bollywood" seems to offend many these days, I have been calling it by that name, so at least in my blog - I will continue to do so.

But just so that we are clear, I mean plain-ol' Hindi movies and here is a run-down list on the movies I think qualify as classics in Bollywood. I will keep editing order of the list as I deem fit. Currently they are on the basis of release date.

1. Sholay: I think this is the movie that deserves to be on the top of the list. Each character here is etched in such a way that even years later, one remembers them. Whether it was a 2 minute role of Surma Bhopali, a 10 min role of Angrezon ke zamane ke jailor or a full fledged role of Thakur / Gabbar / Basanti / Jay / Veeru! Even a silent role of Radha or Rahim Chacha or Ahmed is time immemorial. Each dialogue was written so beautifully, we still end up using it now and often - even at times in our daily lives. Each song so melodious, we can sing the lyrics to it more arduously than a new one released in recent times. It was a true blue timeless classic!
2. Deewar: "Jao pehle us aadmi ka sign leke aao, jisne mere haath pe yeh likh diya tha!" "Mere paas ma hai"
3. Mr. India: The rose-tinted glasses! Not the ones I see the world through, but the real ones - which makes you see Mr. India himself. But not to forget the best legacy of this movie - "Mogambo, khush hua!"
4. Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge: The beauty of this movie was not just the story or the songs or the romance or the giving birth to a new superstar (SRK), but that it forever changed the way an Indian girl viewed the man of her dreams. I have heard so many times from girls I know that they are looking for a Raj in their life. @Raj Malhotra - you sure did spoil the Simrans of India for choice. Let alone Chaudhary Balwant Singh, it makes me wanna say - "Ja Simran, Ja. Jee Le apne zindagi!"
5. Kaho Na Pyaar Hai: The legend that gave rise to a legend and changed the ways that a hero is perceived. An amazing dancer, with moves that defy laws of nature and a face like a Greek God. Hrithik just managed to raise the scales where everyone else is still trying to reach!
6. Bahubali: The movie - the franchise, that crossed over from Telugu film industry to the Hindi, which broke barriers and gave rise to a new term "Indian cinema" and which brought to showcase the persona of Amarendra Bahubali and the ever titilating question "Katappa ne Bahubali ko kyun mara?!?"