Bollywood has a reputation for being vibrant, dramatic, and wildly entertaining. For decades, Indian cinema has allowed audiences to enter magical worlds filled with colorful set pieces, engrossing takes, and plots made of twists and turns. The history of Bollywood is long and storied, stretching back to the early 1940s. The films then were originally silent, made in black-and-white, and performed only in Hindi and Urdu. Over time, as the new era crept in, Bollywood began creating spectacles, iconic dance numbers featuring dazzling costumes and sets, and melodies that are still whistled and played in the streets.
There has always been a prominent blend between the Indian heritage and Western style. But it wasnтАЩt until the 1960s that Bollywood started diversifying its cinematic experience in a unique and influential way. Ever since, countless Western directors and storytellers have paid homage to Bollywood, letting its influence seep into their own works. From exaggerated emotions and vivid use of colors to over-the-top action, Bollywood has lifted many stories.
Today, Bollywood films have begun drawing a larger Western audience than ever seen before, developing a following for their carefree nature and complete escapism. Movies like DDLJ and Monsoon Wedding have earned massive acclaim in the West. Whether it is a sweeping musical romance, family drama, or high-stakes action, Bollywood filmmaking never misses a beat. They have brought people together across borders with the universal language of emotion and belonging. The influence of Bollywood cinema echoes loudly in the contemporary West, mainly because of the stories mentioned in this list, reminding us of the timeless power of cinema to inspire and transform.
15
Darr (1993)
Shah Rukh Khan is considered to be synonymous to Bollywood, not just in the West, but across the globe. And when it comes to representing home ground, no one does it better than the King himself. Darr tells the story of Rahul, a psychopath who is in love with Kiran. He stalks her with an obsessive madness. But Kiran is supposed to marry a navy officer. When Rahul hears of this, he is hysterical.
The movie builds a creepy atmosphere from the very beginning, with most of it coming from SRKтАЩs crazy tactics. The sound design really elevates the sinister motives as well as leads the way for an intense showdown. While SRK delivers a chilling performance, Juhi Chawla and Sunny DeolтАЩs reactions to his frenzy only make the setting all the more captivating. For psychological thrillers that carry a horror canon, Darr redefines Bollywood filmmaking. In short, Darr walked so You could run.
14
Jab We Met (2007)
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Jab We Met is the very portrait of what Bollywood looks like. From a lively, stop-at-nothing protagonist to vibrant and colorful visuals and even catchy numbers, the movie is a full package of entertainment. It follows Aditya, a young, heartbroken man who inherits a business empire. When the weight of the responsibility gets too heavy for him to carry, he ups and boards a train to nowhere.
Along the way, he meets Geet, who is perhaps the most energetic and optimistic girl he has ever encountered. She not only transforms his life, but also allows him to find purpose and meaning in all that feels lost. Directed by Imtiaz Ali, Jab We Met is one of the finest romantic-comedy that came out of Indian cinema. Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor have incredible chemistry and are both charming as the leads. ItтАЩs a go-to movie for whenever youтАЩre having a bad day.
13
Sangam (1964)
The тАШ60s were a golden age for Bollywood, with sweeping romances and cackling comedies paving the way for better cinema. And this Raj Kapoor direction is a testament to a new era that gave birth so remarkable stories and unforgettable characters. Sangam is the story of Sundar, an orphan who is close friends with the affluent Gopal Verma, and an army captainтАЩs daughter, Radha.
Sundar never asked for more than he thought he deserved, but when he fell in love with Radha, his actions saw no bounds. Turned down by her childhood friend and her respectable father, Sundar joins the army and serves as a pilot, only to return to a home that no longer regarded him. Sangam is a sentimental rollercoaster about dreams that never get fulfilled. The movie was so well appreciated it even got a Hollywood remake as Pearl Harbour.
12
Rangeela (1995)
If you have enjoyed Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!, you will definitely find some outstanding resemblances in Rangeela worthy of praise. Both movies have the same plot. A girl is caught up in a love triangle between her best friend and a movie star тАУ between her childhood and her dreams. Rangeela centers around Priya, an aspiring leading lady who finally gets a shot to dazzle the silver screen against her idol, Kamal.
The two become friends and Kamal develops feelings for Priya. But Murali, PriyaтАЩs neighbor and best friend has always pined for her. The movie came out when Bollywood was at a turning point. It portrays Bombay at the time of globalization and uses subtle camera work to depict the same. From performances that are moving and visuals that are psychedelic at best, Rangeela has massively influenced Western filmmaking.
11
Chhoti Si Baat (1976)
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Getting a love specialist to woo a woman has been a common trope in Western cinema. But Bollywood did it first with Chhoti Si Baat. The classic rom-com follows Arun, a modest and humble accountant who is head over heels for Prabha, a co-worker. While he follows her around all the time, he can never bring himself to confess his feelings. Until Nagesh comes in with a sweeping charm and gets close to Prabha, urging Arun to seek the help of a professional romance coach.
Amol Palekar is excellent in depicting the shy and timid guy who wouldnтАЩt make the first move even if his life depended on it. Ashok Kumar, who plays Col. Julius Nagendranath Wilfred Singh, doubles the energy of the movie with his wit. The movie has inspired two films, Hitch and Partner, both of which center around the same premise.
10
Dangal (2016)
Dangal is a sports biopic that was released when audiences were beginning to lose faith in Indian cinema. But the movie not only stunned viewers in the country but also resonated with audiences across the globe. Telling the real-life story of Mahavir Singh Phogat, a retired wrestler with an unfulfilled dream, the movie follows him training (often too rigorously) his two daughters and preparing them to win a gold medal.
Against the convention, the two girls enter the Commonwealth Games and make the country proud. Fatima Sana Sheikh and Sanya Malhotra made their Bollywood debut alongside the seasoned and pristine Aamir Khan, and the trio pulled all stops in delivering a groundbreaking performance.
9
Swades (2004)
Ashutosh Gowariker Productions
Translating to тАШHomelandтАЩ, Swades is a movie that came as a jarring realization both for native audiences and the West. A poignant and moving study of lack of economic growth and elementary resources in the smallest regions of the country, Swades brings Shah Rukh Khan to lead as Mohan, an Indian working abroad with NASA. He returns to his country in search for Kaveri Amma, the woman who raised her.
But his trip to India brought him face to face with a larger issue of endurance, with people of his village weathering the storm. He decides to stay and transform the village, and along the way, builds some of the most heartfelt connections. Directed by Ashutosh Gowariker at his peak, Swades is an unsubtle depiction of India, its richness, the diversity, and a culture that persists against all odds.
8
A Wednesday (2008)
A Wednesday may be an unforgettable gem in India, but its clamor has been heard beyond the oceans. The movie is a masterpiece by director Neeraj Pandey. It chronicles the events that take place in the life of a retired police commissioner, Prakash Rathod, in one day with an enormous threat looming overhead. Naseeruddin Shah and Anupam Kher play the two principal characters. While the former is a commoner threatening to blow up a bomb in Mumbai, another takes a heads-on approach toward what is the most memorable case of his career.
The movie does not retell true events, but it was inspired by the 11 July 2006 Mumbai train bombings. The castтАЩs performance, as well as tension-building and exploring the very depths of human conscience and moral ambiguities, makes it stand out. So much so that there was an official remade by Hollywood titled A Common Man.
7
Dil Chahta Hai (2001)
Coming-of-age drama has been a strong suit for Bollywood for decades. The stories have explored almost every genre тАУ comedy, horror, romance, thriller, you name it. And still, the impact that Farhan AkhtarтАЩs Dil Chahta Hai has on the millennials and the тАШ90s kids is unmatched. The movie follows three childhood best friends, fresh out of college, and each with their own quirks and idiosyncrasies.
They are emerging as adults and facing a new life with a mix of confidence and love. They tackle professional and personal lives with this infectious energy. ItтАЩs not just the story and the fantastic soundtrack to go with it that fans find compelling, but the way the movie explores important themes of self-discovery, unconventional romances, and finding purpose in life.
6
Lagaan (2001)
A movie set during the most prominent historical moment for India тАУ one that shaped the countryтАЩs future, for better or worse тАУ is sure to be a huge influence in the West. Lagaan is an epic sports drama told at the time of the British Raj, where farmers of Champaner were forced to pay considerably high taxes on the crops they sow. When a farmer Bhuvan shows defiance against the law, the ruthless Captain Andrew Russell challenges him to defeat his team in cricket.
In return, the village will be waived three years worth of taxes. Director Ashutosh Gowariker not only creates the atmosphere of colonialism in the 1890s with precision but also portrays the spirit of those being oppressed and their urge to fight back the sheer violence inflicted upon them. Plus, it’s a musical.
