Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)

English Title Translation: The Big Hearted Will Take the Bride
Main Actors: Shahrukh Khan and Kajol
Directed By: Aditya Chopra
Produced By: Yash Chopra
Music By: Jatin Lalit
Genre: Romance,
Summary: A rich, rascal and nincompoop Raj falls in love with a pretty and docile Simran. There's opposition but love wins in the end.
That's Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge in a nutshell. The film had a rich repertoire of performances. Shah Rukh and Kajol apart, there was Anupam Kher, Amrish Puri, Fareeda Jalal, Satish Shah, Parmeet Sethi Himani Shivpuri, all providing for a rare variety of entertainment.
DDLJ was a departure from the earlier love stories in some ways. Usually love stories had rebellious and defying lovers who broke shackles of caste, class and race barriers to unite. There was clear disrespect for elders, especially parents, who more often than not served as stumbling blocks.

DDLJ broke this norm. The young lovers in the film refuse to annoy the opposing father of the girl. The hero even says that he will not do anything against his wishes.
SRK and Kajol pitch in with good performances
Review: I bought this movie after I saw Veer-Zaara because it was produced and directed by the same people. I was so bummed. I started it with my family and we turned it off halfway through because "Raj" was so immature and annoying to "Simran". She has a couple suggestive dance scenes, the filming is slightly pixely, and it was just a big disappointment. I'm going to rewatch it and maybe I'll change my rating but for now, it's towards the bottom of my list.

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars.

Jab We Met (2007)

English Title Translation: When We Met
Main Actors: Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor
Directed By: Imtiaz Ali
Produced By: Dhillin Mehta
Music By: Pritam
Genre: Romance,
Summary: Aditya (Shahid Kapur), a defeated industrialist, is even more broken as the girl he loves is getting married. Unable to muster up the courage to return home, he drifts out of the gathering and aimlessly boards a train, bounding away into the night. As destiny would have it, on the train he meets Geet (Kareena Kapoor) – a beautiful but annoyingly talkative girl who is leaving Mumbai to go her hometown – Bhatinda (Punjab). Later, she has plans of eloping with her boyfriend. Geet irritates Aditya to the point of getting him to leave the train. As she tries to get him back on the train, she ends up missing it and the two find themselves stranded on a desolate station with no luggage or money. Begins the idyllic journey through the exuberant North Indian heartland in which this odd couple will make their way through buses and taxis and camel-carts, crossing Highways and deserts and lakes, meeting all kinds of people, to reach her house in Punjab. On arrival, Geet's family mistakes the two for lovers. Before this misconception can be cleared, Geet escapes to her boyfriend in Manali. Aditya leaves with her, confirming the suspicion that they are lovers. In Manali, Aditya feels empowered to return to Mumbai and resurrect his ailing business. Life takes a positive turn and Aditya begins to do well. 
One day Geet's family who think that she is with him confronts Aditya. He is shocked to learn that Geet has not returned home. He takes it upon himself to find her. He finally tracks her down in a Himalayan town and begins another journey to reach Bhatinda and flow into the colors and conceptions of a loud and happy North Indian family!How their separate journeys become one, forms the destination of JAB WE MET, a beautiful and captivating saga of made-for-each-other love. Lilting, musical, amusing and packed with mischievous contrivances – this breezy fun-filled romantic comedy set in cultural North India looks like it's ready to recreate the magical era of the 90s, in the form of Aditya and Geet, being essayed by real-life lovebirds, Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor.
Review: This was a fun, simple movie with some pretty funny scenes. Some of what makes it funny are the not-so-funny situations Geet gets herself and Aditya into. I was satisfied with it until the end scene which is a dance scene and the backup dancers are very suggestive. It's frustrating but since it's the end of the film, you can just turn it off. And this is the first Bollywood movie I've seen that actually shows the main couple kiss. It's an ok film, just not amazing.

Rating: 3 stars out of 5

Vivah -A Journey from Engagement to Marriage (2006)

Main Actors: Shahid Kapoor, Amrita Rao, Anupam Kher
Directed By: Sooraj R. Barjatya
Produced By: Ajit Kumar Barjatya, Kamal Kumar Barjatya, Rajkumar Barjatya
Music By: Ravindra Jain
Genre: Romance, Family, Drama
Summary: Vivah is Marriage - an institution that binds two individuals into a bond that is sacred, pure and eternal - a commitment for life.
Poonam (Amrita Rao) is a middle class girl who lives in the small town of Madhupur. After the demise of her parents, when she was very young, her Chacha (Aloknath) fulfilled the void of a father in her life. But her Chachi (Seema Biswas) was unable to accept Poonam as her own child as Poonam was more beautiful than her Chachi's own daughter Rajni (Amrita Prakash).
Poonam was blossoming into a graceful and lovely young lady with all the charming virtues winning every heart. Her simple and affectionate demeanor touches the heart of Bhagatji (Manoj Joshi) who plays our matchmaker. Bhagatji takes Poonam's marriage proposal for Prem (Shahid Kapoor), son of Mr.Harishchandra (Anupam Kher), a renowned businessman, from New Delhi.
Prem is the soft spoken, charming and well-educated young scion of one of New Delhi's most prominent business families. In spite of being bought up in the fast city life of New Delhi, Prem is rooted to the ground and has retained his family's traditional values and upbringing. It is these qualities that make him stand out in today's day and age. When his father takes his opinion on the proposition, Prem is initially hesitant and feels he is too young for marriage and needs to focus on his career first. Respecting his father's wishes, Prem agrees to meet Poonam, get to know better and then take a decision.

What follows is a "meeting" arranged by the two families. Prem and Poonam are suddenly in the midst of a situation they have never been in before. What starts off as a formal exchange of words, grows into a deeper, meaningful conversation. Prem and Poonam discover their soul mates in each other. They are engaged - to be married in six months.
Prem and Poonam go through the most magical and romantic period of their lives. Both realize the importance of the engagement rings that they have given to each other and the special right that they have got on each other in return. Coming from different sensibilities, both want their relationship to be very "right" for each other. Six months fly by and just when everything was set for Prem and Poonam to get married... a crisis puts the love of Prem and Poonam through a trial by fire.
Review: Watch this movie. It is AMAZING. I am absolutely obsessed with it! There is nothing inappropriate in it but there are a few intense accident scenes (no gore) so this wouldn't be for young children. You will love it.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Veer-Zaara (2004)

Main Actors: Sharhukh Khan, Preity Zinta, Rani Mukerji
Directed By: Yash Chopra
Produced By: Aditya Chopra, Yash Chopra
Music By: Madan Mohan, Sanjeev Kohli
Genre: Romance, Drama,
Summary: Squadron Leader Veer Pratap Singh is a rescue pilot with the Indian Air Force, who risks his own life to save the lives of others. One day, on duty, he comes across a stranded Zaara... a girl from Pakistan. Zaara, a carefree, sprightly girl has come to India to fulfill her surrogate mother's dying wish. She meets with a bus accident leaving her stranded in a foreign land.
Veer saves her life... and his life is never the same again... Twenty-two years later, Saamiya Siddiqui, a Pakistani lawyer on her first case, finds herself face-to-face with an ageing Veer Pratap Singh. He has languished in a Pakistan jail cell for 22 years and has not spoken to anyone all these years - and no one knows why.
Her mission is to discover the truth about Veer and see to it that justice is served. And thus starts her journey to unveil the truth... the story of Veer and his life...
Why has Veer been silent for 22 years? Why is he in a jail in Pakistan? Where is Zaara? What happened to her?
God has written the destinies of Veer and Zaara, such that they can never be joined together. Saamiya has come to change that... to join Veer and Zaara together... forever...
Veer-Zaara is not an ordinary story - it is a Love Legend... Veer and Zaara's love legend. This is a saga of love, separation, courage and sacrifice. A love that is divine, a love that is whole-hearted, a love that is completely consuming, a love that grows with separation, deepens with sacrifice.
A love that is an inspiration... and will remain a legend forever.
Review: One of my favorite Bollywood films. The whole thing is amazing! It has one song scene of Zaara seeing Veer everywhere and there is some "necking" but other than that the movie is perfectly clean. Totally worth seeing!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Hum Aapke Hain Koun (1994)

English Title Translation: Who Am I To You?
Main Actors: Salman Khan, Madhuri Dixit, Mohnish Behl, and Renuka Shahane
Directed By: Sooraj R. Barjatya
Produced By: Ajit Kumar Barjatya, Kamal Kumar Barjatya, Rajkumar Barjatya
Music By: Raam Iaxman
Genre: Romance, Family,
Summary: HAHK presented a detailed panorama on the north Indian style of wedding.
Madhuri's elder sister (Renuka Shahane) marries the eligible elder bachelor (Mohnish Behl) of a family of two good sons and a father. Next, the inevitable happens. The younger brother (Salman Khan) falls for younger sis (Madhuri Dixit) and the setting acquires the look of an ideal family album.
Tragedy strikes and badi bahen passes away. Madhuri is tipped to be her widower brother-in-law's wife. Sad tunes play in the background and Salman feels miserable. But badabhai has found out the truth and unites the loving birds.
Review: This was a fine, clean family film. Because it was made in 1994, the sound is slightly muffled and the picture is not as clear. The plot was not as engaging as others I've seen and a dog plays a big role in the film which was slightly annoying. Not fantastic but not horrible either. 

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Om Shanti Om (2007)

Main Actors: Shahrukh Khan, Deepika Padukone
Directed By: Farah Khan
Produced By: Gauri Khan
Music By: Vishal-Shekhar
Genre: Romance, Mystery,
USA Certification: PG-13
Summary: This is a story of "Om' and "Shanti'. His film started in 1977 and ended in 2007. He was a Junior Artist in the 70's. She was a Superstar of the 70's. He was her biggest fan. She was his biggest inspiration. He was madly in love. She was waiting for love. He wanted to be a "superstar'. She wanted to be a "girl next door'. He was ready to give up all his dreams for love. She was ready to give up everything she had for love. He felt betrayed in life. She felt betrayed in love. And then …started the saga of "Om Shanti Om' For some love stories one life time is not enough…...
Review: This is the highest grossing Bollywood film ever. It has some hysterical scenes with Shahrukh and is for the most part an enjoyable film. On the other hand, the storyline is pretty creepy. I'm not including the actual synopsis because it's too hard to explain. (for a full synopsis go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Om_Shanti_Om) There are 2 risque dance scenes, a murder scene (no gore), and a very rough beating (bloody). The music is awesome as is the acting. I enjoyed it more than I disliked it but I can't decide what my final thought on it is. Maybe I should watch it again =)

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2003)

English Title Translation: Sometimes Happiness, Sometimes Sadness  
Main Actors: Shahrukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Kajol, Hrithik Roshan, and Kareena Kapoor

Directed By: Karan Johar
Produced By: Karen Johar
Music By: Jatin-Lalit, Shandesh Shandilya, Aadesh Shirvastav
Genre: Romance, Drama
Summary: Yashovardhan and Nandini Raichand (Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan), a wealthy couple are steeped in family values and traditions. Their two sons, Rahul (Shah Rukh Khan) and Rohan (Hrithik Roshan) share a warm relationship with each other and their parents. Yet, beneath the surface things are not what they seem. Rahul is an adopted child, who feels irrevocably tied to feelings of gratitude towards the couple who took in an orphan like him. When he falls in love with Anjali (Kajol) a middle-class girl living with her sister Pooja (Kareena Kapoor) and dad (Alok Nath), Yashovardhan Raichand strongly disapproves. But for Nandini, love is the guiding force. Conflicts mar the serene atmosphere and a grief-stricken Rahul decides to leave home…..
Review: Although this was not a favorite, it was still an excellent film. It is beautifully done in every way. There are a few suggestive dance scenes and one of the characters wears skimpy clothing through the 2nd half of the film. This seems to be more of a "girly" film than one you'd watch with guys and girls, if only for the reason that the guys might get bored.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Kal Ho Naa Ho (2004)

English Title Translation: Tomorrow May Not Be
Main Actors: Shahrukh Khan, Preity Zinta, and Saif Ali Khan
Directed By: Nikhil Advani
Produced By: Karan Johar, Yash Johar,
Music By: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
Genre: Romance,
Summary: New York. April 2003. The late winter continues…

For Naina Catherine Kapur [Preity Zinta], life is cold, grey and dull – as it has been ever since a family tragedy shook her world.
Between the constant bickering in her half Punjabi, half Catholic household, her grand-mother's temper, looking after her little sister and brother and helping her mother Jennifer [Jaya Bachchan] deal with the family's financial troubles – Naina has no time for parties, fun or herself.
She is 23, going on 50. She is serious, she is boring.
Enter Aman Mathur [Shah Rukh Khan]. Like a whiff of fresh air, he moves into their tiny Indian neighbourhood to take it over, helping others solve their problems and face life's little challenges – Aman has all the answers.
Much to Naina's irritation, he insists on interfering in her life too…
Aman pushes Naina into doing things that she would never dream of doing. He nags her till she learns to smile. He conspires with friend Rohit [Saif Ali Khan], an eligible Manhattan bachelor, to help her find happiness.
KAL HO NAA HO is the story of Aman, Rohit and Naina's journey together. How they discover themselves, find the courage to love and come together to celebrate life.

Review: Kal Ho Naa Ho was the first Bollywood film I saw and is still a favorite. The acting is superb, the music is amazing, and the storyline is tear-jerking. This film has 2 risque dance scenes and some suggestive humor. A classic.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Hum Saath - Saath Hain (1999)

English Title Translation: We Stand United
Main Actors: Salman Khan, Karisma Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bendre, Mohnish Behl, and Tabu
Directed By: Sooraj R. Barjatya
Produced By: Ajit Kumar Barjatya, Kamal Kumar Barjatya, Rajkumar Barjatya
Music By: Raam Iaxman
Genre: Romance, Family
Summary: Hum Saath Saath hai is a family drama inspired from the epic Ramayan. It extols the virtues of the joint family system and offers the joys of togetherness. Seth Ramkishenji (Alok Nath) and Mamta (Reema Lagoo) dream of keeping their joint family, consisting of their sons and daughters-in-law, together always. Their daughter Sangeeta (Neelam) is married into another large family, but when problems arise, she and her husband have to move out. Ramkishen is stunned when he finds out that his family too is susceptible to the corrosion of values that have been inculcated into them...
 Review: This was a fun but simple film. The plot isn't very complex but it is good and clean, something the whole family can watch. There were some great dance scenes but sometimes it got a little boring.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999)

English Title Translation: Straight From The Heart
Main Actors: Salman Khan, Aishwarya Rai, and Ajay Devgan
Directed By: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Produced By: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Music By: Ismail Darbar
Genre: Romance,
Summary: Nandini (Aishwarya Rai) the daughter of a classical singer Pandit Darbar loves his student, Sameer (Salman Khan). However, Vanraj (Ajay Devgan) sends his proposal to her father. Sameer and Nandini are caught romancing with each other and as a payment for teaching Sameer music, Darbar demands Sameer forget Nandita. After the marriage takes place, Vanraj comes to know about Nandini's love for Sameer. He decides to unite the lovers even in the face of ridicule by society and takes Nandini to Italy to search for Sameer. They find Sameer...but Nandini is now torn between Vanraj, whom she has come to respect and Sameer, whom she loves.....
Review: This movie is all fun dancing and music for the first 1/2 of the film. Then, the plot becomes more complicated and it is fantastic. Combined, it makes one of the best Bollywood films I've seen. There are a few scenes with some suggestive flirting, 1 scene of a master beating a slave (no gore). and a shooting.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Anamika: The Untold Story (2008)

English Title Translation: The One Without A Name
Main Actors: Dino Morea, Minissha Lamba, and Koena Mitra

Directed By: Anant Mahadevan
Produced By: Bhanwar Lal Sharma
Music By: Anu Malik
Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Romance
Summary: Anamika begins when Vikram Aditya Sisodia who owns Gajner Palace in Rajasthan comes down to Mumbai for an international convention with a proposal to convert his palace into a resort. He runs into the naive and nubile Jia Rao, an escort whom he falls in love with. But before he marries Jia, he reveals that it would be his second marriage and his first wife Anamika had died under unfortunate circumstances. When Jia lands up at the picturesque Lake Palace of Gajner, two things hit her... the size of the place and the comparisons she draws to the beautiful socialite first wife Anamika.
Driven by a complex, she sets out to transform herself into Anamika much to Vikram's dismay... for it is not the kind of memory he preferred to revel in. And when Vikram's brother-in-law, a state cop, accuses Vikram of having a hand in Anamika's death, the mystery deepens...
Review: This isn't the type of Bollywood movie I usually watch (it came as a bonus dvd with one I ordered) but it was good. If you don't like Thriller/Mystery movies, you won't want like it. This story is pretty dark and some scenes are creepy. Kissing scenes were few and there was nothing inappropriate. There might have been 1 dance scene with a few problematic outfits but it wasn't too bad. There was no gore. The music was haunting and beautiful.

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars