Best Indian Films that Foreigners Should Not Miss Out - Part 2

In my earlier part, I already covered two movies Queen and English Vinglish, so rather than wasting time on another introduction; I am getting started with some other movies that I would like foreign audience to see.

Gangs of Wasseypur

iMDB – 8.6/10

Taking the third spot on my list is Anurag Kashyap’s magnum opus Gangs of Wasseypur which has managed to make its place in the history of Indian cinema for its story telling and crude violence and typical slang dialogues. I would not recommend this for a family audience, but if you enjoyed The Departed, Gangs of New York, The Godfather and all those blood splashing crime movies, you will love this one that comes from the deep territories of North India. The story revolves around  Shahid Khan who impersonates as the legendary Sultana Daku (legendary dacoit) to rob British ferry trains in Wasseypur in early 1940s. However, things go wrong and he is exiled. Now as an outcast, Shahid works as a muscleman in coal mines for Ramadhir Singh who looks after many coal mines currently under British control. In 1947, when India is independent, British officers decide to sell coal mines to top industrialist and Ramadhir Singh manages to buy many in Dhanbad region. Now, that Britishers are gone, both Ramadhir Singh and Shahid Khan fight for power which ultimately ignites a bloody revenge battle that passes on to three generations of both families. Based on real events, this movie is among the first movies that highlight the coal mafia in India and how they have undergone changes and how they function within the judiciary system bending laws and breaking them as well. It is also among the longest movies of Indian cinema that runs into 320 minutes and therefore divided into two parts. If you are a fan of Quentin Tarantino, Martin Scorsese and Sergio Leone you should not miss this one at all. Maarenge nahi saale ko, keh ke lenge uski.

Kahaani

iMDB – 8.3/10

How often in movies do you see the lead character as a pregnant woman? Well, this one does. The story focuses on Vidya, a pregnant woman who comes from London to Kolkata searching for her missing husband Arnab, only to find that her husband never existed at all. Intriguing? I certainly put Kahaani (which means The Story in Hindi) is probably the smartest thriller I have seen in recent times. It keeps you on the toes, keeps you entertain and keeps you puzzled at the same time. While everyone is against Vidya and tells her that her husband does not exist, she is determined to continue her search for her love and for her baby. However, the real story starts when she begins to dig deep into the mystery and how she is pulled into the vortex of deceit and crime. Now, she has to protect herself, her baby and find her husband as well before time runs out. Brilliantly shot in the narrow and serpentine lanes of Kolkata and focusing on the Durga Puja festival Kahaani is a movie for all ages and gender and is not just for female audience just because the lead character is a pregnant lady. Even without a star cast, Kahaani manages to hold your attention and you feel the pain and frustration of a pregnant woman trying to solve a mystery and when she misses her husband or when she is constantly making rounds of police station to find about the updates about her missing husband. The climax of the movie offers tremendous shock value that leaves you in awe, but then when the movie ends you feel good because you have seen a really smart movie that outsmarted you completely. 

Part 3