My top 10 all-time favourite movies

I have been a movie buff from the time I can trace my memory back...and life got better after marriage, since Neha loved movies just as much as I did, if not more!!! For those who've known me for a while, can imagine what a difficult task I would have had, when I chose to write about my top 10 favourite movies. Narrowing my picks down to ten choices was probably a herculean task for me, to begin with...after much thought I decided that I needed to split the write up between Hollywood and Bollywood separately!!!! 

With great difficulty, I am going to jot down my top Bollywood movies in this post, knowing fully well that there are probably a couple dozen more that are equally good or even better, and that these may not all be critically acclaimed or commercially successful, but over the years these have grown to become my eternal favourites! And now, as is customary, I begin in reverse order:-

10. Qurbani:

Without doubt, one of the best movies to be directed by Feroze Khan, this movie went on to become one of the biggest hits of the year! Roaring into the classic 80's action filled recipe, Qurbani introduces the word "sexy" into Bollywood. Zeenat Aman is ravishing and defines what will be followed for years and years as the benchmark for sensuous, yet respectable skin show! Besides her, Qurbani is a story of friendship - between Amar and Rakka. Vinod Khanna and Feroze Khan have no qualms about being overtly demonstrative in their friendly affections while being confident in their rugged masculinity; this movie solidifies Vinod Khanna's existing popularity and his position as one of the finest actors of the times! Finally, Biddu creates history and the world hears the magnificent voice of 15-year old Nazia Hassan rocking the charts with Aap Jaisa Koi and Laila O Laila! Hum Tumhe Chahte Hain, Kya Dekhto Ho and the wonderful qawwali, Qurbani Qurbani make the music track never to forget!

9. Maine Pyar Kiya:

Boy meets girl and they fall in love - but their fathers don't approve. Driven by the power of their love, they determine through hard work and honest living to prove to their skeptical fathers that they are a worthy and true match. Supported by the sympathy of a soft-hearted mother figure, a reliable friend or two, and even some assistance from the animal kingdom, love conquers all. Although the plot sounds like a film you've seen a few times before - no twists, no unpredicted outcomes, no surprises, that never stopped it from being a massive hit in its day...igniting the Suraj Barjatya hit machine that over the years perfected the art of delivering sugar-coated confections in cinematic form! MPK stands up today due to the infectious adorableness of its principals. As a young man, Salman Khan on the screen is fresh-faced, earnest, and sweet; his shaky attempts at keeping "cool" don't even begin to hide his tender heart. Meanwhile Bhagyashree shines with the cutest smile this side of Hema Malini. Ram Laxman score a bit hit with the music and the title track by Lata and SPB is one of the iconic love songs to have ever been sung! The "Friend" cap and the one liner - "Dosti mein no sorry, no thank you" were instant smash hits with one and all.

8. Anand:

The classic story of a terminally ill man who wishes to live life to the full before the inevitable occurs, as told by his best friend. Hrishikesh Mukherjee delivers a standout film which not only is an emotional tearjerker but fits it beautifully with soul-stirring songs from Salil Chaudhary, such as Maine tere liye, Na jiya lage na, Kahin door jab din dhal jaaye and Zindagi kaisi hai paheli!! Released in 1970, Anand won 6 Filmfare Awards and still remains one of Amitabh Bachchan and Rajesh Khanna's best performances. The phrase "Babu Moshay" became a legend and is still being used across the country to refer to any Bengali person!

7. Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar:

Loosely translates to "He who wins is the ultimate conqueror", this extremely well-made copy of the famous Hollywood movie Breaking Away, makes it to my list as it was probably the first outstanding attempt to make a sports drama film, getting everyone nostalgic of their school lives, because I am sure there was no one who wouldn't have been able to identify with one of the characters! Superb songs (has to be an imminent part of the movie that makes this list, right? ;) )...Pehla Nasha was the first filmi song to be shot in complete slow motion, a trend that was later used extensively in movies/music videos. In the end, even though Sanjay's win was a foregone conclusion, the obstacle-laded race and the climax were still nail-biting. That's the beauty of this got me rooting for the guy who fights seemingly insurmountable odds and wins, and if the losers are rich snobs, so much the better! The film is a bitter-sweet coming of age tale, as well as the story of love, friendship and family triumphing against adversity. Last but not the least, Pooja Bedi's infamous red dress shots were the best things for the average adolescent!

6. Amar Akbar Anthony:

Amar Akbar Anthony is a raucous, ridiculous 1970s classic farce that featured some of the era's biggest stars, including Amitabh, Vinod Khanna, Rishi Kapoor, and my beloved Parveen Babi! Wacky hijinks, angry gangsters, half-wit thugs, a blind old woman, car chases, romance, house fires, bar fights, weddings, disguises - in true masala spirit, this energetic film has a little of everything. 'Clear your mind of "cannot"' said Hollywood actor Samuel L Jackson. And that is what filmmaker Manmohan Desai did on screen repeatedly, but most notably in this movie!! My favourite scene from the movie - Amitabh, in his justifiably famous drunken monologue in front of a mirror wherein a bruised and befuddled Anthony sticks Band-Aid on his reflection is probably one of the all-time classics! All actors were great, but I really liked Vinod Khanna, who intelligently prefers to play his role sedately; his sane, sturdy presence counterbalancing Amitabh's and Rishi's over-the-top antics. Rafi scores big time hits with Taiyyab Ali pyar ka dushman and Parda hai parda!!!

5. Abhimaan:

This 1973 film by Hrishikesh Mukherjee is believed to be based on the life of singer Kishore Kumar and his first wife, Ruma Ghosh. When it was released, audiences also found similarities between real-life couple Amitabh and Jaya and the couple they portrayed on-screen as Jaya's career was mush stronger than Amitabh's at the time. The combo of SD Burman and Majrooh Sultanpuri weaved magic into the films songs, all of them being super hits on the charts! The ending of the movie showcases what is considered a masterpiece of direction by Mukherjee and scoring by Burman, when the couple comes together again in an emotional reunion and they sing together Tere Mere Milan Ki Yeh Raina!!! Jaya Bhaduri is just simply excellent. She moves from being a shy new bride to a victim of shock with ease... her portrayal of Uma won her a Filmfare award and interestingly, she chose to take a long hiatus from acting after this movie!

4. I tried a lot to pick one, but I think I'll go in with a tie on this spot between Khubsoorat and Jab We Met!

Khubsoorat:

A 1980 movie, directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, whose direction together with dialogues by Gulzar created a comedy classic. Rekha shined in a first all-out comic role, with her brilliant comic timing. The film won the 1981 Filmfare Best Movie Award and Rekha, won her first Filmfare Best Actress Award for her role as Manju Dayal! Khubsoorat is a sparkling comedy, both genial and literate. But amidst the froth and frolic, Mukherjee also slips in a subtly introduced message on the often conflicting roles of discipline and freedom in life. The redoubtable Dina Pathak plays the matriarch of a household who, like Queen Victoria, is not often amused. The battle lines are drawn when her daughter-in-law's sister (played with verve by Rekha) incites her family to rebellion. But finally, neither proves to be the victor! What I love about Hrishikesh Mukherjee is that his films are not too arty to alienate the masses and they were insightful enough to please the critics. Asha Bhonsle rocks with Sun sun sun didi tere liye, Piya baawri and Saare niyam tod do!

Jab We Met:

I think this movie is Shahid-Kareena's DDLJ! One of the finest romantic films to come out of Bollywood, JWM is the kind of cinematic experience that is hard to come by in this day and age of smoky cynicism and borrowed rage. Striking the right balance between light and heavy moments is akin to walking on a tight rope and Imtiaz handles the two extremes with remarkable ease. The film's music is fantabulous - Mauja hi mauja, Tumse Hi, Yeh Ishq Hai, Nagara - every song will go down in history as a classic! After a very long time, a movie that brought about a refreshing change to love stories! Shahid's career best performance at that time (Kaminey tops his acting overall)! Not to forget, Shahid comes of age as Bollywood's best dancer - his moves are just unbelievable, man!


3. Chak De India:

Shimit Amin's 2007 Bollywood sports film about field hockey in India, is probably the best sports based film to have ever been made! It is the story of a coach's fight of making his team, Team India by overcoming their diverse backgrounds, by learning to use everything that life hurls on them as a secret weapon. SRK rocks, and so do the 16 girls in the hockey team. Yash Raj had not ventured into unconventional cinema, except for a Kabul Express and so, this one was a commendable effort! Winning numerous Best Film and Best Actor awards, Chak De is probably one of SRK's all time best performances. There are numerous scenes which make you say, "Wow", others stir up your patriotism too! The McDonalds scene where the girls bash up the rowdies or the scene where an angry Kabir Khan tells Balbir to play strong against Argentina or the final sattar minute speech - everything was just perfect! The background score did not disappoint either....this is a classic!  

2. Gol Maal

For anyone who hasn't figured out so far, Hrishikesh Mukherjee has 4 of my top 10 movies - he clearly is my favourite director! Gol Maal, according to me is one of Hindi cinema's finest comedy! It marked the commencement of Mukherjee-Palekar comedy duo which went on to give us many more laugh riot movies later on. Winning the 1979 Best Actor and Best Comedian Filmfare awards for Palekar and Dutt respectively, this movie is evergreen and I can watch it as many times even today! Palekar as both Ramprasad and Laxmanprasad delivers his career best and Deven Verma is as good as ever. Panchamda scores a hit music with Aane wala pal (for which Gulzar saab got another Filmfare), Ek baat kahoon sach maano tum and the outstanding title track - wonderful songs and superb lyrics...my favourite favourite favourite comedy movie ever!

1. Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge

One of the only two films in the 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die list, this is probably cinema at its brillance! Winner of 10 Filmfare Awards and one National Award, DDLJ took Aditya Chopra, SRK and Kajol to new heights and created Bollywood's finest on-screen couple ever, that went on to deliver some of the finest films to be made in modern cinema! The film did not have one execution flaw - outstanding performances by all actors, terrific direction, superb cinematography, awesome screenplay and melodious music/songs - you name it! Bade bade shehron mein choti choti baatein hoti rehti hain senorita - a dialogue that sent the entire country rolling on this fantastic love story! The scene when Raj tries to convince Farida Jalal that his way is the right way, the scene in which Anupam Kher says, I missed you yaar, the scene where Raj tells Simran, that he will not attend her wedding - one after the other...each one is a masterpiece in itself, brilliantly, flawlessly executed! This is probably one of the few films ever made that perform the rarely-achieved feat of stretching a predictable plot over three hours and making every minute memorable, enjoyable and worth appreciating! This is one movie that will probably occupy this position for the rest of my life! Inevitably, one cannot watch DDLJ without reflecting on the many subsequent films that have attempted to recapture its winning formula: two ill-matched lovers fight and frolic through foreign climes, their ultimate happiness imperiled by the approach of the heroine's wedding to another. But DDLJ towers atop the pinnacle of this genre thanks to the genuine wit of its dialogue, the briskness and believability of its plot, the irresistable charisma of its actors, and the superior quality and integration of its song sequences. Simran's famous dialogue regarding her dream visitor, Aisa pehli baar hua hai satrah athrah saalon mein could well be amended to fit the movie itself: Aisi movie ek baar hoti hai satrah athrah saalon mein.
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Next post: AR Rahman - Live in Concert on June 12, 2010