By Stacey Yount @bollywriter & online at: Bollyspice.com
10 Bollywood movie treats to watch this Christmas
Entertainment Contributor
It is that time of the year, the most wonderful time of the year, and even more so for children: they are on winter break and there is all sorts of fun to be had! One of the things we used to do when I was child was have movie days when we would either go to the movies or pop some popcorn and snuggle in for movies at home.
Of course with Dhoom:3 in theaters now, I bet one of your movie days will be spent at the cinema, but here are some fun Bollywood suggestions for a movie treat on your sofa!
Krrish series
Photo: Courtesy Bollyspice.com
This series actually could be a feature article on its own, with three films and 4 animated adventures, but for this special list we put them together and say Go Krrish this holiday break. First up is 2003’s Koi Mil Gaya where we were first introduced to the extraterrestrial Jadoo. Starring Hrithik Roshan, in one of his best performances ever, this film is a fun ride with a wonderful story.
KMG is a perfect film to watch with your children during a snowy day! Then, of course, you must move on to 2006’s Krrish, which introduces THE superhero of India! The high flying action film has lots of cool special effects, great music and Hrithik Roshan as a superhero: it does not get better than that. Then get ready for Krrish 3, because we hear the hit film will release on DVD in January! While you are waiting, you also can check out the Kid Krrish cartoon movies on Cartoon Network. Featuring an 11-year-old superhero called Kid Krrish (who Hrithik says is even better than the filmi Krrish!), the animated Bollycharacter and his set of adventures is not to be missed by any young superhero fan.
Gippi
Released in May of this year and directed by newcomer Sonam Nair, Gippi is a new type of film for Indian cinema because it is the coming of age story of a young girl. Gippi is an ordinary 14-year-old who lives in Simla with her mother Pappi and little brother Booboo. She is overweight and awkward and doesn’t know how to handle the physical, emotional and social changes happening in her life. Through the course of the film, Gippi learns to love herself for exactly who she is.
Photo: Courtesy Bollyspice.com
It is the tale of an underdog who picks herself up from nothing and finds herself at the top of her own world. Starring newcomer Riya Vij, the film also boasts a fabulous cast of young actors as well as Divya Dutta and Taaha Shah. Though the film is fun, the director told me that the most important message to all the kids out there is that “you should love yourself for who you are and not try to be like other people or try to meet standards that are not meant for you.”
ABCD Any Body Can Dance
ABCD is a full-on dance flick, much like the Hollywood Step Up films, but this one is in its own class with a Bollywood flavor. Directed by ace choreographer Remo D’Souza, the film stars Prabhu Deva and many of your favorite dance show stars like Salman Yusuf Khan, Dharmesh, Punit Pathak and So You Think You Can Dance star Lauren Gottlieb. Of course the main attraction to this movie is the OUTSTANDING, KILLER, COOL dance sequences.
The story becomes filler in between the movement sequences, but it has the extra emotion that all Bollywood movies have and that makes it extra special. Accompanied by oh-so-fabulous music, I predict this one might be one where the kids say ‘Ooh, let’s watch that again!’ (And later you will find them dancing to the beat in their rooms.)
Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic
This may seem like a bit of an odd choice because critics were not nice to this film, but I actually really enjoyed it. A very fun, family oriented film with a touch of magic, the film stars Rani Mukerji and Saif Ali Khan. It is the story of four orphans, a man who does not believe in love, and an angel who flies in riding a bicycle down a rainbow (reminiscent of British fantasy nannies Mary Poppins and Nanny McPhee), makes everyone happy and, since it is Bollywood, falls in love with the hero! It has pyaar, it has jadoo, it is just fun and a perfect film to watch together!
Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke
Another one to check out this holiday is Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke, starring Juhi Chalwa and Aamir Khan. This is the Hindi version of the classic Hollywood film Houseboat that starred Cary Grant and Sophia Loren. This is probably one you haven’t thought of in awhile, but this has comedy, drama and romance all wrapped in a great story.
With a HEA (happily ever after) for everyone in the end, this fun film should definitely be on your list! Released in 1993, HHRPK was a super duper hit and was nominated and won several Filmfare awards.
Toonpur Ka Superrhero
Take a live Ajay Devgn and Kajol and put them in a world of animation and you get the magic of Toonpur Ka Superrhero. Think of Who Framed Roger Rabbit but more kid friendly. With fab bollytunes, some really funny scenes along with amusingly entertaining animated characters and you have a movie everyone will love! Just seeing Ajay acting with toons is worth a watch!
Delhi Safari
Photo Courtesy: Bollyspice.com
Delhi Safari is an animated film that was released both in Hindi and English. One of the coolest things about the film is that it features two all-star casts, including Akshaye Khanna, Govinda, Suniel Shetty, Boman Irani, and Urmilla Matondkar for the Hindi version and Tom Kenny, Jason Alexander, Cary Elwes, Christopher Lloyd, Jane Lynch, Vanessa Williams and Brad Garrett for the English version. Directed by Nikhil Advani, the story of the film is a heart filled and courageous tale with a wonderful message
. Not only does it shine a light on the environment, the deforestation around the world and that we need to protect animals that live in those forests, it is also a tale of friendship, love everlasting and standing up for what you believe.
For adults, you will not think this is a two thumbs up film, but for kids it is a very entertaining movie. I loved the animation, especially of the songs. Here’s something extra interesting: they recorded the voices for the characters not just in the recording booth, but as the actors acted out the film in the studio. If the kids haven’t seen it yet, I bet they will like it, and if they have, I bet they will want to see it again.
Anmol
This one is probably for older children because of some of the second half story points, but another one to see this winter break is Anmol. I saw this great film once years ago and loved it. It took me until writing this article to find it again! Directed by Ketan Desail, the film stars Manisha Koirala and Rishi Kapoor. It is a Cinderella story with a musical twist because the prince is a singer (!) and instead of at a ball, the couple is supposed to meet at a concert. It is a fabulous film – who doesn’t love a Cinderella story filled with 90s masala and Rishi Kapoor sweaters! The film also boasts fabulous music by Raam Laxman. You may have to search a bit for this one, but it will be worth it in the end.
Ra.One
Starring Shah Rukh Khan, Arjun Rampal and Kareena Kapoor, Ra.One is another film I really enjoyed. Some critics claimed that it was too much of a children’s movie, but that is what it was supposed to be! SRK even said he was making the superhero good-against-evil film for his kids. If you watch it from that perspective, Ra.One is a really cool movie. A great story, with brilliant top of the line special effects along with Shah Rukh Khan; what more could you ask for! Turn down the lights, pop lots of popcorn and have a movie afternoon with this one!
Zokkomon
This is another superhero flick, but this time the hero is young. Zokkomon stars Darsheel Safary (Taare Zameen Par) and tells of a boy “superhero” whose powers come from a bit of science and, of course, a bit of magic. Zokkomon is a story of how good triumphs over evil–which is how every great story should end. Watch out for the brilliant Anupam Kher in two completely different roles!
Photo: Bollyspice.com
You may roll your eyes at some points of the film, but the kids will love it! Maybe you will see Zokkomon, G.One, and Kid Krrish having a “battle” on your lawn!
There is one special mention I have to make and that is the film that has Santa Claus as a main character. Can you guess? Yes, in Home Delivery, Boman Irani plays Santa Claus. The film, that also stars Vivek Oberoi, also features Diwali and a slew of special appearances. You should check this one out for some fun and a bit of goofiness, but all good!
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Thanks for this list! Just what I need today – there is tons of ice and freezing rain here in Toronto which is making it hard to leave the house. I am going to try out one of these movies for sure.
Thanks for the great list!