An American's Guide to Bollywood

An American's Guide to Bollywood
  • 5.0 (5)
  • FILM REVIEWS

We’re two Americans who love Indian movies and want to help others do the same. Each episode we review an Indian movie from an American perspective, tell you how accessible it is to a westerner, where you can watch it, and if you might like it.

  1. JAN 24

    Episode 87: Maine Pyar Kiya

    Hannah & Rose discuss Maine Pyar Kiya (1989), a romantic comedy about two people who fall in love in spite of his father’s wishes. This film is directed by Sooraj Barjatya with music by Raamlaxman. It stars Salman Khan and Bhagyashree. Recommended for advanced viewers. Rated for young teens. Other names mentioned in the episode are Nasir Hussain, Kajol, Shah Rukh Khan, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Reema Lagoo, Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela, Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone and Salman Khan. The songs used in this episode are Dil Deewana, Maine Pyar Kiya, and Aaya Mausam Dosti Ka. All of these songs are available for purchase through Amazon or iTunes. Next: Phool Aur Kaante (1991)

    28 min

  2. 11/01/2025

    Episode 86: Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak

    Hannah & Rose discuss Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988), a romantic drama about two people from rival families falling in love. This film is directed by Mansoor Khan with music by Anand–Milind. It stars Aamir Khan and Juhi Chawla. Recommended for advanced viewers. Rated for young teens. Other names mentioned in the episode are Nasir Hussain, Kajol, Shah Rukh Khan, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Reema Lagoo, Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela, Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone and Salman Khan. The songs used in this episode are Ae Mere Humsafar, Gazab Ka Hai Din, and Papa Kehte Hain. All of these songs are available for purchase through Amazon or iTunes. Next: Maine Pyar Kiya (1989)

    21 min

  3. 08/02/2025

    Episode 85: Saathiya

    Hannah & Rose discuss Saathiya (2002), a drama about a young couple who elopes in spite of their families’ wishes. This film is directed by Shaad Ali with music by A. R. Rahman and Gulzar. It stars Rani Mukerji and Vivek Oberoi. Recommended for intermediate viewers. Rated for young teens. Other names mentioned in the episode are Mani Ratnam, Yuva, Abhishek Bachchan, Tabu, Shah Rukh Khan, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Naseeruddin Shah, Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn, and Akshay Kumar. The songs used in this episode are Maangalyam, Chupke Se, and Saathiya. All of these songs are available for purchase through Amazon or iTunes. Our next series is the breakthrough movies for the heroes of the 90s and includes Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988), Maine Pyar Kiya (1989), Phool Aur Kaante (1991), Khiladi (1992), and Daar (1993).

    35 min

  4. 06/21/2025

    Episode 84: Pagglait

    Hannah & Rose discuss Pagglait (2021), a drama about what happens when a young woman is widowed in modern day India. This film is directed by Umesh Bist with music by Arijit Singh. It stars Sanya Malhotra. Recommended for beginners. Rated for all ages. Other names mentioned in the episode are Ashutosh Rana, Mulk, Raees, Pad Man, Akshay Kumar, Vivek Oberoi, Rani Mukerji, Mani Ratnam and Yash Chopra. The songs used in this episode are Nagamani Nagamani, Roja Jaaneman, and Chinna Chinna Aasai. All of these songs are available for purchase through Amazon or iTunes. Next: Saathiya (2002)

    23 min

  5. 05/31/2025

    Episode 83: Roja

    Hannah & Rose discuss Roja (1992), a drama about a two newlyweds caught up in a terrorist in Kashmir. This film is directed by Mani Ratnam with music by A. R. Rahman. It stars Arvind Swamy and Madhoo. Recommended for intermediate viewers. Rated for young teens. Other names mentioned in the episode are Haider, Muthu, Shahid Kapoor, Dil Se… and Sanya Malhotra. The songs used in this episode are Nagamani Nagamani, Roja Jaaneman, and Chinna Chinna Aasai. All of these songs are available for purchase through Amazon or iTunes. Next: Pagglait (2021)

    36 min

  6. 05/10/2025

    Episode 82: Sairat

    Hannah & Rose discuss Sairat (2016), a drama about a low caste man and high caste woman who fall in love. This film is directed by Nagraj Manjule with music by Ajay-Atul. It stars Akash Thosar and Rinku Rajguru. Recommended for intermediate viewers. Rated for older teens. Other names mentioned in the episode are Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and Singham. The songs used in this episode are Sairat Zaala Ji, Yad Lagla, and Zingaat. All of these songs are available for purchase through Amazon or iTunes. Next: Roja (1992)

    31 min

  7. 04/08/2025

    Episode 81: Hum Aapke Hain Koon…!

    Hannah & Rose discuss Hum Aapke Hain Koon…! (1994), a romantic comedy about two families joined by marriage. This film is directed by Sooraj Barjatya with music by Raamlaxman. It stars Madhuri Dixit, Salman Khan, Renuka Shahane and Mohnish Bahl. Recommended for intermediate viewers. Rated for all ages. The songs used in this episode are Hum Aapke Hain Koun, Joote Do, Paise Lo, and Samdhi Samdhan. All of these songs are available for purchase through Amazon or iTunes. Next: Sairat (2016)

    28 min

  8. 03/15/2025

    Episode 80: Dilwale

    Hannah & Rose discuss the 2015 film Dilwale about two men who meet while traveling and the journey they have along the way. This film is directed by Rohit Shetty with songs by Pritam. It stars Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon. Recommended for beginners. Rated for older children. Other names mentioned in the episode are Any Body Can Dance, Student of the Year, Farah Khan, Johnny Lever, Pankaj Tripathi, Jackie Shroff, Boman Irani, Salman Khan, Madhuri Dixit, Mani Ratnam, Sanya Malhotra, Vivek Oberoi, and Rani Mukerji. The songs used in this episode are Janam Janam, Gerua, and Tukur Tukur. All of these songs are available for purchase through Amazon or iTunes. Our next series is about marriage and includes Hum Aapke Hain Koun… (1994), Sairat (2016), Roja (1992), Pagglait (2021), and Saathiya (2002).

    31 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

We’re two Americans who love Indian movies and want to help others do the same. Each episode we review an Indian movie from an American perspective, tell you how accessible it is to a westerner, where you can watch it, and if you might like it.

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