An American's Guide to Bollywood

Hannah & Rose discuss Darr (1993), a drama about a woman being stalked by an unknown man. This film is directed by Yash Chopra with music by Shiv-Hari. It stars Shah Rukh Khan, Juhi Chawla, and Sunny Deol. Recommended for intermediate viewers. Rated for young teens. Other names mentioned in the episode are Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Kajol, Ajay Devgn, Anupam Kher, Aamir Khan, Dhoom 3, Ghajin...

Hannah & Rose discuss Khiladi (1992), a comedic thriller about some college students that play a prank that goes wrong. This film is directed by Abbas–Mustan with music by Jatin–Lalit. It stars Akshay Kumar, Deepak Tijori, Ayesha Jhulka and Sabeeha. Recommended for advanced viewers. Rated for older children. Other names mentioned in the episode are Ajay Devgn, Tashan, Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa, Sha...

Hannah & Rose discuss Phool Aur Kaante (1991), an action romance about a gangster’s son who wants to get out of the life. This film is directed by Kuku Kohli with music by Nadeem–Shravan. It stars Ajay Devgn, Madhoo and Amrish Puri. Recommended for advanced viewers. Rated for young teens. Other names mentioned in the episode are Singham, Omkara and Akshay Kumar. The songs used in this ep...

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 L...

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, Reem...

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,...

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 Ch...

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 episod...

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...

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...

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, Joh...

Hannah & Rose discuss Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003), a romantic comedy drama about three friends and their lives in New York. This film is directed by Nikkhil Advani with music by Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy. It stars Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta and Saif Ali Khan. Recommended for advanced viewers. Rated for all ages. Other names mentioned in the episode are Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham…, Karan Johar, My Name...

Hannah & Rose discuss 2.0 (2018), a superhero movie about a robot who saves India from a bird-shaped threat. This film is directed by S. Shankar with music by AR Rahman. It stars Rajinikanth, Akshay Kumar and Amy Jackson. Recommended for intermediate viewers. Rated for older kids. Other names mentioned in the episode are I, Enthiran, Muthu, Pritam, Aamir Khan, and Vikram. The songs used in thi...

Hannah & Rose discuss Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa (1993), a dramedy about a slacker in love with a girl who is in love with someone else. This film is directed by Kundan Shah with music by Jatin–Lalit. It stars Shah Rukh Khan, Suchitra Krishnamoorthi and Deepak Tijori. Recommended for advanced viewers. Rated for all ages. Other names mentioned in the episode are Ranveer Singh, Ranbir Kapoor, Ayushman...

Hannah & Rose discuss Sanam Teri Kasam (2016), the tragic love story of a librarian and an ex-con. This film is directed by Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru with music by Himesh Reshammiya. It stars Harshvardhan Rane and Mawra Hocane. Recommended for beginners. Rated for preteens. Other names mentioned in the episode are Kamal Haasan, Saif Ali Khan, Vijay Raaz, Murali Sharma, Singham, and Shah Rukh...

Hannah & Rose discuss the 2003 film Anbe Sivam about two men who meet while traveling and the journey they have along the way. This film is directed by Sundar C with songs by Vidyasagar. It stars Kamal Haasan, Madhavan and Kiran Rathod. Recommended for advanced viewers. Rated for older children. Other names mentioned in the episode are Muthu, Aamir Khan, Rajinikanth, Baahubali, Shah Rukh Khan,...

Hannah & Rose discuss Iruvar (1997), the story two friends who become political rivals. This film is directed by Mani Ratnam with music by A. R. Rahman. It stars Mohanlal, Prakash Raj and Aishwarya Rai. Recommended for advanced viewers. Rated for all ages. Other names mentioned in the episode are Tabu, Dil Se…, Agni Natchathiram, Singham, and Kamal Haasan. The songs used in this episode...

Hannah & Rose discuss Muthu (1995), the story of a worker and his landlord who fall in love with the same woman. This film is directed by K. S. Ravikumar with music by A. R. Rahman. It stars Rajinikanth, Meena and Sarath Babu. Recommended for advanced viewers. Rated for children. Other names mentioned in the episode are Mohanlal, Manichitrathazhu, Johnny Lever, Kajol, Enthiran, 2.0, Akshay Kum...

Hannah & Rose discuss Agni Natchathiram (1988), the story of two men who are half-brothers and rivals. This film is directed by Mani Ratnam with music by Ilaiyaraaja. It stars Prabhu and Karthik. Recommended for advanced viewers. Rated for children. Other names mentioned in the episode are Dil Se.., Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai, Vansh, Anupam Kher, Amrish Puri, Rajinikanth, and Enthiran. The...

Hannah & Rose discuss Maro Charitra (1978), the love story between a Telugu girl and a Tamil boy. This film is directed by K. Balachander with music by M. S. Viswanathan. It stars Kamal Haasan and Saritha. Recommended for advanced viewers. Rated for teens. Other names mentioned in the episode are Singham and Sridevi. The songs used in this episode are from Kalisi Unte Kaladu Sukhamu, Ey Teega...

Hannah & Rose discuss the 2018 film Mulk about the family of a terrorist who are taken to court for his crimes. This film is directed by Anubhav Sinha with songs by Prasad Sashte and Anurag Saikia. It stars Rishi Kapoor and Taapsee Pannu. Recommended for beginners. Rated for teens. Other names mentioned in the episode are Rajat Kapoor, Monsoon Wedding, Dil Chahta Hai, Ashutosh Rana, Pagglait,...

Hannah & Rose discuss Madras Cafe (2013), a thriller about an Indian intelligence agent who is trying to thwart a plot in the Sri Lankan civil war. This film is directed by Shoojit Sircar with music by Shantanu Moitra. It stars John Abraham and Nargis Fakhri. Recommended for intermediate viewers. Rated for teens. Other names mentioned in the episode are Airlift, Prakash Belawadi, Tillotama Sho...

Hannah & Rose discuss Fanaa (2006), a romantic thriller about a tour guide that falls in love with a blind girl. This film is directed by Kunal Kohli with music by Jatin–Lalit. It stars Aamir Khan and Kajol Recommended for intermediate viewers. Rated for teens. Other names mentioned in the episode are Bang Bang, Hrithik Roshan, Katrina Kaif, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Yash Chopra, Dil Se&#82...

Hannah & Rose discuss A Wednesday! (2008), a thriller about a bomb threat in Mumbai. This film is directed by Neeraj Pandey with music by Sanjoy Chowdhury. It stars Naseeruddin Shah and Anupam Kher. Recommended for intermediate viewers. Rated for teens. Other names mentioned in the episode are Monsoon Wedding, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, Salman Khan, Irrfan Khan, Anil Ka...

Hannah & Rose discuss Dil Se… (1998), a romantic thriller about a radio broadcaster who meets a mysterious woman. This film is directed by Mani Ratnam with music by A. R. Rahman and Gulzar. It stars Shah Rukh Khan, Manisha Koirala, and Preity Zinta. Recommended for intermediate viewers. Rated for older teens. Other names mentioned in the episode are Farah Khan, Naseeruddin Shah, and Anup...