Indian cinema boasts the most prolific output of any national film industry on the planet—its films, stars, and songs are beloved at home and by millions around the world, yet it remains largely unknown to many audiences in the West. Often incorrectly referred to as “Bollywood” (a term which actually only applies to the Hindi cinema of Mumbai, one of many film production centers in the country), Indian cinema is much more than the “song and a wedding” fare typically referenced in Western pop culture. Blending the traditions of musical storytelling and popular myth with dozens of different genres—often all in the same movie—Indian cinema eschews easy classification and demands recognition for its diversity and vitality. This ten-film retrospective offers a primer on popular Indian cinema and a rare opportunity to celebrate these classic films as they are meant to be seen—big movies on the big screen.

Sponsored by East India Co. Grill & Bar, Anjali School of Dance, and DJ Anjali and the Incredible Kid.

Series Program Notes