Let’s face it, Indian movies are… not all gems. The songs, the lame dances, the cheese, OH the cheese! That’s what we all grew up to love. But the films on this list have a healthy balance of cheese and maturity that would make anyone take India’s movie industry seriously.

You can read about these films on Wikipedia, but this is a list of why we enjoyed them so much.

January

No One Killed Jessica (Keertana)

Normally I wouldn’t approach these “triumph over evil” type films with a ten-foot stick. But execution and casting push it from unoriginal to inspiring. Considering that it is based on a true story about a woman who goes on a crusade to bring her sister’s murderer to justice, the film already starts with strong feminism. The film does a good job of casting a defiant and disapproving look at the crumbling judicial system in India. Vidya Balan is fantastic as the sister of the victim. She exudes naivety and heartbreaking pain when she finds out her sister has been murdered. And Rani Mukherjee is at her snarky, cynical best as the journalist who decides to help the case. Another plus: the women get to be real, especially Rani. She curses, she is comfortable with her sexuality, she doesn’t care what anyone thinks about her; she’s pretty much my hero.

There are some completely cliched moments like when Vidya’s character wants to stop fighting for the cause but changes her mind after a stern but rousing lecture from Rani and a heartfelt candlelight vigil in her sister’s name. But the movie shows off an improved twist on traditional Bollywood filmmaking.

Dhobi Ghat (Sheela)

Why is this movie worth watching? First off, it’s Aamir Khan outside of his Bollywood persona. It’s Prateik Babbar portraying a (gorgeous) washerman. It’s new comer Monica Dogra doing what we all wish we could do – documenting other sides of Indian life. These three characters represent a new India, one that is progressive, disenfranchised and curious. It’s slow, and reminds me of an art house film. The colors are dark, but so are the characters and their relationships. It’s simultaneously edgy and comforting, exploring a microcosm of what makes Mumbai and that’s what makes Dhobi Ghat worth watching. (It’s also a great way to introduce your friends to Indian cinema before hitting them with the typical Bollywood masala movies)

February

7 Khoon Maaf (Keertana)

This film has a complicated relationship with viewers and critics: either they really enjoyed the hyperviolent themes and morbid story, or they hated it to the very cores of their beings. Obviously, Sheela and I are in the first camp. We were in love from start to finish. No longer is Priyanka Chopra one of those pretty girls who used to make a lot of silly movies about nothing. She’s proved her acting chops in a few smart films now and damn, she is just about perfect as seven different incarnations of the same twisted woman who just can’t find the perfect man. I’m sure we can all relate. Difference is, I’m not sure I would kill someone for always feeling frisky (that one died from too much of his own “frisky medicine” if you catch my drift).

While the men don’t get much face time, some of them make lasting impressions. Without question, my favorites were Neil Nitin Mukesh, John Abraham and Irrfan Khan. They completely embody their terrible traits and it makes killing them the only reasonable response. Neil Nitin such a great performance that it’s impossible not to be wowed. And John Abraham is at his absolute best as a struggling rocker who hits the big time. Irrfan is always brilliant and will make you sick to your stomach when you find out his kill-worthy trait. See this film… Don’t get any ideas, but definitely watch it.

Tanu Weds Manu (Sheela)

I don’t like wedding movies. I mean, not just Indian; any wedding movie from any country in any language will end half way with me rolling my eyes. The only reason I gave Tanu Weds Manu a chance, was I heard positive things about it, and for the most part, didn’t disappoint. Kangana is really funny in this movie, Madhavan proves an emotional rock and Jimmy is a loose cannon. The characters are weird and that makes this a romantic COMEDY. It gets a little sappy at the end, but that’s easily overlooked by the first half of the movie. If you want a cute girls night or even date movie, Tanu Weds Manu is appropriate.

April

Shor in the City (Keertana)

“Karma is a bitch.” That’s the first song you hear during Shor in the City. It’s pretty much the perfect way to describe this film about five lives who face different dilemmas during a festival in Mumbai. So we all know from every Bollywood movie ever made that Mumbai deals with a LOT of crime. And while this film also deals with different kinds of crime in Mumbai, the execution is more darkly funny and twisted, almost like a Quentin Tarantino film but without all the severed limbs.

The five guys are great, especially Tusshar Kapoor who quite literally may never have a better performance. Heroes star Sendhil Ramamurthy is also pretty fantastic as an NRI who comes to Mumbai to start his life over only to get into more trouble. The stories here are all a bit obvious but the way the characters handle their situations keeps the movie fresh. It’s gritty, off-beat, interesting and it breaks the cycle of boring gangster/mob boss crime films.

Dum Maro Dum (Keertana)

When I heard about this film, I was worried to say the least. Another drug/crime noir? A not-so-subtle reference to the movie Hare Rama Hare Krishna? GROAN. But I was fairly impressed with the style of this film. It’s obvious that the point is to show how corrupted the government and police are in Goa (and most of India) but the movie is about several different lives that are forced together by one drug lord and his manipulation.

The cast is pretty great. Abhishek plays the good-guy with a dark past with ease- he could probably do that role in his sleep by now. Prateik is good once he gets to play vulnerable. But along with Abhishek, the shining star of this film is Telugu actor Rana. He has the right balance of quiet anger and heart to be perfect as Abhishek’s foil and partner (in a way). It’s definitely worth checking out, but get ready for an intense time.

June

Shaitan (Sheela)

The movie art turned me off at first. The surreal art portrayed it like a religious movie or another college movie that I couldn’t connect with. I finally came around to reading the summary, I realized it was neither. This is a movie about overindulgence and privilege and it doesn’t let you forget that. It’s a fantastic movie. Bejoy Nambiar is obviously influenced by Western directors, evident in the cinematography. The editing is interesting and use of the soundtrack is well used. The five main characters (I really can’t call them protagonists or antagonists) don’t try to be redeeming. They are just trying to spend their parents’ money on drinks and drugs. There are aspects to their characters that almost make them relatable, but for the most part, their story is alienating. And that is what makes it so fascinating.

July

Delhi Belly (Sheela)

Hilarious. Seriously. I couldn’t stop watching and laughing. Like Shaitan, it’s incredibly smart. Unlike Shaitan, it takes every incident and elicits a laugh from it. I wish I could explain why I think it’s the best movie of July, but without context, my review will mean nothing. It’s the smart kind of funny. There’s latent feminism woven throughout the plot. The music is fun and used wisely. The burqa scene is NOT offensive. The bharatnatyam dancers, the food, the matryoshka dolls, and the five star hotel, I Hate You (Like I Love You), the Disco Fighter. Irreverent and incredibly entertaining. Yeah, those clauses sound about right.

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (Keertana)

Thank you for this movie Bollywood. This is a great look into three very different men who happened to be best friends and how they change each other’s lives in incredibly important ways during a bachelor party/road trip to Spain. It’s sweet, moving, smart, different and even better: It’s really funny.

All three actors here are brilliant. Abhay Deol is the rock of the group. He does a fantastic job of keeping the friendship strong and united. Hrithik is amazing as the stuck up, Type-A personality who learns to let loose with the help of a girl (Katrina Kaif, who usually bugs me beyond all reason but is quite charming here). And my absolute favorite is Farhan Akthar who gets to play the funny guy who has ulterior motives for the trip. He is so vulnerable and his performance is emotionally devastating. The guys have awesome chemistry, the songs are clever and catchy, and the script is so realistic. And there are enough cheesy moments and strange coincidences to still make this an appropriately “Bollywood-y” film. It’s the perfect companion to films like Dil Chahtha Hai and you’ll enjoy it from start to finish.

I’m shaking, literally shaking. It’s so close, oh so close I can feel it taking over my body and life once again. It hurts so bad, but I want it too much to stop it. Two words, Fall Television.

I kid you not when I say that television isn’t just an essential part of my life, it’s one of the biggest components. While I spend my free time studying the progression on television most of you just want to know what shows you should watch to make your lives as amazing as can possibly be!

This fall their are a number of new shows entering the likes of prime time so it’s hard to know which ones are going to be captivating or entertaining. Most of my critics are based on three things: Is it a new concept? Is it captivating? and is it wildly entertaining?

Here are the shows you should keep an eye out for this fall. You can check out the trailers for each of them on their network websites!

New Premieres

Outsourced

While I’m biased because this show replaced my beloved Parks & Recreation, I am just as curious as every other brown girl out there on how exactly the show is going to impact or reflect Indian culture. While it does look entertaining I just wonder what the laughs will be at the cost of. Komal wrote a great review on the summary of the show, which you can check out here.

September 23rd 9:30/8:30c NBC

$#*! my Dad says

If you are on twitter you’ve definitely caught buzz of this show. The entire premise is on a 29 year old guy, Justin, who moved back home and started tweeting the insightful yet harsh things his dad says to him. For example, his latest tweet reads “Put the rake down. I don’t wanna sit around watching you ‘give it your best.’ Either stop sucking or get the f%ck out of the way.” The hilarious William Shatner will play Justin’s father and if you ever watched Star Trek or Boston Legal, I’m sure you know what to expect from his performance.

September 23rd 8:30/7:30c

The Event

The premise of this show seems like it will follow the formatting of Lost and Heros, because it’s super top secret and they can’t really tell you what it’s about. All you know is that the Event will change everything. What they can tell you is their is a presidential assassination attempt, a missing person, and a CIA cover-up aren’t the super secret event but are a part of the plot. It seems like it’ll be epic and enticing or too complicating and annoying. How’s that for selling it to ya?!

September 20th 9/8c

Returning Must Sees:

Modern Family

ABC

They just won the Emmy for best comedy! If you didn’t watch last season, you need to go and watch that immediately, not to understand the show, just because it was that fantastic. The show is formatted like the 50s nuclear family sitcom but with a Modern family. You know Columbian wives, gay couples, Korean babies, and deranged fathers. I can’t even emphasize how much you need to see this show.

Community

NBC

This show is so underrated but it’s one of the best shows on TV right now. I was never a big Joel McHale fan but the show isn’t all about him, more than it is about the different types of students that attend a community college. Freshman straight out of high school, billionaires wanting to get a degree, stay at home moms, and a girl who traveled the world and is finally back at school. If you’re a big movie buff, you’ll appreciate the show more because it stylizes a lot of the episodes in the format of famous movies like Goodfellas or Good Will Hunting because one of the students it a film major.

The Big Bang Theory

CBS

Putting this on here makes me reveal how big of a nerd I really am. But to be honest, the show is wonderful and hilarious whether you’re a nerd or not. It focuses on the lives of 4 nerds, all brilliant but snubbed at their social lives. Each of them has a different flaw such as being an over womanizer, not being able to talk to women unless intoxicated, being over emotional and then there’s Jim Parsons. He literally steals the show with his unusual character who is socially awkward but in an in your face way. It’s worth checking out to see if it’s your cup of tea or not.

Other shows to watch out for:

Law & Order: Los Angeles

September 22nd 10/9c NBC

By now you know the premise but at least it will fill the void of the original.

Mike & Molly

September 20th 9:30/8:30c CBS

Your All-American couple a cop and a teacher except they meet at an Overeaters Anonymous.

My Generation

September 23rd 8/7c ABC

A documentary crew follows up with the lives of a group of high school graduates 10 years later. (Not actual documentary)

Hawaii 5-0

If you love action then you’ll be excited of this remake of the original cop show.

Top Chef: Just Desserts (Bravo)

TBD Bravo

Like the original, but dipped in sugar.

Undercovers

September 22nd 8/7c

Mr. & Mrs. Smith every single week. Done.

Dev Patel and Freida Pinto on the Oscar Red Carpet for Slumdog Millionaire.

by Fauzeya Rahman

This year’s Academy Awards will be like any previous year.  We’ll see the usual red carpet scene, celebrities either looking fierce (or not so much) and awards will be given to the top movies of the year.  Unlike previous years, however, there’s a good chance we could see a movie whose storyline came straight out of the slums of Mumbai win best picture of the year.

“Slumdog Millionaire” has received both critical acclaim and widespread popularity.  Its success has been analyzed by hardcore film buffs and casual moviegoers alike.  Whatever its appeal is for the individual viewer, the movie succeeds in bringing the South Asian identity out from the sidelines into the forefront.

It is very rare to see South Asian characters in popular sitcoms or movies in the States.  Whenever there was the rare Desi cast, they were always portrayed as a recent immigrant with a heavy accent, usually as a taxi driver or a similar profession.  Needless to say, it was hard to identify with Apu from “The Simpsons,” and most of us never really saw much of ourselves portrayed in Hollywood.

Kal Penn in the hit series "House".

Flash forward to 2009.  Aishwarya Rai is starring in the new “Pink Panther” movie.  Snoop Dogg collaborated for a track in the Bollywood flick “Singh is Kinng.”  Kal Penn is a household name (well, in households with teens or 20-somethings present).  There is a definite fusion and collaboration that is taking place, a clear step in a new direction.

Seeing as how Asians account for 13.5 million of the U.S. population, a stronger presence in pop culture is to be expected.  Rather than having the token Asian fulfilling some stereotype, we’re starting to see South Asians cast in major roles in TV and in movies.  We aren’t 100 percent at accurate representation, but slowly we’re getting there.

Lakshmi Menon in an ad for Banana Republic.

One big difference (and improvement) is that South Asians aren’t solely represented as “exotic” anymore.  Take Lakshmi Menon for instance.  She’s appeared in Banana Republic commercials, has modeling contracts with Hermes and Givenchy and has walked in runway shows for top designers such as Michael Kors and Vera Wang.  She’s achieved great success not only as an Indian model, but as a model in general.

This wasn’t always the case for Indian models.  For model/host of “Top Chef” Padma Lakshmi, during her modeling days she was usually featured in ethnic clothing in exotic locales.  As the advertising and editorial world is heading towards greater diversity, we’re starting to see differences in our everyday lives.

So what does this all mean?  Well for starters, maybe the younger generations growing up seeing such diversity will be uninhibited in choosing their career paths.  They will further break down barriers and stereotypes and we’ll be seeing fellow South Asians filling more non-traditional roles, further erasing stereotypes.  Maybe we’ll see more Bollywood and Hollywood collaborations on the big screen.  Maybe rather than being seen as “exotic,” we’ll be seen simply as we are.

Kal Penn on the hit TV series House.

Kal Penn, born Kalpen Suresh Modi, has made us laugh in many movies from his humble beginnings in American Desi all the way to Harold and Kumar. He has even tackled more serious roles such as “Gogol” in the Mira Nair film The Namesake. Currently, he plays a doctor on the hit FOX show House. Things you may not know about the actor: he’s a vegetarian and taught a lecture course at the University of Pennsylvania called “Images of Asian Americans in the Media” and a seminar called “Contemporary American Teen Films.”

Manu Narayan with Jessica Alba and Mike Meyers in The Love Guru.

Manu Narayan performed under the glamorous lights of the Broadway stage for the lead role of “Akaash” in the smash Bollywood Dreams. Just this last summer he played “Rajneesh” in The Love Guru opposite Mike Myers and Jessica Alba. Take note: he can sing! Narayan graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a double major in saxophone and voice. He has sung with Cyndi Lauper and even preformed for Queen Elizabeth, George W. Bush, and Tony Blair!

Maulik Pancholy for the Showtime hit Weeds.

Maulik Pancholy, graduated with a Master’s degree in Acting from the Yale University School, and went on to make multiple appearances on popular televisions shows such as The Sopranos and 30 Rock. He even voices the character “Baljeet” on the popular Disney channel cartoon Phineas and Ferb. But, you may recognize him best as James Marsden’s lovable co-worker in 27 Dresses. Keep a look out for him on the silver screen this year and a role on the Showtime hit Weeds.

Information provided by IMDb.

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