The Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles is April 8-12, and while you may not be well-versed in the Bollywood scene, these five movies will serve as a great introduction.
1. Taal. Aishwarya Rai is one of the most talented and beautiful actresses on the planet, and this throwback to one of her first films showcases Rai in all her glory. Taal follows the story of Mansi and Manav, star-crossed lovers who find their relationship complicated by differences in social status. It’s '90s Bollywood gold.
2. Amma and Appa. In this documentary, filmmakers Franziska Schonenberger and Jayakrishnan Subramanian capture the culture clash that occurs when they become engaged and introduce their Bavarian German and Tamil parents to each other. What happens when you introduce parents (who were set on arranging your marriage) to their new German daughter-in-law? Hilarity.
3. Miss India America. After graduating high school, Lily’s life plan is thrown for a loop when her boyfriend leaves her for the current Miss India National. So, in classic Elle Woods style, Lily launches a new plan: win the Miss India National pageant. Hannah Simone of New Girl co-stars in this film making its LA premiere at the festival.
4. Tomorrow We Disappear. This documentary follows the folk artists who live in the Delhi colony of Kathputli as their homes are scheduled to be destroyed to make way for a new development. The destruction of the colony mirrors the changes in India as the country’s financial growth rapidly changes not only its physical landscape but its culture as well.
5. Dhanak. Pari and her brother Chotu are on a quest: make the journey from their village to where Shah Rukh Kahn is filming to ask the star to restore Chotu’s sight before his ninth birthday. This film makes its US premiere at the festival’s closing gala, and you’ll probably want to call your siblings after you see it.
All IFFLA films are screening at Arclight Hollywood, and tickets are available at indianfilmfestival.org.
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