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Lagaan Ashutosh Gowariker This highly polished "Bollywood" musical (reportedly the most expensive Indian film to date) is loads of fun. It's a deliberately old-fashioned crowd-pleaser, set in British-controlled India of the late 19th century. The beleaguered residents of a small village must contend with a severe drought and an increasingly high lagaan (tax) demanded by their oppressive rulers. One heroic villager challenges the lagaan and earns the chance to free his people from the burden, but only if his team can win a cricket match against the Brits. Severely overmatched in a game they do not know, they try to achieve a seemingly impossible victory. Indian box-office idol Aamir Khan stars and also produced. A fast-paced entertainment that seems far shorter than its epic running time. Hindi and English with English subtitles. India, 2001, 224 mins. DVD | $44.95
1942: A Love Story Vidhu Vinod Chopra A romance set during India's fight for independence from the British, 1942: A Love Story features lavish song and dance numbers as it follows the tale of two young lovers. The soundtrack by Rahul Dev Burman is enormously popular. With Anil Kapoor, Manisha Koirala, Jackie Shroff, Anupam Kher, and Raghubir Yadav. In Hindi with English subtitles. India, 1994. DVD | $37.95
3 Walls Nagesh Kukunoor This Bollywood drama about inmates on death row uses naturalistic performances and location shooting in South India's notorious Musheerabad prison to achieve a gritty, heightened realism. When a documentary filmmaker (Juni Chawla) arrives to make a film about living behind bars, her three subjects--an aggrieved lawyer (Jackie Shroff), an innocent victim of circumstance (Nagesh Kuknoor), and a charismatic charmer (Naseeruddin Shah)--find themselves forever changed by the experience. In Hindi with English subtitles. India, 2003, 116 mins. DVD | $44.95
Aah Raja Nawathe An engineer with a poetic heart experiences the travails and tragedies of love in this classic of Indian cinema. In Hindi with English subtitles. India, 1953, 150 mins. DVD | $44.95
Aan (Savage Princess) Mehboob Khan India's first Technicolor film, Aan is a swashbuckling adventure with lavish sets, dazzling costumes, and sensational musical numbers. The plot concerns a humble farmer who takes on an evil prince, stealing his princess and making her a proper woman--Taming of the Shrew fashion--along the way. Starring Dilip Kumar, Nadira, and Nimmi. In Hindi with English subtitles. India, 1952, 161 mins. DVD | $44.95
Aandhi Sampooran Singh Gulzar An ambitious politician (Suchitra Sen) finds her life torn between her fast-rising career and her marriage to a small-time hotel manager. Using flashbacks to show the couple's early years, the story follows what occurs when they are reunited as an important election looms. This film was rather controversial in India when first released because of the connections many saw between Suchitra Sen's character and Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Hindi with English subtitles. India, 1975, 133 mins. DVD | $37.95
Aankhen Vinod Doshi When a morally upstanding bank manager is fired from his post for learning of an employee plan to bilk the company, he vows revenge by playing a dangerous game. Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, and Arjun Rampal star in a taut Indian heist film by Vinod Doshi. In Hindi with English subtitles. India, 2002, 165 mins. DVD | $44.95
Aar Paar (Across the Heart) Guru Dutt Crime film elements, melodrama and the expected musical numbers are all worked seamlessly into this feature, one of the key films in the short but influential career of Guru Dutt. Dutt directs and stars in this story of a taxi driver who is fired from his job and becomes involved with a planned bank robbery. "Within its conventional framework of a light-hearted, entertaining film, Aar Paar was different...it brought with it a whiff of rebellion, a cheeky assertion of the existence of the post-independence worker, with different aspirations and the aggressive self-confidence of a new generation" (Shampa Banerjee, Film India). The DVD includes the television documentary, In Search of Guru Dutt. In Hindi with English subtitles. India, 1954, 161 mins. DVD | $37.95
Abhimaan Hrishikesh Mukherjee Showbiz, adultery and one of the great movie scores of the '70s highlight this film starring real-life newlyweds Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bhaduri. Subeer Kumar (Amitabh) is on his way to becoming India's top pop singer when he falls in love with religious Uma (Bhaduri), enchanted by her voice. Subeer encourages Uma's singing career, but becomes jealous when it eclipses his own. In Hindi with English subtitles. India, 1973. DVD | $37.95
The Adversary Satyajit Ray A young man, graduated from college, is unable to find meaningful employment. His ensuing hardships and personal grief, magnified by the tense and impersonal setting of Calcutta, make for a most devastating film experience. While at times reminiscent of the emotionally wrenching Italian neo-realist classics, this beautiful film often seems to outstrip them with its overwhelming spiritual perspective and astounding depth of feeling. One of Ray's brilliant masterpieces. In Bengali with English subtitles. India, 1971, 110 mins. DVD | $44.95
Agneepath (Path of Fire) Mukul Anand In this Hindi action drama set in the Bombay underworld, young Bhai witnesses the framing of his virtuous schoolmaster father (Alok Nath) in connection with a prostitute. Nath is then lynched by the villagers. Years later Bhai becomes a powerful, ruthless gangster and confronts the main villains. With Mithun Chakraborty and Rohini Hattangadi (winners, Best Supporting Actor, Actress, 1990 Filmfare Awards), Amitabh Bachchan, Madhavi and Danny Denzongpa. Music by Laxmikrant Pyarelal. In Hindi with English subtitles. India, 1990, 175 mins. DVD | $37.95
Amar Mehboob Khan Reportedly one of director Mehboob Khan's favorite films among his own work, this melodrama broke with convention by portraying a weak and cowardly anti-hero. Dilip Kumar stars as a lawyer who rapes a milkmaid and refuses to come forward when she suffers the consequences. His fiancee stands up for the girl, forcing the lawyer to face up to his crime. With Nimmi and Madhubala. In Hindi with English subtitles. India, 1954. DVD | $37.95
Amar Akbar Anthony Manmohan Desai Three brothers, separated in childhood, are reunited as adults through a series of surprises, crises and heroic acts. This visually exciting film became one of India's all-time box-office hits and is now considered a "Bollywood" classic. The irresistible yarn is lifted by the chart-topping songs of its musical numbers. In Hindi with English subtitles. India, 1977, 184 mins. DVD | $37.95
Amber Jayant Desai In this epic saga of love and hatred, a beautiful maiden (Nargis) grows up believing she's a princess until the day she learns that her royal father was responsible for her birth parents' deaths. Vowing revenge, the young woman runs up against the king's sworn protector--a noble, sword-wielding soldier-statesman (Raj Kapoor). Quite unexpectedly, the two antagonists fall deeply in love. In Hindi with English subtitles. India, 1952, 141 mins. DVD | $44.95
Anand Hrishikesh Mukherjee This hit launched a wave of '70s Indian melodramas in which the hero endures a terminal illness throughout the length of the film. Rajesh Khanna stars as a man battling terminal intestinal cancer who inspires others with his actions, as he determines to enjoy his remaining days as much as possible, despite his physical pain. Also stars Amitabh Bachchan. Music by Salil Choudhury also contributed to the film's success. Hindi with English subtitles. India, 1970, 122 mins. DVD | $37.95
Andaz (A Matter of Style) Mehboob Khan Raj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar and Nargis star in this major musical hit which speaks against the westernizing of Indian youth and the mistaken notion of love created by close friendship. "...whenever the genre of love triangles in Indian cinema is discussed, the first film that comes to mind is Andaaz...a timeless classic--a rich, complex journey into the very depth of the human heart" (Upperstall.com). A.k.a. Beau Monde. In Hindi with English subtitles. India, 1949, 148 mins. DVD | $44.95
Aradhna Shakti Samanta Rajesh Khanna solidified his reputation as one of the great romantic heroes of the Bollywood screen with this tragic tale about Hindi society's cruel treatment of unwed mothers. Vandana (Sharmila Tagore) marries the dashing airforce pilot Arun (Khanna) in a private ceremony, and consummates the marriage soonafter. However, before the couple has their bond formally recognized, Arun is killed in a fiery cras, leaving Vandana with the difficult task of raising a newborn child alone. With music by S.D. Burman. In Hindi with English subtitles. India, 1969, 169 mins. DVD | $44.95
Asoka Santosh Sivan Legend and history are blurred in this spectacular telling of the life of Asoka, third emperor of the Mauryan Dynasty. Asoka rises from exuberant youth to become a brutal, unmerciful warrior-monarch. His life takes a monumental turn when he renounces his violent past and works to spread Buddhism's message of love. "It is a big, brash and deeply enjoyable Bollywood epic starring Shah Rukh Khan: the Tom Cruise of South Asia...This movie's narrative gusto, its intricate, indirect eroticism--no sex, or even kissing--its lavish musical numbers and its sheer self-belief are a treat" (Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian). Hindi with English subtitles. India,2001, 173 mins. DVD | $44.95
Astitva Mahesh Manjrekar In this attack on male chauvinism, a housewife who has lived by all the rules of her position is shunned when it is discovered that her husband is not the father of her son. Although the husband has been unfaithful in the past as well, it is the wife who suffers most. Lead actress Tabu won the critic's award for Best Actress at India's Film Fare Awards. Hindi with English subtitles. India, 2000, 110 mins. DVD | $37.95
Baazigar Abbas-Mastan This remake of A Kiss Before Dying became quite controversial because the main star takes the role of a murderer, something quite rare in Hindi cinema. Baazigar is also notable for introducing a number of major young actors to the screen. With Rakhee, Shah Rukh Khan, Siddharth, Kajol and Shilpa Shetty. Music by Anu Malik. The name Abbas-Mastan is used for films co-directed by Abbas Alibhai Burmawalla and his brother Mastan Alibhai Burmawalla. In Hindi with English subtitles. India, 1993, 90 mins. DVD | $37.95
Bandini Bimal Roy Considered by many to be director Bimal Roy's best film, Bandini remains a popular favorite and undisputed classic in India. An innocent village girl's life is changed forever when she becomes romantically involved with a married revolutionary. "A brilliantly shot film...there has rarely been a film with a greater number of memorable songs...a powerhouse performance by Nutan" (Indian Times). DVD includes the 11-minute documentary, Images of Kumbh Mela, started by Roy and finished 33 years later by his son. In Hindi with English subtitles. India, 1963, 157 mins. DVD | $44.95
Bandit Queen Shekhar Kapur Based on the true story of an Indian woman named Phoolan. Sold into marriage at age 11 to a man 20 years her senior, this remarkable woman broke free from convention and misery. She fell in with a group of bandits and inspired a country with her bravery and fearless originality. This Indian outlaw brought a government to its knees. Hindi with English subtitles. India, 1994, 119 mins. DVD | $44.95
Bride and Prejudice Gurinder Chadha Gurinder Chadha spins Bollywood gold from Jane Austen's classic yarn, with a bit of help from cinema superstar Aishwarya Rai. The popular actress plays Lalita Bakshi, the daughter of social-climbing parents who search long and hard for the perfect husband. Meanwhile, Lalita has ideas of her own about the dashing Will Darcy (Martin Henderson), a wealthy hotel magnate's son with whom she's both infatuated and infuriated. "This festively busy and exuberantly multicultural charmer is its own intriguing postmodern creation" (Entertainment Weekly). USA/India, 2004, 111 mins. DVD | $44.95
Captured By You Sangeeth Sivan Sangeeth Sivan's colorful thriller combines a noir storyline with the charming comedy and catchy songs of Bollywood. Following the death of her uncle, a beautiful young woman learns that she's the heiress to a cache of stolen gold. As a result, she's tracked by ruthless mercenaries, including one man who plays the role of charming suitor. With Zayed Khan, Esha Deol, and Gulshan Grover. Includes 5.1 sound. In Hindi with English subtitles. India, 2003, 142 mins. DVD | $44.95
Chandni Bar Madhur Bhandarkar A desperate need for money leads a woman to accept a job as a "bar girl," dancing in revealing costumes for lustful male patrons. Although more daring in its sexual content than many Indian films, this is not a film that will titillate. The depiction of saloon life is quite grim in this tragic melodrama. "A dark and brutally honest tale" (Planet Bollywood). Hindi with English subtitles. India, 2001, 150 mins. DVD | $44.95
The Chess Players Satyajit Ray Ray's so-called Hindi debut film (it is actually in Urdu), features major Hindi stars, but it was refused a commercial release by local distributors because of the director's Calcutta art-house reputation. This is a colorful period drama about colonialism and indigenous culture set in 1856, at the court of Wajid Ali Shah in Lucknow. Beginning with an animated cartoon about the British annexation policy (featuring the voice of Amitabh Bachchan), this film features two narratives: the first is based on Premchand's short story about two hookah-smoking zamindars playing interminable games of chess; the second dramatizes the conflict between Wajid and General Charles Outram. Stars Sanjeev Kumar, Saeed Jaffrey, Amjad Khan, Richard Attenborough and Shabana Azmi. In Urdu with English subtitles. India, 1977, 115 mins. DVD | $44.95
Chori Chori Chupke Chupke Abbas-Mastan This film has all the ingredients of a typical Bollywood masala. It is a unique thriller for the whole family: no crime is committed, there's no villain, no vamp--not a negative character in the film! The story is an intriguing web of human relationships which contributes to the edge-of-the-seat suspense. Starring Salman Khan, Rani Mukherjee, and Preity Zinta. Hindi with English subtitles. India, 2001. DVD | $44.95
Chupke Chupke Hrishikesh Mukherjee A newly married professor masquerades as others in an attempt to get to know his in-laws better. Dharmendra excels as the man of many disguises in this favorite Indian comedy. In Hindi with English subtitles. India, 1976. DVD | $37.95
The Cloud-Capped Star Ritwik Ghatak This dark melodrama about a refugee family's struggles for survival on the outskirts of Calcutta is a true classic of Indian film. It is also considered by many to be the finest film by Ritwik Ghatak, a director who, though not well known outside of India, is viewed by many critics as second only to Satyajit Ray in his importance to the national cinema. "...a searing piece of work, resonant and beautifully structured" (Time Out). The DVD includes an introduction by film critic Derek Malcolm and a director's biography. In Bengali with English subtitles. India, 1960, 122 mins. DVD | $44.95
Deewaar Yash Chopra Two brothers, abandoned by their father and raised by their single mother, grow up to take jobs on opposite sides of the law, leading to tragic results. Many consider this one of Yash Chopra's finest films. Winner of seven of India's Filmfare Awards, including Best Film, Director, and Screenplay. In Hindi with English subtitles. India, 1975, 160 mins. DVD | $37.95
Deewana Raj Kanwar This Bollywood musical marked the debut of Indian director Raj Kanwar. Deewana has it all; love, conspiracy, murder and an award-winning score by Nadeem Shravam. Winner of three Filmfare Awards (India's version of the Oscar). In Hindi with English subtitles. India, 1992, 175 mins. DVD | $37.95
Deewana Mujh Sa Nahin Y. Nageshwar Rao Madhuri Dixit and Aamir Khan star in a lighthearted Bollywood romance about a photographer who believes that one of his models is in love with him. As he goes about making preparations for their marriage, he has no idea that she's marrying someone else and finds his behavior eccentric and obsessive. In Hindi with English subtitles. India, 1990, 132 mins. DVD | $37.95
Dil To Pagal Hai (The Heart Is Crazy) Yash Chopra Shah Rukh Kahn and Karishma Kapoor, two of India's biggest stars and most attractive performers, top the cast of this romantic musical, a gigantic hit in its native country. The story of the love life dilemmas of two men and two women, each needing to find the right partner, is told largely through songs that became chart-topping hits. "...a romantic charmer...Shah Rukh has a smile that seems to melt the hearts of Indian females" (Kunal Bhatia, Amida Magazine). The DVD is letterboxed and includes behind-the-scenes segment, Filmfare Awards footage, theatrical trailer, promos, and optional French soundtrack. In Hindi with English subtitles. India, 1997, 179 mins. DVD | $44.95
Dilwale Harry Baweja The devious Mamma Thakur (Paresh Rawal) schemes to usurp her daughter's wealth in this topsy-turvy Bollywood melodrama. Although Arun (Ajay Devagan) and Sapna (Raveena Tandon) are madly in love, their marriage is plagued by threats from Mamma Thakur. Little do the lovers suspect that Thakur will sully Arun's good name and even put him in prison to get what she wants. In Hindi with English subtitles. India, 1994, 169 mins. DVD | $37.95
Filhaal Meghna Gulzar A young couple, unable to conceive a child, arrange for a good friend to serve as a surrogate mother, leading to heavy emotional complications. A musical melodrama starring Tabu, Sushmita Sen, Sanjay Suri and Palash Sen. The song lyrics are by the popular writer and filmmaker Gulzar (a.k.a. Sampooran Singh Gulzar), father of first-time director Meghna Gulzar. In Hindi with English subtitles. India, 2002, 160 mins. DVD | $37.95
Fiza Khalid Mohammad During the 1992-1993 communal riots in Mumbai, Aman (Hrithik Roshan) is forced to join a terrorist group led by a Muslim fundamentalist (Manoj Bajpai). Aman's widowed mother (Jaya Bachchan) passes away and leaves his sister, Fiza (Karishma Kapoor), alone and constantly in search of her brother. When she finally finds Aman, she pleads with him to leave the terrorist gang. In Hindi with English subtitles. India, 2000, 170 mins. DVD | $37.95
Flames of the Sun (Sholay) Ramesh Sippy This exciting Indian blockbuster combines romance, comedy, feudal costume drama and musical elements. It broke box-office records in India, playing for five years straight at one theater in Bombay, and was the country's first film in 70mm with stereophonic sound. It is a revenge story of two adventurous crooks who are hired by an ex-cop to hunt down the man who massacred his family. In Hindi with English subtitles. India, 1975, 185 mins. Videocassette | $37.95
The Fog Shyam Ramsay Indian horror maestro Shyam Ramsay directs a gripping Bollywood thriller about a pair of young couples who are terrorized by a mysterious figure from beyond the grave. Death threats, facial disfigurement, bloody corpses, and Hitchcock references are just a few of the elements in this atmospheric spine-tingler. In Hindi with English subtitles. India, 2003, 122 mins. DVD | $44.95
Guddi (Darling Child) Hrishikesh Mukherjee A young woman, obsessed with movies and movie stars, finds that real life just can't compete with celluloid fantasies. A boy who is deeply in love with her is unable to win her heart until the girl gets a peek behind the magic of movie making and realizes romance is better in reality than in fiction. The adorable Jaya Bhaduri plays the title character. In Hindi with English subtitles. India, 1971, 121 mins. DVD | $37.95
Guide Vijay Anand Released from prison, a former tourist guide winds up in a remote village where he is treated as a holy man. Dev Anand and Waheeda Rehman star in this story of personal and spiritual searching, told in song. "...one of the most remarkable films of Indian cinema and truly a film that was ahead of its times...alive with its riot of colors..." (Uppertsall.com). An American version was filmed simultaneously, but this is the original Hindi language version, with English subtitles. India, 1965, 183 mins. DVD | $37.95
Hum Aapke Hain Koun Sooraj R. Barjatya Indian cinema's box office champ in 1994 was this simple but vividly told musical love story about a couple who find themselves drawn together in spite of the complications posed by the ill-fated marriage of their siblings. "...careful and delicate direction of every moment of their falling in love...The choreography is outstanding..." (Avinash Ramchandani, Planet Bollywood). Hindi with English subtitles. India, 1994, 206 mins. DVD | $37.95
I Have Found It (Kandukondain Kandukondain) Rajiv Menon Featuring Bollywood superstar Aishwarya Rai and India's "indie" idol Tabu, this adaptation of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility set in contemporary South India, and offers a delightful introduction to classic Indian commercial cinema. The film retells the story of two attractive sisters and their three beaus: an aspiring filmmaker educated in NYC, an injured soldier, and a stock market whiz kid. "Delirious song-and-dance numbers!" (Chicago Reader). In Hindi with English subtitles. India, 2000, 150 mins. DVD | $44.95
In Custody Ismail Merchant Based on the novel by Anita Desai, this comedy has all the delightful details one expects from a Merchant/Ivory production. Surrounded by wine, women and song, a great poet lives his final days in comic self-indulgence. Then an earnest professor changes everything by interviewing him. Winner, National Film of India, Best Picture and Best Actor--Shashi Kapoor. The DVD is letterboxed and includes a short film by Ismail Merchant (Mahatma and the Mad Boy), interviews with Ismail Merchant, Shashi Kapoor, Om Puri, and Shabana Azmi, and trailer. Hindi with English subtitles. India, 1993, 123 mins. DVD | $37.95
Indian Babu Lawrence D'Souza When the beautiful daughter of a poor farmer (Gurleen Chopra) is forced into an arranged marriage with the son of the village zamindar (Mukesh Rishi), she decides to flee to London for a last bash before the nuptuals. There she meets the handsome rock singer Jeet (Jas Pandher), who falls deeply in love and refuses to allow her to marry a man she doesn't love. Lawrence D'Souza directs a Bollywood romp boasting color, music, and romance. In Hindi with English subtitles. India, 2003, 160 mins. DVD | $37.95
The Indian N. Maharajan In this remake of the Tamil hit Vallarasu, Sunny Deol stars as Raj Shekhar Azad, an honest police commissioner whose goal is to wipe out terrorism and corruption. Waseem Khan (Mukesh Rishi) is a ruthless terrorist aided by Raj's father-in-law (Raj Babbar), an influential industrialist (Danny Denzongpa), and several police officers. When Raj gets in the way of their mission, Khan decides to take him out. But Raj will stop at nothing to defeat these evildoers. In Hindi with English subtitles. India, 2001, 167 mins. DVD | $37.95
Jewel Thief Vijay Anand In this popular thriller, which determined the look and the fashions of much of late '60s Hindi cinema, Dev Anand stars as the son of a police commissioner (Nasir Hussain), who finds himself mistaken for a notorious jewel thief and a woman's (Vyjayvanthimala) fiance. Features hit songs by Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar. In Hindi with English subtitles. India, 1967, 186 mins. DVD | $37.95
Kaagaz Ke Phool (Paper Flowers) Guru Dutt Although his life and career were cut tragically short by his 1964 suicide, Guru Dutt was a pivotal figure in Indian cinema history. An actor, writer, director and producer, he tried to merge the romantic entertainment of India's popular cinema with personal statements about creativity and the changing social situation in the country. Autobiographical touches are not hard to find in Kaagaz Ke Phool, in which Dutt plays a successful director whose career plummets, while his comeback depends upon the famous actress (Waheeda Rehman) he discovered. "...a sensitive creation of an artist who is in the throes of inner conflict, an artist who fights against the storms and ironies of life" (Manoj Srivastava, Hindustan Times). The DVD is letterboxed, and includes the television documentary, In Search of Guru Dutt, and Lata Mangeshkar's musical tribute to Guru and Geeta Dutt. In Hindi with English subtitles. India, 1959, 131 mins. DVD | $44.95
Kabhi-Kabhie Yash Chopra A musical social drama spanning two generations and dealing with romance and middle class family life in India: arranged marriage, unrequited love, and longing. The movie consists of several hit songs and a strong performance by one of India's favorite actors, Amitabh Bachchan. With Rakhi Gulzar and Rishi Kapoor. In Hindi with English subtitles. Music by Khayyam. DVD includes original theatrical trailer, Sahir Ludianvi poem, and Yash Chopra and director Karan Johar in conversation. India, 1976, 152 mins. DVD | $44.95
Khuda Gawah (God Is My Witness) Mukul Anand Veteran Indian film actor Amitabh Bachchan stars as the noble Badshah Khan in his 85th film role. Khan meets the lovely Benazir (Sridevi) over a game of Buzkashi in Afghanistan, but before he can marry her, he must go to India and avenge Benazir's father's death. "A three-hour opus about love, prison and a man's word of honor...Spectacular!" (Anon Berger, LA Weekly). Winner of nine Indian Academy Awards, including Best Director, Best Cinematography and Best Supporting Actor. Featuring Nagarjun Akkineni and Shilpa Shirodka. In Hindi with English subtitles. India, 1992, 193 mins. DVD | $37.95
Kuch Khatti Kuch Meethi Rahul Rawail In this Indian comedy, a rich couple with twin daughters decide to separate. Each parent takes one child with them after the separation and the girls grow up never having known each other. When the two sisters (Kajol in a double role) eventually meet, they decide to sort out the problems and bring their parents together. With Shunil Shetty. In Hindi with English subtitles. India, 2001, 134 mins. DVD | $37.95
Maya Digvijay Singh Maya (Nitya Shetty) is a smart and energetic 12-year-old girl living in a small village in India, but her innocent childhood slams to a halt when she becomes the victim of an ancient and violent ritual marking her entrance into womanhood. Maya is an eye-opening portrayal of a world where tradition and progress are in constant conflict. "The photography is gorgeous [...] and with Singh's precise, discreet direction, Maya has a devastating impact" (Edward Guthman, San Francisco Chronicle). The DVD is letterboxed, and includes behind-the-scenes stills gallery, trailer, and liner notes by Bollywood and Indian pop culture writer Lisa Tsering. In Hindi with English subtitles. India, 2001, 105 mins. DVD | $44.95
Mohra Rajiv Rai An ex-con and a police officer join forces against a drug kingpin in this action film with some spectacular stunt sequences and musical numbers. With Naseerudin Shah, Sunil Shetty, Gulshan Grover, Akshay Kumar and Raveena Tandon. Music by Viju Shah. In Hindi with English subtitles. India, 1994, 177 mins. DVD | $37.95
Moksha Ashok Mehta In this drama directed by Indian cinematographer Ashok Mehta, Vikram Saigal (Arjun Rampal), an idealistic law student, becomes disillusioned with the complete lack of ethics and morals in the practice of law and decides to fight a lone battle against corruption. But when he finds himself the defendant in a murder case, the only person who has faith in him is Ritika (Manisha Koirala), who has fallen in love with him at first sight. In Hindi with English subtitles. India, 2001, 165 mins. DVD | $37.95
Mother India (Bharat Mata) Mehboob Khan BODY This epic of Indian womanhood has been reissued constantly since its hugely successful opening run, remaining one of the most respected and loved films of the nation's cinema. A color remake of 1940's Aurat (by the same director), the film portrays the great struggles of an Indian mother whose tragedies take on a mythic quality. Mother India was also the first Indian Film to be nominated for an Oscar in the Best Foreign Film category. In Hindi with English subtitles. India, 1957, 172 mins. $37.95
Mystic Masseur Ismail Merchant A bittersweet, magical fable about a frustrated writer propelled to celebrity via an unexpected talent as a healer and masseuse. Set in an Indian community in 1950's Trinidad, the film allows a rare insight into the warmth and humor of the human condition. "Rich and absorbing! Subtle, humorous, illuminating" (Stephen Holden, The New York Times). Starring Om Puri and James Fox. In English. India, 2001, 118 min. DVD | $44.95
Naina Shripal Morakhia This Indian remake of the Asian horror hit The Eye starts with 5-year-old Naina losing her eyesight during a solar eclipse. Twenty years later, a cornea transplant restores her sight, but it brings along ghostly premonitions and visions of dead spirits. With Urmila Matondkar and Anuj Sawhney. In Hindi with English subtitles. India/Great Britain, 2005, 105 mins. DVD | $37.95
New Delhi Mohan Segal The bane of provincialism and the caste system is addressed in this influential Indian feature. A young Punjabi man finds doors closed to him when he comes to New Delhi and finally masquerades as a Tamilian in order to obtain shelter. Staying with a Tamilian family, he falls in love with the beautiful daughter, but is unable to reveal his true identity. Although the film is generally romantic and hopeful, the issues it raised were quite controversial for an "entertainment" at the time. Music by Shankar Jaikishan. In Hindi with English subtitles. India, 1956, 160 mins. DVD | $37.95
Nikaah B.R. Chopra This film by B.R. Chopra focuses on love and divorce. Nilofer (Salma Agha) knew, loved, and married only one man. But her husband, aspiring architect Waseem (Deepak Parashar) takes her for granted, and in a fit of anger divorces her. While attempting to rebuild her life as a writer, Nilofer bumps into her old college friend and admirer Haider (Raj Babbar), who is now an editor. Haider publishes her work and takes on the role of friend, philosopher, and guide. Soon the two are happily married, until Waseem returns, repentant and wanting his wife back. The film's music produced many classic hits in India. In Hindi with English subtitles. India, 1982. DVD | $54.95
Ram Aur Shyam Tapi Chanakya Dilip Kumar stars in dual roles as near-identical fellows with very different personalities. One is quiet and withdrawn, the other is full of life and adventurous. An arranged marriage and an attempted masquerade lead to much confusion, danger, and potential romance. In Hindi with English subtitles. India, 1967, 171 mins. DVD | $37.95
A River Called Titas Ritwik Ghatak Overwhelmed by the changes in his native East Bengal following the independence of Bangladesh, Ritwik Ghatak made this powerful adaptation of a celebrated Bengali novel by Advaita Malla Barman. It is the epic story of the destruction of a fishing village on the banks of the River Titas. "Ghatak depicts the rhythm of the fishermen's small world in a style which blends the lyrical with the documentary, and intersperses episodes from the sad lives of various characters" (Derek Malcolm, British Film Institute). The DVD includes an introduction by film critic Derek Malcolm and a director's biography. Bengali with English subtitles. India, 1973, 151 mins. DVD | $44.95
Sahib Bibi Aur Gulam (King, Queen and Slave) Abrar Alvi Many suggest that the talented Indian filmmaker Guru Dutt, who also stars in this film, provided much uncredited direction for this somber feature. In style, tone and theme, it certainly mirrors some of Dutt's other films, but some contend that credited director Abrar Alvi has never received proper respect for his work on this highly respected movie. It is a tragic yet nostalgic look at India's feudalistic past, centering on a lower-class architect (Dutt) and his connection to a beautiful, married woman of privilege. In Hindi with English subtitles. India, 1962, 152 mins. DVD | $37.95
Silsila Hai Pyar Ka Shrabani Deodhar In this Bollywood romantic comedy, an orphaned girl falls in love with the playboy son of her wealthy boss. Pursuing a relationship with the spoiled boy, she finds her idealism tempered by his wayward nature and non-existent morals. With Karishma Kapoor and Chandrachur Singh. In Hindi with English subtitles. India, 1999, 147 mins. DVD | $37.95
Straight from the Heart (Hum Dil Ke Chuke Sanam) Sanjay Leela Bhansali Bhansali's award-winning follow-up to Khamoshi stars Salman Khan as a half-Indian, half-Italian Sameer, who comes to India to study classical music and ends up falling for his instructor's daughter (Aishwarya Rai). With an award-winning performance by Rai and an excellent soundtrack. "The best of the best movies of 1999" (Planet Bollywood). In Hindi with English subtitles. India, 1999, 188 mins. DVD | $37.95
The Terrorist Santosh Sivan Writer-director Santosh Sivan puts a human face on extremism with this deeply affecting feature about a 19-year-old girl, living in a guerrilla camp in the South Indian jungle, who is chosen for a suicide mission. As her assignment draws near, she begins to doubt the meaningfulness of martyrdom. "...Sivan shows an ability to capture the texture of quotidian reality--to communicate both its exquisite beauty and terrible fragility--that recalls the work of Robert Bresson, or, closer to home, Satyajit Ray" (A.O. Scott, New York Times). In Tamil with English subtitles. India, 1998, 95 mins. DVD | $37.95
Utsav Girish Karnad A 6th century Sanskrit play is the basis for this tale of sexual and romantic entanglements. A courtesan has an affair with a married man as royal intrigue and jealousy play into their fates. A film notable for its highly charged love scenes and popular songs. Starring Rekha, Shekhar Suman, Shashi Kapoor and Amjad Khan. In Hindi with English subtitles. India, 1984, 145 mins. DVD | $37.95
Waqt (Time) Yash Chopra In this star-studded, musical epic, the arrogance of a wealthy, self-made man ends up destroying the very foundations of his life and the lives of his family members. They come together again under unexpected circumstances. Of the film's universal theme, director Yash Chopra said, "Our victories and defeats are a constant reminder of our endeavor, but also of our destiny." Starring Raaj Kumar, Sunil Dutt, Sadhana, Sharmila Tagore, Balraj Sahni, and Shashi Kapoor. Includes Karan Johar's interview with Yash Chopra and theatrical trailer. In Hindi with English subtitles. India, 1965, 178 mins. DVD | $44.95
