5 Must-see Bollywood Movies

Paheli -- This is an easy movie for Bollywood beginners. It's only two hours long and the songs are light and easy on the ears. The plot is about a recently married woman named Lajjo whose husband leaves for five years the day after they're married. A few days later, a ghost disguised as her husband shows up... and an atypical love triangle begins to emerge. Rani Mukherjee stars as the young wife Lajjo, while Shahrukh Khan plays an amazing dual role as both the ghost and the husband.

Hum Aapke Hain Koun... ! -- In HAHK, Madhuri Dixit stars opposite Salman Khan in a movie with no evil villains. The contrast between an arranged marriage and a hidden love is complex and yet refreshing simultaneously. Although this movie is now 14 years old, its impression on Bollywood is still being felt. Many movies have tried (and failed) to copy its formula, such as Chal Mere Bhai. Accept no substitutes!

Veer-Zaara -- Yet another Shahrukh Khan role, this time opposite Preity Zinta. This story is about an Indian Air Force pilot named Veer Pratap Singh and a Pakistani girl named Zaara Hayat Khan. I can't say much without spoiling the movie but trust me -- this movie is worth watching! The plot was impossible for me to anticipate, and I constantly found myself amazed with the realism of the characters. Bollywood at its best!

Dil Se -- Manisha Koirala and Shahrukh Khan star in this film that didn't quite make it in mainstream Bollywood. Amar (Shahrukh) sees Meghna (Manisha) and instantly becomes obsessed with her... but Meghna wants nothing to do with him or anyone else. A realistic view of a naive young man chasing a girl who is consumed only by hatred.

Zubeidaa -- Karishma Kapoor gives an atypically amazing performance as a spontaneous, headstrong girl named Zubeidaa who wants to make her own way in life. But Zubeidaa's father, played by Amrish Puri, is just as stubborn as Zubeidaa. A very realistic plot with amazing low and high points!