Immersing yourself in Hindi is one of the most effective ways to learn the language, especially if you're unable to visit India. Listening to Hindi as much as possible helps you grasp its rhythm, pronunciation, and accents. A fantastic way to do this is by watching Hindi films in their original language. These films offer authentic dialogues, cultural references, and an opportunity to hear native speakers in various contexts, making it an enjoyable and immersive learning experience.
| Movie Title | Year | Genre | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dil To Pagal Hai | 1997 | Romance | Yash Chopra |
| Mujhse Dosti Karoge | 2002 | Romance | Kunal Kohli |
| The Lunchbox | 2013 | Romance/Drama | Ritesh Batra |
| Mughal-e-Azam | 1960 | Historical Romance | K. Asif |
| Pakeezah | 1972 | Historical Romance | Kamal Amrohi |
| Jewel Thief | 1967 | Action/Thriller | Vijay Anand |
| Dhoom | 2004 | Action | Sanjay Gadhvi |
| Mother India | 1957 | Drama | Mehboob Khan |
| Ankur | 1974 | Drama | Shyam Benegal |
| Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara | 2011 | Comedy/Drama | Zoya Akhtar |
History of Indian Cinema
Before there was Bollywood, there was Tollywood. Indian cinema first became noticed internationally while it was mostly based in Tollygunge, Calcutta in the 1930s (hence “tolly”-wood). Now, the name refers to the Telugu-language film industry.
Bollywood movies are influenced by Indian epics, Sanskrit theatre, folk theatre, and Parsi theatre.
The term “Bollywood” first appeared in the 1970s, when the Indian film industry became the world’s greatest producer ahead of the United States. It is a juxtaposition of “Bombay” (now Mumbai) and “Hollywood”. While not all Bollywood movies are made in Mumbai, it is currently the centre of Hindi film production, to the extent that there is a dialect of Hindi (Mumbai Hindi) in the otherwise Marathi-speaking area.
What is your preferred genre of film? 🍿
Early Hindi Cinema
The first movie to be made in India was a silent film called Raja Harishchandra in 1913, with Hindi and English subtitles. The first Indian talkie was Alam Ara by Ardeshir Irani in 1931, inspired by the American musical film Show Boat, and it was recorded in Hindi. The industry boomed in the 1930s as movies became a means of escaping the difficult times that India was going through, including World War II and then the Indian independence movement.
With the partition of India and Pakistan, the Urdu-speaking Lahore film industry (Lollywood) drifted away from Bollywood, though many Hindi Bollywood films still use a lot of Urdu terms. The director of the first sound film was also the first filmmaker to make a colour movie in Hindi, called Kisan Kanya, in 1937. Perhaps because the first Hindi talking film was inspired by a musical, songs (and dance) have remained a staple of Bollywood movies, however, for those who don’t enjoy musical numbers, a number of wonderful Hindi-language films do without, particularly some modern dramas. Movies are also a great way to learn your Hindi alphabet.
In 2024, the audience for Hindi-language cinema grew by 58% to 92.2 million, which is a significant increase.
Remember, though: not every Indian movie is in Hindi! While there are some wonderful Tamil, Punjabi, and Kannada films out there, they won't be much help in learning Hindi. So here’s a list of some of the best Hindi-language movies to help you learn Hindi!
Hindi Romance Films
Romance films are a fantastic way to learn Hindi, as they often feature everyday conversations and emotionally charged dialogues that are easy to follow and understand. These films typically use a mix of formal and informal language, offering learners a chance to familiarise themselves with different speech patterns, tones, and expressions.
The charm and relatability of romantic stories make them engaging, and the dialogues often revolve around love, relationships, and emotions—topics that are rich with cultural and linguistic context. Watching these films will not only improve your language skills but also help you better understand Indian social dynamics and expressions of affection.
Dil To Pagal Hai (1997)
The Heart is Crazy, directed by Yash Chopra, was an instant blockbuster and won three National Film Awards and eight Filmfare Awards. This film embraces the Bollywood musical trope, as its main characters are all members of a dance troupe that performs musical plays. It plays on the expectations people have of love. With these expectations, a love triangle is certain to get complicated.
- Rahul (Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan), doesn’t really believe in love
- Pooja (Madhuri Dixit) believes that everyone has a true soulmate
- Nisha (Karisma Kapoor) believes that love is something that grows out of friendship.
Mujhse Dosti Karoge (2002)
Will you be my friend? directed by Kunal Kohli, is a story about close friends who move away and promise to stay in touch by email. But when one of the friends (Kareena Kapoor) moves on to other things, the other (Rani Mukherjee) writes in her name and she and the male lead, Raj (played by Hrithik Roshan), fall in love.
When he comes back to India, however, things get complicated. The best Hindi language classes London are here!
The Lunchbox (2013)
In this film by Ritesh Batra, we follow a budding friendship in Mumbai between widower Saajan (Irrfan Khan) and unhappy housewife Ila (Nimrat Kaur) when the courier that delivers Ila's husband’s lunch accidentally gives it to Saajan.
A character who has been lonely since his wife died and very frustrated by the man he is training to replace him when he retires (Nawazuddin Siddiqui).
It was nominated for Best Film Not in the English Language at the 2015 BAFTA. You will learn Hindi pronunciation in no time with Bollywood films.
Historical Romance: A Hindi Lesson
The English are not the only ones to enjoy a period romance - there are a good many Hindi historical films, some of which are true classics. Hindi cinema has produced a number of captivating historical films that transport viewers to different eras, blending romance with rich cultural and historical narratives. Many of these films are true classics, offering not only gripping stories but also an opportunity to explore India's history, traditions, and royal legacies.
These films often feature lush period settings, elaborate costumes, and emotionally intense relationships, making them both visually stunning and emotionally powerful. For language learners, these historical romances are a great way to immerse themselves in formal and poetic Hindi, as the dialogues often reflect the beauty and depth of classical language.
Mughal-e-Azam (1960)
Twelve years in the making, this classic tale of love in the Mughal Empire directed by K. Asif was the most expensive Indian film ever produced at the time, with a single song sequence costing more than most movies in their entirety. Based on an Urdu play by Imtiaz Ali Taj, it stars Dilip Kumar as Salim, the dissolute son of the Mughal emperor Akbar (Prithviraj Kapoor) who was sent to war and came back a hero, and Madhubala as his love interest Anarkali, a court dancer.
Pakeezah (1972)
Written and directed by Kamal Amrohi, Pakeezah follows two generations of Lucknow courtesans in the 1900s as they attempt to find true love despite the views of society and the wishes of their lovers' families. In her last role, Meena Kumari plays both Nargis and her daughter Sahibjaan, while Ashok Kumar plays Shahabuddin, Nargis’s lover and Sahibjaan’s father.
Sahibjaan’s love interest, Salim (played by Raaj Kumar) is willing to defy convention to be with her only to be thwarted by her former patrons, the family patriarch and Sahibjaan’s aunt, who raised her. In the end, though, love prevails.
Hindi Action Films
Hindi action films are known for their high-octane sequences, intense drama, and larger-than-life characters. These films often combine thrilling stunts, fight scenes, and adrenaline-pumping chase sequences with gripping storytelling. Watching action films in Hindi is an exciting way to improve your language skills while enjoying heart-racing plots and memorable characters.
The fast-paced dialogues, dramatic expressions, and use of colloquial Hindi will help you familiarize yourself with both formal and informal speech, often reflecting different regions and cultures within India. Whether you're into superhero movies or intense thrillers, Hindi action films offer a fun way to engage with the language.
Jewel Thief (1967)
If you're a fan of a good heist film then you'll likely find this one a work of art. The movie invites you into the life of a young man who is pulled into the world of crime due to his uncanny resemblance to a jewel thief. A surprisingly many-layered story that will thrill you to the end. The suspense will have you on the edge of your seat, reading each subtitle as it lands on the screen. Not a bad way to learn the language, right?
Dhoom (2004)
This thriller, which spawned two sequels, follows Assistant Commissioner Jai Dixit (Abhishek Bachchan) as he tries to catch a motorcycle gang that has been robbing banks, enlisting the help of local biker Ali Khan (Uday Chopra). Ali later joins the gang under its leader Kabir (John Abraham), where he falls in love with gangster Sheena (Esha Deol). When they go for one last heist, everything goes wrong. Find the best Hindi lessons for beginners on Superprof!
Bollywood Dramas for Learning Hindi
Some excellent dramas have come out of Bollywood. Bollywood dramas are known for their powerful performances, strong character development, and intricate plots that keep viewers engaged from start to finish.
Watching these films not only helps you understand the emotional range and nuances of the Hindi language, but also gives you insight into Indian culture, values, and traditions. Whether it's heartwarming stories of love, the bond of family, or the struggle for justice, Bollywood dramas offer a window into India's rich narrative tradition.
Mother India (1957)
Directed by Mehboob Khan, this film starring Nargis recounts the story of a poor woman who tries to raise her three sons alone when her husband leaves. A moving tale of honour in the face of adversity, this film is controversial for both breaking with traditional women’s roles (a woman has to make her way alone and become a breadwinner) and reinforcing them (it places a lot of importance on traditional female virtues).
Ankur (1974)
A complex tale that addresses subjects such as caste, infidelity and child marriages, Ankur follows the life of Lakshmi (Shabana Azmi), the wife of a deaf alcoholic potter Kishtayya (Sadhu Meher), who allows a sexually frustrated Surya (Anant Nag), the son of the village landlord, to impregnate her. When Kishtayya manages to clean up his act, Surya believes he wants revenge.
Comedy Bollywood Films for Learning Hindi
Comedy Bollywood films are a fantastic way to learn Hindi in a lighthearted, entertaining way. These films often feature witty dialogues, humorous situations, and relatable characters, making them an enjoyable way to pick up conversational Hindi and cultural expressions.
Watching comedy films not only helps with vocabulary and pronunciation but also provides insight into the colloquial language and slang used in everyday interactions. The humour in these films often relies on cultural references and wordplay, offering learners a fun way to engage with the language while enjoying the comedic elements.
Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011)
You Won’t Get This Life Again by Zoya Akhtar is about three childhood friends (played by Hrithik Rochan, Abhay Deol and Farhan Akhtar) who go on a trip to Spain and are forced to confront their ideas about each other - and themselves.
Learning Hindi Through Bollywood
Need help to understand Hindi movies? Why not try a Superprof Hindi tutor? Bollywood films offer a vibrant and entertaining way to immerse yourself in the Hindi language. From classic films to modern hits, these movies are a treasure trove of everyday vocabulary, cultural references, and conversational Hindi.
Watching films with subtitles can help you grasp pronunciation, sentence structure, and expressions commonly used in India, making learning Hindi both fun and effective. However, to truly master the language and understand the nuances in Bollywood movies, it’s essential to practice speaking and comprehension with a structured approach. That’s where Superprof comes in! With experienced Hindi tutors, Superprof can guide you through the intricacies of the language, helping you refine your skills and fully enjoy the beauty of Hindi cinema.
Enjoyed this article? Leave a rating!
Loading...
