I'm not a real
Bollywood boffin and with exception, I have tended to avoid the newer, more western-orientated batch of popular films. I'm a family person, so the movies must generally fit that "viewing for all" criteria. There was a time, (think circa 1980) when my father would hire a video player from a place on Morley Street,
Bradford, and a bunch of films that had been copied onto VHS. I distinctly remember seeing
Gunga Jumna that way and maybe even
Amar, Akbar, Anthony.
My father and my Mama* are compediums of knowledge when it comes to
back and white Bombay Cinema - mixed in with recollections of their tales of growing up in
Karachi - and can easily tell you all-you-need-to-know about the films of the time. Between them, they have a classic collection of films - mostly VHS (and some VCD/DVD), but one that would be a fine digital library if anyone took the time to convert. Anyway, the better impression of Bollywood that I have is of that classic era, so here's a clip.
Lata Mangeshkar sings for
Sharmila Tagore in the film
Anupama (Unparalled), 1966. This song,
Kuch Dil Ne Kaha (The Heart Said Something) is a personal favourite.
*Mama = Maternal Uncle
