Yep, we are going to crawl through Indian history on film. But, like, GOOD films. So no Bhansali. And I’m also going to try to do some Hindi Film 101s of the younger actors, just for kicks. Ranveer and Ranbir for sure, maybe also Arjun Kapoor, who else are you interested in?
12/1: Mohenjo Daro (Hindi, Netflix)
This is a hilariously bad movie. But hey, it opens with an alligator wrestling scene! That’s something. And it is definitely the oldest setting of all of these.
12/2: Asoka (Hindi, Netflix)
Not a bad movie at all!!! So long as you have a high tolerance for Shahrukh in a bad wig.
12/3: Jodha-Akbar (Hindi, Netflix)
A really great movie, and more or less historically accurate, perfect way to learn about Mughal rulers.
12/4: Mughal-E-Azam (Hindi, YouTube)
The sequel to Jodha-Akbar that was actually made decades earlier. It’s gorgeous, it’s dramatic, and it ultimately has a message of responsibility and the greater good that resonates to today.
12/5: Magadheera (Telugu, Einthusan)
This is just silly. And super fun! And moving the review to this week means I don’t have to rush to write it for 2009 week.
12/6: Urumi (Malayalam, Prime and YouTube)
Another one of those “surprisingly accurate” kind of movies. Learn all about the first arrival of the Portuguese and the insidious way they poisoned the established society structure.
12/7: Kayamkulam Kochunni (Malayalam, einthusan)
Really, the Malayalis are just the best at these movies. The social structures and economic practices that support colonialism, plus some light-hearted banditry, now THAT’s a movie!
12/8: Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy (Telugu, Prime)
Wigs, make-up, silk, and a CGI pet panther. How can you not want to watch this movie? Oh, and there is a dancing girl rebel heroine.
dontcallitbollywood 
Magadheera is the odd one. It is a fantasy movie, not a historic one.
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But it’s historic as well, it’s got a unique take on the arrival of the Mughal army in south India.
On Thu, Nov 28, 2019 at 12:05 AM dontcallitbollywood wrote:
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Sorry, but can’t agree. It’s a work of fiction like Bahubali. Share khan is a fictional character, not a historic figure. Even for incarnation, there are better Telugu movies. Telugu has a lot of good historic movies, latest being Krish directed Gautamiputra Satakarni.
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Also, Mughal army never arrived in South India
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For Malaylam,two of the best historic films are Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha and Pazhassiraja. Urumi & Kayamkulam Kochunni are more like star vehicles.
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I like star vehicles! They are fun and have sword fights and I can follow the plot. I got really lost with Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha, there was far too much happening.
On Thu, Nov 28, 2019 at 2:07 AM dontcallitbollywood wrote:
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This is going to be fun! Hope I can find all the Malayalam ones.
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Yeah, all of these movies I can recommend as completely entertaining, if they are nothing else.
On Thu, Nov 28, 2019 at 4:12 AM dontcallitbollywood wrote:
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