I promised to do this list after we watched Bajrangi Bhaijaan and felt all good about good people doing good things and cute little girls. And I am finally getting around to it!
Dhanak
Small children being helped along in their journey by kind strangers, happy ending, nice things, and tough gypsy ladies! Oh, and SRK.
Notebook
Such a gorgeous film! Set in the Kashmir lakes, with little kids, and a nice message of peace and love and care winning out. Plus a really nice romance.
Bajrangi Bhaijaan
The inspiration! Nice people all over the place doing nice things for a cute cute cute little mute girl.
Kumbalangi Nights
4 brothers from the wrong side of town who end up finding their heart and strength and opening their home to all the waifs of the region.
Khamoshi the Musical
Bhansali’s only good movie, so far as I am concerned. A sweet small town Goa story about the hearing daughter of two deaf parents.
Chak De India
Shahrukh! And tough women who succeed against all odds, and SPORTSMANSHIP!!!
Swades
Shahrukh! And a bunch of other people doing the right thing to help folks in a village, that also has small children.
Strictly Ballroom
Branching out from India and over to Australia. Such a lovely lovely movie, impossible to watch without smiling.
The Birdcage
And over to Hollywood! One of the most accepting loving family movies ever. All about the sacrifices we make for those we love.
Those are the only ones I can think of that reach up to the happy heights of Bajrangi Bhaijaan. But as a bonus, here are the ones I considered and rejected!
The Rocketeer
Gangsters, millionaires, young flyers, young actresses, all coming together to fight the Nazis. And there’s Alan Arkin.
Aaja Nachle
Madhuri!!! Being bright and enthusiastic and bringing the joy of art to a small town.
English/Vinglish
Sridevi! Being supported by nice teachers and friends and folks and she learns to find her voice.
Veere Di Wedding
Female friendship, helping each other, nice good supportive partners, and a tiny little boy.
Gully Boy
The artist succeeds against all odds! The music takes him away! It all works out for the best!
dontcallitbollywood 
I don’t know why I keep avoiding Kumbalangi Nights. I know it’s good, and everybody loves it and still I never feel like watching it.
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You do have to make your way through a bit before it gets happy. But it gets happy eventually.
On Tue, May 18, 2021 at 2:33 PM dontcallitbollywood wrote:
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six movies on that list I’ve never seen! I need to get busy.
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Dhanak and English Vinglish have been on my list forever. And The Rocketeer is on the family list now because it keeps popping up on recommended lists and I haven’t seen it since it came out.
The only one I might disagree with is Kumbalangi Nights, just because it puts you through a lot to get to that happy ending.
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Is Dhanak on your list to watch, or to rewatch? Because it is SO BEAUTIFUL. And if your kids can handle subtitles, it might be a good one to see with them. Little kid heroes and all that.
On Tue, May 18, 2021 at 10:07 PM dontcallitbollywood wrote:
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I haven’t seen it yet, so first time watch list. I know you’ve recommended it many times!
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Thank you for the periodic reminder that Notebook exists and I need to watch it. I keep forgetting and every time I’m in the mood for something happy I’m just flipping through my Netflix list.
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It’s about teachers! And how they need training to be helpful, you can’t just show up and make it up as you go!
On Tue, May 18, 2021 at 11:16 PM dontcallitbollywood wrote:
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