Hello everyone,

just joined the forum. I'm actually a DVD reviewer for Home Theater forum (http://www.hometheaterforum.com) where I review DVDs for Disney/Miramax/Touchstone. I've got a nice projection system (BenQ 720P DLP projector) and 5.1 sound set up and love hosting movie nights for friends when good films that are well mastered on DVD come my way. Also starting to enjoy some Bollywood films popular with my South Asian friends and am really looking forward to hosting some Bollywood movie-parties.

But given the enourmous number of Bollywood films out on DVD...I'm looking for a resource (like this forum) that can help me come up with a list of DVD titles that fit the following:

1. A well-recommended Bollywood film...and the reason (such as a "classic" or "great comedy" etc.)

2. Picture quality that is OAR and a decent 16x9 transfer. I don't mind film scratches but color fidelity and image detail is important to me on a 100" screen. Also, would like edge enhancement to be at a minimum.

3. Sound quality for musical numbers is wonderful.

An example of a film that easily fits all three for me is Lagaan...a great movie (drama) with outstanding picture quality on my projection screen (minus a few print blemishes from time to time) and fantastic 5.1 sound during musical numbers that's a joy to behold.

I'm new to this forum so if there's an area where I can search or where reviews are posted just let me know...but it would be really helpful if folks would be generous and offer up some suggestions on titles!

Oh...I have a region-free Momitsu DVD player and I run DVI into my 1280 x 720 DLP projector...a really oustanding image when the DVD is well recorded. I can easily play PAL discs though I'd prefer to stick with NTSC-encoded titles to avoid PAL speedup. The exception would be if the NTSC disd is merely electronically converted from a PAL source in which case the PAL discs would yeild superior results (or in a case where for some other reason the PAL disc just happens to be clearly better than the NTSC counterpart).

Thanks,

-dave

p.s. if you want to see what my reviews are like and how I rate things like picture and sound quality, Bambi is my most recent review:


http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htforum ... ost2586449

Hi Dave welcome to the forums.

I think the only other movie and DVD with matching quality to Lagaan to fit your bill would be Mission Kashmir, also released by Colombia Tri-Star.

Most Bollywood DVDs are NTSC anyway especially those released by specialist bollywood labels but improper encoding and poor source material cripple this sector. One other you might want to consider though is Lakshya (although problem with this movie is you might find it boring) –
DVD review here

Ali

Welcome, David, I've enjoyed your HTF reviews for a while.

The DEI version of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam is good, though not as good as the Columbia-Tristar titles.

Koshish by DEI is a pretty good transfer, though 4:3.

Some common problems with Indian films on DVD:

-excessive digital noise reduction
-PAL to NTSC conversions, especially for older films
-encoding of extra fields on proper NTSC DVDs rather than the proper two fields per frame
-overall softness and lack of fine detail, even after the introduction of 16:9 enhancement
-mediocre color (the shots in the trailer often have better color than the feature itself!)
-excessive edge enhancement

Tamil language DVDs from Ayngaran are usually better than the Hindi DVDs (except for those by DEI) but they are still problematic. Some of the recent Telugu language DVDs from iDream like Sri Anjaneyam and Yagnam are supposed to be pretty good.

See this thread also.

Ramana - Tamil - good PQ and DTS. Good movie that deals with normal problem in indian life - i.e. corruption.

Kakka Kakka - Tamil - This movie took indian movie to the next generation. supposed to be remade in English, but not sure if the plan is still on. About an encounter action by cops.

Kannathil Muthamittal - classic - story about a srilankan orphan, adapted by (Indian) Tamil family. The child won the best award for child artist for the year.

Virumandi - A simple (complicated!) story of a village riot that end up being deadlisest and the story told by different people as they see it (approvar - accused - cop as they form the case). Good one. I am recommending this for flawless direction.

Pithamagan - fetched national award for Vikara the star of the movie. It deals deals with a human mind (a protagonist) that grows in isolation, bereft of any feelings of love and affection and how it changes when true friendship touches it.

They are not in speific order. These things came to my mind.

One more movie that is not yet on DVD, is Devar Magan. This is a must buy for every DVD collector. Hopefully they will release this DVD in my lifetime.

I have enjoyed the sound and picture from the R2 version of Asoka.

I recommend Swades (from makers of Lagaan). DVD is not as good as Columbia Tristar Lagaan, though. It does have proper 2-3 pull down and hence you will be able to watch it in Cinema mode.

Another DVD that's releasing in a few weeks, that may fit your criteria is BLACK.

I second mrig's recommendation ASOKA (PAL) released by Metrodome.

Another one is French released DEVDAS (PAL) by Diaphana.

FIZA by DEI/ BEI is very good as well and has been reviewed in "Widescreenreview".

Zubeida by YRF

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Also consider the following although these miss some of your criteria:

TAAL, Shemaroo (1.85:1 DVD and not anamorphic; theatrical OAR 2.35:1) version. Avoid EROS version even though, it's OAR and Anamorphic.

PARDES DEI-EROS (1.85:1 DVD and not anamorphic; theatrical OAR 2.35:1) version. Avoid EROS version.

Hum Aapke Hain Kaun DEI-EROS (1.85:1 DVD and not anamorphic; theatrical OAR 2.35:1) version. Avoid EROS version even though, it's OAR and Anamorphic. This film is out and out Musical and extremely colourful.

SHOLAY DEI-EROS (1.85:1 DVD and not anamorphic; theatrical OAR 2.35:1 made from aprox 1.5:1 film negative by cutting top and bottom) version. Avoid EROS version even though it has more picture all around.

I’d forgotten about Asoka (PAL, Metrodome DVD), definitely worth checking out.

Ali

Wishes David.

I can probably suggest few titles that you might like (BTW another thumps up for the R2 release of Ashoka) and like others zulmies (as we affectionately call ourselves) have noted the PQ leaves a lot to be desired and there is not a day when someone bitches about it in this thread or that!

Before I get into my list, I am curious about what intrigues/interest you in bollywood films (not sure how many you have seen). I know this might be “thread-jacking” but given you review DVD’s all the time and assuming reviewing DVD’s actually involves watching movies also, I am sure your “sense of cinema appreciation” is a notch above the casual viewer. I would be interested to hear your side of the story.

So if I may ask - what captivates you while watching a bollywood films?

Welcome to the forum!

Kabhie Kushi Kabhie Gham and Meenaxi are good DVDs from Yash Raj Films.

??

Some films/ DVDs mentioned above are 4:3 OAR.
OAR and decent 16:9 transfer doesn't fit in these cases.

Please clarify if you like DVDs of 4:3 OAR films included??

David,
Have look at "Umrao Jaan" by DEI. I have a lot of experience with Bollywood DVDs watched
on high end equipment. If you have any questions contact me.
Michel Hafner

I forgot about YRF's anamorphic "Dil To Paagal Hai" and "Kuchh Kuchh Hota Hai".

Make sure you get the anamorphic versions that are Progressive as well. I think you will like "Dil To Paagal Hai" more as this too is out and out musical like "Hum Aapke Hain Kaun".

What about the masterpiece MONSOON WEDDING? Though produced by American companies, it's a very Indian film.

The R1 version is non-anamorphic, but th PAL version is anamorphic.