Although the motion picture industry in India is one of the oldest and largest in the world-with literally thousands of productions released each year-films from that country have not been as well received as those from other countries. Known for their impressive musical numbers, melodramatic plots, and nationally beloved stars, Indian films have long been ignored by the West but are now at the forefront of cinema studies. With the prolific number of films available, it can be difficult to know what to watch. In 100 Essential Indian Films, Rohit K. Dasgupta and Sangeeta Datta identify and discuss significant works produced since the 1930s. Examining the output of different regional film industries throughout India, this volume offers a balance of box-office blockbusters, critical successes, and less-recognized cult classics. From early films by Satyajit Ray to contemporary classics such as Salaam Bombay and Lagaan, each entry includes comprehensive details about the film and situates the work in the context and history of the Indian canon. In addition to these notable productions, this book also examines key film directors and the work of major film stars in the industry. While many studies of Indian films focus on a single language's contributions, this encyclopedia offers a comprehensive guide to productions from across the country in various languages, including Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Malayalam, Assamese, Punjabi, Marathi, and English. 100 Essential Indian Films is an engaging volume that will appeal to both cinema scholars and those looking for an introduction to a vital component of world cinema.

About the Author
Rohit K. Dasgupta is program director and lecturer in global communications and development at Loughborough University. He is the author of Digital Queer Cultures in India (2017) and editor of Queering Digital India (2018) and Friendship as Social Justice Activism (2018). Sangeeta Datta is a filmmaker, educator, and cultural commentator. She is the author of Shyam Benegal (2002) and Tagore: At Home in the World (2016) and coeditor of Rituparno Ghosh: Cinema, Gender and Art (2016). Datta is also the director of Baithak Arts, a not-for-profit company which promotes and celebrates the rich legacy of South Asian arts.

Reviews
Starred review: Media academic Dasgupta and documentarian Datta have lovingly assembled an impressive list of 100 Indian films worth seeking out. Of course there are Bollywood smashes such as Lagann (2001) and Sholay (1975), but the duo's picks span all genres. They cherry-pick the best of the best, showcasing terrific movies throughout Indian film history. Sweet romantic comedies such as 1965's Guide and 2013's The Lunchbox, the 2016 wrestling biopic Dangal, the gritty 2012 Gangs of Wasseypur, and 1975's vigilante thriller Deewaar, as well as meatier work like 1964's Charulata (from Bengali auteur Satyajit Ray), are just some of the remarkable movies waiting to be discovered. Dasgupta and Datta give plenty of room to the backstory, plot, and impact of these films, making for an insightful and informative book that never feels rushed. Westerners whose perception of the Indian film industry begins and ends with splashy Bollywood musicals are in for a delightful surprise here, as this is an outstanding survey of a wildly inventive and frequently fascinating area of world film. * Publishers Weekly *
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Book Information
ISBN 9781442277984
Author Rohit K. Dasgupta
Format Hardback
Page Count 288
Imprint Rowman & Littlefield
Publisher Rowman & Littlefield
Weight(grams) 767g
Dimensions(mm) 262mm * 186mm * 23mm