I'm pretty much a newcomer to Indian film, so I was hesitant to say anything on this forum. However, I'm curious to know what DVDs people regard as "Must Have". I'm pretty happy with most of what I own so far. SATYA, ABHAY and MAST are all pretty solid presentations of the films. DON and PAKEEZAH and TEESRI MANZIL are okay presentations of badly beaten and abused prints, and how else am I going to see these movies with English subtitles? But I know I must be missing some outstanding DVDs. They're out there, right? I just don't know where to look.

So if anyone can name some DVDs that are must-own based on presentation (although maybe not so much on the film) I'd be very grateful. I'm looking forward to any responses.

Kaho Na...Pyar Hai and Dil Chahta Hai are 2 pretty good DVDs. Also most DVDs by DEI are good!!!



out!!!!!!

HUm Dil de chuke sanam by DEI
Fiza Spark/DEI

These are pretty decent dvd's for the hindi movie fan......

Lagaan (Columbia Tristar)
Asoka (Metrodome- R2)
Dil Se (DEi/Eros)
Sahib Biwi Aur Gulam (DEi)

Thanks for the replies so far. I have the DEI/Eros DIL SE (one of my favorite movies - although I know it was generally poorly regarded) and the Spark version of FIZA which looks good. I've had nothing but bad luck with older films (from the decent quality of DON to the abysmal TEESRI MANZIL - is there a reel missing? - and the deeply damaged PAKEEZAH) and if anyone can let me know about those as well, I'd be really appreciative. Thanks.

Grady question :- Are u someone who needs subtitles while watching a Hindi (or any Indian DVd) ? If so then you will have DVDs in that category

BUt here is the general rule of thumb :-
If you have a choice between a DEI-EROS (replicated in the worst case) and an EROS-B4U DVD go for the former. If you cant get hold a DEI-EROS print then borrow one fromr some Indian store (grocery) and make a copy of that DVD.

You may be also interested in EVP titles as they have good prints but no subtitles...

Avoid all Videosound, BABA, BOMBINO and other DVDs. They can be watched once but dont spend money on buying those DVDs (unless u are absolutely desperate)

*ps :- Grady Hendrix ...u do know ur last name reminds me of someone quite famous.. Jimi Hendrix

Watch any Mani Ratnam film DVD's by Ayngaran are really good. Titles include Bombay, Kannathil Muthamittal and Alay Pauthey!!

I do need English subs. I can watch a movie without subtitles and follow the plot, but anything I want to own needs to have English subtitles or I'm hopelessly lost.

Grady all the DEI-EROS titles have subtitles have subtitles barring the songs. You can also purchase the TAMIL DVds as mentioned by Sunny Audit... Manirathnam is the same director who gave us that memorable film Dil SE.

If you are interested in in getting some idea as to what DVDs you have to buy then click on the link "My Indian DVD collection" below the picture... You can safely buy those DVDs provided they have the same brand name as I have listed there.
If you have any doubt or otherwise feel free to post your thoughts here

Didn't EVP reissue some previously unsubtitled discs with subtitles, such as "Amar Prem" and "Sankarabharanam"?

I'll add Mission Kashmir (Columbia Tristar). The Tamil version of Abhay, "Aalavandhaan," is released by Ayngaran and surely has a better picture than DEI's disc of Abhay.



Edited By DragunR2 on July 16 2002 at 20:42

Dragub if u check the old DVD forums you will see that I have with me the Subtitled versions of Sankarabharanam, Swati Muthyam, etc. & yeah you are right there are some EVP dvds without the subtitles...

I have Amar Prem which is with subtitles.
Kashmir Ki Kali, Aradhana & Kati Patang doesnt have subtitles.

which dvd do you have of pakeezah? there's one by shemaroo in india... but that has some "bathing scenes" played at slow speed so as to censor out the more explicit scenes without deleting anything from the soundtrack, if you know what i mean.

teesri manzil: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4332&p=90342#p90342