Arvind Swamy, Manisha Koirala, Tinnu Anand
Both a critical and box office hit, Mani Ratnam’s multi-award winning romantic musical Bombay (1995) is one of the highest grossing Chennai (Tamil language) films of all time, with a virtuoso score by A. R. Rahman (Oscar winner for his music for Slumdog Millionaire) that’s now regarded a masterpiece.
Shekhar (Arvind Swamy) and Shaila (Manisha Koirala) are in love, and though neither of their parents approve of their relationship – he is the son of orthodox Hindus, she a Muslim – they decide to elope.
Starting a family in Mumbai, they raise their children to appreciate both of their families’ faiths and cultures. But then civil unrest (in the form of the 1992-1993 Hindu-Muslim riots, stemming from the demolition of the Babri Masjid mosque in northern India by Hindu nationalists) results in a horrific situation, and Shekar and Shahla’s parents are forced to confront their differences in order to save their family.
Controversial on its release due to its political content, it’s a riveting and immensely moving film, with painful scenes of violence and rioting offset by superbly choreographed songs shot in dazzling locations.