If you’re new on the island, you are going to find out very shortly that many Mauritians really love Indian movies. In the old days before everyone owned a TV, Sunday afternoons meant going to the movies with the whole family and staying from noon until 6pm. With one ticket, you were treated to four films and you would buy your snacks from street vendors before you went in.

While the myriad of Bollywood ads plastered all over the island may bewilder you and the Indian music played throughout the day on major radio stations may make you feel out of place, the worst thing you could do is decide that Bollywood isn’t for you.

Maybe it would help to back track on the history of Bollywood films. The huge success of Bollywood today can be attributed to Himansu Rai, an Indian lawyer who, while studying in England in 1933, play acted in his spare time. It was through the theatre that he met two Germans – Peter Ostermayer (a producer) and Franz Osten (a director). As his family ran one of the largest theatre businesses in Mumbai, Rai recognized that the sophisticated German technology was what the Indian film industry needed and he made arrangements with the brothers to bring it to India. In 1935, Rai and a handful of English and German technicians proceeded to set up the Bombay Talkies studio.

The quality of the films produced was the same as that of American MGM studios and Bollywood literally hasn’t stopped since then. Filmmaking in India has evolved into a mega money giant, which today surpasses the production of even American film makers.

Not unlike the old-fashioned musicals, older Indian films catered to the mass appeal of love triangles, cops and robbers, unrequited love lost and found. It is difficult to rate most older Indian films because they come packed with every element of genre which usually lasts for three hours!

Today the films are more streamlined but still contain music and dance to help tell the story. While many Mauritians do have ancestry linking them to India, unless they have a grandmother that speaks Hindi or, if they are a practising Hindu, they rely on English subtitles to follow the story. Mention a well-known musical for instance and it is not unusual for people (generations apart) to break out into song. (Not unlike the well-known American Grease musical, which still has many followers and continues to enjoy reruns and theatrical productions).

Like Kung Fu movies and the WWF (World Wrestling Federation) series, Bollywood has the ability to transcend many cultural barriers. If you love movies in general you must already know that, like music, films know no borders when it comes to being able to touch an audience. Movie goers become an international community that evolves together as the storyline unravels. A look in the villain’s face, a cinematic shot of the horizon, the dying breath of the hero needs no words to convey universally felt emotions.

If you give Bollywood films a chance, you are sure not to be disappointed. Take an opportunity to discover a new world and rent an Indian film, or better yet, go to see one on a large screen. To help you in your choice, here are a few names to look for, who are sure to make your time enjoyable!

Amitabh Bachchan: Everyone knows him, he has played in so many films that it would be impossible to list them all. His most recently acclaimed film is “Black”. Nicknamed “Big B”, he was known as the “Angry Man” in the 70s for film roles, but he’s probably not angry anymore!

Shah Ruhk Khan: Appropriately named “King Kahn", this actor is very versatile. From a restaurant family in New Delhi, he has appeared in over 30 films since 1992, has produced his own musical CD and aspires to playing the next James Bond or Batman!

Aamir Kahn: Known by many as “The Performer”, he is one of the best actors around. He chooses his films carefully and insists on doing all the real stuff himself (stunts and growing beards). Best known for a film called Lagaan (Income Tax).

Saif Ali Khan : His mom is a famous movie star from the 60s and 70s and his father is cricket royalty. His acting is getting better all the time, his most recent must see’s are Salam Namaste and Carineete.

Abhishek Bachchan: In case you hadn’t noticed, he’s the son of “Big B”. He is slowly becoming popular in his own right. He has gained attention from Dhoon and Bunty Awi Babli, a happily ending story about two small time crooks who meet in a big city...

Salman Khan: This actor’s shirt always seems to come off in his films, so that now it is a trademark of his. Luckily he is in good shape. He starred in Hum Aapke Hain Kaun Hum Dil which means Who Am I To You? and De Chuke Sanam (I Have Given My Heart to You My Love).

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