Bollywood Films That Must Be Seen By Western Audiences

Do Bigha Zameen (1953)

Do Bigha Zameen is based on a Bengali poem and is praised for being an important trendsetter in the Bollywood industry. The story follows Shambu, who lives with his wife and child in a famine-struck village.

The film is praised for its exploration into urban poverty and deliberate attention to the ‘everyday’ actions of normal characters. Critics highlighted the details in each shot, including the mise-en-scene. It was the first Indian film to win the Prix Internationale at Cannes Film Festival.