Bollywood, the Indian Hindi version of Hollywood, is an industry worth millions of crores each year. But more than a business or an industry, it is better known as the way of life of the Indians.

Photo by Bollywood se

Almost every home in India has a Bollywood movie on each night. Even in more rural villages of the country, people who don’t have a television gather every evening at a home that owns one to catch a nightly showing.

TV actors and actresses who perform in these movies are not just film stars; they are idols and mentors to the masses of youth. Storylines and scripts from these movies become goal setters for the public audience.

Photo by Señor Codo

The Indian film industry has a better capacity of influencing the Indian masses than even the politicians and the media and in many instances after a career in film acting; a personality might choose to switch to politics.

Instead of models advertising for brands and products film actors are used simply because they have a better impact on the Indian masses.

Shahrukh Khan, the leading actor atop the Bollywood pyramid was recently featured in Newsweek magazine’s ’50 Most Powerful People in the World’. In a recent debate, fans of Mr. Amitabh Bachchan who ruled the cinema market in the 80s wanted him to run for president of India.

Some of the best and most celebrated movies of modern Bollywood Cinema have been listed below:

1. Lagaan (2002)

Lagaan is the perfect blend of the 2 lifelines of India – Bollywood and Cricket. This combination mixed with a pinch of patriotism is the perfect recipe for a brilliant must see film.

Price: $18.64 |BUY

2. Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)

The story line of this movie might make it sound like just another love story but not with the two protagonists of the film. Their bittersweet relationship set against the backdrop of London and later rural Punjab makes this a super hit movie. It has run for 13 continuous years at Maratha Mandir, a theater in Mumbai.

Price: $5.00 |BUY

3. Black (2005)

The story chronicles a web of events that take place between Michelle, a deaf and dumb child and her teacher. This movie was inspired by the life of Helen Keller and her teacher Anne Sullivan.

Price: $8.80 |BUY

4. Rang De Basanti (2007)

A hugely celebrated movie about middle class youngsters and how a shocking turns of events involving corrupt politicians changes their lives and outlooks forever. This movie is considered one of the best told stories in Indian cinema.

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5. Jo Jeetha Wohi Sikandar

Set in the quaint hill station of Dehradun, this movie tells the story of high school sports rivalry between the students of an upper class school and a local one with love spreading in the air.

Price: $4.20 |BUY

6. Kuch Kuch Hota Hain (1998)

A romantic comedy where love always stems from a strong friendship, this movie tells the tale of good friends Anjali and Rahul, as well as Rahul’s love for Tina. This love triangle is the baseline of this movie and while the plot unwinds in the most natural way winning the hearts of whoever watches it.

Price: $5.70 |BUY

7. Dil Chahta Hai (2002)

Three friends have different lives – careers, outlooks on life and love – but the one thing they have in common is their friendship with each other. This movie is filled with laughter and fun and also an emotional underlying twist to grasp its audience till the end.

Price: $3.70 |BUY

8. Hum Apke Hain Kaun (1994)

Set against the backdrop of Northern India, this movie revolves around Prem and his love for Nisha whose elder sister is married to Prem’s brother. All is good until an unfortunate accident leaves Nisha’s sister dead and her husband a widower with a child to look after.

The plot thickens as Nisha’s parents decide that she should replace her sister and marry Prem’s brother. This movie can be categorized into all the genres as it has a perfect subtle pinch of everything in it.

Price: $13.65 |BUY

Here in India, students and professionals alike can almost always be spotted with a book by their side. Students read under their desks in class while teachers remain oblivious to these activities.

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Call Center professionals read in between calls at their work place. Because most of them work US and UK hours, getting off around 5-6 am when family is fast asleep, they tout reading a book as one hobby they don’t have to give up.

Mumbai’s commercial center is at least an hour by local train from the residential parts of the city. It is very common to see people engrossed in a book during this commute. Trains are so jam packed that finding a seat is impossible so they just stand and read.

Below are the top 10 books you’ll find on every bookworm’s shelf in Mumbai.

1. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

This book inculcates in the reader the power to convert a vision into reality. The storyline revolves around a young Shepard who sets out to crystallize everything he had always dreamt of. People in Mumbai feel inspired and motivated after reading this book and vow to live by its philosophy.

Price: $11.16 | BUY

2. The Godfather by Mario Puzo

This heavily entwined plot, its complex characters and the narrative style of this book enhance its quality which makes it a popular favorite among the Mumbai-ites. The book revolves around the Corleone family who are big shots in the Italian mafia.

Price: $10.20 | BUY

3. Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell

It tells the story of a southern girl and her journey through life including finding love set against the backdrop of the Civil War. This romantic drama is a widely read book in Mumbai because of its subtle yet detailed gripping plot line.

Price: $18.48 | BUY

4. The Kite Runner by Khalid Hosseini

This book is widely read in Mumbai as it gives a brutally honest insight into the culture and life in Afghanistan. The storyline is a heart warming account of a boy and his journeys through life.

Price: $10.20 | BUY

5. The Lord Of The Rings by J.R.R Tolkien

It is considered the best fantasy novel ever written. The people here love this book because the amount of detail that goes into everything is amazing and so believable. It’s about a fictitious character called a Hobbit who inherits a ring which enables its owner to rule the world. The chilling chase to obtain this ring by everyone in the kingdom make this an unforgettable read.

Price: $19.77 | BUY

6. The Secret by Rhonda Byrne

This book is not only reading material but a philosophy to be adapted into daily life. It teaches the reader how just by thinking in a positive and healthy manner they can materialize every single thing they had ever dreamt of. Many Mumbai-ites after reading this book swear by its guidelines.

Price: $14.37 | BUY

7. Five Point Someone by Chetan Bhagat

Set against the backdrop of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi – India’s most prestigious engineering college – the mischief the book’s three protagonists are always up to makes it a favorite among college students. The older generation loves this book because it never fails to take them down memory lane.

Price: $14.95 | BUY

8. The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand

It is primarily about a struggling architect who does not succumb to control and domination and lives his own individuality. The lesson Ayn Rand set out to teach is that humans should control their own lives. This message is clearly received in Mumbai and its interesting plot line makes Fountainhead a hit among the Indians.

Price: $8.99 | BUY

9. The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

This book is very popular in Mumbai because it’s fast paced, suspenseful and very involving. The plot line is complex using elements the religious communities within India feel very strongly about. It is read by a wide cross section of India, some out of curiosity no doubt but most because it’s a damn good book. The story revolves around Robert Langdon and how he gets dragged into an international controversy bigger than anyone could imagine.

Price: $7.99 | BUY

10. The Harry Potter Series by J.K Rowling

The fantasy fiction line this book follows is considered something far fetched but achievable. Kids often come to believe that they too could be chosen to be a wizard or a witch, while adults enjoy it purely for its fantastically, gripping storyline.

Price: $215.99 | BUY

What’s the most popular book currently being read in your city? Tell us below.