BOLLYWOOD CLASSICS
JULY 2025
Our programmer Thomas about Bollywood Classics:
"Here at Filmhuis Den Haag, we believe that film is not only art, but also memory, music and emotion. With the new series Bollywood Classics, we shine a spotlight on a cinematic tradition that has been alive for decades, but is rarely programmed structurally in the arthouse circuit: classic Bollywood from the 1960s, ’70s, and ’80s.
These films are grand in every way: style, drama, color, and above all, music. Because Bollywood sings. No other film tradition weaves music into storytelling as effortlessly as Bollywood does. Think of the influential sounds of R.D. Burman, the irresistible energy of Bappi Lahiri, and the iconic voice of Asha Bhosle, who defined generations of soundtracks.
With record stores like Sunhill Records in the past, The Hague has also carved a deep groove through which the music of Bollywood flows richly. That musical legacy still lives on today and deserves to be heard and felt on the big screen.
With Bollywood Classics, we’re making space for this form of cinema. Not as a nostalgic detour, but as a fully-fledged part of the rich film history we aim to showcase. Every month, we present two screenings where audiences can immerse themselves in this captivating world, where music and image merge into pure cinema."
Films in this program
Shaan
Ramesh Sippy, 1980
When the righteous officer Shiv Kumar is murdered, his two younger brothers spring into action. Together with a group of other con artists and a hitman, they take on their arch-enemy Shakal.
Sholay
Ramesh Sippy, 1975
Two convicted petty criminals, Veeru and Jai, are recruited by a police officer to take revenge on Gabbar Singh, the man who murdered his family.
Seeta Aur Geeta
Ramesh Sippy, 1972
Abused by her cruel aunt Kaushalya, Seeta runs away and crosses paths with the rogue Raka—while her fearless lookalike Geeta is mistakenly brought home by the police and quickly turns the tables on her tormentors.
A musical introduction to 'Sholay'
As an introduction to Sholay, a traditional dance troupe will perform a Kathak–Bharatanatyam piece tracing Bollywood’s evolution from the 1960s to 2000s, featuring iconic songs like “In Aankhon Ki Masti,” “Jiya Jale,” and “Taal Se Taal Mila.” The performers are Mahima Gulechha, a Kathak dancer and teacher at the Gandhi Center who blends classical form with contemporary themes inspired by Indian poetry and mythology, and Ruchi Krishna, a Bharatanatyam artist and teacher also at the Gandhi Centre, recognized for her extensive training, awards, and performances both in India and internationally.