Did you know that India produces more films each year than the U.S.? India is home to a variety of cinema hubs spanning 20 languages, including Bollywood (in Bombay), Pollywood (in Punjab), and Tollywood (in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana). India has been the largest producer of films for over a decade. In 2018, there were 1,800 digital feature films released in India while the U.S. released only 500 that year.

India’s film industry is also extremely commercial. In 2022, India sold over 981 million movie tickets. This is more than the total of the United States, China, Japan, and Mexico combined for the year. Bollywood accounts for one third of movie tickets sold in India in 2020, and 44% of net box office revenue. This makes Bollywood the largest sector of the Indian film industry. 

Bollywood and Hollywood continuously influence each other on storylines, film sequences, and production ideas. Over the past century, there have been multiple entire films copied, with even more scenes and sequences shaped on a replica. 

Whether you are totally new to Bollywood, or are just wondering why that movie you watched seemed familiar in some way, here are the Bollywood movies you should watch based on your favorite Hollywood movie. 

Happy Watching! 🍿📽

1. Clueless (1995), Emma (1996), or Emma (2020)

Your Bollywood homework: Aisha (2010)

Clueless, both Emma movies, and Aisha are all based on Jane Austen’s novel named Emma. 

Aisha bears significantly more resemblance to Clueless, with both featuring a spoiled urbanite frivolously playing matchmaking, ultimately falling in love with her subject. Both movies have an iconic tweed outfit, lots of drama, and great fashion.

2. Love Actually (2003)

Your Bollywood homework: Salaam-e-Ishq (2007)

Salaam-e-Ishq is often considered to be an unofficial remake of Love Actually. Both films feature several love stories that ultimately all tie together in one perfectly wrapped bow. 

Multiple characters’ stories are similar across the films - Alan Rickman’s affair resembles Anil Kapoor’s affair, and Colin Firth’s love for his Portuguese housekeeper transcending language barriers is similar to Govinda’s story.

3. When Harry Met Sally (1989)

Your Bollywood homework: Hum Tum (2004)

Although the creators of When Harry Met Sally do not consider Hum Tum to be an official remake, the inspiration is clear. 

Both films start with the main characters meeting on their way to start their careers or school in New York, with the male lead stating that boys and girls can’t be friends. The boy makes a pass at the girl, and they angrily part ways. The leads continue to encounter each other over the years, eventually becoming friends and quickly falling in love.

4. Bonnie and Clyde (1967)

Your Bollywood homework: Bunty aur Babli (2005)

Bunty aur Babli not only has a similar name to Bonnie and Clyde, but both movies feature a small town girl and boy who are fed up with their lives. Both fall in love while doing petty crimes, eventually becoming the biggest con celebrities in the country. 

5. Leap Year (2010)

Your Bollywood homework: Jab We Met (2007)

Although the makers of Leap Year claim to have never heard of Jab We Met before comparisons were drawn, Jab We Met creator Imtiaz Ali has claimed to be happy that his film inspired Hollywood. 

In Jab We Met, Kareena Kapoor’s character is on a journey home to Bhatinda, where her family has arranged her wedding. She, however, plans to elope with her true lover. On the train home, she runs into Shahid Kapoor’s character, a surly business man who’s just been dumped and is looking to escape his life. They run into a variety of mishaps and eventually fall in love.

Though Leap Year differs in that Amy Adams’ character is looking to propose to her boyfriend, the journey to get to Ireland and her encounters with Matthew Goode seem reminiscent of Jab We Met.