Masala on Screen: Discovering India’s Cinematic Rollercoaster

If travel is the best way to know a culture, cinema comes a close second. Now that Filipinos can explore India visa-free, there’s no better warm-up than diving into its films—an experience that feels at once foreign and familiar. Like Pinoy blockbusters and teleseryes, Indian movies thrive on lahat na, serving drama, comedy, romance, action, and song-and-dance in one hearty mix.

But don’t make the mistake of thinking it’s all Bollywood glitz. India’s film industry is a galaxy of its own—Bollywood (Hindi) may be the star, but orbiting it are Kollywood (Tamil), Tollywood (Telugu), Pollywood (Punjabi), and dozens of regional cinemas, each with unique flavors and rhythms. Together, they make India the world’s largest film-producing country and a haven for every mood and taste.

Where to Start Watching?

Welcome – A riotous Bollywood comedy about love, mobsters, and mistaken identities. The chaos only gets bigger as a straight-laced suitor finds himself entangled with gangsters-turned-matchmakers. Pure slapstick gold.

Jab We Met – This modern rom-com classic pairs a brooding businessman with an endlessly cheerful woman on a road trip. It’s witty, heartfelt, and a love story that still makes fans swoon nearly two decades later.

Murmur – A Tamil found-footage horror gem that ditches gloss for raw dread. Paranormal vloggers vanish in a haunted forest, leaving behind footage too eerie to ignore. Think Blair Witch with a distinctly Indian chill.

Golmaal: Fun Unlimited – Four pranksters pose as a blind couple’s long-lost grandson in hopes of easy living. What follows is a comedy of errors filled with witty wordplay, outrageous slapstick, and a treasure hunt subplot to boot.

Eleven – A gripping Tamil-Telugu thriller where a cop chases a murderer targeting twins, uncovering a dark past tied to a school tragedy. Suspenseful and stylish, it’s Indian crime drama at its sharpest.

Why It Works for Pinoy Viewers

What makes Indian cinema so appealing to Filipinos? It’s the shared love for feels. Both cultures embrace big emotions, family ties, and dramatic twists, while never shying away from a good laugh or song break. Every movie is a bundle of genres, much like the Filipino tendency to mix comedy with heartbreak or romance with action.

With Lionsgate Play offering a curated lineup on PLDT Home, Smart, and Cignal, it’s easier than ever to take your first step into this colorful universe. Whether you want belly laughs, spine-tingling chills, or a love story that makes you sing along, Indian cinema promises a wild ride—masala style. 🎬✨