BFI's 50 Essential South Asian Films

BFI's 50 Essential South Asian Films's icon

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"This list of films is supposed to be a representative sample of the kinds of films that are produced and consumed in South Asia and elsewhere. It formed part of bfi's South Asian Cinema 2002 programme designed to present to the British public for the first time the immense diversity of South Asian cinema."

This is the list that was compiled by experts. BFI also ran a user poll.

The list is divided into 5 sections:
1-10: Bangladeshi
11-20: Diaspora
21-30: Indian
31-40: Pakistani
41-50: Sri Lankan

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  1. 22 -

    Pather Panchali

    1955, in 21 top lists Check
  2. 26 -

    Charulata

    1964 — a.k.a. The Lonely Wife, in 10 top lists Check
  3. 25 -

    Meghe Dhaka Tara

    1960 — a.k.a. The Cloud-Capped Star, in 12 top lists Check
  4. 24 -

    Pyaasa

    1957, in 10 top lists Check
  5. 11 -

    My Beautiful Laundrette

    1985, in 7 top lists Check
  6. 23 -

    Mother India

    1957, in 9 top lists Check
  7. 21 -

    Sholay

    1975 — a.k.a. Embers, in 11 top lists Check
  8. 12 -

    Monsoon Wedding

    2001, in 8 top lists Check
  9. 27 -

    Subarnarekha

    1965, in 7 top lists Check
  10. 15 -

    Bend It Like Beckham

    2002, in 2 top lists Check
  11. 30 -

    Awaara

    1951 — a.k.a. The Tramp, in 6 top lists Check
  12. 28 -

    Mughal-E-Azam

    1960 — a.k.a. The Emperor of the Mughals, in 8 top lists Check
  13. 1 -

    Titas Ekti Nodir Naam

    1973 — a.k.a. A River Called Titas, in 3 top lists Check
  14. 14 -

    Fire

    1996, in 2 top lists Check
  15. 17 -

    Earth

    1998, in 2 top lists Check
  16. 18 -

    East Is East

    1999, in 3 top lists Check
  17. 29 -

    Amma Ariyan

    1986 — a.k.a. Report to Mother, in 1 top list Check
  18. 36 -

    Jago Hua Savera

    1959 — a.k.a. The Day Shall Dawn, in 1 top list Check
  19. 13 -

    Bhaji on the Beach

    1993, in 2 top lists Check
  20. 20 -

    The Warrior

    2001, in 2 top lists Check
  21. 41 -

    Pura Handa Kaluwara

    1997 — a.k.a. Death on a Full Moon Day, in 0 top lists Check
  22. 46 -

    Nidhanaya

    1972 — a.k.a. The Treasure, in 0 top lists Check
  23. 38 -

    Ghoonghat

    1962, in 1 top list Check
  24. 31 -

    Baji

    1963, in 1 top list Check
  25. 35 -

    Bandish

    1980 — a.k.a. The Bar, in 1 top list Check
  26. 2 -

    Chitra Nodir Pare

    1998, in 0 top lists Check
  27. 34 -

    International Gorillay

    1990, in 0 top lists Check
  28. 45 -

    Anantha Rathriya

    1996 — a.k.a. Dark Night of the Soul, in 0 top lists Check
  29. 5 -

    Beder Meye Josna

    1989, in 0 top lists Check
  30. 16 -

    Hyderabad Blues

    1998, in 0 top lists Check
  31. 4 -

    Shimana Perye

    1976, in 0 top lists Check
  32. 39 -

    Aina

    1977 — a.k.a. The Mirror, in 0 top lists Check
  33. 7 -

    Dhire Bohe Meghna

    1973, in 0 top lists Check
  34. 19 -

    Masala

    1992, in 0 top lists Check
  35. 9 -

    Srabon Megher Din

    2000, in 0 top lists Check
  36. 6 -

    Surja Dighal Bari

    1979, in 0 top lists Check
  37. 50 -

    Hansa Vilak

    1980, in 0 top lists Check
  38. 37 -

    Haseena Atom Bomb

    1990, in 0 top lists Check
  39. 8 -

    Rupali Shaikate

    1979, in 0 top lists Check
  40. 10 -

    Sat Bhai Chompa

    1968, in 0 top lists Check
  41. 42 -

    Ahas Gawwa

    1974 — a.k.a. One League of Sky, in 0 top lists Check
  42. 32 -

    Heer Ranjha

    1970, in 0 top lists Check
  43. 43 -

    Mathu Yam Dawasa

    2002 — a.k.a. Some Day in the Future, in 0 top lists Check
  44. 47 -

    Me mage sandai

    2000 — a.k.a. This Is My Moon, in 0 top lists Check
  45. 3 -

    Nadir Naam Madhumati

    1994 — a.k.a. A River Named Madhumati, in 0 top lists Check
  46. 49 -

    Ponmani

    1977, in 0 top lists Check
  47. 33 -

    Zarqa

    1969, in 0 top lists Check
  48. 48 -

    Chanda Kinnarie

    1998 — a.k.a. Moon Lady, in 0 top lists Check
  49. 40 -

    Mujhe Chand Chahiye

    2000, in 0 top lists Check
  50. 44 -

    Aswesuma

    2002, in 0 top lists Check
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Last updated on Jan 14, 2012; source