Beyond Bollywood Film Series at Asian Art Museum (May 4 – July 6)
See four celebrated, rarely screened classics that laid the foundation for modern Bollywood! Film Series: Bollywood Dance Classics is part of Beyond Bollywood’s events and performances at Asian Art Museum.
Explore the origins of modern Bollywood through a selection of critically acclaimed Indian films from the 1960s, 70s, and 80s, with a particular emphasis on stories of dancing women. From gorgeous spectacles to intimate character studies, these celebrated works — rarely shown in the United States — showcase the labor and creativity of film choreography and performance. For viewers who wish to look deeper, these four films also serve as case studies in dance’s potential to deliver complex narratives involving caste, gender, and religion. Above all, they are a testament to the timeless and universal delight of watching bodies move with incredible grace, skill, and virtuosity on screen.
Beyond Bollywood Film Series 2023
Thursday, May 4, 2023 | 6p-9:10p – “Guide” 1958
Thursday, June 4, 2023 | 6p-8p – “Amrapali” 1966
Thursday, June 29, 2023 | 6p-8:30p – “Pakeezah” 1972
Thursday, July 6, 2023 | 6p-8:30p – “Umrao Jaan” 1981
Asian Art Museum, 200 Larkin Street, SF
Buy Tickets – Adults: $10, Seniors: $8, College/Youth: $7
- General Admission Only (Does Not Include Beyond Bollywood)
- Space is limited; we recommend arriving early to ensure a spot.
“Guide” 1958
Based on R.K. Narayan’s 1958 novel, Dev Anand plays Raju, a dapper tour guide who falls for the unhappily married and frustrated dancer Rosie played by Waheeda Rehman. Directed by Vijay Anand. 183 min. English and Hindi with English subtitles.
“Amrapali” 1966
In this historical drama set around 500 BCE, the time of the Buddha, a warmonger king played by Sunil Dott plots the destruction of an enemy kingdom to rescue the woman he loves, the imprisoned royal courtesan Amrapali played by Vyjayanthimala. Directed by Lekh Tandon. 116 min. Hindi with English subtitles.
“Pakeezah” 1972
An epic love story across the class divide between a dancer played by Meena Kumari and an official played by Raaj Kumar. Directed by Kamal Amrohi. 147 min. Hindi with English subtitles
“Umrao Jaan” 1981
Based on the famous Urdu novel by Mirza Ruswa, Umrao Jaan stars Rekha as a courtesan and poet in 1840s Lucknow who falls in love with a man from the ruling class and must contend with the limits placed upon her as a “public woman.” Directed by Muzaffar Ali. 145 min. Urdu with English subtitles.
