From Starbucks signature red cups to Christmas decorations already up, holiday season seems like it is just around the corner! For most of us, that likely means lots of time with friends and family. If you’re looking for some family friendly activities for the holidays, why not try watching a Bollywood movie! Here are some of Bollywood’s best Drama movies, filled with themes ranging from love, relationships, and obviously some feel-good humor!
1. Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (K3G)
If you can get past some of the cheesiness in this movie (such as a main character’s name being abbreviated from Pooja to Poo), then this is probably one of the best Bollywood family-friendly films! The film follows a family through their ups and downs after the family is divided when the oldest son marries a girl of a lower socioeconomic class, against the will of his parents. Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham literally translates to, “Sometimes Happiness, Sometimes Sadness”. And sure enough, the movie will make you cry as much as it makes you laugh, but I promise you’ll come away from this one with a warm feeling in your heart! Not to mention the awesome music that’ll likely be stuck in your head for a while (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwUgoUhgzLo)!
2. Dil Dhadakne Do 
Kamal and Neelam, a dysfunctional couple, decide to invite their friends and family on a cruise in order to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary. Among the attendees are their two children, who are dealing with relationship problems of their own. Throughout the ten days on the cruise, events occur that cause family secrets to come out in the open and relationships to change. Though the themes in this movie take a slightly more serious note, this movie is a great one to watch with family to remember keep your loved ones near and dear! And added bonus; you can teach your family the BollyX choreography to the BollyX songs, Dil Dhadakne Do, Girls Like to Swing, and Gallan Goodiyaan, which are all from this movie!
3. Student Of the Year
Mashup of the Year, a BollyX warm-up song, is personally one of my favorite warm up songs because the music and dance moves are EPIC! Naturally, the movie that this song is from, Student of the Year, is also pretty epic. Unlike the first two mentioned movies, this one focuses less on family and more on friendship. It follows a group of friends as they compete in a “Student of the Year” competition for the title of the most well-rounded student. As the competition progresses, friendships and relationships are tested and pressure from the students’ families to win the competition builds. Watch to find out who wins the competition! Also in store for you – lots of laughs and an appearance of the song Kukkad, more commonly down as the chicken-dance BollyX performance! (:
4. Kapoor & Sons
This one is another fantastic family drama, and with some serious undertones but also light-hearted scenes that remind us that no family is perfect, the movie sure takes you on an emotional rollercoaster. The movie begins with two brothers, Rahul and Arjun, receiving notice that their 90-year-old grandfather is in the hospital, which causes both brothers to return back to their family home after many years. This family reunion begins as an usual one does, with the normal “How are you? How’s work?” questions. But as the film progresses, we learn more about the huge issues that are plaguing the family, from jealousy to trust issues to unfulfilled desires. Sounds intense, but I appreciated this movie for being different from typical Bollywood movies and for vividly portraying issues that can plague any family. But not to worry, the movie still has the classic Bollywood item number – look out for the BollyX song Kar Gayi Chull !
5. Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara
With a movie title that means, “You won’t get this life again”, this movie will inspire you to start making moves on your personal to-do bucket list. This movie follows three childhood friends who reunite to embark on a bachelor party to Spain. Each friend has to choose a thrilling sport or activity that all of them are to partake in. Through activities like bull runs and skydiving, these friends begin to open up to each other about secrets, annoyances, and love. This is a great feel-good movie to watch with your family, and I can guarantee you won’t complain about being able to travel through Spain and enjoy the breathtaking scenery from the comfort of your own home!
About the author: A self proclaimed health nut and flegan (flexible vegan), Riti is so glad to be a part of the BXFam and continue pursuing her passion for fitness and dance. Riti is extremely enthusiastic about all things Indian and Bollywood since she trained in Bollywood and Bharatanatyam (Indian Classical dance) as a child and also was captain of a Bollywood fusion dance team at Tufts. Not to mention she has probably seen every Bollywood movie made. She looks forward to continuing to dance with others and remind them to smile, sweat it out, and show off what they got! Check out Riti’s classes in Boston and join her for a BollyX class!