Growing up, I usually spent most of my free time watching Bollywood movies with my family and friends and eventually became addicted to the songs, mesmerized by the beauty of the outfits, and adored the romantic plot in each movie, which now gives me high hopes for my future romantic encounters. Even though some movies were purely based on romance or had a silly plot line, there were others that taught us valuable life lessons which we can take into account into our own lives today.
Bollywood movies have taught me several things. Here are just a few lessons I picked up along the way:
1. Do what you love.
“3 Idiots” had several life lessons in just one movie, making it hard to pick just one! This movie taught me to do what I love and to follow my dreams. Whether it is becoming the next best engineer or becoming the next Picasso, do what you love with passion. It is mentioned in the movie several times that if you chase your dreams, happiness will chase you. The movie gives several examples that you should do something or follow a career path that makes you happy, not one that is expected of you from society. This movie also taught me that running away from your problems is never the answer; instead just close your eyes and say “All Izz Well” to help get rid of the fear and to conquer the problem that lies in front of you.
2. Live life to the fullest.
“Kal Ho Naa Ho” taught me life is too short to worry about anything and to live life to the fullest because you never know what tomorrow may hold. This life lesson definitely comes in handy because sometimes we spend a little too much time worrying about some things and forget to ask ourselves if it’ll matter in a few years. Instead, just seize the day and make the most of it.
3. Love is friendship.
“Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” taught me that “love is friendship”. You can’t fall in love with someone if they aren’t your best friend (according to Shahrukh Khan). He explains that if you aren’t friends with someone, how can you fall in love with them?. Well-played, Shahrukh, not only did you make us reconsider all of our infatuations we thought was “love”, you also realized in the end of the movie, your best friend was the love of your life.
4. There is so much more to a person, than just their looks.
“Vivah” taught me there is more to admiring and loving someone other than just their looks. “Vivah” taught me that true love can conquer all obstacles. When Poonam gets severely burned in the movie, she thought she would lose the love of her life forever, because she is no longer “beautiful”. Instead, Prem tells her there is so much more to her besides her beauty and still agrees to marry her. Not only is this relationship goals for us millennials, but it is definitely true. There is much more to a person aside from their looks.
5. Family is everything.
Lastly, “Hum Saath Saath Hain” and “Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham” taught me that family is everything. There are memories that you experience and share with your family that you can’t quite do with anyone else. When times get rough, you can always count on your family to have your back.
Bollywood has incorporated several life lessons into their movies, making it a prime reason why I love their movies so much. Definitely be sure to check some of these out, if you haven't so already! You won't be disappointed.
