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The iconic line “I am a girl of the 21st century” from the 1973 Hindi film Bobby captured the spirit of a new era in Indian cinema. Bollywood has long had memorable moments, from Shashi Kapoor’s 1978 dialogue on computers in Trishul to former US President Barack Obama quoting Shah Rukh Khan’s famous “Bade bade deshon mein…” line. Yet, surprisingly, none of the Hindi films produced in the first 25 years of the 21st century have made it to the New York Times’ recently released list of the top 100 films worldwide.

This list, compiled from a global survey of New York Times readers, has sparked debate among cinephiles and industry experts. While Indian readers, critics, and artists likely participated, the absence of any Hindi film raises questions about Bollywood’s global impact in recent decades.

Questions About the List’s Credibility

Many have questioned the reliability of a list based solely on one media outlet’s survey. How many films have the participating readers actually seen? Are they cinema experts? Would a similar survey by other organizations yield different results? These doubts highlight the challenges in defining “best films” on a global scale.

Where Is Bollywood?

The most pressing concern for Indian cinema is the total absence of Hindi films from this prestigious list. Bollywood, known for its wide popularity in the US, UK, Russia, China, and Japan, has increasingly reached global audiences compared to the mid-20th century. Indian cinema today claims a “global” identity, yet not a single film from the last 25 years found a spot in this top 100.

Historically, Indian films like Pather Panchali (Bengali), Pyaasa, Mother India, Mughal-e-Azam, and even blockbusters like Sholay and Lagaan achieved international acclaim. With around 350 Hindi films produced annually, the scale of India’s film industry surpasses most countries, making this absence all the more surprising.

Global Cinema Leaders

The New York Times list is topped by South Korea’s Parasite (2019), a film that not only showcased the country’s development but also won the Oscar for Best Picture, garnering worldwide praise. Other films on the list include No Country for Old Men, Oppenheimer, Spider-Man, Kill Bill, Gladiator, and Pride and Prejudice.

This trend points to shifting tastes and the rise of new cinematic voices worldwide, but also invites introspection on Bollywood’s current global reach and critical reception.

Conclusion

While Bollywood continues to captivate millions, its absence from such a list signals a need for reflection on how Hindi cinema can evolve and resonate with global audiences and critics alike. Whether future surveys will bring Bollywood back into the global spotlight remains to be seen.