Bollywood has long served as a golden bridge between India and Bahrain. Last month, this bond was re-energised by two major cultural moments: Bahraini rapper Flipperachi’s Bollywood debut single Fa9la, which quickly went viral online, and the release of the Netflix series Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web, starring Bollywood superstar Emraan Hashmi, featuring breathtaking drone footages of some of the kingdom’s most iconic locations.
Even before that, Indian cinema, with its dulcet music and gripping drama, has resounded throughout Arab homes – from all-time favourites like Mughal-e-Azam to modern classics like Dil Chahta Hai.
For many who grew up in the kingdom, the ‘Hindi picture’ which aired on Channel 55 every Wednesday is a fond memory.
Taking a walk down memory lane, the GDN has curated a short list of timeless films, which continue to be a favourite amongst Bahrainis.
Consider this your sign to watch or rewatch these classics with your loved ones, reliving old memories while creating new ones.
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)
Most Bahrainis familiar with Indian cinema cannot resist the urge to hum along to the song Tujhe Dekha To. Such is the enduring charm of this romantic dramedy directed by Aditya Chopra.
Exploring young love and subsequent family dynamic, the film starring Shahrukh Khan and Kajol continues to be a crowd-puller.
In 2023, the film returned to cinemas in the UAE for a week-long run to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Laced with all the typical tropes of a Bollywood entertainer – dupattas (‘scarves’) fluttering in the air to actors dancing around trees and dramatic background scores – this is a must-watch.
Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham (2001)
The family drama, with an ensemble cast of Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Shahrukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Kajol and Kareena Kapoor, always takes audiences around the world on an emotional rollercoaster, thanks to the actors’ popularity in the Gulf, and its universal message.
Last year Cineco Bahrain screened Shahrukh Khan’s films in an exclusive festival, which was a hit with Arab and Indian movie buffs alike.
Directed by Karan Johar, Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham is one of the highest-grossing Indian films in the overseas market including the Gulf and showcases an ensemble cast and memorable songs.
The plot explores generation gaps, relationships, love and what it means to be a family – a joint quandary that unites Arab and Indian audiences.
Jodhaa Akbar (2008)
The epic film, directed by Ashutosh Gowariker, brings the reign of Mughal emperor Akbar to life in opulent style, featuring powerful performances by Bollywood superstars Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai. Its large-scale cultural themes and visual grandeur have captivated many Bahrainis, who are known for their appreciation of Indian culture, textiles, and jewellery. Running for more than three hours, the film creatively explores the emperor’s conquests and personal life, celebrating an important historical era in an engaging and entertaining way.
War 2 (2025)
Many of the high-octane action sequences in this movie were filmed in Abu Dhabi, lending this production a strong Gulf connect. The thriller directed by Ayan Mukerji is the sixth installment in the Yash Raj Films spy universe.
Other creations in the ensemble, including Pathaan (2023) and the Salman Khan-starrer Ek Tha Tiger (2012) were equally popular among Bahrainis and Gulf audiences. The sequel to War (2019) also stars South Indian superstar NT Rama Rao, known for his smooth moves in the Oscar-winning foot tapper Naatu Naatu (Telugu for ‘raw’ or ‘ethnic’) from the film RRR.
Airlift (2016)
The film, parts of which were shot in the UAE, dramatises Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait in 1990, and the subsequent evacuation of more than 170,000 stranded Indians from the country.
The Indian community has been an integral part of the Gulf diaspora since the old trading days, and this story hits close to home, both for Bahrain and the sub-continent.
Directed by Raja Menon, the gripping account stars Akshay Kumar, known for his roles with broader social messages, and Nimrat Kaur.
One of the film’s tracks Dil Cheez Tujhe Dedi (Hindi for ‘Gave you my heart’) is a play on the Arabic banger Didi by Algerian artist Khaled and continues to be a party anthem to this day.