Written By: Karnil Pancholi, PGDM Student, AMA

Movies are an escape from reality, they transport us to an alternate world, a world we are not a part of but would want to be a part of. Movies are like a mirror held against the society we live in. At times they force us to accept the harsh depiction of society while during other times they may also evoke a certain conflict between the reality we are a part of, and the glorification of an alternate world we will never be a part of. All in all, It’s the romanticized version of emotions we feel when we watch a film which makes us come back for more.

Life is a paradox and you can never possibly understand it. But the best way to figure out this phenomenon would be through movies.
Therefore, here are 10 films that will teach you a lot about life:

1. A Beautiful Mind (2001)
   Just imagine if you suddenly learned that the people, the places, the moments most important to you were not gone, not dead, but had never been. What kind of hell would that be?
   Perspective is a gift. Some people are born with a special gift to look at life in a different perspective. They can see, imagine and form things which normal people can’t even think about. The movie shows us how the most intriguing part of a human body- brain can lead to 2 extremes behaviours in humans. The very brain that helps Dr. John Nash to form mathematical equations and formulae to solve problems can also open the door to a new world which only he could experience.
2. Anand (1971)
   “Babumoshai, zindagi badi honi chahiye lambi nahin!”
   Anand is like a memoir of a man “living” his life in its most natural form with an unimaginable energy. A man who despite hearing the news about his terminal illness does not lose his will to live life to the fullest, and not only does he live his life king size but also inspires others to accept life as it is and make the most out of it as long as we have time. It tells you about the transient nature of life and how we take it for granted. It encourages us to feel grateful about the tiniest of the details and live life whole heartedly loving everyone around.
3. Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
   “You got a dream… You gotta protect it.”

   This film is a tale of triumph over despair and failures and a celebration of sheer will and determination. Brick walls aren’t there to keep you out, they’re there to keep people who aren’t worth getting on the other side. Chris Gardner’s inspirational pursuit to attain happy-ness and stability in life can be a great motivation for people who feel lost and are still working towards the fulfilment of their dream.

4. Taare Zameen Par (2007)
   “Every child is special.”
   The film revolves around an eight-year old kid’s (Ishaan Awasthi’s) life who is struggling with dyslexia, living in his own world which no one else seems to understand. Burdened by the expectations of his parents and a highly competitive environment, he is sent to a boarding school where he meets Ramshankar Nikumbh, a newly appointed teacher with whose help, his life changes.
5. Good Will Hunting (1997)
   “Some people can never believe in themselves until someone believes in them.”
   Will Hunting is a janitor working at MIT who has a genius-level IQ. Soon Gerald Lambeau, a professor discovers that he is gifted when he solves a difficult equation of maths and decides to help the misguided chap to reach his potential. But when Will is arrested for attacking a policeman the only way for him to get away with the deed is by taking treatment from therapist Sean Maguire. These sessions change his perspective towards life.
6. Swades (2004)
   Tells the real-life story of a NASA scientist who comes back to India to take his nanny with him. But when she refuses to come with him, his love for the country and the days he spends in his hometown evokes a sense of responsibility in him towards his own nation; leading him to leave his job at NASA and join ISRO for the upliftment of the Indian society.
7. Dead Poets Society (1989)
   “No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world.”
   Another Robin Williams film in the list, (He literally nailed it, when it comes to this genre) Dead Poets Society revolves around the fictional school of Welton where John Keating, a teacher, through his unconventional ways of teaching, inspires his students to break free from the shackles of the stern headmaster.
8. Rang De Basanti (2006)
   “Koi bhi desh perfect nahin hota, use perfect banana padta hai!”
   A British filmmaker casts a group of Delhi University graduates in a film about freedom fighters under colonization. Although the group is unaffected by politics, the tragic death of a friend because of local government corruption awakens their patriotism. Inspired by the freedom fighters they were casted to represent in the film, they decide to rebel against the killing.
9. Life is Beautiful (1997)
   “Life is beautiful so cherish it as long as you’re a part of it.”
   A touching story of an Italian book seller of Jewish ancestry who lives in his own world with his wife and son. His creative and happy life comes to a halt with the outbreak of World War II, and his whole family is deported to a concentration camp. While locked up he tries to convince his son that the whole thing is just a game. It’s a tale of how even in his worst times, the man doesn’t let his family go through the mental torture he has to face.
10. Wake Up Sid! (2009)
    Siddharth (Better known as Sid amongst his friends) is a lazy college student who is ambitionless and does absolutely nothing. Finding the beginning of his adulthood too much to deal with, he meets Aisha, an ambitious writer who helps him find his true potential in the back-drop of Mumbai’s fast-paced life. This film is for every individual who is finding it difficult to fit into his/her adult life.

P.s This list is entirely personal and only comprises of films I’ve had the privilege and time to watch.

I hope these films will bring a change to the way you look at life. Happy watching!