From this perspective, California is still considered the cinema capital of the world. However, it is India that produces the most films every year. A productive cinema with its own code, and Bollywood ultimately takes nothing more than its name from Hollywood. If you want to satisfy your curiosity and travel, here are the 10 most famous films produced in the 2000s.

Dil Chahta Hai (2001) by Farhan Akhtar

Fresh out of college, three friends enter adulthood while juggling their rather… busy romantic lives. A film in the purest Bollywood tradition that was one of the first to depict the new, cosmopolitan, urban, and Westernized youth of India.

Company (2002) by Ram Gopal Varma

A deep dive into the heart of Mumbai helmed by Ram Gopal Varma, best known for his gangster films, the film follows the budding relationship between a young man with a long tooth (a terrific Vivek Oberoi) and a gang leader (superstar Ajay Devgan): a bit classic, but very effective.

Munna Bhai MBBS (2003) by Rajkumar Hirani

A great comedy that was a huge hit in India, before spawning a sequel. The plot? A gangster decides to become a doctor to keep a promise to his father. If the humor sometimes struggles to overcome cultural differences, the banter and Sanjay Dutt's talent should keep you laughing.

Swades: We, the People (2004) by Ashutosh Gowariker

The nearly three-hour mural tells the story of a young expatriate who returns to the country after ten years working for NASA in the US. There, in rural India, he gives meaning to his life by trying to help the people he meets. We recall the giant appearance of Shahrukh Khan (dubbed the “King of Bollywood”) and the ever-present shadow of Gandhi…

Iqbal (2005) by Nagesh Kukunoor

A boy who loves cricket overcomes obstacles to leave his small village in rural India and realize his dream of playing for the national team… A very classic sports film, with its beautiful story, beautiful speeches and beautiful moments. But all very well put together, and it is also an opportunity to take an interest in cricket, the national sport.

Omkara (2006) by Vishal Bhardwaj

After adapting Shakespeare’s first play (Macbeth, now Maqbool) in 2004, Vishal Bhardwaj this time tackles Othello. The result has been critically acclaimed, both nationally and internationally, and is undoubtedly one of the major successes of recent Indian cinema.

Taare Zameen (2007) by Aamir Khan

Star Aamir Khan’s directorial debut, the film follows a young boy struggling to find his place, before relying on the help of a slightly more caring teacher. The playfulness and smiles of little Darsheel Safari light up the film, which is carried both in front of and behind the camera by Khan’s masterful wit.

See you Wednesday! (2008) by Neeraj Pandey

This suspenseful and original thriller is primarily inspired by the July 11, 2006 attacks that killed over 200 people in Mumbai. Neeraj Pandey’s debut film, it was a surprise box office success, buoyed by excellent reviews and word of mouth. To watch (and re-watch) while you wait for Pandey to deign to release his second feature film…

Dev.D (2009) by Anurag Kashyap

A bold adaptation of the great Bengali literary classic, Devdas, which has been adapted for Bollywood many times. Thoroughly modern, this beautiful love story has been hailed as a breath of fresh air for Bollywood cinema, with its inclusion of certain Hollywood elements (we’re thinking of the chapters, for example, a gimmick that Quentin Tarantino loves) as well as its contemporary and dynamic soundtrack.

Tere Bin Laden (2010) by Abhishek Sharma

To end it in style, the height of madness: a young Pakistani journalist wants to emigrate to the United States at all costs, and decides to record a fake video message resembling Osama Bin Laden to finance the operation. Nothing goes according to plan, you will understand. A hilarious comedy, but also a real satire on American foreign policy and the post-9/11 world. Bollywood opens up to the outside world.