The Best Action Scenes in Indian Movies (Bollywood)

Bollywood is the name given to cinema produced in Mumbai, a city in the state of Maharashtra, just as Kumawood is the cinema of Kumasi, Ghana. The term usually encompasses all Indian cinema, although that's not entirely accurate. In fact, the name Bollywood was inspired by Tollywood, the Bengali film industry based in Tollygunge, Calcutta. For practical purposes, because this list exists to entertain rather than teach history, we're going to throw everything into the same bag - even though you should know that there are differences between India's film industries that are not only geographic but also aesthetic and idiosyncratic.

What you probably know best about this type of cinema are its amazing musical scenes, as beautiful as they are colorful. But Indian action cinema also deserves attention, because it has bequeathed us memorable moments, like the ones that make up this list. Sequences that are extreme, absurd, defying the physics of the entire universe, yet that manage to entertain far more than their Hollywood counterparts (which, as usual, enjoy much bigger budgets). And that's the thing: Indian cinema is exaggerated, theatrical and melodramatic.

You've likely already seen many of the scenes presented here, because almost all of them went viral at one time or another. In this list, we put them in context and give you the information you need to keep digging on your own if you're interested in watching the complete film. Enjoy!

Scenes That Defy Physics (and Logic)

Singham (2011)

Singham is a completely unhinged film that marked the return of Ajay Devgn (as the lead) to the genre that made him famous. It's about, broadly speaking, an honest cop facing a mafia group that terrorizes a city. This is the most classic scene of them all, but it also has moments as wildly entertaining as this one.

Khiladi 420 (2000)

Akshay Kumar is a super action star who has appeared in hundreds of films and is one of the highest-grossing actors in Indian cinema. Not only that, he's also known for doing his own stunts, some of them very dangerous, which is why he's often called the "Indian Jackie Chan". The scene in the video might be one of the most dangerous he has ever had to perform - and yes, it's astonishing. Want more? Here he is, in the same film, chasing cars on roller skates.

Endhiran (2010)

One of the most viral clips of 2010. It belongs to a madness called Endhiran, in which an android named Chitti falls in love with his creator's woman. Is this a love story? It has some romance, as all Indian films do, but it's also complete delirium, as you can see in this scene.

Rebel (2012)

This scene has it all: colors, people, punches, kicks, gunfire and superpowers. Indian action cinema condensed into less than six minutes. Pure, classic, unadulterated.

Singham Returns (2014)

The triumphant return of Singham! This time it's a revenge story against a religious cult. Singham still doles out punches like a superhero and keeps making impossible jumps. A treat!

Legend (2014)

Another scene with all the ingredients to be considered out of this world. A group of mobsters douse the hero and all his relatives and friends in gasoline. Then begins the violent dance of punches that keep coming, culminating in the final showdown between the protagonist and his evil nemesis. Like a video game, but better.

Magadheera (2009)

A classic viral you've no doubt seen many times, but without context. A scene as crazy as it is impossible, from one of the best films India has ever produced. It doesn't waste a single second.

Alluda Majaka (1995)

Mr. Toyota (played by Chiranjeevi) escapes the police on horseback. The horse dodges, jumps, crouches, smashes windows, barges into restaurants and constantly defies the laws of physics. Tollywood at 100%.

Ra.One (2011)

Ra.One, the film's villain, is much more powerful than G.One, the hero. Like Terminator 2, more or less, but with characters straight out of a video game (seriously!). In this scene, the villain hunts down his targets until G.One (the good guy) shows up to stop him. Science fiction, derangement and (possibly) lots of LSD.

Chandramukhi (2005)

A total classic! A hugely viral scene from the film Chandramukhi. The hero fights the bad guys until he's captured and bound in chains. Will that stop the protagonist's thirst for justice? Of course not! Chained or not, the show is guaranteed.

Mr. Perfect (2011)

A Tollywood classic that ticks every box for this list. A lone fighter faces an entire gang of thugs out to destroy him, against all odds. Fun, low-budget but very well executed.

Ek Tha Tiger (2012)

Absolutely mind-blowing! This is the opening of "Ek Tha Tiger": a chase that lasts more than five minutes across the rooftops of Iraq. A cinematic moment very reminiscent of Casino Royale, but with an Indian accent.

Singham123 (2015)

Can a banana be a lethal weapon? It depends on who's wielding it! In the hands of Singham123, the super-smooth cop from Singarayakonda, it's all he needs to win the battle against the mafia boss named Lingham.

Aambala (2015)

You don't judge a movie hero only by his actions, but also by his style. And when it comes to style, Saravanan's entrance in this scene is worthy of respect (and a few laughs at the absurdity). Another viral classic you usually see floating around the web - now with context!

Kutty Pisasu (2010)

I'd love to try whatever these lunatics smoke while writing their scripts. In this scene from "Kutty Pisasu" there's an evil transformer robot and a goddess girl who spits fire, death and destruction. Total madness.

Hrudaya Kaleyam (2014)

"Hrudaya Kaleyam" is a ridiculously low-budget movie, but completely deranged. This scene is the perfect proof: the protagonist builds an electronic heart to save his love. Along the way, he meets a few thugs who want to stop the transplant from succeeding. I'll let you see the rest with your own eyes, because if I told you, you wouldn't believe me.

Krrish 3 (2013)

A superhero movie, X-Men style but with an Indian twist, so everything is more exaggerated and spectacular. In this scene, Krrish faces a group of mutants, teaching Hollywood a lesson in how to choreograph a good superhero fight.

Dhoom 2 (2006)

These guys sure know how to do things! A scene that could have come straight out of "Fast and Furious", with less money but more charisma and style. It's not too extreme, but it's good action.

Deewaanapan (2001)

A melodramatic soap opera, but with action scenes. Instead of dancing in the rain, here they fight. Nothing too spectacular, but it's a long, well-choreographed brawl.

'I' (2015)

Okay, this is already too much. Indians with super-sculpted (and shiny) muscles fighting half-naked inside a gym. Absurd, strange, extravagant, but above all: 100% Indian cinema.

Truck Flipper v Bus Puncher (2015)

"Truck Flipper versus Bus Puncher" isn't an Indian film, but a tribute by the Americans at the production company Rocket Jump. A short and very charismatic piece that fits right in with the other scenes on this list.