London Me Bharat

Shot in black and white, London Me Bharat—one of the first Hindi-language films made in Britain—presents a distinctive view of 70s London. After an opening in which an Indian classical score renders familiar landmarks unfamiliar, the film abandons tourist London to explore Southall, home to one of Britain's largest Indian communities. It's an insightful take on an increasingly multicultural city—at a time when, the commentary tells us, the capital's Indian population numbered some 150,000, with another 300,000 elsewhere in the UK.

Directed by Vinod Pande, London Me Bharat leans on a strong ensemble — Vinod Pande, Sidney Bidwell — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about documentary titles of 1972.