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Best Books and Movies about India
Reading and learning more about India
One of the best ways to virtually travel to India is by diving into a few books that offer deeper insights into this fascinating country. Personally, I’ve found that reading both fiction and nonfiction about places I’m visiting (or plan to visit, like Ireland) adds so much context, helping me connect with the culture, history, and people on a more meaningful level.
From my personal experience of over 15 years as an expat in Spain, I can say that reading Spanish quotes, binge-watching TV series, checking out virtual tours, and exploring trendy Spanish novels – this kind of cultural immersion has always helped me embrace a new place. It goes beyond the first impression, allowing me to dive deeper into the world of different traditions and celebrations. Since India is on my bucket list, I’ve been stockpiling the best India books and movies for a while. Here’s the ultimate list of India books and movies to help you embark on a new adventure straight from home.
These India books and movies can enhance your journey in ways you might not expect. Virtually traveling through wanderlust-filled books and adventurous travel movies has always been my next best option when I’m not able to travel.
Introducing this collection of stories, R. K. Narayan describes how in India "the writer has only to look out of the window to pick up a character and thereby a story." Composed of powerful, magical portraits of all kinds of people, and comprising stories written over almost forty years, Malgudi Days presents Narayan's imaginary city in full color, revealing the essence of India and of human experience.
In this breathtaking book by Pulitzer Prize winner Katherine Boo, a bewildering age of global change and inequality is made human through the dramatic story of families striving toward a better life in Annawadi, a makeshift settlement in the shadow of luxury hotels near the Mumbai airport.
Formerly India's most corrupt tourist guide, Raju—just released from prison—seeks refuge in an abandoned temple. Mistaken for a holy man, he plays the part and succeeds so well that God himself intervenes to put Raju's newfound sanctity to the test. Narayan's most celebrated novel, The Guide won him the National Prize of the Indian Literary Academy, his country's highest literary honor.
Where to buy books
I shop most of the Spain books for kids at Casa del Libro bookstores in Spain, or via Amazon. My favorite place to discover audiobooks for road trips is Libro.fm.
For all book enthusiasts, come explore my new TikTok account dedicated to all things reading and literature: @1001_books_club. Let’s share the magic of stories together!
@1001_books_club Books: the only passport that lets you live a thousand lives, become million different people, and travel to places beyond imagination. #BookTok #ReadersOfTikTok #BookLovers #ReadingJourney #EscapeWithBooks #FictionWorlds ♬ million different people – ༒︎
An Ultimate list of movies about India
Indian movies are truly unique – vibrant, colorful, and filled with traditional songs and dances. But be prepared—many of them are emotional tear-jerkers, so you might want to keep a box of tissues handy.
Heart-touching India Movies
- My name is Khan (2010)
- Taare Zameen Par (2007)
- Gandhi (1982)
- Pather Panchali (1955)
- Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
- Lion (2016)
- Jungle Book (2016)
- Life of Pi (2012)
- Water (2005)
- Monsoon Wedding (2001)
- The Lunchbox (2013)
Funny India Movies
- The Darjeeling Limited (2007)
- The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011)
- Outsourced (2006)
Popular Bollywood Movies
There´s no movie list about India without some iconic Bollywood stories:
- Devdas (2002)
- Jodhaa Akbar (2008)
- Raavan (2010)
- Guzaarish (2010)
- Lagaan (2001)
My favorite books about India
- The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga (2008) – A Booker Prize winner, this novel is ironic, sometimes shocking, and filled with dark humor, yet also extraordinarily well-written. It balances humor and harsh realities in a way that makes it both thought-provoking and engaging.
- Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts (2003) – An international bestseller, I loved it from the very first chapter! As the debut novel of this Australian author, it’s largely autobiographical, though some parts are reportedly fictional. What shines through, though, is the author’s deep love for India—his warmth toward the country and its people is palpable on every page. It’s contagious, and by the end, you can’t help but feel the same way.
- The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy (1997) – Another Booker Prize winner, but be warned: this book made me feel sadness from the very first chapters. Despite that, I couldn’t stop reading until the final word. A haunting story of forbidden love, political and personal dramas, and the pain of misunderstanding that echoes across time. So many seemingly small things that make a big impact.
- Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie (2005) – Talented, controversial, and full of social criticism and profound insights! Salman Rushdie’s books aren’t the easiest reads—they’re filled with metaphors, unlike anything else you’ve ever encountered. Midnight’s Children won the Booker Prize in 1981 and was later named the “Best of the Booker” for both the 25th and 40th anniversaries of the award. If that’s not reason enough to dive in, I don’t know what is!
Compared favorably to the works of Faulkner and Dickens, Arundhati Roy’s modern classic is equal parts powerful family saga, forbidden love story, and piercing political drama. The seven-year-old twins Estha and Rahel see their world shaken irrevocably by the arrival of their beautiful young cousin, Sophie. It is an event that will lead to an illicit liaison and tragedies accidental and intentional, exposing “big things [that] lurk unsaid” in a country drifting dangerously toward unrest.
As a hunted man without a home, family, or identity, Lin searches for love and meaning while running a clinic in one of the city’s poorest slums, and serving his apprenticeship in the dark arts of the Bombay mafia. The search leads him to war, prison torture, murder, and a series of enigmatic and bloody betrayals.
The white tiger of this novel is Balram Halwai, a poor Indian villager whose great ambition leads him to the zenith of Indian business culture, the world of the Bangalore entrepreneur. On the occasion of the president of China’s impending trip to Bangalore, Balram writes a letter to him describing his transformation and his experience as driver and servant to a wealthy Indian family, which he thinks exemplifies the contradictions and complications of Indian society.
More unique books about India
I’ve handpicked quite a few books about India from forums and Goodreads reviews and added them to my India reading list. I also make an effort to enjoy each book and movie about India one at a time, to ensure the impressions and storylines don’t get mixed up.
- Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo
- The Guide by R. K. Narayan
- A Hundred Little Flames by Preeti Shenoy
- The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Divakaruni
- Train to Pakistan by Khushwant Singh
- A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth
- The Space Between Us by Thrity Umrigar
- The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
- Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri
- A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry
- A Passage to India by E.M. Forster
- Heat and Dust by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala
- India: A Portrait by Patrick French
- Holy Cow: An Indian Adventure by Sarah Macdonald
- A Strange Kind of Paradise by Sam Miller
- The Hindus: An Alternative History by Wendy Doniger
- A Free Man: A True Story of Life and Death in Delhi by Aman Sethi
- Chasing the Monsoon: A Modern Pilgrimage Through India by Alexander Frater
- Malgudi Days by R.K. Narayan
Pulitzer Prize winner Jhumpa Lahiri brilliantly illuminates the immigrant experience and the tangled ties between generations. Namesake is a fine-tuned, intimate, and deeply felt novel of identity from “a writer of uncommon elegance and poise.
At the dawn of the twentieth century, the peak of the British colonial era, a visiting English schoolteacher and her traveling companion express a desire to see a more authentic side of India. Widely regarded as one of the greatest novels of the twentieth century, A Passage to India reflects the country's rising nationalism. E. M. Forster's 1924 tale offers a stirring condemnation of the abuses of British colonialism.
With a compassionate realism and narrative sweep that recall the work of Charles Dickens, this magnificent novel captures all the cruelty and corruption, dignity and heroism, of India. The time is 1975. The place is an unnamed city by the sea.
Unique Indian Cookbooks
When you want to immerse yourself in a new culture, local tastes and flavors are unmatched. As you know, I’m a huge foodie, and gastronomic adventures are a key part of my travel experiences. I currently own two Indian cookbooks, but there are several more on my wish list. Cooking Indian food is truly unlike anything else. India is the largest producer of spices in the world—of the 100 spices listed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), 75 are produced in India. Once you get your hands on an Indian cookbook and start gathering ingredients for those recipes, you’ll discover a whole new world of spices you probably never knew existed. I couldn’t find even half of the spices I needed in local Spanish shops or online, so I ended up ordering them all from the UK.
- “Vegan Richa´s India Kitchen” by Richa Hingle
- “The Indian Cooking Course: Techniques – Masterclasses – Ingredients” by Monisha Bharadwaj
- “Made in India: Recipes from an Indian Family Kitchen” by Meera Sodha
- “Plant-Based India: Nourishing Recipes Rooted in Tradition” by Dr. Sheil Shukla
- “Chaat: Recipes from the Kitchens, Markets, and Railways of India” by Maneet Chauhan
- “Masala: Recipes from India, the Land of Spices” by Anita Jaisinghani
Also, there are a few cool books on spices – The Science of Spice, Mastering Spice, and The Encyclopedia of Spices and Herbs.
Books about India for Kids
Reading children’s books about India with kids is a wonderful way to introduce them to the country’s vibrant traditions, colorful festivals, and unique customs, helping them appreciate different cultures from an early age. Through beautifully illustrated stories, children can discover India’s famous figures, landmarks, the rich flavors of Indian cuisine, and the everyday lives of its people.
- Tales of India: Folk Tales from Bengal, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu
- Tales from India by Bali Rai
- The Extraordinary Life of Mahatma Gandhi by Chitra Soundar and Dalia Adillon
- India on a Plate!: Indian Food from A to Z by Archana Sreenivasan
- Good Night India by Nitya Khemka
- Namaste Is a Greeting by Suma Subramaniam
- A Sari for Ammi by Mamta Nainy
- Anni Dreams of Biryani by Namita Moolani Mehra
- My Incredible India by Jasbinder Bilan
- Asha & the Spirit Bird by Jasbinder Bilan
- Jasmine Skies by Sita Brahmachari
- The Wheel of Surya by Jamila Gavin
A collection of 20 stories from India's rich folklore heritage. From wicked magicians to wise old priests, charming princes and beautiful princesses, to greedy tigers and wily jackals, these magical tales are full of adventure and trickery, and infused with deeper messages about morality, Life and the world around us. Founded on the work of folklorist, Joseph Jacob, and from tales from India's Mughul period, award-winning author Bali Rai's lively retellings are a delight for readers of all ages.
This collection of 16 traditional tales transports readers to the beguiling world of Indian folklore. Transcribed by Indian and English folklorists in the nineteenth century, these stories brim with wit and magic.
From growing up in India and studying in London to becoming a political activist in South Africa and taking on the battle for independence in India, Mahatma Gandhi's legacy has lived on well beyond his years. Read the life story of this brilliant, strong-willed and influential man in this beautifully illustrated book, complete with real-life stories, timelines and facts.
India Coffee Table Books
Getting a few coffee table books about India is a great way to let your eyes travel from the comfort of your home. These books are often filled with stunning photography and insightful commentary, offering a visual journey through India’s historic landmarks, bustling markets, serene rural areas, and colorful festivals.
- “India: In Word and Image” by Eric Meola
- “Patterns of India: A Journey Through Colors, Textiles, and the Vibrancy of Rajasthan” by Christine Chitnis
- “India: UNESCO World Heritage Sites” by Shikha Jain
- “Indian Tiles: Architectural Ceramics from Sultanate and Mughal India and Pakistan” by Arthur Millner
- “India in Fashion: The Impact of Indian Dress and Textiles on the Fashionable Imagination” by Hamish Bowles
- “Treasures of India” by DK
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For more inspiring reads check my Pinterest Board – Travel Books, Movies, and Quotes.
- Accommodation: For short stays, I usually book via Agoda and Booking
- Tours&excursions: My favorites for guided tours are GetYourGuide and Viator
- Museums&attractions: Get mobile tickets for attractions via Tiqets (use ATC5 code for a 5% discount via this link)
- Semi-private & private tours: LivTours is my favorite place for unique & crafted experiences in Europe
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- Flights: Find the best deals with Skyscanner and Kiwi
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- Internet Security on the road: Connect safely to public Wi-Fi and bypass censorship with NordVPN
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- Suitcases&Luggage: Discover where to store your luggage on the go with Radical Storage
- Travel Insurance: Find the best trip insurance plans via VisitorsCoverage and EKTA
- Compensation for delayed/canceled flights: Check out AirHelp and Compensair
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I’m going on a couple of weeks and will have to read a couple of these before then. Read Shantaram, but not the others. You should read Behind the Beautiful Forevers.It was so good!
Great article! We are linking to this great article
on our site. Keep up the great writing.
Great post! I definitely agree that books and movies can help you immerse yourself in the culture of a country and understand it a bit better.
You obviously have a real passion for India – I hope you get to visit soon.
What a fabulous idea! We may not be able to travel much at the moment, but we can all travel vicariously! This is a fantastic list to get us started/ make all your blogging friends want to visit India!! 😀
Wow, now that’s one good list of movies to watch for sure. I’ve seen all of these sometime during the last decade or so and every now and then when I find myself idle, I enjoy watching some of these all over again. My fav Indian cookbooks are the ones written by Sanjeev Kapoor but I will surely check out the books you’ve listed.
What a fun and creative way to be inspired by a destination. I love the movie recommendations. And of course the food!