South Asian Cinema

Resources for watching & finding information on South Asian cinema

Where to Watch Films: Free Online & DVDs

You can checkout films at IU for 7 days, most films are available at Wells Library and residential dorm libraries. Netflix & other streaming services have many contemporary South Asian films to watch instantly. See what films are available at IU & free online:

IndianCine
Watch of out-of-copyright Indian films with subtitles, full script, and notes. Here you can search by studio, cast, language, and more. Great for watching Indian films released before 1957. For films released after 1957, only the audio and English subtitles are available.
Golden Age Films @ IU
Browse over 100 Indian films from the Golden Age (1947-1960s) available for checkout at IU Libraries. DVDs are available for checkout from Wells Library.
Tamil Films @ IU
Browse the list of Tamil films at the IU Libraries. DVDS are available for checkout from Wells Library.
Movies Heritage
Watch full-length Bollywood films on the Movies Heritage YouTube channel. Here you can watch classic films released before 1957. English subtitles not available for all films.
Classic Indian & Pakistani Films—YouTube
Watch full-length Indian & Pakistani films in the public domain. English subtitles included.
Free Pakistani Films
from BFI

Kanopy Streaming Video
Kanopy Streaming Video gathers streaming videos from a variety of producers and makes them available to students. Faculty and instructors may request titles for purchase by the Libraries via the Kanopy Streaming Video site. Priority access will be given to faculty and instructors for class use.
One Mail instructions:
If you chose to setup a Kanopy user account to access additional features and used your indiana.edu email address, you will need to update it to your iu.edu email address before December 31, 2025.
1. Log in to your Kanopy account in a web browser.
2. Select the menu button menu button in the top-right corner, then select My Account.
3. On the My Information tab, select Edit.
4. Enter your new email address or current and new passwords. (You can also edit your name, if needed.)
5. Select Save.
These instructions are also available with screenshots on Kanopy's support site.

DVDs available at IU Libraries

21st Century Indian Films @IU
Browse the list of Indian films from the 21st century at the IU Libraries. DVDS are available for checkout from Wells Library
21st Century Pakistani Films @IU
Browse the list of Pakistani films from the 21st century at the IU Libraries. DVDS are available for checkout from Wells Library
Classic Bengali Films @ IU
Browse the list of Classic Bengali films from the 20th century at the IU Libraries. DVDS are available from Well Library or direct link to the Criterion Collection

Last Updated: Oct 31, 2025 12:01 PM
URL: https://guides.libraries.indiana.edu/southasiancinema
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Subjects: Area Studies, Film Studies, South Asian Studies

Tags: film studies, India, Pakistan, South Asia

South Asian Cinema

One Mail instructions:

DVDs available at IU Libraries

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