Photo: facebook.com/nyindianfilmfest

The New York Indian Film Festival kicks off today with a dazzling schedule of twenty-five films that will screen through Sunday, May 8. The screenings are spread across four Manhattan venues and with all the stars and premiers the line up could be, ooh, a little overwhelming.

But, if you happen to be in NYC this week and you want to tackle NYIFF, we’ve got your back. Here are five films that you absolutely should not miss.

Do Dooni Chaar

Photo: facebook.com/nyindianfilmfest

The fest will kick off tonight at 6 p.m. with the red carpet US premier of the award-winning Do Dooni Chaar, Disney’s first live-action Hindi film starring famed acting couple Rishi and Neetu Kapoor. Yep, it’s a Bollywood-style Disney comedy about the struggles of a middle class Delhi family. Come on. Even if you don’t like the idea, you have to see how that turned out.

Iti Mrinalini

Photo: iaac.us/nyiff2011

The festival centerpiece will be Iti Mrinalini, a Bengali film in which an aging actress writes her suicide note and then, in the process of destroying her letters and keepsakes, relives her tumultuous past.  NYIFF delights in combining mainstream tastes with films that embody an indie spirit. This one is a bit of both. (Fri., May 6, 6 and 6:30 p.m.)

Yeh Saali Zindagi

Photo: iaac.us/nyiff2011

Yeh Saali Zindagi is a Hindi action film starring Irrfan Khan of HBO’s In Treatment and films from Slumdog Millionaire to New York, I Love You. It’s also one of our top picks. We predict this film will contain yet another of his amazing yet understated performances. (Sat., May 7, 6:30 p.m.)

Bhopali

Photo: iaac.us/nyiff2011

If you see one documentary at the this year’s festival, consider Bhopali. Directed by Max Carlson, this award winning film revisits the devastating 1984 Union Carbide gas leak in Bhopal, India and makes clear that the deadly aftermath is far being past tense. It might not be fun, but it’s guaranteed to be eye-opening. (Thu., May 5, 9 p.m.)

Noukadubi

Photo: iaac.us/nyiff2011

It all comes to a close with another Bengali film, Noukadubi. This is a period film set in the ’20s and based on a novel by Rabindranath Tagore. It’s a tale of love with a snaking plot line and the perfect thing to add some extra culture and variety to your personal NYIFF line up. (Sun., May 8, 6 p.m.)

On a final note, all you film junkies will also want to catch the screening of Raakh Redux — the remastered and re-edited version of the 1989 cult classic starring Aamir Khan. (Thu., May 5, 9:30 p.m.) We’ll stop there, but picking these five wasn’t easy. We want to see them all.

-Beverly Bryan