Bollywood has a reputation for delivering the same old masala flicks every single time, it has often been criticized for not trying something new and for not experimenting, while this might be true is some cases, Bollywood every year comes up with some underrated gems, which for some reason don’t get the praise that they deserve, we’re going to look at those underrated gems, these are movies which did not do well on box office despite being very good.
Dev.D
Dev.D is an Indian romantic black comedy drama film, Written and directed by Anurag Kashyap. The story revolves around a young man who after breaking up with his childhood sweetheart, finds solace in drugs. Meanwhile, a teenage girl is caught in the world of prostitution. This movie showcases the problems of the youth. Dev.D was embraced by the media, critics and the public.
Masaan
The story is about four lives that intersect along the Ganges: a low caste boy in hopeless love, a daughter ridden with guilt of a sexual encounter ending in a tragedy, a hapless father with fading morality, and a spirited child yearning for a family, long to escape the moral constructs of a small-town. A series of unprecedented events find these lives, to reflect and explore their desires through each other. The film was well received by the critics and won many accolades.
Ugly
The story is about a case of a missing girl takes us through a journey of human greed and brushes upon the egos and repressed emotions of the characters.Upon release, Ugly received widespread critical acclaim
Paan Singh Tomar
Paan Singh Tomar is a 2012 Indian biographical film based on the true story of the athlete of the same name. The story revolves around Paan Singh Tomar, an Indian athlete and seven-time national steeplechase champion who becomes one of the most feared dacoits in Chambal Valley after his retirement. The film received good reviews by the critics and public.
Shor in the City
Shor in the City is a crime comedy-drama film directed by Raj Nidimoru and Krishna D.K. The film revolves around five central characters in the city of Mumbai. Tilak (Tusshar Kapoor) is a small-time publisher of unlicensed books who along with his friends Mandook (PitobashTripathy) and Ramesh (Nikhil Dwivedi) kidnaps a famous author and forces him to give the manuscript of his latest book to them so that they will be the first ones to publish it.
Titli
Titli is a 2014 Bollywood drama film written and directed by KanuBehl. The story is about Titli, the youngest member of a car-jacking brotherhood wants to escape the family business. He and his wife form a pact to set free from their family roots. The film has a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 91% which is quite rare.
Khosla ka Ghosla
Khosla Ka Ghosla is a Hindi-language comedy drama film directed by Dibakar Banerjee. The story follows a Delhi based retired middle-class man who tries half-heartedly to get his land back from a swindling property dealer with the help of his sons and their friends. The film was praised for its story and humor, it won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi for 2006
Margarita, with a Straw
This film starring Kalki Koechlin is about story of a bi-sexual woman who has cerebral palsy. She has to discovers her own self through the course of this film. This film is a must watch for those who are looking for good cinema and are tired of the traditional stories.
A Wednesday
A Wednesday! is a 2008 Indian thriller film written and directed by Neeraj Pandey. A retiring police officer reminisces about the most astounding day of his career. About a case that was never filed but continues to haunt him in his memories – the case of a man and a Wednesday. The film was very well received and won a number of awards. If you like thrillers, you should definitely check this one out
Ship of Theseus
This film by Anand Gandhi explores the questions of identity, justice, beauty, meaning and death. The title of the film alludes to Theseus’ paradox, most notably recorded in “Life of Theseus”, wherein the Greek historian and philosopher Plutarch inquires whether a ship that has been restored by replacing all its parts remains the same ship. The film won the National Film Award for the Best Feature Film of the year.
Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!
ye Lucky! Lucky Oye! is a Bollywood comedy film directed by Dibakar Banerjee. The film is inspired by the real-life shenanigans of Devinder Singh. The story revolves around A burglar reflects on his life and loves; while the media speculates how he managed to pull off so many heists. This comedy gem is a must watch for everyone.
Shahid
Shahid is a 2013 Indian Hindi-language biographical drama film directed by Hansal Mehta. It is based on the life of lawyer and human rights activist Shahid Azmi, who was assassinated in 2010. The story is about a Human Rights lawyer Shahid Azmi, an ordinary citizen with an extraordinary commitment to justice.Shahid received mostly positive reviews from the critics with particular praise for Rao’s performances.
Raincoat
Raincoat, is a drama film directed by A Rituparno Ghosh, which follows the stories of two lovers Neeru and Mannu, who are reunited after a decade. if you love drama films, then you must not miss watching this movie. The film starring Aishwarya Rai and Ajay Devgn was released on December 24, 2004.
Mission Kashmir
Mission Kashmir is a 2000 Indian crime thriller film directed and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. The film follows the life and tragedy of a young boy named Altaaf Khan (Hrithik Roshan) after his entire family is accidentally killed by police officers. He is adopted by the police chief who is responsible for this, and when Altaaf finds out, he seeks revenge and becomes a terrorist. The film deals with terrorism and the tragedy of children suffering from war.
Phas Gaya Re Obama
Phas Gaye Re Obama is a 2010 Bollywood satire film directed by Subhash Kapoor. The story is about Om Shastri, a recession victim who comes to India to sell his ancestors property to clear is debt. On reaching he comes to know that selling the property will make his family homeless in India. Later he is kidnapped by goons thinking a rich NRI.
Udaan
Udaan is a 2010 Indian Hindi-language coming-of-age drama film directed by VikramadityaMotwane. It follows the story of Rohan, who is forced to live with his oppressive father in Jamshedpur after he is expelled from boarding school. It was highly acclaimed because of its moving story-line and tight pacing, and remains as one of the most underrated Bollywood movies.
Rockford
Rockford is a 1999 Indian coming-of-age film directed by Nagesh Kukunoor. It’s the story of a 13-year-old boy, Rajesh, who is sent to the Rockford Boys’ High School. He experiences the joy and agony of living in an all-male boarding school. The film received good reviews and you should definitely check this underrated gem out.
15 Park Avenue
15 Park Avenue is a 2005 National Film Award winning English-language Indian film directed by Aparna Sen. The story is about the relationship of two sisters, older sister Anjali is a successful professor with a powerful personality. She is the anchoring rock for her family and care taker for her sister Meethi whose progression into schizophrenia has been speed ed up by traumatic experiences.
Salaam Bombay
Salaam Bombay! is a 1988 Indian film written and directed by Mira Nair. It follows the day-to-day life of children living on the streets of Mumbai. It won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi. The film was even nominated for Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. This one is definitely worth watching.
The Lunchbox
The Lunchbox is a 2013 Indian epistolary romantic film written and directed by Ritesh Batra. The film is about a mistaken delivery in Mumbai’s famously efficient lunchbox delivery system which connects a young housewife to an older man in the dusk of his life as they build a fantasy world together through notes in the lunchbox.
Also Read: 18 Actresses From South Who Made It Really Big In Bollywood
