Cinema & Music

The Best Indian Films: Skillbox Media's Bollywood Ranking

Original in Russian: blog.skillbox.by
The Best Indian Films: Skillbox Media's Bollywood Rankings

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There is a common perception that Indian cinema is exotic and unusual: characters often engage in strange dances, display excessive emotion, fight weakly, and kidnap their lovers. The desire to adhere to such stereotypes, exacerbated by the dominance of Hollywood films, has meant that one of the oldest forms of cinema remains mysterious and incomprehensible to viewers.

Indian cinema does indeed feature stories about bride kidnappings and fight scenes, but this is only a small part of the overall context. In multilingual India, where the Kama Sutra was born, nonverbal communication is as important as words. While European cinema often focuses on dialogue, in Indian films, actors express their thoughts and emotions with their entire bodies, using dance as a means of conveying feelings and ideas that cannot always be conveyed in words.

According to the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India, there are 22 official languages, each of which includes many dialects. In addition to the famous Bollywood, where films are made in Hindi, films are also produced in Tamil, Bengali, Telugu, and other languages. Moreover, some states impose restrictions on the screening of films in the languages ​​of neighboring regions. Sometimes, directors are forced to shoot the same film in different languages ​​so that each region can have its own unique version.

In India, as in other parts of the world, alongside commercial production, there is so-called "parallel" or independent cinema. Also worth noting are the works of directors who have left the country, creating films about their homeland with a deep understanding of local culture, while their works are aimed at a European audience. This collection features the best Indian films with high ratings on Kinopoisk and IMDb, sure to appeal to both newcomers and seasoned connoisseurs.

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Being Raj Kapoor

IMDb Rating: 9.0

It premiered on February 17, 2023.

The film's running time is 2 hours and 2 minutes.

Genre categories: drama, romance.

Hindi and English languages.

The director of this project is Manav Sohal.

The cast includes Shravani Goswami, Anant Jog, Harshita Kashyap, Arshin Mehta, and Jiten Mukhi.

Raj and Suman are a perfect couple, made for each other. Their feelings overcome all difficulties, and their romance develops at an incredible speed. Soon they decide to tie the knot, and everything looks as if they are destined to spend a long and happy life together. However, the cruel whims of fate lead to tragedy: Suman dies in an accident, and Raj finds himself alone, plunged into the abyss of grief and alcoholism. However, there may be room for hope in this story: one day, in a state of despair, Raj intervenes to save a stranger from a terrible fate. Having taken this bold step, he wonders how the film's hero would react in a similar situation. Of course, he would continue to fight for justice and goodness until the very end. Ultimately, Raj decides to leave his suffering behind and focus on the present.

This vibrant film, saturated with the characteristic Bollywood aesthetic, with dancing, bright saris, romantic rain, and plenty of tears and smiles, evokes nostalgia for the golden era of Indian cinema, distinguished by its simplicity and tranquility. In this work, the star-studded Raj Kapoor embodied the image of a poor hero who easily and joyfully performed good deeds, bringing positive changes to the world around him, all accompanied by songs. The main character, bearing the name of his famous predecessor, also strives for good deeds, even wearing a similar jacket and hat. This is a film filled with kindness and warmth, which is sometimes so necessary for a soul tired of the uncertainty and cruelty of reality.

Three Idiots

IMDb Rating: 8.4

Kinopoisk Rating is 8.1.

Release Date: November 9, 2009.

Running time is 2 hours and 50 minutes.

Genre: Comedy

Language: Hindi

The director of this work is Rajkumar Hirani.

The film stars Aamir Khan, Madhavan, Sharman Joshi and Kareena Kapoor.

Three students studying at the engineering department of one of the leading universities in India represent an interesting mix characters and life circumstances. Rancho is an optimistic and freedom-loving young man who came to college not to earn a degree, but to discover the truth. Farhan, on the other hand, a passionate photographer, is forced to pursue engineering, even though it doesn't align with his true interests. Raju experiences constant stress due to responsibility for his family, including a paralyzed father, an unemployed mother, and a sister without a dowry.

The film analyzes the current problems of modern higher education and identifies its weaknesses—an emphasis on memorization, competition, and social pressure. While such themes could have been the basis for a serious educational drama like Dead Poets Society or a tense thriller like Dear Elena Sergeyevna, 3 Idiots is a vibrant and sophisticated comedy.

Themes of the crisis in the educational system and the distortion of values ​​are explored here through funny dialogue and humorous commentary. The film's core message, emphasizing the importance of the pursuit of knowledge, personal development, and happiness independent of success, resonated with audiences worldwide and made it a significant cultural work. Critics praised the film, which won several awards, including the prestigious Filmfare Award for Best Film, and has inspired several remakes.

A Celebration Under the Sky: A Wedding in the Rainy Season

IMDb Rating: 7.3

Kinopoisk Rating is 6.7.

Release Date: August 31, 2001.

Time required for completion is 1 hour and 54 minutes.

Genre: Dramady

Hindi and English languages.

Director: Mira Nair

Starring: Naseeruddin Shah, Lilleet Dubey, Shefali Shetty and Vijay Raaz.

In a spacious house in New Delhi, a family gathers to participate in a wedding celebration, and suddenly, from the closets, they begin to Skeletons suddenly fall out. Family members and their friends are embroiled in squabbles, exchanging accusations, hiding their true emotions; couples drift apart and then come back together, confirming Douglas Coupland's idea that perfect families don't exist. And, of course, everyone immerses themselves in dancing.

Amid the pre-holiday bustle, director Mira Nair takes the time to demonstrate how close people can feel distant, the diverse expressions of love, how relationships between spouses transform over time, and to highlight the class differences present in India and show how this country is different from others. However, the most important message is that every person, regardless of cultural background, has the potential for love and understanding.

The film won several awards, including the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, and was also nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

Stars on Earth

IMDb rating: 8.3

Kinopoisk rating is 8.1.

The film was released on December 21, 2007.

Running time is 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Genre: drama

Language: Hindi

The directorial team includes Aamir Khan and Amol Gupte.

Starring Darsheel Safary, Aamir Khan and Tisca Chopra.

While 3 Idiots addressed the crisis in higher education, Stars on Earth addresses the problems of secondary education. The story centers on a boy named Ishaan Awasthi, who struggles with his studies. Despite his difficulties with general subjects, Ishaan possesses a remarkable imagination, a developed visual sense, and a sense of color and composition that is completely inappropriate for his age. However, his artistic abilities remain unnoticed by both his parents and teachers, who consider him lazy and untalented. Everything changes when a new art teacher arrives at the school and recognizes Ishaan's creative potential. He finds an individual approach to the boy and helps him overcome his academic difficulties. The film was positively received for highlighting the issue of dyslexia and raising awareness of the challenges faced by children with special needs. This touching story will appeal to both those who doubt their abilities and those who reflect on the shortcomings of schooling. In addition, the film will be of interest to people interested in the idea of ​​conscious parenting.

The Last Hope

IMDb rating: 8.1

The rating on the Kinopoisk platform is 8.1.

The premiere took place on February 4, 2005.

Travel time is 2 hours and 2 minutes.

Genre: drama

Hindi and English languages.

The director of this work is Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

The film stars Amitabh Bachchan, Rani Mukherjee, Shernaz Patel, Ayesha Kapoor and Dhritiman Chatterjee.

Michelle, who has been deaf, speechless, and blind since early childhood, lives like a wild animal: she crawls on all fours, takes food from plates placed around the house with her hands, and does not care about personal hygiene or hair. In desperation, her parents turn to the famous educator Debraj for help, who becomes their last hope. His goal is to help Michelle understand herself and the world around her, and prepare her for life in society. First, Debraj decides to shock the girl and pushes her into a fountain so that she understands water firsthand. Then, to reinforce this knowledge, he writes the word "water" on her palm with his finger and repeats his experimental trick with the fountain again. Michelle's mother clutches her heart in horror, and her father demands that this cruel teacher leave their home. As Debraj packs his things, Michelle, for the first time in her life, tries to ask her parents for water, persistently and painstakingly writing the word on their skin with her finger.

"The Last Resort" could be the culmination of Rani Mukherjee's career. While there are no songs or dances in this film, there is a deep emotional experience and subtle inner work that corresponds to the principles of Stanislavsky. This touching story of love and loyalty between a student and her mentor has the same aesthetic beauty as other works by Bhansali, creating an atmosphere similar to a theatrical production: the actors express their feelings through every movement, the action unfolds in a confined space, and artificial snow falls from the sky.

Avoid the words "Goodbye" Forever

The rating on the Kinopoisk platform is 8.3.

IMDb rating: 6.1

The premiere took place on August 11, 2006.

The running time was 3 hours and 13 minutes.

Genre: drama, melodrama.

Hindi and English languages.

The director of this project is Karan Johar.

The film features such actors as Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Rani Mukherjee, Preity Zinta and Kiron Kher.

On the day of her wedding, Maya accidentally bumps into a stranger in a grassy clearing behind the house. She begins to doubt the correctness of her choice to marry her childhood friend. At that moment, the stranger, as if sent from heaven, tells her that wasting time on reflection is pointless: marriage is an experience that must be lived to be understood. Convinced of the logic and appropriateness of his words, Maya decides to head to the ceremony.

Five years have passed, and she, a devoted wife and caring housewife, continues to be uncertain: does she really want this union? Her feelings for her husband remain unchanged: he remains a friend to her, yet she was never able to love him. Maya feels like life is passing her by, leaving no trace. Fate brings her back together with that same stranger: an ordinary man named Dev; he has a young son and a wife named Riya. She feels intense anger towards him for having once succumbed to his charm and married him, but she is even more indignant at her own weakness—all her thoughts and feelings are now focused on Dev, as if she had been waiting for this meeting her entire life.

Karan Johar has created a spectacular and emotional remake of the cult Hollywood melodrama of the 1980s, "The Lovers," which arguably surpasses the original. Vibrant New York cityscapes, a touching score by the trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, and a strong cast—all these elements make this Indian film truly outstanding. The issue of unhappy marriages, once a focus of Western cinema, has lost its relevance: more than fifty years have passed since the release of Brief Encounter (1945). Meanwhile, in Indian cinema, this topic remains a pressing and topical one: issues of infidelity and divorce are considered taboo, and arranged marriages are common both on screen and in real life. The film's success confirms its relevance: at the time of its release, Never... became the highest-grossing Indian project in history, collecting US$37 million and being shown in 1,200 cinemas worldwide.

Heaven on Earth

IMDb Rating: 6.3

Kinopoisk Rating is 8.0.

Release Date: September 6, 2008.

Running Time: 1 hour and 46 minutes.

Genre: Drama

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Director: Deepa Mehta

Casting: Preity Zinta, Geek Grewal, Vansh Bhardwaj, Geetika Sharma, Orville Maciel.

"Heaven on Earth" tells the story of Chand, a young woman from Punjab who, after an arranged marriage, moves to Canada, hoping for a new, happy life. However, her expectations of a happy family turn into a nightmare when she finds herself under the oppression of domestic violence by her husband, Rocky. Chand experiences complete loneliness and hopelessness, with no one to help her. In such circumstances, she can only allow herself to dream of another, brighter world, which becomes her saving alternative reality.

Deepa Mehta's film was released almost simultaneously with the #MeToo movement and largely reflects its ideas. "Heaven on Earth" is a response to the problem of domestic violence, which, in a broader context, is linked to gender inequality and abuse of power. Mehta, with uncompromising precision, focuses not only on men but also on women—in the roles of Rocky's mother and wife, who consistently support him. They become bulwarks of patriarchy and machismo, reinforcing these foundations for years to come.

Boredom has no place in our lives!

IMDb rating: 8.2

The rating on the Kinopoisk platform is 7.2.

The premiere took place on June 23, 2011.

The time allotted for the event is 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Genre: comedy

Language: Hindi

Director: Zoya Akhtar

Starring: Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar, Abhay Deol and Katrina Kaif.

Three best friends - Arjun, Kabir and Imran - decide to give up their usual bachelor party and instead go on an exciting trip to Spain. Throughout their adventures, which include skydiving, deep-sea diving, tomato fights, and bullfighting, each of them faces personal fears and challenges. Arjun, unable to swim, can't escape his work even on vacation and faces difficulties in his personal life. Imran, afraid of heights, is unable to forgive his father for leaving him before he was born. Kabir, fearing death, worries about the impact his passing might have on his family and fiancée. Unlike most Indian films aimed at a mass audience and simplistic presentations of complex or innovative concepts, Life Never Gets Boring is aimed at a European audience, taking into account the peculiarities of their lifestyle and approaches to thinking. This film contains international jokes, graceful attempts to cope with personal insecurities and learn self-acceptance, which are more common in European cinema. The characters are dressed in Western clothing, and the background atmosphere is bossa nova. The Indian cultural elements in the film are practically invisible—except when the men begin to dance.

My Name Is Khan

IMDb Rating: 7.9

Kinopoisk Rating is 8.1.

Release Date: February 11, 2010.

Running Time: 2 hours 35 minutes.

Genre: Drama

English and Hindi.

Directed by Karan Johar.

Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Katie A. Keen.

The plot of the film focuses on the fate of Rizwan Khan, a Muslim who was born with Asperger's syndrome. He lives in the United States, where he marries Mandira, a single mother of Hinduism.

Despite his physical ailments, Rizwan was able to win the heart of an amazing woman. Together, they started their own business and settled in a spacious house with a green yard. However, after the September 11th terrorist attacks, their existence undergoes terrible changes. A wave of violence against Muslims begins across the country: stores are looted, people are fired from their jobs, and they are subjected to thorough searches in public places. Ultimately, Mandira decides to leave Rizwan.

Determined to restore his relationship with his wife and clear his name, Rizwan sets out on a journey across the United States. His goal is to meet with the president to deliver a message on behalf of the Muslim community: "I am Khan, and I am not a terrorist." During his journey, he witnesses various difficulties faced by ordinary Americans, such as social inequality, police brutality, and the effects of natural disasters. Rizwan strives to help everyone in need as much as possible.

This contemporary story, bordering on a road movie and melodrama, is reminiscent of "Rain Man" and touches on important themes related to a small man who stands up to discrimination. It certainly conveys ideas about boundless love and compassion. Despite the lack of specific reference to historical events or the terrorist attacks that occurred two decades ago, the film remains relevant, forcing viewers to consider how the habit of living in fear can affect our daily lives.

Jessica's Death: No One Was Guilty

IMDb Rating: 7.2

Kinopoisk Rating is 7.4.

Release Date: January 6, 2011.

Running time is 2 hours and 16 minutes.

Crime drama

Language: Hindi

Directed by Raj Kumar Gupta.

Starring Rani Mukherjee, Vidya Balan, Meera Karn and Rajesh Sharma.

Jessica works as a bartender at exclusive events in New Delhi. During one such event, she refuses to serve alcohol to three men—according to the establishment's rules, alcohol is not served after midnight. In response to her refusal, one of the men shoots her in the head.

Numerous people witnessed the crime, but each of them, for their own personal reasons, refuses to testify. As a result, the investigating authorities conclude that Jessica was not killed.

When the court decides to acquit the suspects, Jessica's sister, Sabrina, is deeply dissatisfied with this injustice. In response, she decides to rent three billboards and turns to the courageous journalist Mira for help. Together, they begin a fight to bring those who caused the harm to justice.

The film is inspired by the true events surrounding the murder of Indian model Jessica Lal. Even if you already know some of the details of this crime and the plot's ending, the film will still manage to hold your attention and suspense until the very final moment.

Besides condemning the corrupt system and the selective justice system, the film touches on another important topic: how can a modern Indian woman express herself? Is she capable of critical thinking, wearing trousers, using foul language, expressing her opinion and challenging existing norms—in short, doing everything that is typical for men—and not fear for her life?

Dangal

IMDb Rating: 8.3

Kinopoisk Rating is 8.2.

The premiere took place on December 21, 2016.

Time: 2 hours 41 minutes.

Genres: sports drama, biographical film

Language: Hindi

The director of this work is Nitesh Tiwari.

The film stars Aamir Khan, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Sanya Malhotra and Sakshi Tanwar.

This is a sports biographical drama that describes the difficult path of a father and his two daughters in the world of men's sport - wrestling. The film is based on the true story of Mahavir Singh Phogat and his daughters, Geeta and Babita, who achieved success by becoming Commonwealth Games champions and winning bronze medals at the Olympics. Dangal is the story not only of Geeta and Babita, but also of their father, who resolutely opposed traditional norms and societal expectations that prevented women from participating in sports. The film became the highest-grossing Indian film of all time. It successfully surpassed the anime Your Name at the Chinese box office, marking the beginning of a new trend: more and more viewers in China prefer films from other countries to Hollywood hits. Some critics also noted that the plot of King Richard (2021) starring Will Smith has many similarities with Dangal. src="//cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fembed%2FXuIVa_K59QE%3Ffeature%3Doembed&display_name=YouTube&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com% 2Fwatch%3Fv%3DXuIVa_K59QE&image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FXuIVa_K59QE%2Fhqdefau lt.jpg&key=8d3909c69dfb4ee29c710191d8dd756a&type=text%2Fhtml&schema=youtube" width="854" height="780" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture;" allowfullscreen="true">

The Namesakes

IMDb Rating: 7.5

Kinopoisk assigned the film a rating of 7.4.

Release date: September 2, 2006.

Running time: 2 hours and 2 minutes.

Genre: drama

Bengali and English languages.

Director: Mira Nair

The film stars Kal Penn, Tabu, Irrfan Khan, Jacinda Barrett and Brooke Smith.

The plot of this film focuses on the lives of Indian emigrants Ashoka and Ashima, as well as their son, who bears the sonorous name Gogol, and was born in the United States. As Gogol grows up, he becomes a typical teenager: he spends his days mindlessly lounging in bed, smoking marijuana, and feeling uneasy about his roots. He denounces many of the traditions his family considers important and, of course, cannot understand his parents. However, before entering Yale University (declared an undesirable organization in Russia in 2025), the family decides to spend the summer in India. It is there that Gogol gradually begins to discover his cultural roots and also becomes acquainted with Russian literature.

This touching story of the relationship between parents and children is deeply imbued with cultural differences. Mira Nair masterfully illustrates the conflict between India and the United States, which highlights the scale of the family's misunderstandings. The film was highly praised by critics, particularly praising the outstanding performances of Irrfan Khan and Tabu, who create strong and multi-layered characters.

PK

IMDb rating: 8.1

Kinopoisk rating is 7.9.

The premiere took place on December 18, 2014.

The running time is 2 hours and 33 minutes.

Category: fantasy comedy

Language: Hindi

The director of this work is Rajkumar Hirani.

Starring: Aamir Khan, Anushka Sharma, Sanjay Dutt.

An unusual alien with big ears lands on Earth, in one of the corners of India, and begins to explore the amazing world inhabited by people. During his adventures, he develops strong feelings for a TV reporter and decides to win her heart.

Don't judge the film by its brief description alone. If you think that PK is a lighthearted romantic comedy in the spirit of Earth Girls Are Easy, you're wrong. The protagonist, an alien, seeks to understand questions such as:

  • Why, when you say you love someone, it implies a desire to kiss them, but when you say you love a chicken, it means a desire to eat it?
  • Why can some banknotes buy almost everything, while others have no value at all?
  • What makes one woman in white a widow and another a bride? And many other questions.

With these witty questions, the film's creators make viewers reflect on why individuals obey established norms and what benefits they receive from it. At its core, PK is a satirical comedy, and sometimes satirical drama, exploring themes of religious misconceptions and mindless trust in authority.

Demon

IMDb Rating: 6.9

Kinopoisk rating is 7.9.

Premiere took place on June 18, 2010.

Running time: 2 hours and 10 minutes.

Genres: Drama, Action, Epic Drama.

Language: Tamil

The master of this production is Mani Ratnam.

The cast includes Chiyaan Vikram, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Prithviraj Sukumaran.

This Tamil-language drama, set in south India, initially looks like a gripping thriller. The plot centers on an elusive criminal who has captured the wife of a police inspector. While law enforcement searches for her, the woman awaits her rescuer, battling threats and cruel taunts from her captors.

The gripping plot, featuring kidnapping, chases, and shootouts, as well as elements of fatal love, is based on an original interpretation of the ancient epic Ramayana. Director Ratnam drew inspiration from the myth of how the ten-headed Ravana kidnapped Sita, Rama's wife, and presented this story as a modern melodramatic thriller, using techniques such as slow motion and clip editing to add dynamism to the narrative.

The content oscillates between poetic myth and contemporary reality: a criminal character from South India of the 2000s resembles the romantic Demon, as in the works of Vrubel and Lermontov. He is isolated, rebels against injustice, possesses infinite nobility, experiences intense pride, and is immersed in sadness, knowing his inevitable fate.

A Chance of Luck

IMDb Rating: 7.1

Kinopoisk Rating is 7.6.

Release Date: January 30, 2009.

Travel time is 2 hours and 36 minutes.

Genre: dramedy

Language: Hindi

Director: Zoya Akhtar

The film stars Farhan Akhtar, Konkona Sen Sharma, Rishi Kapoor and Hrithik Roshan.

Vikram is a young artist who is eager to get an opportunity to act in films. He is ready to do anything to make his dream come true. Sona, who has talent and ambition, attracts his attention. She also wants to succeed in Bollywood, but at the moment she only plays small roles and TV series. Unlike Vikram, she is not ready to compromise her principles.

Today, this film is considered a remarkable work by Zoya Akhtar. Through the fates of Vikram and Sona, she touches on the realities of the three Cs of Indian cinema - casting, nepotism, and corruption, and also highlights the sacrifices that actors are willing to make to get the role they want.

It's ironic that a comedy parodying Bollywood was created in this very center of the film industry. However, Zoya's work is imbued with subtle humor and does not try to give didactic lessons. Compared to "Chance," such recognized masterpieces as "Inside Daisy Clover" and "All About Eve" seem more ponderous and overly moral.

English-Vinglish

IMDb rating: 7.8

Kinopoisk rating is 7.8.

Release date: September 14, 2012.

Travel time is 2 hours and 14 minutes.

Comedy, drama, family movie.

Languages: Hindi, English

The director of the project is Gauri Shinde.

The film stars Sridevi, Adil Hussain and Mehdi Nebbu.

Shashi, a middle-class housewife and a conservative Indian mother, decides to visit her relatives in the United States. However, her insufficient knowledge of English becomes the subject of ridicule from all family members. In response, Shashi enrolls in language classes, and in the process, she not only expands her horizons, but also finds self-confidence and restores her self-esteem.

The film "English Vinglish" was highly praised by critics for its subtle and profound portrayal of the transformation of a woman who leaves a patriarchal society and finds herself. This film was presented at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2012. As a result of the premiere, international media began to call actress Sridevi, who played the lead role, "Indian Meryl Streep." In addition, the American weekly Variety drew parallels between her and Audrey Hepburn, noting that she brought back the lost lightness, charm, and magnetism to the screen.

Search

IMDb Rating: 7.2

Kinopoisk assigned the film a rating of 7.7.

Release date: November 29, 2012.

Travel time is 2 hours and 19 minutes.

Crime thriller

Language: Hindi

Director: Reema Kagti

Starring: Aamir Khan, Rani Mukherjee, Kareena Kapoor.

Inspector Surjan is investigating the mysterious death of the famous actor Armaan Kapoor. Delving into the details of the case, he finds himself deeper and deeper into a tangled world of secrets, lies and hidden interests. While working on the case, he comes across a prostitute named Rosie, who seems to have vital information that could shed light on the crime.

"Searching" combines elements of film noir, suspense, psychological drama, and mystery, offering a gripping and intriguing narrative reminiscent of "True Detective." The story's ending will surprise viewers with an unexpected twist, characteristic of M. Night Shyamalan's style.

Prayer

IMDb rating: 7.4

Kinopoisk rating is 8.0.

Release date: November 16, 2010.

Travel time is 2 hours and 6 minutes.

Genre: melodrama

Language: Hindi

The director of this work is Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

Starring Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Shernaz Patel.

Remaking foreign films has become a favorite pastime of Indian filmmakers, and sometimes their adaptations turn out to be even more successful than the originals. One such example is the film "Plea." This film draws inspiration from the plot of "The Sea Inside," created by Alejandro Amenábar. In the Indian interpretation, the main narrative arc is the story of Ethan Mascarenhas, a once-successful illusionist who is the victim of an accident and becomes paralyzed. Locked in his bed, he petitions the court for euthanasia. In contrast to Amenábar's restrained narrative style, "Plea" amazes the viewer with its stunning cinematography and the aesthetic appeal of its shots, a hallmark of Bhansali's work. Hrithik Roshan, with a face reminiscent of Jesus Christ, performs superbly in his role. Even if he were simply sitting motionless in the frame, his facial expression already gives the audience the feeling of a modern-day saint.

A delightful dance number, in which Roshan displays a feminine, almost nymphic grace, is distinguished by high technique and deep emotion. This performance creates a vivid impression and allows us to understand why his character strives to escape the static in life. The sensual and magnificent soundtrack, in particular the version of Armstrong's song "What a Wonderful World," enhances the emotional atmosphere of the entire narrative.

RRR: On the Verge of Revolutionary Changes

IMDb Rating: 7.8

Kinopoisk Rating is 8.0.

The premiere took place on March 24, 2022.

Running time: 3 hours and 7 minutes.

Genre: large-scale action

Language: Telugu

Director is S.S. Rajamouli.

Starring NTR Jr., Ram Charan Teja, Ajay Devgn and Alia Bhatt.

The film is set in the 1920s and focuses on two fighters for independence from British colonial rule – Alluri Sitarama Raju and Komarama Bhima. The name "RRR" stands for "Roudram Ranam Rudhiram," which can be translated as "Anger, Death, Blood."

Director Rajamouli shared that his creative inspiration for the new film was The Motorcycle Diaries, which chronicles Che Guevara's rise to power and his transformation from an ordinary man to a superhero. The story is based on the stories of two real-life Indian revolutionaries who never met. In fact, the film is a sprawling ($72 million) artistic interpretation of what might have happened if they had met. Even before its release, the film attracted attention due to its grand scale and the renown of its director, who is known for blockbusters such as Baahubali: The Beginning and Baahubali: The Legend Is Born.

RRR became the first Telugu-language film to receive a Golden Globe nomination for Best Foreign Language Film. The film also won an Oscar for Best Original Song for "Naatu Naatu," making it not only the first Indian song but also the first Asian song to win in this category.

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Water

IMDb rating: 7.7

The rating on Kinopoisk is 7.6.

Release date: September 8, 2005.

Running time is 1 hour and 57 minutes.

Genre: Drama

Hindi and English languages.

Director: Deepa Mehta

The film stars Sarala, Baddhi Vikram and Rinsley Weeraratne.

An independent Indian film project that completes Deepa Mehta's trilogy called "Elements", follows the films "Fire" and "Earth". While Fire explores taboo feelings and their stigma, and Earth focuses on the partition of India and Pakistan, Water explores life after loss, specifically the fate of widows in India.

Set in the holy city of Varanasi, located on the banks of the Ganges River, eight-year-old Chuya is sent to an ashram after her elderly husband passes away as part of a traditional rite; from then on, she is expected to live a life of seclusion and renunciation. In her new surroundings, Chuya meets Shakuntala, a widow with progressive views, and Kalyani, a young widow forced into prostitution to support the ashram.

Deepa Mehta made this film despite strong public opposition, which in itself could be the basis for a separate film adaptation—perhaps someone will decide to tell this story someday. Conservative right-wing groups actively protested the filming. On the day the project began, two thousand people took to the streets, destroying and setting fire to the main set, and dumping the debris into the Ganges River. Right-wing politician Arun Pathak even organized a protest, including suicide bombers, to halt the film's production. As a result, Mehta was forced to film "Water" in Sri Lanka under the fictitious title "River Moon." To attract the widest possible audience, she decided to shoot the film twice with the same actors—one in Hindi and one in English.

The film, which explores important themes such as child marriage, hatred of women, poverty, and the social exclusion of widows in contemporary India, received rave reviews from critics. She has won around twenty awards internationally, including the National Board of Review Award, and has been nominated for an Oscar and a Golden Satellite Award.

Gangubai Katyawadi

IMDb Rating: 7.8

Kinopoisk Rating is 7.8.

Release Date: February 10, 2022.

Travel time is 2 hours and 32 minutes.

Directions: biographical crime drama

Languages: Hindi, Telugu

Director - Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

The film stars Alia Bhatt, Jim Sarbh, Vijay Raaz and Indira Tiwari.

If the plot of "Gangubai Katyawadi" is outlined in a few words, it is a story about how The heroine, known as Pretty Woman, failed to marry Richard Gere, failed to escape sexual slavery, and instead became a powerful figure in the Mumbai underworld of the 1960s.

The film is inspired by a chapter of Hussain Zaidi's book "Mafia Queens of Mumbai." The main character, with a difficult-to-pronounce first and last name, was given the simple name Ganga. Her fiancé, under the pretext of a film audition, tricked her into joining a brothel, where she was sold to pimps. For three decades, Ganga remained a fixture in Kamathipura, Mumbai's notorious red-light district, becoming the matriarch of the local brothels. Using her authority, she fought for women's rights, seeking justice for victims of violence and insisting that the children of prostitutes receive free schooling.

The film "Gangu" is presented in an exquisite theatrical aesthetic, with thoughtful mise-en-scène, impressive gestures, warm lighting, and magnificent sets that recreate life-size slums and amaze with the variety of costumes. Although the film is based on true events and does not end with traditional wedding celebrations, it is difficult to pity the main character, and condemning her actions does not seem appropriate either. This Scarlett O'Hara from an Indian brothel deftly uses every opportunity to benefit from the current situation, and one can only admire her perseverance, willpower, and ability to achieve what she wants.

Mumbai Diaries

IMDb rating: 7.0

Kinopoisk rating is 7.6.

The premiere took place on January 20, 2011.

The session time is 1 hour and 40 minutes.

Genre: drama

Language: Hindi

Director: Kiran Rao

Starring: Prateik Babbar, Monica Dogra, Kriti Malhotra and Aamir Khan.

If you are looking for an alternative to studio films and want to plunge into the world of Indian arthouse, then this film is an excellent choice. It is an outstanding example of Indian parallel cinema and perhaps the only one on our list that was shot entirely on location.

This film centers on a dynamic metropolis that serves as a nexus for the lives of four people from different social strata. Among them is Arun, an artist who prefers solitude, who comes to Mumbai and immerses himself in the city's vibrant spirit. Also featured in the story is Shai, an American banker on sabbatical who has taken up photography. Munna, a laundress dreaming of an acting career, and Yasmin, a young wife who records her thoughts in video diaries, join these characters.

As is typical of arthouse cinema, this film focuses on social issues and strives to portray reality as truthfully as possible. The film lacks dialogue that would appeal to a mass audience, as well as striking, promotional city landscapes. "Diaries" delves into issues of loneliness, human relationships, and the pursuit of self-discovery in a vast, diverse metropolis.

Thursday

IMDb rating: 7.7

Kinopoisk rating is 7.2.

Release date: February 16, 2022.

Travel time will be 2 hours 8 minutes.

Genre: drama, thriller.

Language: Hindi

The director of this project is Behzad Kambata.

Starring: Yami Gautam, Atul Kulkarni, Neha Dhupia and Dimple Kapadia.

A teacher, who returned from vacation ahead of schedule, comes to her workplace and takes children hostage, as well as one of her colleagues. The institution where she works belongs to her fiancé, and the parents of the students are wealthy people. This event causes a wide public outcry, and soon the matter reaches the Prime Minister himself.

This is a chamber thriller with elements of claustrophobia, in which there are no musical numbers or dances, and the tension is maintained until the very last moment. The film is shot restrainedly, in a European style, without excesses and touristy beauty, but perhaps the unexpected social message presented in the final scenes deserves special attention.

The White Tiger

IMDb Rating: 7.1

Kinopoisk rating is 7.2.

The premiere took place on January 22, 2021.

Travel time is 2 hours and 5 minutes.

Crime drama

Language: Hindi

The film was directed by Ramin Bahrani.

The film stars Adarsh ​​Gourav, Rajkumar Rao and Priyanka Chopra Jonas.

A dark dramedy that explores themes of class inequality, poverty and aspiration. The protagonist, Balram Halwai, a young man from a provincial village, works as a chauffeur for a wealthy family, fulfilling their every wish. He is painfully aware of the gap between himself and the wealthy, which prompts him to decide to break free from the shackles of poverty and dependence at any cost.

"The White Tiger" is an adaptation of Aravind Adiga's book of the same name. Critics praised the film, praising its impressive acting and cinematography, as well as its nominations for an Oscar and a BAFTA.

Mrs. Chatterjee v. State of Norway

IMDb Rating: 7.3

Premiere took place on March 17, 2023.

Running time: 2 hours and 20 minutes.

Genre: drama

Languages: Hindi, English, Norwegian.

The director of this project is Ashima Chibber.

Starring Rani Mukherjee, Jim Sarbh, Anirban Bhattacharya and Neena Gupta.

In 2011, Debbika Chatterjee lives in Norway, a country recognized as the happiest on the planet. Her husband works in one of the local organizations and hopes to soon become a citizen of this country. The couple lives in a cozy white, middle-class home where they raise a three-year-old son named Shubh and a five-month-old daughter named Shuki. Their family is closely monitored by local child protection authorities, who are committed to ensuring the children receive the care they need.

During one of their visits, the child protection authorities take the children away from the Chatterjees and take them to an unknown location, leaving the parents shocked and bewildered. They are informed that their children will now be carefully guarded by the Norwegian government until they reach adulthood. In response, Debika decides to file a lawsuit against the Norwegian government, demanding the return of her children.

This touching story is based on true events. Netflix will not let you rest, keeping you on the edge of your seat for the entire two hours, from the very first frame to the very end. Overall, this is a powerful legal drama with notes of melodrama, which perhaps only needs more screen time. Compressing a multi-year trial into two hours is no easy task, and perhaps a miniseries format would have been a much better fit for this story.

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