Undiscovered Gems of Indian Cinema: Synopses of Overlooked Movies Worth Watching
Unveiling Underrated Gems: Indian Films Worth Watching
In the vast landscape of Indian cinema, there are numerous films that have garnered critical acclaim but have yet to reach the wider audience they deserve. These underrated masterpieces offer unique storytelling, strong performances, and socially relevant themes, transcending the boundaries of mainstream cinema.
One such film is Masaan (2015), a poignant Hindi drama set in Varanasi, which won at Cannes but failed to capture the hearts of many Indian viewers. The movie interweaves two tragic stories of ostracization and search for liberation, offering a raw and honest portrayal of life in a holy city.
Similarly, Court (2014) is a Marathi/Hindi/English legal drama about an aging folk singer's court trial. This thought-provoking film explores the complexities of the Indian judicial system with a deft touch, making it a must-watch for anyone interested in social commentary.
Tumbbad (2018), a Hindi horror-mythology film set in 20th-century Maharashtra, is another hidden gem. With its intricate narrative and stunning visuals, Tumbbad delves deep into Indian folklore, offering a fresh take on traditional horror stories.
Sairat (2016), a Marathi romance-social drama, was the first Marathi film to cross ₹100 crore. Despite its success in Maharashtra, the film remains underrated nationally. Sairat tells the story of a lower-caste boy and an upper-caste girl's forbidden love, tackling casteism and discrimination with sensitivity and grace.
Super Deluxe (2019), a Tamil dark comedy-drama, weaves together four bizarre stories in modern-day Chennai. This ensemble dark comedy, featuring Vijay Sethupathi's acclaimed portrayal of a transgender woman, tackles taboo subjects with humor and sensitivity.
Eeb Allay Ooo! (2019) is a satirical Hindi drama about a young migrant's bizarre government job scaring away monkeys. This quirky film offers a fresh perspective on urban life in India, highlighting the absurdities and challenges faced by migrant workers.
A Death in the Gunj (2016) is a Hindi drama-mystery set in 1979 in rural McCluskieganj. This atmospheric film explores the tension and isolation experienced by its characters, offering a chilling portrayal of small-town life in India.
Ship of Theseus (2013) is a philosophical drama in Hindi and English, exploring identity through three interconnected stories. This film received international accolades but remains undiscovered by many Indian viewers.
Thithi (2015) is a Kannada comedy-social drama that chronicles the lives of three generations of men in a rural village after the death of their 101-year-old patriarch. This humorous and heartfelt film offers a unique perspective on rural life in India.
Crazzy (Hindi) and Tanvi: The Great (Hindi) are two more underrated films that push boundaries in terms of story and character portrayal. Crazzy offers a bold character study featuring a Tarantinoesque style with intense tension and raw narratives, while Tanvi: The Great features emotionally honest storytelling that avoids melodrama, focusing on simple, real moments with strong performances by Shubhangi and an ensemble cast.
Superboys of Malegaon (Hindi) is a heartfelt underdog drama reminding viewers about pursuing dreams despite obscurity, backed by strong ensemble performances.
Uyare (Malayalam) is a powerful drama about an aspiring pilot who survives an acid attack and rebuilds her life, showcasing resilience and empowerment. Parvathy Thiruvothu delivers a remarkable performance that anchors its socially significant theme.
Karnan (Tamil) is praised for its powerful narrative and Dhanush’s strong portrayal. This film addresses social injustice and rebellion, making it a socially relevant work with intense storytelling.
These films span different genres and languages, emphasizing varied social issues, unconventional narratives, and compelling character arcs, making them noteworthy choices beyond mainstream cinema. If you're looking for something different, consider giving these underrated Indian films a watch.
To discover hidden cinematic gems, using filters like "IMDb rating above 7.5, under 100,000 votes" can help you uncover these hidden treasures. Happy viewing!
- Masaan, a poignant Hindi drama from 2015, won at Cannes but remains overlooked by many Indian viewers, offering a raw and honest portrayal of life in Varanasi.
- Court, a Marathi/Hindi/English legal drama from 2014, is a thought-provoking film that explores the complexities of the Indian judicial system, making it a must-watch for those interested in social commentary.
- Tumbbad, a 2018 Hindi horror-mythology film set in 20th-century Maharashtra, delves deep into Indian folklore, offering a fresh take on traditional horror stories with its intricate narrative and stunning visuals.
- Sairat, a Marathi romance-social drama from 2016, tells the story of a lower-caste boy and an upper-caste girl's forbidden love, tackling casteism and discrimination with sensitivity and grace.
- Super Deluxe, a Tamil dark comedy-drama from 2019, weaves together four bizarre stories in modern-day Chennai, featuring Vijay Sethupathi's acclaimed portrayal of a transgender woman.
- Eeb Allay Ooo!, a satirical Hindi drama from 2019, offers a fresh perspective on urban life in India, highlighting the absurdities and challenges faced by migrant workers.
- A Death in the Gunj, a Hindi drama-mystery set in 1979 in rural McCluskieganj, explores tension and isolation experienced by its characters, offering a chilling portrayal of small-town life in India.
- Ship of Theseus, a philosophical drama from 2013 in Hindi and English, received international accolades but remains undiscovered by many Indian viewers, exploring identity through three interconnected stories.
- Thithi, a Kannada comedy-social drama from 2015, chronicles the lives of three generations of men in a rural village after the death of their 101-year-old patriarch, offering a unique perspective on rural life in India with its humor and heart.
