Entertainment

Top 5 underrated Bollywood films that you shouldn’t miss!

India’s cinema has a long and varied history. We transitioned from mythological creations to a world of dynamic storytelling highlighted by song-and-dance sequences, powerful dialogue, and a larger-than-life protagonist. However, since our inception, we’ve become known and identified primarily for our big-budget, star-led blockbusters. Over the years, these mainstream films and their cinematic brethren of similar flavour have nourished pop culture. However, with maturing audiences’ tastes, the turn of the century saw a paradigm shift in storytelling. We are now left with several underrated Bollywood films.

In the ever-changing landscape of Hindi cinema, where mainstream films continue to dominate, some films are underrated and underappreciated that fly under the radar. These films have the power to captivate and provoke discourse in ways that their more lauded counterparts do not, thanks to poignant narratives, groundbreaking performances, and innovative storytelling.

Must-Watch underrated Bollywood films:

5. Khosla ka Ghosla:

Year of release: 2006

Director: Dibakar Banerjee

IMDB rating: 8.3/10

Storyline: A thug named Khurana seizes Kamal Khosla’s land. In an attempt to reclaim their land, Khosla’s son Cherry and his friends intervene, armed with a devious plan to fool the crook.

OTT platform: Disney+ Hotstar

4. Ek Thi Daayan:

Year of release: 2013

Director: Kannan Iyer

IMDB rating: 5.7/10

Storyline: Bobo, a well-known magician (Emraan Hashmi), intends to marry his girlfriend. However, he is secretly scarred by recurring hallucinations of his deceased sister and is forced to seek psychiatric assistance.

OTT platform: Disney+ Hotstar

3. Johnny Gaddaar:

Year of release: 2007

Director: Sriram Raghavan

IMDB rating: 7.9/10

Storyline: A corrupt police officer arranges a drug deal for five men. But the plan goes awry when Vikram, the youngest member, decides to steal the money covertly.

OTT platform: Disney+ Hotstar

2. Kaun?:

Year of release: 1999

Director: Ram Gopal Varma

IMDB rating: 7.8/10

Storyline: On a stormy evening, a television announcement is made about a serial killer on the loose. Soon after, a woman who is alone at home hears the doorbell ring and a stranger begs her to let him into her home.

OTT platform: Disney+ Hotstar

1. No Smoking:

Year of release: 2007

Director:  Anurag Kashyap

IMDB rating: 7.3/10

Storyline: K, a chain smoker, seeks help from a rehabilitation centre to quit smoking. He is released after signing a cheque for 21 lakh rupees and being warned that if he smokes again, his family will be killed.

OTT platform: Zee5