Not everyone loves Indian movies. In fact, it would probably be accurate to say that Indian movies have a rather niche fan base outside India. While the rest of the world are producing no-nonsense thrillers, brief and relatable romance, fantasy films with breathtaking visuals, and science fiction with ‘out of this world’ imaginations, Indian movies, at least many of them, stuck to family drama, singing and dancing, and unrealistic portrayal of melodramatic romanticism. There are, however, a number of Indian films that have relatable scripts, phenomenal direction, gripping climaxes, and brilliant acting performances. Here are 10 Indian Movies to watch for you, even if you are a Hollywood Movie fan.
10 Indian Movies that You Should Not Miss
We tried to make a comprehensive list of Indian Movies that you will like. The list includes thriller, romance, adventure, travel, comedy, sports and mystery. There are movies from the recent times, and movies from about 20 years back. While you can pick the order of watching the movies, we are confident that you will like every film from this list. Here are our 10 Indian movies to watch.
10. Badla (Mystery, Thriller, IMDb 7.8/10)
Starring Amitabh Bachchan and Tapsee Pannu, Badla (meaning ‘Revenge’) is a 2019 thriller. It has the perfect mix of a ‘keeping you at the edge of your seat’ storyline and some fine acting performances by the two lead actors. The plot revolves around the alleged murder of Naina’s (Pannu) lover, for which Naina herself is the lead accused. She hires a prestigious lawyer Badal Gupta (Bachchan) to defend her. The string holding the storyline together is the conversation between Badal and Naina that unfolds the chilling events of the alleged crime. It has a minute similarity with Billy Wilder’s ‘Witness for the Prosecution (1957). Which is, the audience will continue to struggle to decide what to believe till the ultimate climax.
Badla 2019 Official Trailer
9. Bajrangi Bhaijaan (Adventure, Heartwarming, IMDb 8.1/10)
Produced and starred by Salman Khan, this 2015 comedy drama tells the story of a six-year-old mute Pakistani girl Shahida (Harshaali Malhotra) who gets lost in India. She comes across a stranger named Pawan Kumar (Salman Khan). Then the plot revolves around Pawan’s adventures in the attempt to get Shahida back to her country. Indian films that have a plot relating to Pakistan tend to show Pakistani characters playing the negative roles. But Bajrangi Bhaijaan has a storyline that depicts the acts of ‘cross-border’ kindness and empathy beautifully. So much so that it leaves the audience with a touching and rewarding feeling at the end of the movie.
Bajrangi Bhaijaan 2015 Official Trailer
8. Kal Ho Naa Ho (Romance, Drama, IMDb 7.9/10)
Starring Shahrukh Khan, Saif Ali Khan and Preity Zinta, the title ‘Kal Ho Naa Ho’ means ‘There may not be a tomorrow’. It is perhaps the only movie in the list that can be attributed to being a traditional Indian movie that basically has romance, music, and drama. The story is about an introverted woman named Naina Catherine Kapur (Preity Zinta). She lives with her family and is dealing with a lot of issues within her and her family. One cheerful and friendly ‘Aman Mathur’ moves into the house next to Naina’s and starts helping Naina and her family to overcome their issues. It results in Naina falling in love with her, while Naina’s best friend Rohit also having feelings for her. The story offers laughter, anticipation, sadness, and acceptance along with some beautiful Indian songs.
Kal Ho Naa ho 2003 Official Trailer
7. Swades (Drama, Patriotism, IMDb 8.2/10)
‘Swades: We, the People’ is a 2004 drama about getting back to one’s roots and contributing to one’s native country. Directed by Ashutosh Gowaruker, this Shah Rukh Khan starrer tells the story of Mohan Bhargava (Shah Rukh Khan). He is a non-resident Indian living in the US and working for NASA. Upon his recent completion of a successful project at work, Mohan decides to pay a visit to his native country. He reunites with Kaveri Amma, a nanny who took care of him when he was a child. The plot moves with Mohan discovering the pain and misery of his countrymen and feeling the need to contribute to their betterment. The movie has its fair share of heart-touching moments that will potentially make you feel the love for your country.
Swades 2004 Official Trailer
6. OMG – Oh My God! (Comedy, Satire, IMDb 8.1/10)
This 2012 satirical drama is inspired by Billy Connolly’s ‘The Man Who Sued God’. This film stars Paresh Rawal who plays the character of Kanji Lalji Mehta. He an atheist who has his shop destroyed when an earthquake hits the city. He gets his insurance claim rejected as the insurance policy does not cover any damage caused by an ‘Act of God’. Then he decides to sue God in hopes of getting compensation for his damage. The courtroom drama that follows puts logic and religion against each other. It makes the audience laugh at one moment, and contemplate at the next, as the plot thickens.
OMG – Oh My God! 2012 Official Trailer
5. Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (Traveling, Friendship, IMDb 8.2/10)
This 2011 adventure drama stars Hrithik Roshan, Abhay Deol, and Farhan Akhtar as three friends Kabir, Arjun, and Imran. They plan a three-week road trip that would involve three adventure sports picked by each of them. As they travel across Costa Brava, Seville, and Pamplona, they discover love, friendship, and adventure, and get new perspectives of their lives. The characters are shown to face their fear of skydiving, to get the thrills of underwater diving despite being aquaphobic, and to run at the event of ‘running of the bulls’ in Pamplona. Thus, the movie advertises adventures and enjoying life to the fullest.
Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara 2011 Official Trailer
4. Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (Drama, Sports, IMDb 8.1/10)
This one is arguably one of the best productions in Indian Cinema History. This Ashutosh Gowariker-directed Aamir Khan starrer won the Best Actor, Best Picture, and Best Director awards at the Filmfare Awards 2001. It also bagged an Oscar nomination at the 74th Academy Awards for the best international film. The story talks about the village of Champaner under British colonial rule. There, the villagers are preparing for a cricket match against the British regiment. Winning the game would mean no taxes for the villagers for three years. Losing would mean triple tax imposed upon them. The plot revolves around love, passion, betrayal, hard work, and unity as the villagers step in for the ultimate game.
Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India 2001 Movie Trailer
3. RRR (Action, Friendship, IMDb 7.8/10)
RRR is a 2022 Telegu language action drama starring N. T. Rama Rao Jr and Ram Charan that takes you back to 1920 India. The film tells the story of Komaram Bheem who travels to Delhi to rescue a talented young girl who has been abducted by the British Governor and his wife. The plot thickens as Bheem’s newfound best friend A, Rama Raju turns out to be an ambitious and seemingly loyal police officer working for the British Raj. This is a film about friendship, patriotism, and independence that will keep you at the edge of your seat. It also has some incredible action sequences and one spectacular dance routine.
RRR 2022 Official Trailer
2. Drishyam (Thriller, Mystery, IMDb 8.2/10)
A remake of the Malayalam film of the same name, Drishyam is a 2015 crime thriller starring Ajay Devgan. He plays the character of Vijay Salgaonkar. The plot revolves around Vijay’s family, who have involuntarily committed a crime and would face charges if the crime gets proven. In an attempt to save his family, Vijay makes a remarkable plan on how his family could face the investigation and be proven innocent. The film offers one of the best twists and turns that you can possibly find in an Indian cinema.
Drishyam 2015 Official Trailer
1. 3 Idiots (Comedy, Friendship, IMDb 8.4/10)
A 2009 comedy-drama directed by Rajkumar Hirani, this Aamir Khan starrer tells the story of Ranchhoddas Shamaldas Chanchad ‘Rancho’ (Aamir Khan). He is a first-year college student, who has a unique approach to life. He’s concerned about learning and not gaining degrees, has a playful attitude towards everything, and immensely values friendship. The movie has a non-linear plot. We see two of Rancho’s best friends, Raju and Farhan, looking for Rancho, who has not been in contact with anyone after graduation. In between their journey, we see flashbacks of their memories in college where we see these three friends having the best times of their lives. This film promotes pursuing excellence and not recognition and advertises following passion while choosing one’s career. It also emphasizes the power of friendships, providing comic reliefs in between.
A Clip from 3 Idiots 2009
So, these are our 10 Indian Movies to watch. Please let us know in the comments if you have watched any of these, or if you have any improvement suggestions.
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