Let me start by admitting that I absolutely love making top 10 lists and reading about others lists. So, it is but natural for me to include some of the same in this blog. This is my first list in this blog and is not ranked in any particular order. Being a resident of India, Bollywood was my introduction to films before I ventured to Hollywood and world films. Thus, let me start with making a list of some of the lesser known gems in Bollywood which many must have missed but are worth a watch. I would also like others to comment on this list and add their own for my reference.
So here goes my list
1] 13 B
In today's world, the major source of relief, information and entertainment is the TV. So much so, that it has moved up from its modest position of being just another 'household appliance' to actually determining the power equation in a family.. So what happens when the TV realizes this power and begins to take control? What happens when instead of showing you the facts, the TV, begins to show you what it wants you to see? What happens when Manohar, to his great horror, realizes that this is exactly what is happening with his wonderful family, who has just moved into their sweet new home at 13B.
One of the best Horror movies I have come across in Bollywood (probably second only to RAGINI MMS) with an offbeat storyline. It stars one of my most favorite actor Madhavan as Manohar and the rest of the cast performs well too. Watch it if you are in mood for some good horror in bollywood.
2] Dil Dosti Etc
Delhi-based fellow-collegians-cum-hostelers, Sanjay Mishra, and Apurv, challenge each other to win the University elections and sleep with three different girls respectively before the election results. While Sanjay sets out to canvas his candidacy, often with violence, against his opponents, Rajesh Solanki and Bunty Nagaar; nonchalant Apurv picks on Vaishali, a prostitute; cute and adorable high school student, Kintu; and is on the look out for a third girl. The question is will Apurv be able to find a third girl in time; and will Sanjay make a mark as the President of the Delhi University Students' Union?
A film which will not be loved by everyone but surely boldly represented with the help of some wonderfully cool dialogues and great acting. I was particularly impressed with Immaduddin Shah (son of Naseeruddin Shah) who made his debut with this film. He was great in the role of Apurv and I was hoping to see more of him but it seems I have to wait for that. If you like the storyline, do give it a try. Its raw but original.
3] 3 Deewarein
Three men are on death row. Jaggu (Jackie Shroff), a lawyer and a poet, is serving a sentence for murdering his wife because she was cheating on him with another man. Nagya (Nagesh Kukunoor), a man angry with the whole world, is arrested for murdering his wife too, but he claims that it was an accident where she falls off the sidewalk while they were in the middle of a heated argument. Ishaan (Naseeruddin Shah), a happy-go-lucky man, is also arrested for murder that he commits while in the act of robbery. . A documentary filmmaker, Chandrika (Juhi Chawla) comes to the jail to set a film about these three men. In the process, she finds redemption to her troubled marriage.
Nagesh Kukunoor is probably one of the earliest independent film maker in bollywood. He has produced gems which have achieved cult status. 3 Deewarein is his least known film and this film will surely keep you absorbed and shock you with the final twist in the tail.
4] Kaun?
It's a rainy day and a young woman is all alone in the house. She is
shown talking to her family on the phone, anxious for them to come back
to the house. Adding to her anxiety is the television, which announces
that a killer is on the loose. And then, the doorbell rings. Who could
it be?
Ram Gopal Verma during his best times. This movie released just after the grand success of SATYA and largely went unnoticed. Its one of the best thrillers of bollywood and with a great ending. The film has only 3 actors and one of the first bollywood movie with no songs. Urmila at her peak and great acting by the relatively newcomer Manoj Bajpayee. Watch it to be thrilled.
5] Ek Hasina Thi
A woman falls for a charming and mysterious businessman. The whirlwind romance turns sour when she is framed for his underworld crimes. Now, finally out of prison she is ready for sweet revenge.
Okay, the script is not original (inspired by Sydney Sheldon's novel), but it turns out wonderfully on screen to give us a taut revenge story with a shocking ending. The acting of Urmila is worthy of an award as she easily transforms from the sweet romantic girl to the deadly manipulative lady seeking her revenge. Saif does a good job as well and this is one true classic
6] My Brother.....Nikhil
This film is set in Goa between 1986 and 1994. Nikhil Kapoor (Sanjay Suri) is the state all round swimming champion. His father Navin Kapoor (Victor Banerjee) has raised his son to be a sports man, a dream that he never achieved for himself. His elder sister Anamika (Juhi Chawla) teaches in a primary school and loves him dearly. His mother Anita Rosario Kapoor (Lillete Dubey) adores him and from her he inherited his artistic side to his personality. The film portrays the repercussions Nikhil faces after he confesses the fact that he has HIV/AIDS.
this film deals with two subject which are considered Taboo in our country - HOMOSEXUALITY and AIDS- and Onir is bold enough to treat the subject very delicately and try to teach our audience the myths surrounding these subjects. Forget the brilliant acting and watch this movie only to learn something out of it.
7] Mithya
A struggling actor(Ranvir Shorey) gets caught up with the 'wrong people' because his face is identical to an underworld don Raje. An opposing gang plan to murder the don and put the actor in place of him at the helm of the don's empire and act as their puppet. But, things don't always go according to plan.
the film is a clever mix of dark comedy and traditional drama, with some brilliant performances complimenting a wonderful different script. Ranvir Shorey is excellent as a man striving to figure out who he is, and where he belongs. He effectively portrays the range of emotions needed for his character. This is among the first films by the Rajat Kapoor - Ranvir- Saurabh Shukla-Vinay Pathak gang which brought us some other great hits down the years. Watch it for something different.
8] Welcome To Sajjanpur
Mahadev (Shreyas Talpade) is an unemployed graduate with a Bachelor of Arts from Satna college, who is forced to make a living writing letters for the uneducated people of his village. His real ambition is to become a novel writer. Through his humble occupation, Mahadev has the potential to impact numerous lives. The movie is a satirical, but warm-hearted portrait of life in rural India.
Simple yet powerful. This is one such movie. It seems like a comedy for most of the part but you will soon realize the satire and seriousness of some of the issues we face in our society on aregular basis. The interaction of Mahadev with each of his clients refers to one or the other facet of our society. A film with its heart at the right place, watch it when you are in mood for something light.
9] Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara
Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara is about a retired professor who suffers from dementia and the downward spiral that he experiences after that. Anupan Kher brilliant portrayed the role of Professor Uttam Chaudhary, who starts believing that he killed Gandhi and imagines his house to be a prison. The root cause of this delusion is found to lie somewhere in his childhood and eventually doctors, family members and even the court manage to bring things under control.
Yet another remarkable film by Jhanu Barua the acclaimed Assamese director in film circles.. Anupam Kher can be proud of his excellent characterization of a retired professor of Hindi literature getting into Alzheimer's disease.This is an excellent serious film.
10] Tahaan
A tender fable about childhood innocence amid the realities of war is set against the rugged landscape of Kashmir, so long a flash point for the territorial claims of neighboring India and Pakistan. The title character, an eight year old mountain boy, often hears distant gunfire. But it is not until he goes on a quest to reclaim his beloved donkey, which has been confiscated as payment of his poor family's debts, that he is drawn toward a violence he has no capacity to understand.
Santosh Sivan's Tahaan is a beautiful joy-ride down a child's psyche and his perception of the world around him that rotates on the give-and-take policy. He strikes the right chord with this film. This movie will give you an experience you can't find a substitute for.. watch it for its effort and the cute Purab Bhandare (Tahaan).
So this sums up my list. I would like to know more from anyone who is willing to share some more cinematic gems with me.
So here goes my list
1] 13 B
In today's world, the major source of relief, information and entertainment is the TV. So much so, that it has moved up from its modest position of being just another 'household appliance' to actually determining the power equation in a family.. So what happens when the TV realizes this power and begins to take control? What happens when instead of showing you the facts, the TV, begins to show you what it wants you to see? What happens when Manohar, to his great horror, realizes that this is exactly what is happening with his wonderful family, who has just moved into their sweet new home at 13B.
One of the best Horror movies I have come across in Bollywood (probably second only to RAGINI MMS) with an offbeat storyline. It stars one of my most favorite actor Madhavan as Manohar and the rest of the cast performs well too. Watch it if you are in mood for some good horror in bollywood.
2] Dil Dosti Etc
Delhi-based fellow-collegians-cum-hostelers, Sanjay Mishra, and Apurv, challenge each other to win the University elections and sleep with three different girls respectively before the election results. While Sanjay sets out to canvas his candidacy, often with violence, against his opponents, Rajesh Solanki and Bunty Nagaar; nonchalant Apurv picks on Vaishali, a prostitute; cute and adorable high school student, Kintu; and is on the look out for a third girl. The question is will Apurv be able to find a third girl in time; and will Sanjay make a mark as the President of the Delhi University Students' Union?
A film which will not be loved by everyone but surely boldly represented with the help of some wonderfully cool dialogues and great acting. I was particularly impressed with Immaduddin Shah (son of Naseeruddin Shah) who made his debut with this film. He was great in the role of Apurv and I was hoping to see more of him but it seems I have to wait for that. If you like the storyline, do give it a try. Its raw but original.
3] 3 Deewarein
Three men are on death row. Jaggu (Jackie Shroff), a lawyer and a poet, is serving a sentence for murdering his wife because she was cheating on him with another man. Nagya (Nagesh Kukunoor), a man angry with the whole world, is arrested for murdering his wife too, but he claims that it was an accident where she falls off the sidewalk while they were in the middle of a heated argument. Ishaan (Naseeruddin Shah), a happy-go-lucky man, is also arrested for murder that he commits while in the act of robbery. . A documentary filmmaker, Chandrika (Juhi Chawla) comes to the jail to set a film about these three men. In the process, she finds redemption to her troubled marriage.
Nagesh Kukunoor is probably one of the earliest independent film maker in bollywood. He has produced gems which have achieved cult status. 3 Deewarein is his least known film and this film will surely keep you absorbed and shock you with the final twist in the tail.
4] Kaun?
Ram Gopal Verma during his best times. This movie released just after the grand success of SATYA and largely went unnoticed. Its one of the best thrillers of bollywood and with a great ending. The film has only 3 actors and one of the first bollywood movie with no songs. Urmila at her peak and great acting by the relatively newcomer Manoj Bajpayee. Watch it to be thrilled.
5] Ek Hasina Thi
A woman falls for a charming and mysterious businessman. The whirlwind romance turns sour when she is framed for his underworld crimes. Now, finally out of prison she is ready for sweet revenge.
Okay, the script is not original (inspired by Sydney Sheldon's novel), but it turns out wonderfully on screen to give us a taut revenge story with a shocking ending. The acting of Urmila is worthy of an award as she easily transforms from the sweet romantic girl to the deadly manipulative lady seeking her revenge. Saif does a good job as well and this is one true classic
6] My Brother.....Nikhil
this film deals with two subject which are considered Taboo in our country - HOMOSEXUALITY and AIDS- and Onir is bold enough to treat the subject very delicately and try to teach our audience the myths surrounding these subjects. Forget the brilliant acting and watch this movie only to learn something out of it.
7] Mithya
A struggling actor(Ranvir Shorey) gets caught up with the 'wrong people' because his face is identical to an underworld don Raje. An opposing gang plan to murder the don and put the actor in place of him at the helm of the don's empire and act as their puppet. But, things don't always go according to plan.
the film is a clever mix of dark comedy and traditional drama, with some brilliant performances complimenting a wonderful different script. Ranvir Shorey is excellent as a man striving to figure out who he is, and where he belongs. He effectively portrays the range of emotions needed for his character. This is among the first films by the Rajat Kapoor - Ranvir- Saurabh Shukla-Vinay Pathak gang which brought us some other great hits down the years. Watch it for something different.
8] Welcome To Sajjanpur
Mahadev (Shreyas Talpade) is an unemployed graduate with a Bachelor of Arts from Satna college, who is forced to make a living writing letters for the uneducated people of his village. His real ambition is to become a novel writer. Through his humble occupation, Mahadev has the potential to impact numerous lives. The movie is a satirical, but warm-hearted portrait of life in rural India.
Simple yet powerful. This is one such movie. It seems like a comedy for most of the part but you will soon realize the satire and seriousness of some of the issues we face in our society on aregular basis. The interaction of Mahadev with each of his clients refers to one or the other facet of our society. A film with its heart at the right place, watch it when you are in mood for something light.
9] Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara
Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara is about a retired professor who suffers from dementia and the downward spiral that he experiences after that. Anupan Kher brilliant portrayed the role of Professor Uttam Chaudhary, who starts believing that he killed Gandhi and imagines his house to be a prison. The root cause of this delusion is found to lie somewhere in his childhood and eventually doctors, family members and even the court manage to bring things under control.
Yet another remarkable film by Jhanu Barua the acclaimed Assamese director in film circles.. Anupam Kher can be proud of his excellent characterization of a retired professor of Hindi literature getting into Alzheimer's disease.This is an excellent serious film.
10] Tahaan
A tender fable about childhood innocence amid the realities of war is set against the rugged landscape of Kashmir, so long a flash point for the territorial claims of neighboring India and Pakistan. The title character, an eight year old mountain boy, often hears distant gunfire. But it is not until he goes on a quest to reclaim his beloved donkey, which has been confiscated as payment of his poor family's debts, that he is drawn toward a violence he has no capacity to understand.
Santosh Sivan's Tahaan is a beautiful joy-ride down a child's psyche and his perception of the world around him that rotates on the give-and-take policy. He strikes the right chord with this film. This movie will give you an experience you can't find a substitute for.. watch it for its effort and the cute Purab Bhandare (Tahaan).
So this sums up my list. I would like to know more from anyone who is willing to share some more cinematic gems with me.
A very interesting list...most of the movies that you have enlisted have been labelled as either failures or just-average. I guess as a cine buff one needs to look beyond the routine song and dance drama and soak in the original screenplays and crisp directorial skills...keep writing for your readers are all hooked to these delightful posts :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouragement :)
ReplyDeleteI liked your look of you page... I never heard of these movies. You have a good collection of Bollywood Movies 2013 list
ReplyDeleteThanx and I hope you catch up with these movies
ReplyDeleteHey friends
ReplyDeleteUSSEY KYA HO JAYEGA is a upcoming movie presents by MANNSA PRODUCTIONS