It has been a great year for Bollywood. In the midst of the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic, theaters closed and then reopened. From highly anticipated movies like Sooryavanshi finally hitting screens to movies like Sardar Udham creating an outcry via social media, here are some of the most impactful Bollywood movies we’ve watched in 2021.
1. Ramprasad Ki Tehrvi
Bauji is gone and his whole family has been under one roof for 13 days after a very long time. What happens in the midst of the grieving family? There are conflicts, politics, confrontations and so much more as they uncover themselves and discover their truth.
The movie isn’t just about death, but also shows how it is the start of something new with a stellar cast that includes Naseeruddin Shah, Vinay Pathak, Vikrant Massey, Konkona Sen Sharma, Vineet Kumar, Manoj Pahwa, Parambrata Chattopadhyay, Supriya Pathak, Deepika Amin and Ninad Kamat, the film is a moving story of life and loss.
2. The white tiger
The film was nominated for the 93rd Academy Awards for Best Adapted Screenplay. Adarsh Gaurav, who starred alongside Rajkumar Rao and Priyanka Chopra in the film, also landed a BAFTA nomination for Best Actor. An adaptation of Aravind Adiga’s 2008 novel of the same name, The White Tiger is a brilliant film that has a big suspenseful ending.
3. Pagglait
There have been many comparisons drawn between Ramprasad Ki Tehrvi and Paggalit, as both films are based on similar themes, but they are both brilliant in their own ways. Starring Sanya Malhotra, Ashutosh Rana, Shruti Sharma, Raghubir Yadav, and Rajesh Tailang, the film follows the story of a young widow trying to cope with the complex emotions of life and death, and her family.
4. Sherni
One of 14 films in the running to represent India at the Oscars, Sherni is not only a stark reminder of the mysterious Avni case, but also shows how much misogyny and patriarchy plague our society today.
(Also read: Meet KM Abharna, the real-life ‘Sherni’ who inspired Vidya Balan’s character of an IFS officer)
5. Shershaah
From Captain Batra’s family to Shah Rukh Khan, the film has impressed everyone. Based on the life of Captain Vikram Batra (PVC), Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani’s Shershaah won over audiences and became Sidharth Malhotra’s highest rated film on IMDb.
6. Sardar oudham
The outcry the film created after the Indian jury rejected the film as India’s official Oscar entry is enough proof of the audience’s love for the biopic of the unsung freedom fighter. Vicky Kaushal’s performance is wonderful in the film.
7. Adhaar
Directed by Suman Ghosh and starring Vineet Kumar Singh, Saurabh Shukla, Raghubir Yadav, Ishtiyak Khan, Sanjay Mishra and Prithvi Hatte is about a villager who is the first to register in Aadhaar but because of a premonition regarding his wife, he needs to get her number changed. The film tackles the class division in India and critiques the system in the most hilarious way. If you liked Peepli Live, this one is a must-have for you.
8. Haseen Dillruba
Starring Taapsee Pannu and Vikrant Massey, the film will keep you on the edge of the seat throughout. We bet you won’t be able to guess the suspense of the murder mystery until the very end.
9. Ajeeb Daastaans
Composed of four short segments, Ajeeb Daastaans explores themes such as dysfunctional love, prejudice, loneliness and revenge. While there are two extremely interesting stories, there are two more that haven’t impressed most people.
(Also read: Magic Of Konkona Sensharma – A Powerful Performer We Are Glad To Be An Actress, Not A “Star”)
10. Rashmi Rocket
In Taapsee Pannu-starrer Rashmi Rocket, Rashmi is a national level player who is forced to take a gender test because people have called her a “mardana” and someone who is “unconventionally female” . In this humiliating archaic practice of gender testing, he is told “aap apne sare kapde utar lijiye”. What follows is a ban and then a case. In the middle of the mud, she is heartbroken. The film will remind you The real story of Dutee Chand.
11. Nail polish
Nail Polish is an intriguing, legal thriller that explores the uncertainty of the human mind. Starring Arjun Rampal, Manav Kaul, Anand Tiwari and Rajit Kapur, the film manages to maintain its twists and turns.
If another movie has left a lasting impression on you, let us know in the comments section below. What’s your best Bollywood movie of 2021?
