Well, before the pandemic took over our lives, Friday meant a trip to a nearby theatre, grabbing popcorns and a large coke, and enjoying a new release. Pandemic made us change the way we consumed entertainment.?
While we appreciate mediocre cinema from the west and call it 'mind-blowing' we have often snubbed movies made in our country.
Movies with sub-standard scripts and nonsensical plots have gained '100-crore' tags, while those that deserve undivided attention have been ignored.?
To give you closure, look at the films that were snubbed at the box office because come on:?
Hero hi nahi Hai! Arey, koi Khan nahi hai kya?, 'Arey, Salman nahi hai!' is real in our country.?
These gems deserve a watch if you haven't explored these films already. How many have you seen?? ?
If you're really bored and feel like spending some time just binging on a pizza and glass of wine, this is your perfect watch. Directed by Danish Aslam, the movie starring Deepika Padukone and Imraan Khan is a delightful watch. The movie showcased the issues of a modern-day relationship is such a mature manner. While no one showed up at the theatre to watch the movie, many touted it as an underrated gem years after it was released.?
Watch the movie here.?
Parineeti Chopra and Sidharth Malhotra's movie could be a perfect Sunday watch. The movie doesn't set any expectations in the first go, but as you watch it, you realize that Meeta and Nikhil's offbeat love story is soul-stirring and adorable. With some heartwarming songs, this film is definitely underrated.?
Watch the movie here.
Konkona Sen's directorial debut is a masterclass in acting. The movie didn't boast of any A-lister, but it had a terrific ensemble cast, intriguing plot, and of course, an unexpected climax.??(Also read:?13 Criminally Underrated Movies That You Need To Watch Before 2020 Ends, If You Haven't Already)?
Watch the movie here.?
While the movie went on to gain a 'cult' status, Ashutosh Gowarikar had to bear humongous losses with Swades. Not many liked the 'documentary' kind of storytelling and didn't bother to show up at the theatres. However, the movie remains one of Shah Rukh Khan's best works to date. If you're yet to discover this classic, the right time surely is NOW.?
Watch the movie here.?
Thanks to the OTT boom that people finally discovered the beauty of this film.? Be it the cinematography, the music, the dialogues, or the stellar and talented lead cast that consists of actors like Sushant Singh Rajput, Bhumi Pednekar, Manoj Bajpayee, Ranvir Shorey, Ashutosh Rana, the film exceptional? Directed by Udta Punjab director Abhishek Chaubey, we all deserve an apology to the entire team for ignoring this cinematic masterpiece.?
Watch the movie here.
Probably one of India's most well-crafted mythological horror, the movie was like a breath of fresh air for Hindi Cinema.?The film revolved around the concept of need v/s greed and unraveled the story of a demon God's curse.
Watch the movie here.
Vishal Bhardwaj's film went unnoticed because yes, no item song, no A-lister but the film definitely didn't deserve the 'flop' tag. Vishal Bhardwaj¡¯s Pataakha masquerades a comedy-drama structure to hide give a dramatic twist to Indo-Pak relations by comparing it to Badki (Radhika Madan), and Chhutki (Sanya Malhotra)'s sibling equation. The movie was entertaining, unexpected, and definitely deserved way better!?
Watch the movie here.
Even though the film won many critical accolades, it never got its due. In the movie, Rajkummar Rao plays the titular role of British terrorist Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh.?He was the mastermind behind the kidnappings of foreign tourists in India in 1994.?
Watch the movie here.
The movie marked the debut of two entrants Abhimanyu Dassani and Radhika Madan. In key roles, the?film also starred credible actors like Gulshan Devaiah, Jimit Trivedi, and Mahesh Manjrekar. Vasan Bala directed the movie; the movie got critical acclaim in festivals like Toronto International Film Festival and MAMI Film Festival but never received a good theatre footfall. Many didn't like the 'unique storytelling that the film followed and touted it as 'Boring.' Why? Because obviously, we don't care to appreciate good cinema.?
Watch the movie here.?
The late great Rituparno Ghosh directed this 2004 release. In the movie, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan plays the role of Neeru, a woman, and her unexpected encounter with her former fiance. From its music to its screenplay, the movie was perfect in every sense of the word. However, the movie failed to garner any profits. (Also read:?Running Out Of Content To Watch? Give These 15 Underrated Hindi Movies From The '90s Another Chance)?
Watch the movie here.?
Shonali Bose's honest way of telling Ayesha Choudhary's story to the world deserves applause. Starring Farhan Akhtar, Priyanka Chopra, Zaira Wasim, and Rohit Saraf in pivotal roles, the film taught us a thing or two about what lies between life and death. The film was a heartwarming tale of a girl who dies at a young age but still fulfills her big dream. If you're feeling low in life or having a bad day, this movie will guarantee a smile on your face.?
Watch the movie here.?
(Also read:?11 Underrated Films Inspired By Real-Life Incidents That Should Be On Your To-Watch List)?