13 Criminally Underrated Movies That You Need To Watch Before 2020 Ends, If You Haven't Already

This year was all about staying at home and catching up with our watch lists and hobbies, and thereby saving lives, not only our own but also of others -- by reducing the risk of contracting COVID-19 and then infecting others.

Theatres were shut for the longest time. There were no new episodes or shows on TV as well. So, we all restricted ourselves to the world of OTT, the online streaming platforms. A lot of the movies including Gulabo Sitabo and Laxmii among others were scheduled to release in theatres but ended up streaming on these digital platforms.

While we have watched most the of the content that released online this year, there might be some of the great films that you probably missed watching. Here's a list of the criminally underrated Bollywood movies of 2020 that you need to watch before 2020 ends.

1. Kadakh

SonyLiv

This dark comedy by Rajat Kapoor, which is also his seventh movie, stars Ranvir Shorey, Kalki Koechlin, Cyrus Sahukar and Tara Sharma among others. The film is set on a Diwali night when a couple organises a party and an unexpected incident takes place, a tale of a mysterious dead body, exposes hidden secrets of their relationship.

Where to watch: Sony Liv

2. Shikara

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The man behind Munna Bhai Vidhu Vinod Chopra's one of the most ambitious projects that took 11 years in the making - Shikara is roughly based on the story of his mother and father but a lot of it is fictionalised. Based on the backdrop of exodus of Kashmiri Pandits in 1990, it's a beautiful love story that will tear you up in the end.

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video

3. Bhonsle

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This film, hailed as the masterclass of acting by Manoj Bajpayee released at the right time and remains to be quite relevant in 2020. When the migrants faced the tough time to go back to their homes in the unprecedented lockdown imposed because of the coronavirus pandemic, the film narrated the story of the bond between a retired cop Ganpath Bhonsle and migrants who are seen as outsiders in Mumbai. It wasn't long ago when insider-outsider debate in Bollywood had taken an ugly turn, after all.

Where to watch: Sony Liv

4. Pareeksha

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Adil Hussain's earnest performance in this criminally underrated film made him win Best Actor award at Indo-German film week in Berlin. The film takes on the subject of Indian education and its shortcomings. In the Prakash Jha directorial, Hussain plays the role of a rickshaw puller who aspired to provide best quality education to his son by making arrangements for him to study at a English medium school.

Where to watch: Zee5

5. Taish

Zee5

This was one of the revolutionary Indian projects that released this year. For the first time a cinematic story was released as a film as well as a web-series simultaneously. Directed by Bejoy Nambiar, the film starring Pulkit Samrat, Kriti Kharbanda, Jim Sarbh, Sanjeeda Shaikh and Harshvardhan Rane, is a story of two friends whose past comes uninvited setting off a chain of violent events that eventually becomes a test for their long-standing friendship.

Where to watch: Zee5

6. Chintu Ka Birthday

Zee5

It's a story set in 2004, a time when Indians were struck in war-torn Baghbad. The movie narrates the fictionalised story of a family who is in the lockdown, not because of the virus but because of the war situation, and is trying to celebrate the birthday of their son Chintu. The family is stuck in Iraq during Saddam Hussein¡¯s fall. They want to go back home, but Indian government has declared that all Indian have been brought back home. Vinay Pathak's comedy in the film that also stars Tillotama Shome, Seema Pahwa and Vedant Chibber will keep you entertained.

Where to watch: Zee5

7. Ram Singh Charlie

SonyLiv

The circus might come and go, but life goes on! Highlighting the struggles of an out-of-work circus performer Ram Singh Charlie is a film that makes one relive the memories of Mera Naam Joker. This is Kumud Mishra's best performance so far. This is about a Charlie Chaplin impersonator who along with several others is left unemployed after the circus he works in shuts down. This emotional story will leave you teary eyed but with a smile.

Where to watch: Sony Liv

8. Kaamyaab

Netflix

¡°Character actors ko aaloo kaha jata hai. Aaloo kisi bhi cheez mein padta hai. Aaloo gobhi, aaloo baingan, aaloo tamatar, aaloo pyaaz¡­ Comedy ho, thriller ho, romance ho¡­ Bachchan ho, Kapoor ho yaa khan ho¡­ sidekicks harr jagah fit ho jate hain¡±.

An ode to the sidekicks who for years have been making good films great, this film stars Sanjay Mishra as junior artiste whose heartbreaking story of becoming a star involves a lot of grief. It's a not based on a real life story but yet it is the story of many character actors in Bollywood.

Where to watch: Netflix

9. Chippa

Netflix

The film follows the story of a little boy who lives on street has several aspirations, some are big and some are as simple as finding his parents. On a wintry night, he heads out alone to embark his own journey in the city of Kolkata. He comes close to meeting his father but destiny had something else in plan for him. The movie stars Lion and Sacred Games kid Sunny Pawar.

Where to watch: Netflix

10. Axone

Netflix

Not just black and white, we are all racists at different levels. To make you realise how north-eastern people are discriminated against in metro cities by the educated people, Axone will show you a true picture. The movie isn't preachy but it hits the right chord.

Where to watch: Netflix

11. Raat Akeli Hai

Netflix

If you like murder mysteries, this one starring Nawazuddin Sidiqqui is a must watch for you. Siddiqui in the role of a cop is trying to solve a murder mystery which tangles even more as he tries to untangle it. You will try to make at least five guesses on who the murderer could be, and all of them will turn out to be wrong in the end. Do you accept the challenge?

Where to watch: Netflix

12. Bulbbul

Netflix

Bulbbul isn't a usual horror story, yet it is horrifying. Produced by Anushka Sharma and starring Tripti Dimri in the lead role, the movie is a powerful feminist tale. The reality shown in the movie is indeed scary.

Where to watch: Netflix

13. Serious Men

Netflix

This Sudhir Mishra-directed film is a satire for the privileged class and the voice of a Dalit. The movie narrates a story that is funny and tragic at the same time. It has a few moments that will unfold the story in an unpredictable manner. Based on Manu Joseph's novel, the film follows the story of an ambitious father and the his genius son.

Where to watch: Netflix

How many have you watched?