Bollywood truly has come a long way. There was once a time when actors in the films would break into a synchronized song and dance every three minutes. Even though their contemporary films have differed from the white noise being produced; these films were still commercial. They revolved around specific storylines that glamorous life in India and Indians living abroad leaving little to the imagination. One could almost anticipate how the plotline would unravel five minutes into the blockbuster. So if you’ve avoided Bollywood films for a while, then 2018 is the right time to start watching our neighbor’s films.
Following are 5 films that seem promising enough to cut through the white noise of mainstream cinema:
1. Karwaan
Karwaan is a 2018 Indian comedy film. It is written and directed by Akarsh Khurana, produced by Ronnie Screwvala and Priti Rathi Gupta. The movie features big names including Irrfan Khan. Through a plot that is both comedic and light hearted, the movie introduces the audience to Dulquer Salmaan as he introduces himself to the world of Bollywood cinema. Salman plays the character of a man who lives in Bengaluru working at a dead end job and loses his father in a car accident. This follows a mix-up when the corpses are exchanged. In a road trip with three people and their own set of problems on a quest to find the body.
2. Sui Dhaaga Made in India
Varun Dhawan and Anushka Sharma take on the roles of entrepreneurs living in the slums of India struggling to make ends meet. The film is based on the Make in India campaign that was launched in 2014 by the Indian government. The movement was aimed at promoting India’s textile industry. The story is intended to be heartwarming and stemming from pride and self-sufficiency. Sharma and Dhawan seem to have outdone themselves with their performances in the film as they take on the roles of the struggling lower class of India. This is the quintessential rags to riches tale that highlights taking ownership and pride in the production of one’s country and it’s produce.
3. Batti Gul Meter Chalu
Batti Gul Meter Chalu is directed by Shree Narayan Singh, produced by Bhushan Kumar, Nishant Pitti and Krishan Kumar and features Shahid Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor. The plot revolves around electricity theft and how the laymen are treated by authorities unjustly. Shahid’s character comes full circle as he decides to step in for his friend who takes his own life under the pressure of paying the hefty electricity bills sent to him. The movie is an empowering tale of how the country no longer wishes to stay silent in the face of injustice, theft and lies.
4. Gold
Gold is period drama film directed by Reema Kagti and produced by Farhan Akhtar starring Akshay Kumar, Kunal Kapoor, and others. Despite having being released yet, the sports starrer seems to have gained the attention of film critics. It is a story that revolves around the Indian Olympic Gold of the 1948 Olympics. Driven from the freedom of independence gained from British rule, Kumar’s character struggles to gain true freedom from the rule by defeating England in their home ground. A motivational and inspiring movie, Kumar’s character and production of the movie is all set to fill the audience with a sense of patriotism.
5. Helicopter Eela
Helicopter Eela is directed by Pradeep Sarkar and features Kajol as the leading lady. The story written by Mitesh Shah and Anand Gandhi revolves around Eela played by Kajol; a single mother of a college going son, an aspiring singer in her youth. The movie shows the difficult relationships of a mother and son as the former take on the challenge to finish her academic career as a college student in her son’s institute. The plot unfolds as the tiffs between the two increase and misunderstandings ensue. With what seems like a strong message for all single mothers and people who’ve abandoned their education, Helicopter Eela is anticipated to make a strong statement in the media.