In the vast landscape of Bollywood, where big-budget blockbusters often hog the limelight, there exists a realm of cinematic treasures that shimmer with brilliance but often remain hidden from the mainstream gaze. As 2023 is a year marked by its diverse storytelling and innovative narratives, we bring to you a curated list of seven underrated gems that have managed to carve their own niche in the world of Indian cinema. These films, though modestly celebrated, possess a magnetic charm that draws viewers into their intricately woven narratives, leaving a lasting impact that defies their underrated status.
1. Kathal
- Kathal Movie Plot: “Kathal” weaves together a tapestry of humor, mystery, and intrigue as a police officer unravels the enigma surrounding the missing jackfruits. The film centers around Mahima Basor, a young police officer assigned with the task of locating a pair of stolen jackfruits from an MLA’s residence in the fictional town of Moba. As Mahima delves into her investigation, the plot thickens, and the audience is taken on a thrilling ride.
- Cast: Sanya Malhotra, Joshi Anantvijay, Vijay Raaz, Rajpal Naurang Yadav
- Where to watch Kathal?: You can watch Kathal on Netflix.
2. Sirf Ek Banda
- Sirf Ek Banda Movie Plot: Continuing his streak of impactful films, the esteemed Manoj Bajpayee gave us yet another compelling cinematic masterpiece – Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai. The movie delves into the extraordinary journey of a regular session court lawyer [played by Manoj Bajpayee], whose unwavering commitment to the truth drives a five-year-long legal battle. The story revolves around his relentless pursuit of justice for a group of young girls who have suffered at the hands of a self-proclaimed godman. The movie, especially Manoj Bajpayee’s speech, has received positive reviews from the audience as well as critics.
- Cast: Manoj Bajpayee, Surya Mohan Kulshreshtha, Jai Hind Kumar, Nikhil Pandey
- Where to watch Sirf Ek Banda Kaafi Hai? You can watch Sirf Ek Banda Hai on Zee5.
3. Shiv Shastri Balboa
- Shiv Shastri Balboa Movie Plot: The movie is about Shiv Shastri, a retiree from India and a big Rocky movie fan – who moves to the USA and ends up on an unexpected road trip through the American heartland which teaches that it’s never too old to reinvent yourself.
- Cast: Anupam Kher, Neena Gupta, Jugal Hansraj, Sharib Hashmi
- Where to watch Shiv Shastri Balboa? You can watch Shiv Shastri Balboa on Amazon Prime.
4. Tarla
- Tarla Movie Plot: Tarla is a biographical drama that delves into the life of the late celebrity home chef, Tarla Dalal. Directed by Piyush Gupta, the movie offers a slice-of-life narrative, focusing on Tarla’s remarkable journey in the culinary world, which earned her the prestigious Padma Shri award. The film stars Huma Qureshi in the titular role, portraying the celebrated chef’s passion, dedication, and influence.
- Cast: Huma Qureshi, Sharib Hashmi
- Where to watch Tarla? You can watch Tarla on ZEE5.
5. 8 A.M. Metro
- 8 A.M Movie Plot: In the bustling city of Hyderabad, fate weaves its intricate tapestry as two individuals from different walks of life serendipitously encounter each other aboard a metro train. Despite being married to their respective partners, their hearts gradually intertwine through a series of chance meetings. What name can they give to this inexplicable connection that defies conventional definitions of love? How does the world perceive their unconventional bond? Join them on their exploratory journey into these uncharted territories.
- Cast: Gulshan Devaiah and Saiyami Kher
6. Dasara
- Dasara Movie Plot: Dasara offers a captivating plot, exceptional acting, and stunning visuals. Amid the daily grind in a coal mining town, politics, and power dynamics take a dangerous toll on a love triangle between three longtime friends.
- Cast: Nani, Dheekshith Shetty, and Keerthy Suresh
- Where to watch Dasara? You can watch it on Netflix.
7. IB 71
- IB71 Movie Plot: “IB71” takes audiences on an edge-of-the-seat spy mission set during the 1971 India-Pakistan war. This gripping spy thriller stars Vidyut Jammwal and Anupam Kher in lead roles and is directed by Sankalp Reddy.
- Where to watch IB71? You can watch it on Disney+ Hotstar.
8. Chor Nikale Ke Bhaaga
- Chor Nikal Ke Bhaga Movie Plot: Chor Nikal Ke Bhaga is an upcoming Indian heist film, starring Yami Gautam, Sunny Kaushal, Sharad Kelkar, and Indraneil Sengupta. The story follows a flight attendant (Yami Gautam) and her boyfriend (Sunny Kaushal), who plan to steal a stockpile of diamonds to pay off an old debt. Unfortunately, their theft goes wrong and turns into a hostage scenario 40,000 feet above the ground.
- Where to watch Chor Nikal Ke Bhaga? You can watch it on Netflix
9. Kanjoos Makhichoos
- Kanjoos Makhichoos Movie Plot: Set in Lucknow, Kanjoos Makhichoos is a dark comedy about a miser named Jamnaprasad Pandey, who saves money to send his parents on a pilgrimage. Hell breaks loose when his parents go missing during the tour due to heavy floods. Starring Kunal Kemmu, Shweta Tripathi, and Piyush Mishra, the movie is a must-watch.
- Where to watch? Zee5
10. Jaane Jaan
- Jaane Jaan Movie Plot: The crime drama unfolds the tale of a single mother and her daughter, drawn into a murder case. Amidst an ongoing police investigation, they discover an unlikely ally in their neighbor, a humble yet brilliant mathematics teacher.
- Cast: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Jaideep Ahlawat, Vijay Verma
- Where to watch Jaane Jaan? You can watch it on Netflix
11. The Railway Men
- The Railway Men Series Plot: This series tells the story of courageous railway workers who risk their lives to save others after a deadly gas leak in Bhopal.
- Cast: KK Menon, R Madhavan, Babil Khan
- Where to watch The Railway Men? You can watch it on Netflix
12. 12th Fail
- 12th Fail Movie Plot: Directed, written, and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, “12th Fail” astoundingly brings to the screen the awe-inspiring true story of IPS Officer Manoj Kumar Sharma and IRS Officer Shraddha Joshi. Based on Anurag Pathak’s 2019 non-fiction book, this Indian Hindi-language biographical drama chronicles Sharma’s astounding journey from abject poverty to attaining the prestigious Indian Police Service rank.
- Cast: Vikrant Massey, Medha Shankar, Anant V Joshi, Anshumaan Pushkar, and Priyanshu Chatterjee
Which one did you love the most? Tell us in the comments below.