Like every other year, Bollywood has churned out several movies this year as well, despite the fact that the theatres in the country were not able to function properly, due to the coronavirus pandemic. While most of Bollywood’s films had a direct OTT release, many managed to release theatrically as well. Here is a list of some of the best movies that were released this year:
Written and directed by Shoojit Sircar, Sardar Udham Singh features Vicky Kaushal in the lead role. The film details the assassination of Michael O’Dwyer in London, by Sardar Udham Singh, for the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Amritsar. The film has been lauded for its realistic portrayal of the massacre, which terrorised the Indian population at the time.
There is no secret in the fact that the Indian Cricket team was an underdog in its initial stages, but all of that was changed when the Indian Cricket team won the World Cup in 1983, under the captaincy of Kapil Dev. Directed by Kabir Khan, and headlined by Ranveer Singh, who played Kapil Dev, ’83 is an ode to the 1983 cricket team, and perfectly blends entertainment with facts and patriotism.
Directed by Laxman Utekar, and based on the Marathi film, Mala Aai Vhhaychy!, Mimi is about a woman who reluctantly has to agree to become a surrogate for a couple, in order to achieve her dreams. The difficulties that she faces, and how she tackles them forms the rest of the story. Kriti Sanon portrays the titular character perfectly, embracing all of the nuances of her character brilliantly.
The representation of the LBTQ+ community has only been getting better in films in the past few years, and the best example of that would be Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui, which was released this year. Directed by Abhishek Kapoor, and starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Vani Kapoor in the lead roles, the film has been lauded for its sensible and realistic representation of the transgender community.
Meel Patthar (Milestone) is the story of a truck driver who recently completed 500 Kms, who not only has to cope with the tragic passing of his wife, but also with the intern that has been appointed in his stead, as his replacement. The movie deals with human emotions and is a treat to watch for the audience.
One of the most anticipated films in Bollywood for the last two years has been Akshay Kumar’s Sooryavanshi, directed by Rohit Shetty. The third instalment of the director’s cop universe, Sooryavanshi sees the unification of Ajay Devgn’s Singham, Ranveer Singh’s Simmba, and Akshay’s Sooryavanshi. An out and out entertainer, Sooryavanshi has been the highest-grossing Bollywood film this year.
Yet another Akshay Kumar film, Bell Bottom is about the hijacking of an aeroplane, and how an undercover agent saves the passengers of the flight. The film has been praised for its performances, especially that of Akshay Kumar and Lara Dutta.
Directed by a seasoned filmmaker like Dibakar Banerjee, Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar stars Arjun Kapoor and Parineeti Chopra in the lead roles, extracting some of the best performances that they have given in recent years. The film is the perfect mix of drama and entertainment and draws you into ints storytelling prowess.
Much has been said about Shershaah that needn’t be said again. It has been called one of the best and most realistic pictures about the armed forces and very truly depicts the life of Vikram Batra, who lost his life, fighting in the Kargil war.
Whenever one thinks of J Jayalalithaa, one of South Cinema’s legendary actors, and Tamil Nadu’s former Chief Minister, one thinks of her as the ‘Amma’ of a state. Thalaivii shows the audience the kind of struggles and the journey that this iron lady had to take, to be where she reached by the end of her life.
