Well, I finally found something very interesting to write about..the ten best hindi movies of all times..!When you talk of bollywood movies, surely it has to be larger than life. The more the songs, the bigger the starcast, the more vivid the colors, the better.
And sometimes, as it happens, if all this is done at the sake of a good storyline, so be it..we are like this only...throw in some good action, a must see item song, a few emotional moments, some family drama and you have a perfectly dished out Bollywood Blockbuster...
In a land where the majority is a diehard fan of masala and tried and tested formula and where the radical intelligentsia is more or less concentrated in metropolitan india, the only way for a movie producer to earn big moolah is to listen to the aam junta and not the intelligentsia. As for me, I am not old enough to question the psyche of the majority, but I guess, I am old enough to choose what really appeals to me..
So, this is my list of the ten best (and may I add, sensible) bollywood movies ever made..The best ones first..
1. MaQbool
Cast: Irfan Khan, Pankaj kapoor, Naseeruddin shah, Om Puri, Tabu
Brief info: Well, it didnt really cost me too many grey cells to decide that this was one of the most intricate and brilliantly executed movie of all time.
This story is based on Shakespeare’s Macbeth and cut to modern day Mumbai. The adaptation of the story to mumbai’s underworld is extremely amazing. Its really hard to imagine how anybody could possibly have thought of adapting Macbeth into the Mumbai underworld arena with such creativity. Maqbool is a visual gallery that is an intelligent blend of dark, tragic overtones and comic, satirical undertones. This movie is dark and leaves no streak of hope. Thats what is so unlike most hindi movies. Its very complicated too. I confess, I had to see a few scenes twice to understand it properly.
Nearly all of the actors have done a great job. Particularly, Irfan khan, Pankaj Kapoor,
Naseeruddin shah, Om Puri and Tabu. This movie leaves no room for improvement.
Recommendation : 10 on 10
Pros : Everything Cons : Niche movie..not to the tastes of the everyone.
2. Trikal : Past, present & future
Cast: Naseeruddin Shah
Brief info : I was very young when I saw it for the first time on doordarshan. Back then I couldnt understand anything but even then there was this strange eerie magnetism of this film that made me see it again when I was old enough to understand. This is not your typical hindi movie and I thank god for it.. but its simply one of those few flawless creations by Shyam Benegal that I like the most. I still dont understand his style but this is the only shyam benegal movie that I can relate with.
Set in 1961 Goa, this is a story of a rich and influential Goan family and their friends who lived through the transition of Goa from a Portuguese colony to a district governed by India. The film is in flashback.. Its one of the best made movies set in a goan environment.
Recommendation : 10 on 10
Pros: Ambience..acting, story..just about everything. Cons : Niche movie again..
3. Satya
Cast: Chakravarty, Manoj Bajpai
Brief info : This is one of the best creations to come out of the factory. Bloody, gory and in your face. One of the best underworld portrayal till date. This one’s dark and sinister...Very good acting by the lead cast..Need I say more..you guys probably know everything!
Recommendations : 9 on 10
Pros : Real feel, acting Cons : can’t think of anything as such..
4. Drohkaal
Actors :Om Puri, Naseeruddin Shah, Mita Vasishth, Ashish Vidyaarthi, Annu Kapoor
Brief Info : This movies starcast speaks for itself. One of the most radical movie of its times, the story of this movie deals with the complex subjects of undercover agents, cops and counter terrorism. Govind Nihalani’s best ever..
Recommendations : 8 on 10
Pros : Story, acting, message Cons : None
5. Mr. & Mrs. Aiyar
Actors : Rahul bose, Konkona Sen
Brief info : Its a fairly new movie but is very powerful in its concept. The movie is about this brief relation between two people in troubled times and the things they have to go through.. Good stuff..
REcommendations : 8 on 10
Pros : Concept, acting Cons : Nothing whatsoever..
6. Hyderabad Blues
Cast: Nagesh Kukunoor
Brief info : The debut movie of Nagesh kukunoor incidentally is his best till date. Its light hearted humour is a big relief from the usual stuff you see in bollywood isshtyle movie..
This story is about an NRI who returns to his country and his hometown, hyderabad after a long long time. His lifestyle is a far cry from what he has to adjust to here in india. He finds it hard to cope with social customs and family pressures. It’s a story of this guy who ultimately has to decide between his american ways and indian roots..Classy stuff and brilliant acting.
Recommendations : 9 on 10
Pros : Great script...good acting Cons : Niche stuff..again
7. Lagaan
Actors: Aamir khan
Brief info : I was hard pressed to include this movie in this series as it was a fairly genuine concept and the acting was marvelous. What more can I say, they went to the oscars...!!Maybe they could have skipped the songs..
Recommendations: 8 on 10
Pros : Concept, Acting, ambience Cons : Songs not required except for, Chale chalo..
8. Bombay
Actors : Arvind , Manisha Koirala
Brief Info : This movie hit like a thunderbolt when it was released. Incredibly captivating and with a brilliant plot set amidst the ugliest chapters of india history, the riots of 1993. The acting was spot on and direction breathtaking. An in your face movie..
Recommendations : 9 on 10
Pros : Story, acting, direction, message Cons : Songs..again..
9. Ab tak Chappan
Cast : Nana Patekar
Brief info : This movie deals with the Mumbai police crime branch and their tactics to control the underworld.Its a story of a notable ’Encounter specialist’ who finds himself and his family torn apart in the dirty politics of his senior officials and the underworld.Its stark realism is its usp...no songs to break the pace(thank god...)..The best role ever played by Nana Patekar.
Recommendations : 9 on 10
Pros : Realism, acting, no songs Cons : None
10. My brother..Nikhil
Actors : Sanjay suri, Juhi Chawla
Brief info : This movie deals with the tragic story of the goan sportsman who was diagnosed as hiv +ve. The social stigma he has to suffer and the fight of this person against the deadly disease with the only support of his sister and a friend is really heart wrenching. Sad story but definitely class stuff.
Recommendations: 9 on 10
Pros : Story, acting, message Cons : None
So..this completes my list but I still feel that its not complete without the mention of these movies..they are my runner ups..
11. Thoda sa roomani ho jaaye -A brilliant alternative movie
12. Ardha Satya-Hard hitting stuff.
13. Rockford-Nagesh kukunoor’s second craft..quiet spellbinding!!
14. Dil chahta hai-Cult Movie..!
15. Lakshya-I like it because it inspires me a lot.
Well..I guess, by now, you must have understood my taste in movies...i agree, it may not be to everybody’s liking, particularly those who enjoy song n dance and candy floss stuff, but then hey, we all are so very different...likewise..our choices differ..but, I think that those with a very keen eye on acting, script and direction would definitely appreciate these movies..Go watch ’em if you still haven’t..Take my word..you’ll not regret it.
Caayotee out