Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron
Did you really think this movie to be eligible in a category and not get the top spot, no way. I have said it many times and I can only reiterate here that this is by far the funniest satire you will ever see unless Kundan Shah (The Director) has something else on his mind. If Mastercard were to make an ad on this movie, this is how it would be
a.Screenplay - One of The Best Ever
b.Dialogues - Hilarious
c.Ensemble - UnBelievable
d. Performance of Pankaj Kapur, Om Puri and Naseeruddin Shan - Priceless.
Need I say more ?
Ardh Satya
One of the earliest Cop Dramas where Corruption was portrayed like it is. Acting of Om Puri under the able Direction of Govind Nihalani was unbelievably, one of the finest.
Masoom
This movie still remains one of the most sensitive. A woman trying to cope up with the fact that her husband has a child with another woman. Everyone knows Shabana and Naseer gave their best but it was the performance of the kid (Jugal Hansraj) that will make you eat your heart out. Excellent songs (who else, Gulzar Saab and Pancham Da) create magic in the air.
Katha
Its such a shame that not many people are aware of this movie. This was one of the earliest movies based on Mumbais Chawls. Watching Naseer as the simple and honest Rajaram, Farooq Sheikh as the Smart Alec trying to con everybody and Deepti Naval getting torn between the two is a treat.
Some of the songs were actually were popular back in the day (Kaun Aaya Kaun Aaya). This movie is a classic, if you can get hold of it, give it a try.
Chashme Buddoor
This movie pretty falls in the same category as Katha (The Common factor being Farooq and Deepti) but it takes place in Delhi. Three friends falling for a woman is extremely funny. This movie also showed us how well Sayeed Jaafrey can act (He was more popular in England back then).
Shakti
The Titans meet. Probably the biggest First Time Movie Together, this movie showcased Dilip Kumar, the thespian of Hindi Cinema and Amitabh Bachhan the Undisputed King. This movie had a sensitive subject as well, A Father put in a spot, choosing between his own kin and his duty. Smita Patil and Rakhee provided ample support in this Father-Son Drama. One of my favorite lines in this movie is when Amitabh talks to one of Amrish Puris henchmen saying Main Jo Bhi Hoon, Is Waqt Tumhare Maalik Ka Maalik Bol Raha Hoo.
Arjun
For people that are eagerly awaiting Mani Ratnams Yuva (Hindi) or Aayutha Ezhutu (Tamil), let me just say that Arjun will be runner for a top spot when you talk about movies about Youth and problems. Sunny Deol gave his breakout performance under Rahul Rawail, as a mislead youth. This movie had a very strong message on how politicians can negatively influence the youth for their greed. 2 Thumbs Up.
Sadma
One of Kamal Haasans and Sridevis best performance. This is a frame-to-frame remake of Tamil Moondram Pirai by the same team. Sridevi plays a girl that suffers from amnesia and starts behaving like a 5 year old, Kamal plays the saviour. For those who havent seen this, is a must see movie. This movie has one of the best Suresh Wadkar song in Ae Zindagi Gale Laga Le to Gulzaar Saabs ever enchanting words.
Ijaazat
Rekha and Naseers Sensitive Extra marital Drama including Anuradha Patel. The Story of this movie was nothing spectacular but as Ive said many times, it was execution and performance. Pancham Das classic Gems like Mera Kuchh Saaman, Katra Katra, Khaali Haath Sham Aayi an Chhoti Si Kahani make this movie a must.
Saagar
Kamal Haasan and Ramesh Sippy, now we are talking. This movie had a story that can get as cliched as ever but it was the performance of Kamal and the Music provided by Pancham Da that makes me list it here. If you are looking for an extra-ordinary performance in an ordinary movie, this is it.