High Five
As quite publicly known now, I love talking about alternative cinema – something that I appreciate a lot as a film-lover. This time, I realized how India as a country has produced some really good movies too. Here’s a list of five Indian movies that I have thought of from the top of my head which I think are a must-watch
1. Split Wide Open
English, August director Dev Benegal spins one of the most controversial movies made in India with Split Wide Open. Paedophilia, acute water crisis in slums and the sexual behaviours of various people – this movie covers it all and shows you the underbelly of India’s most glam city, Mumbai.
2. Bombay Boys
This dark comedy made by Kaizad Gustad laughs at the way some NRIs have met their roots. Naseeruddin Shah pulls the character of the evil Don Mastana with panache as he is cheered on by an excellent team of supporting actors including Rahul Bose, Luke Kenny and Roshan Seth.
3. Bhopal Express
This is one of Kay Kay Menon’s early films and is based on the events of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy. It
stars Nethra Raghuraman, Naseeruddin Shah, Vijay Raaz and Zeenat Aman. The movie is directed by Mahesh Mathai it made it to this list simply because of the way it portrays human emotions. (Karan Johar, are you reading?)
4. Everybody Says I Am Fine
This being Rahul Bose’s directorial debut has a very interesting story. A salon-owner who can read the minds of his clients chances upon the love of his life, Nikki, whose thoughts he fails to read. Watch it to see how the protagonist Xen (Rehaan Engineer) dishes all the dirt out from the minds of his customers.
5. Paanch
This movie was supposed to be Anurag Kashyap’s debut but no one really got to see it on the big screen as it never made it past the censor board. It mixes serial murders with Doors-worshipping musicians. One of the darkest yet finest movies that I have seen (it’s out in the wild) , the music might seem a little outdated, but Kay Kay Menon is simply fantastic in this one.
Share
About the Author: Aniket Dasgupta
