10 modern Indian films you must watch at least once

Sep 10, 2024

Credit: IMDb

Super Deluxe (2019)​

Super Deluxe is a 2019 film directed by Thiagarajan Kumararaja. This genre-bending film weaves together multiple narratives involving a married couple, a group of teenagers, and a conservative family, each exploring different themes.

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Maqbool (2003)

Maqbool , directed by Vishal Bhardwaj, reimagines Shakespeare’s Macbeth in the Mumbai underworld. The first of the director’s Shakespeare trilogy, it is celebrated for its intense performances, especially by Irrfan and Tabu.

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Vada Chennai(2018)​

Vada Chennai by Vetrimaaran is a modern Tamil classic set in the gritty underworld of Chennai. Starring Dhanush, the film was loved by critics and the audience alike.

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Village Rockstars (2017)​

Village Rockstars , directed by Rima Das, is an Assamese film that follows the journey of a young girl in a rural village who dreams of starting a rock band. It was selected as India's official entry to the 91st Academy Awards.

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Udaan (2010)​

Udaan (2010) by Vikramaditya Motwane is a powerful coming-of-age drama that follows a young boy’s struggle against an authoritarian father, showcasing the challenges of pursuing one's dreams in a stifling environment.

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Lootera (2013)​

Lootera, also directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, is a stunning romantic drama set in the 1950s. It is loosely based on O’Henry’s short story- The Last Leaf.

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Dhobi Ghat (2010)​

Kiran Rao’s directorial debut, Dhobi Ghat is considered a love letter to the city of Mumbai by many. It features an intertwined story of four diverse characters, navigating their lives in Mumbai.

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C/o Kancharapalem (2018)​

C/o Kancharapalem by Venkatesh Maha is a Telugu anthology film which follows four unconventional love stories in parallel, all set in the neighbourhood of Kancharapalem. The film features a cast of over 80 non-actors, most of them native to Kancharapalem, where the film is set.

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​Kahaani(2012)​

Kahaani is one of Indian cinema’s best thrillers. Renowned for its suspenseful plot, and clever twists, It stars Vidya Balan as a pregnant woman searching for her missing husband in Kolkata.

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​Black Friday (2004)​

Black Friday by Anurag Kashyap is known for its gritty and realistic approach, gripping narrative, and Kashyap’s unflinching direction. Based on Hussain Zaidi's book about the 1993 Bombay bombings, it offers a sobering look at the events that shook the city.

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Ananya Pandey’s “Call Me Bae” hilariously references these Bollywood and Ambani weddings