There is a big problem in India. OTT platforms do not prefer to have a lot of films these days. They are interested only in series and rely on obtaining theatrical films. Take the case of Disney+Hotstar, only two films in the entire year. SonyLIV had none. Prime Video had a few original films this year.
Zee5 and Netflix India, especially the latter, are highly active in making films. That’s the reason this list is also dominated by them.
10. Sharmajee Ki Beti (Prime Video India)
This movie starring Divya Dutta, Saiyami Kher and Sakshi Tanvar in lead roles talk about women and even young girls trapped in their situation. There are these young girls who are crumbling under the peer pressure of periods and then there are these mothers who are struggling financially and emotionally.
Sharmajee Ki Beti is a decent movie to understand these characters and explore the nuances that we have hidden within ourselves.
9. Murder Mubarak (Netflix India)
Murder Mubarak is an attempt to make a thriller with a huge cast. The Netflix India had a really nice concept at hand but the screenplay and overall execution just killed the film. The movie is still a fun watch for the fans of thriller but without much expectations.
8. Bhakshak (Netflix India)
Bhakshak is a very important story. The movie starring Bhoomi Pednekar is based on real incidents that happened in Muzaffarpur, Bihar. But, again, the execution could have been miles and miles better. The film fails to emerge a harrowing tale which it should have.
7. Patna Shuklla (Disney+Hotstar)
A woman finding her worth not just in a professional but personal life through several challenges. She has to prove her worth against her husband, the court and even the entire system. The movie has some flaws but it is still a phenomenal movie to enjoy if you are into drama. Also, the performance of Raveena Tondon is really appreciable.
6. Love, Sitara (ZEE5)
Love, Siatara starring Sobhita Dhulipala happens to be a thought provoking film. It talks about so many things like dysfunctional families and problems in modern relationships.
The movie has some beautiful scenes and Sobhita was really good at her role.
5. Phir Aayi Haseen Dillruba (Prime Video)
Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba was an unnecessary sequel. The first one was a pretty fun watch but the second one was clearly not there. There are plenty of plotholes and the overall characterizations become inconsistent. But, for the sake of it, it emerged as a highly successful film and people were deeply interested in knowing what happened to the two lovebirds.
4. Agni (Prime Video India)
The film starring Pratik Gandhi, Divyendu, Saiyami Kher and others is a brutal movie in terms of exploring class and human consciousness of survival. The movie has a great pool of actors and they deliver their part very very well.
3. CTRL (Netflix)
The movie is surprisingly good. Ananya Panday played the role of a social media influencer who gets trapped by an AI software in a dystopian world that is going to be a reality soon.
The movie talks about the great dangers of AI and portrays it with immense detail and profoundness.
2. Sector 36 (Netflix)
The movie is a fantastic exploration of human degeneracy. A father selling his daughter, a man killing little kids, a master using his servant as a kill machine and a system ready to kill everyone who tries to stand against it.
Sector 36 is one of the most horrifying and bone chilling films with a once in a lifetime performance by Vikrant Massey. Totally a must watch.
1. Amar Singh Chamkila (Netflix)
There can’t be a better choice for the first position than Amar Singh Chamkila. The movie by Imtiaz Ali is perfect in many many senses. It has perhaps the best music album of the year and even the performances are nothing short of perfect.
Amar Singh Chamkila is like a reminiscence of Imtiaz Ali from the 2010s who took a break but, returned with a bang.
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