With the ever-growing content libraries of Indian OTT giants like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus Hotstar, SonyLIV, and Zee5, etc., you may have already seen most of the recent Indian films streaming on these platforms.
But alongside well known post-2k Indian films, there are many movies streaming on Indian OTT platforms which were released during the 1990s period and yet they remain underrated. In our ‘Underrated 90s Indian Movies’ series of write-ups, we give you our fifth and final list of five such relatively underrated yet brilliant Indian movies from the 90s which might have won critical acclaim but didn’t deserve the recognition, fame, and commercial success they actually deserved.
Dharavi, 1992 (Streaming on Jio Cinema)
Set amidst the backdrop of India’s largest slums Dharavi, the film features veteran actor Om Puri in the role of an impoverished taxi driver who struggles to make ends meet. He lives with his wife (Shabana Azmi) and invests in dubious business schemes to get rid of his poverty-ridden existence. But fate has other plans for him.
Dil Se, 1998 (Streaming on Netflix, Aha Video)
Helmed by veteran filmmaker Mani Ratnam, the romantic thriller film revolved around the unusual romance between an AIR radio broadcaster (Shah Rukh Khan) and an enigmatic woman (Manisha Koirala) burdened with a dark past. Preity Zinta played the role of SRK’s potential bride. Although ‘Dil Se’ received critical acclaim, the accolades weren’t commensurate with the film’s quality.
Criminal, 1995 (Streaming on Voot)
Loosely based on the hit Hollywood film ‘The Fugitive’, ‘Criminal’ featured Nagarjuna as a well-intentioned doctor who falls in love with Dr. Shweta (Manisha Koirala). They soon get married, but his life takes a drastic turn when his wife is brutally killed, and he is wrongfully accused of her murder. Now, with his friend’s (Ramya) help, he races against time to prove his innocence and catch the real culprit.
Ek Doctor Ki Maut, 1990 (Streaming on Jio Cinema)
Veteran filmmaker Tapan Sinha helmed this profound tale of a doctor (Pankaj Kapur), who has dedicated his life to medical research even at the cost of his marital relationship. When the doctor discovers a vaccine for leprosy, he garners international acclaim but eventually faces harassment from unexpected quarters. The heart-warming film also featured actors like Irrfan Khan and Shabana Azmi in important roles.
Khamoshi: The Musical, 1996 (Streaming on Amazon Prime Video)
Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the musical romantic drama featured Manisha Koirala as Annie – the daughter of a deaf-mute couple (played by Nana Patekar and Seema Biswas) who live in Goa. Annie is a music lover but her interest fades after an unfortunate incident, but it is again revived after she meets a charming man Raj (Salman Khan). Will Annie’s parents accept their relationship?
Article Part-1 Link – https://www.binged.com/news/5-must-watch-underrated-1990s-indian-movies-to-watch-on-ott/
Article Part-2 Link – https://www.binged.com/news/5-must-watch-underrated-90s-indian-movies-to-stream-on-ott-part-2/
Article Part-3 Link – https://www.binged.com/news/5-must-watch-underrated-90s-indian-movies-to-stream-on-ott-part-3/
Article Part-4 Link – https://www.binged.com/news/5-must-watch-underrated-90s-indian-movies-to-stream-on-ott-part-4/