It’s certainly not as easy task to select a film or a television show to watch over the weekend out of the hundreds of titles available on a number of streaming platforms in India.
You may have already seen the mainstream content but what about those underrated gems that may have gone overlooked. For that very reason, we have shortlisted for you a handpicked list of five must-watch underrated Bollywood movies you can on the Netflix streaming platform this weekend within the comfort of your homes. So here we go:
1. Kai Po Che (2013)
Although it’s a film with cricket being an important plot point, the film is essentially an endearing story of three friends (brilliantly played by Sushant Singh Rajput, Rajkumar Rao and Amit Sadh). An adeptly executed sports drama film (directed by Abhishek Kapoor), ‘Kai Po Che’ (which means ‘I have cut’ in Gujarati) was based on Chetan Bhagat’s novel ‘The 3 Mistakes of My Life’.
The film revolved around the story of these three friends who set out to open a sports shop and a sports academy and is set amidst the backdrop of harrowing events. It went on to become a critical and commercial success.
2. Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi (2003)
An offbeat film helmed by eminent filmmaker Sudhir Mishra, ‘Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi’, also revolved around three friends (played by Kay Kay Menon, Shiney Ahuja and Chitrangada Singh) and their love triangle, which is set in the 1970s.
The film had won two Filmfare Awards for the ‘Best Debut Actor’ category (for Shiney Ahuja) and in the ‘Best Story’ category (for Sudhir Mishra, Shivkumar Subramaniam, and Ruchi Narain). It’s an acquired taste, which is worth acquiring.
3. Mumbai Meri Jaan (2008)
Directed by the gifted filmmaker-actor Nishikant Kamat, the sensitively executed film narrates the story of different characters and their interconnected stories and how the abominable 2006 Mumbai train bombings affected their lives in different ways.
The film featured an ensemble cast including Paresh Rawal, Kay Kay Menon, Irrfan Khan, Madhavan, Soha Ali Khan amongst others. The film had eventually won three Filmfare Awards for ‘Best Film (Critics)’, ‘Best Screenplay’ and ‘Best Editing’.
4. Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! (2008)
The film revolves around a poor boy who grows up to become a charismatic and fearless thief (played by the ever-dependable Abhay Deol). It was directed by accomplished filmmaker Dibakar Banerjee, who eventually went on to direct commendable films like ‘Detective Byomkesh Bakshi’ and ‘Shanghai’. Besides winning a National Award, the film had also bagged five Filmfare Awards.
5. Eklavya (2007)
This multi-starrer film was Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s next directorial project after Hrithik Roshan and Sanjay Dutt’s ‘Mission Kashmir’. ‘Eklavya’ revolves around a royal guard (played by legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan) who is committed to protecting the Royal family besides preserving its dark secrets.
The film also featured Saif Ali Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Boman Irani, Vidya Balan, Jackie Shroff, Jimmy Sheirgill, Sharmila Tagore and Raima Sen. A beautifully made film that deserves to be seen by those who still haven’t. Must watch for ardent cinema lovers.
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