5 Underrated Hindi Movies You Should Watch This Weekend
Hindi cinema makes a lot of films every year, and the ones that get remembered are usually the biggest ones. That leaves a long shelf of excellent smaller films that critics loved and audiences mostly missed. Here are five worth your time.
1. Udaan (2010)
Vikramaditya Motwane's debut follows a teenager who returns to his hometown after being expelled from boarding school and has to live under a strict, controlling father. It was selected for the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes, a rare honour for an Indian film at the time.
Why it's underrated: it has no stars and no big set pieces, so it never had a marketing push. It is also one of the most honest films about growing up in an Indian household.
Watch it if you want a drama that stays with you for days.
2. Khosla Ka Ghosla! (2006)
Dibakar Banerjee's first feature is a Delhi comedy about a middle-class family whose land is taken by a local land-grabber, and the elaborate scheme they cook up to get it back. Anupam Kher plays the father, and Boman Irani is the villain.
Why it's underrated: it was released quietly, and many people only found it years later on TV. It is also genuinely funny, which is harder than it sounds.
Watch it if you want a family comedy with a plot that actually works.
3. Masaan (2015)
Neeraj Ghaywan's debut interweaves two stories set in Varanasi: a young woman trying to move on after a scandal, and a young man falling in love across caste lines. Richa Chadha and Vicky Kaushal are in the cast, and the film won prizes at Cannes.
Why it's underrated: it is a sad, quiet film without commercial hooks, so it reached festival audiences more than a general one. It is also beautifully shot.
Watch it if you like films that take their time and trust the audience.
4. Ankhon Dekhi (2014)
Rajat Kapoor's film is about a middle-aged man in a joint family who decides he will only believe what he has seen with his own eyes. It starts as a comedy and becomes something more philosophical.
Why it's underrated: it was released in limited cinemas, and the best word of mouth came from people who watched it later at home. Sanjay Mishra's lead performance is one of his best.
Watch it if you want a thoughtful film that is still easy to enjoy.
5. Lootera (2013)
Motwane's second film on this list is a period romance set in 1950s Bengal, inspired by O. Henry's short story The Last Leaf. Ranveer Singh and Sonakshi Sinha lead a slow, painterly love story.
Why it's underrated: it is a quiet, melancholic film released in a year of loud ones, and audiences expecting a typical romance found it too slow. Seen now, the photography and music hold up well.
Watch it if you like romance with a sad edge and a lot of atmosphere.
Where to start
- Want to laugh: Khosla Ka Ghosla!
- Want something emotional: Udaan or Masaan.
- Want something thoughtful: Ankhon Dekhi.
- Want a love story with style: Lootera.
We keep a growing list of underrated Hindi movies with ratings, streaming links and who recommended each one. If you know one we missed, suggest it.
Frequently asked questions
What are some underrated Bollywood movies?
Udaan, Khosla Ka Ghosla!, Masaan, Ankhon Dekhi and Lootera are five Hindi films that were well reviewed but never reached a mass audience.
Which underrated Hindi movie should I watch first?
Start with Khosla Ka Ghosla! if you want a comedy, or Udaan if you want something quieter and more emotional.
Are these movies available with English subtitles?
Most Hindi films on streaming services carry English subtitles. Check the where-to-watch section on each movie page for current availability in your country.
Written by Hardik Kamboj.