However, 2016 was a great year for the Indian film industry, and critics have chosen quite a few flicks that have a real chance to compete in the race for an Oscar. The following is a brief overview of some of the best Indian films of 2016.
DangalA biopic based on former wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat and how he fulfilled his own dreams of winning a gold medal for India through his daughters. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari and starring Aamir Khan and Sakshi Tanwar, this movie became a huge box office hit as soon as it came out. It might even be considered in the Oscar race, especially if the jury have a weakness for sports biopics about inspirational underdogs.
Nil Battey SannataA single, uneducated mother decides to be an inspiration to her school-going daughter by joining school with her and throwing herself into her studies. Directed by Ashwini Iyer Tiwari and starring Swara Bhaskar, Nil Battey Sannata’s heartwarming and realistic story sends a strong message on women’s empowerment and achieving your dreams.
AligarhAnother movie based on a real life incident, Aligarh is about an Aligarh university professor who was ostracised by society for his homosexuality. Directed by Hansal Mehta and starring Manoj Bajpayee and Rajkummar Rao, this well-acted and subtly written film is a bold statement about equal rights.
Udta PunjabRevolving around the drug trade nexus in Punjab, this movie is about how the nefarious trade affects the lives of a drug-addicted rockstar, a conflict-driven cop, an upright doctor and a Bihari farmhand. Udta Punjab is directed by Abhishek Chaubey and stars Shahid Kapoor, Diljit Dosanjh, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Alia Bhatt. A gripping story, this film reminds you of Traffic, another movie dealing with the drug trade that made a good impression in the Oscars race.
NeerjaA real-life based drama revolving around brave air hostess Neerja Bhanot’s self-sacrifice to save her flight’s passengers during a plane hijacking. Neerja is directed by Ram Madhvani and stars Sonam Kapoor and Shekhar Ravjiani in leading roles. Neerja boasts of superlative performances, confident direction and a water-tight narrative.
Nil Battey SannataA single, uneducated mother decides to be an inspiration to her school-going daughter by joining school with her and throwing herself into her studies. Directed by Ashwini Iyer Tiwari and starring Swara Bhaskar, Nil Battey Sannata’s heartwarming and realistic story sends a strong message on women’s empowerment and achieving your dreams.
AligarhAnother movie based on a real life incident, Aligarh is about an Aligarh university professor who was ostracised by society for his homosexuality. Directed by Hansal Mehta and starring Manoj Bajpayee and Rajkummar Rao, this well-acted and subtly written film is a bold statement about equal rights.
Udta PunjabRevolving around the drug trade nexus in Punjab, this movie is about how the nefarious trade affects the lives of a drug-addicted rockstar, a conflict-driven cop, an upright doctor and a Bihari farmhand. Udta Punjab is directed by Abhishek Chaubey and stars Shahid Kapoor, Diljit Dosanjh, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Alia Bhatt. A gripping story, this film reminds you of Traffic, another movie dealing with the drug trade that made a good impression in the Oscars race.
NeerjaA real-life based drama revolving around brave air hostess Neerja Bhanot’s self-sacrifice to save her flight’s passengers during a plane hijacking. Neerja is directed by Ram Madhvani and stars Sonam Kapoor and Shekhar Ravjiani in leading roles. Neerja boasts of superlative performances, confident direction and a water-tight narrative.