Some years, you can’t stop raving about all the great films you see. Then, there are years like 2016.
From big-ticket films to small-budget ones, this year, we saw it all. However, not all that we saw was worth seeing. Majority of the films dissapointed us and some were downright unbearable.
However, there were some that certainly made us happy. These had a good story, great screenplay and applause-worthy performances.
These were the films that made a visit to the movie, worth all its money.
Here are 2016’s 10 best Hindi films, in the order of their release:
1. Airlift
Based on real-life events, this film kick-started 2016 with a bang.
It was a story not many knew about and director Raja Krishna Menon showcased it in a way that stirred the a lot of patriotism in the audience. Also, brilliant performances by Akshay Kumar, Purab Kohli & Kumud Mishra added a lot of gravitas to the film.
Read the full review here.
2. Neerja
The story of Neerja Bhanot who saved 359 passengers during a hijack left the audience in tears.
Undoubtedly Sonam Kapoor’s best performance till date, the film was also ably supported by Jim Sarbh and Shabana Azmi. The events of the hijack combined with the emotions of a family who is desperately waiting for their daughter’s return, this film ticked all the right boxes.
Read the full review here.
3. Aligarh
Aligarh was based on the real-life story of Professor Shrinivas Ramchandra Siras who was sacked from his position at the Aligarh Muslim University after the university found out he was gay.
Manoj Bajpai’s performance as the gay professor is easily one of the year’s finest. It’s a poignant tale of a man battling both loneliness and humiliation and will make you question our society’s rigid mindset.
Read the full review here.
4. Kapoor & Sons
This story of a dysfunctional but utterly-believable family made us both laugh and cry.
The film wasn’t about a family pretending to be perfect but in fact, was about real people and their real traits. The confrontations, the fights and even the love that this family experiences leaves you with a bittersweet feeling.
It’s an absolute delight!
Read the full review here.
5. Nil Battey Sannata
This is the story of a house help who resumes her education so she can tutor her daughter in mathematics.
Swara Bhaskar has previously played some brilliant roles but with this film, she outdid all her previous performances. The story highlighted the power of education, especially for women and left us with a smile in the end.
Read the full review here.
6. Dhanak
This film was the story of a brother and sister who set out on a journey to find Shah Rukh Khan.
The heart-warming film, directed by Nagesh Kukunoor, shows the playful equation of two siblings where the sister has promised her brother that he will get his eyesight back before his ninth birthday.
With beautiful performances by child actors Hetal Gada and Krrish Chhabria, the film has many lovely moments, giving you a film that’s simply marvelous.
7. Udta Punjab
The film highlighted the drug menace in Punjab through the lives of four individuals.
The film’s plot may have got mixed opinions but there’s no denying the wonderful characterizations of the protagonists. Also, what majorly helped the movie were the stellar performances of the cast, especially Alia Bhatt and Diljit Dosanjh.
Read the full review here.
8. Pink
The film started the much needed conversation about the consent of a woman.
When she says ‘No’, you stop. This was the message and the film made it loud and clear. The outstanding performances of Taapsee Pannu, Kirti Kulhari and Amitabh Bachchan coupled with the gripping screenplay brought to light the difficulties that women face living in a sexist and highly-unsafe society.
Read the full review here.
9. Dear Zindagi
Alia Bhatt and Shah Rukh Khan were simply magical in this slice-of-life film that started the much needed conversation about mental health.
Alia’s performance as Kaira was natural and uninhibited. We also got to see Shah Rukh Khan play a character that was unlike his romantic image. And you can’t not love the chemistry between the two!
Read the full review here.
10. Dangal
The story of the Phogat family portrayed by Aamir Khan, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Sanya Malhotra and Zaira Wasim is a clear winner at the theatres, right now.
In true Aamir Khan style, the film is being praised for both its perfection and staying true to the real events. If you haven’t seen the film yet, go watch it now!
Read the full review here.