There is something about Bollywood that keeps us hooked to the screen, await releases and follow our favourite stars. Scripts are written, actors are cast, cameras are rolled and some of the best stories & characters are brought to life on screen. We are treated to this spectacle every year. So let’s take a small journey back in time and revisit the best movies that came out in the year 2000.
Here’s a list of movies for that year which should definitely be on your ‘must watch’ list:
1. Hera Pheri
A comedy riot and easily one of the funniest movies in Bollywood history. The trio of Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal and Sunil Shetty will have you laughing your guts out.
2. Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai
There has hardly been a better debut for a youngster than this movie. This mega blockbuster earned Hrithik Roshan the Filmfare Award for Best Debut & the Filmfare Award for Best Actor. By far, the best movie of the year. It had a good script, great songs and not to forget, Hrithik’s dances moves.
3. Fiza
Another Hrithik Roshan flick, with Jaya Bachchan & Karishma Kapoor by his side. All three were impressive in their roles. A young boy turns terrorist, a depressed mother and a sister who goes on a searching spree for him. This brilliant script brought to life is definitely worth a watch.
4. Josh
SRK as a tapori gang member in a semi-negative role. You don’t see that often, do you? He has Aishwarya Rai for a twin sister in the movie. She falls for a guy whose brother is part of a rival gang. Who will you support? The ‘ Bichhoos’ or the SRK led ‘Eagle’ gang?
5. Hey Ram
Kamal Hassan’s masterpiece. It was selected to go for the Oscars but did not get nominated. The movie was shot simultaneously in Tamil & Hindi and offers a host of great actors. The story (half fact, half fiction) followed the partition of India & Pakistan and also the murder of Mahatma Gandhi.
6. Har Dil Jo Pyaar Karega
The movie stars Salman Khan, Preity Zinta and Rani Mukerji with a special appearance by Shah Rukh Khan. It is a remake of a Malayalam film Chandralekha and has minor parts borrowed from the Hollywood rom-com, While You Were Sleeping . The movie was a box office hit.
7. Mission Kashmir
The plot of the movie is very interesting and follows the life of a boy who turns into a terrorist. There is drama, action, tragedy and violence. And to top it off, all the actors did a great job on screen. And of course, there is also Kashmir. The beauty of the place never ceases to amaze. This movie needs to be on your watch list.
8. Kya Kehna!
Yes, it has some weirdly hilarious (not attempted to be) scenes and music stolen from English songs. But the movie deals with the issue of how pre-marital pregnancy is a taboo in our society. The stigma shown is very real and it definitely gives you something to think about.
9. Mohabbatein
Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan in one movie and both giving award winning performances. Although it did set the stage for 6 newcomers, the veterans still stole the show. You have to watch it for their brilliance, if nothing else.
10. Bawandar
Based on the life of a rape victim, Bhanwari Devi, the movie follows the humiliation and injustice she suffered at the hands of the public & the law. Nandita Das was appreciated for her portrayal of the victim and the film also won many awards abroad. A heart wrenching but true story which deserves to be told and watched.
11. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar
Mammootty plays the role of Dr B R Ambedkar, which fetched him the National Film Award for Best Actor. The movie was censored in 1998 but released in 2000. We know that would make you want to watch it even more. And you should. It tells the story of a man who was vital in shaping our constitution.
12. Hari-Bhari
Shyam Benegal offers a masterpiece depicting the sad status of rural women in the country. The movie deals with the issue of women’s ‘fertility rights’ empowerment. Five women with five sorrowful stories. You can’t ignore this piece of art or the actors who starred in the film.
13. Jungle
To the surprise of audiences, this film was a hit. Given that Fardeen Khan is not an accomplished actor, but he did do well in this one. However, what took the cake was the fact that Ram Gopal Varma pulled out all the stops to ensure this movie does well. Critics called it an ‘edge of the seat’ thriller. It is said to have been based on the life of the infamous bandit, Veerappan.
14. Shaheed Udham Singh
Based on the man that history forgot, Udham Singh. He was the martyr who went all the way to the United Kingdom to kill the man who ordered the massacre at Jallianwala Bagh, Micheal O’Dwyer. Isn’t that intriguing and deserving enough for a watch?