Thanks to some brilliant movies and actors in the Hindi film industry, the year 2017 turned out to be everything that we had wanted it to be like. 

1. Baahubali 2: The Conclusion

Directed by SS Rajamouli, this masterpiece is not just a film but an experience. The kind of spellbinding magic that Baahubali 2: The Conclusion casts on you for the entire duration of the film is actually inexplicable. And if you haven’t found out the answer to a million dollar question – Katappa ne Bahubali ko kyu mara?  Then bro, you’re seriously missing out on something!

2. Newton

This political satire was India’s official entry to the Oscars, however, it couldn’t make the cut to the final stage in the Foreign Language film category.  The film along with its brilliant star cast and unique plotline, celebrated storytelling in all its glory, something Indian cinema needs to acknowledge & celebrate and take deep pride in. 

3. Lipstick Under My Burkha

Set in Bhopal, this globally acclaimed film directed by Alankrita Srivastava explores the lives of four women who secretly lead their lives as they always wanted to. It became the most controversial film of the year after Pahlaj Nahlani-led CBFC banned its release in India, calling it ‘lady-oriented’. 

5. A Death In The Gunj

Detailed production design, terrific background score and the fantastic ensemble cast of Vikrant Massey, Tillotama Shome, Om Puri, Kalki Koechlin, Jim Sarbh and Ranvir Shorey, is what makes the Konkana Sen Sharma directorial one of the best films of this year. 

6. Trapped

Trapped is a dark comedy that proves you don’t need a big budget to make a brilliant film. It was directed by Vikramaditya Motwane and stars Rajkummar Rao, whose character accidentally locks himself up in his new rented apartment Mumbai apartment. This film was apparently shot in less than a month in Mumbai in 2016.

7. Kadvi Hawa (Dark Wind)

Directed by Nila Madhab Panda, film Kadvi Hawa deals with climate change and its dire consequences. Packed with an outstanding cast like Sanjay Mishra, Ranvir Shorey and Tilottama Shome, this one is India’s first feature film on the issue.

8. Toilet Ek Prem Katha

Directed by Shree Narayan Singh, this satirical comedy addresses the issue of open defecation which today is probably one of the biggest problems that plague our country. The film stars Akshay Kumar and Bhumi Pednekar in the main lead. 

9. Bareilly Ki Barfi

This romantic comedy film directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari is based on the French novel The Ingredients of Love, written by Nicolas Barreau. The films stars Ayushmann Khurrana and Kriti Sanon in the lead role but it’s Rajkummar Rao who shines with his pivotal character. 

10. Hindi Medium  

The story of this comedy-drama film, directed by Saket Chaudhary, takes you through the journey of parents who in this competitive world are ready to go to any extent to get admission of their daughter in the best Delhi school. The film stars Irrfan Khan and Pakistani actor Saba Qamar in the main lead. 

11. Tumhari Sulu   

In this comedy-drama film, Vidya Balan essays the role of an ambitious housewife who becomes a radio jockey for a late-night relationship advice show. Directed by Suresh Triveni, the film also stars Neha Dhupia and Manav Kaul along with RJ Malishka.

12. Raees   

Shah Rukh Khan essays a notorious liquor baron from Gujarat in this Rahul Dholakia directorial film and Pakistani actor Mahira Khan portrays the role of his lady love. The film may not have been liked by many but it ended up becoming the second highest-grossing Bollywood film of 2017.

13. Naam Shabana

After a fabulous performance in film Pink, Taapsee Pannu out-shines as a special agent in this spin-off from 2015 film Baby. She is given the task of assassinating a deadly arms dealer by the Indian Intelligence Agencies in this action spy-thriller. This film directed by Shivam Nair also stars Akshay Kumar and Anupam Kher in a pivotal role. 

14. Shubh Mangal Savdhan

What makes this R.S. Prasanna directorial film interesting is the story plot. It’s a remake of his own Tamil film Kalyana Samayal Saadham and deals with the problem of a guy, Mudit, who suffers from erectile dysfunction and is about marry a girl, Sugandha. The film stars Ayushmann Khurrana and Bhumi Pednekar in the lead role. 

15. Jolly LLB 2    

It is a sequel to the 2013 film Jolly LLB and the plot of this Subhash Kapoor’s judicial satire-drama starring Akshay Kumar and Huma Qureshi revolves around a case of an innocent man who is killed and declared a Kashmiri militant. The courtroom argument that follows between Akshay and the ruthless and powerful lawyer essayed by Annu Kapoor is quite fun and entertaining. 

16. Mom

After featuring in English-Vinglish in 2012, Sridevi made a comeback on silver screen with this film after a gap of 5-years. The actress was lauded for her performance as a vigilante, who sets out to avenge her daughter, played by Sajal Ali. Directed by Ravi Udyawar, this thriller film also stars Akshaye Khanna and Nawazuddin Siddiqui in a supporting role. 

17. An Insignificant Man

Right from the anti-corruption protests in India to the formation of the Aam Aadmi Party, this documentary directed by Khushboo Ranka and Vinay Shukla sums up everything you wanted to know about one of the most controversial activists, now the Chief Minister of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal. Believe it or not, it garnered a lot of praises. 

18. Golmaal Again

This Rohit Shetty film not only gave Aamir Khan’s Secret Superstar a run for the money but also much to our surprise became the highest grossing Bollywood film of the year in domestic markets. It’s the fourth installment of the Golmaal film franchise and had Ajay Devgn, Parineeti Chopra, Tabu, Arshad Warsi, Tusshar Kapoor, Shreyas Talpade, Kunal Khemu in the lead role. 

19. Secret Superstar

This film starring Dangal fame Zaira Wasim revolves around her struggles to become a musician. Her character hails from a conservative family and unfortunately, her father stands in the path of her dreams of making it big in the music world. Aamir Khan essays the role of a talented but rude music director. His wacky attire is to watch out for. 

20. Anarkali Of Aarah

Some steamy scenes that Pahlaj Nihalani had demanded to be dropped from this controversial film starring Swara Bhaskar were leaked online. The actress essays the role of a small-town erotic folk dancer from Aarah in Bihar and the story revolves around her confrontation with a vice chancellor played by Sanjay Mishra. 

21. Lucknow Central

Based on the real-life story of prisoners, this film pulled its inspiration from a band named Healing Hearts. The film starring Farhan Akhtar in the lead role revolves around inmates who form a musical band to disguise their master plan of escaping the jail. Will they succeed or not, is what will keep you engaged till the end.

22. Haraamkhor

This film was shot in just 16 days and Nawazuddin Siddiqui received the Best Actor award at the New York Indian Film Festival. It explores the dynamics of a village school teacher and his adolescent student when they become sexually attracted to each other.

A good year for cinema?