2013 Hindi Films – Lists

For the Hindi film industry, this year will definitely go down as the year of ‘Naam Bade aur Darshan Chhote’. And now that the year is coming to an end and people are coming out with their various lists of films, I also thought to give it a try. The domain for my lists is the set of Hindi films that I watched and were released, obviously, this year. These lists reflect my opinion and mine only.

Personal Worsts of 2013

5. Ghanchakkar. What a let-down of a movie from the person who gave us the top-notch Aamir and No One Killed Jessica. Big bore!

4. Phata Poster Nikla Hero. The most irritating character that I have seen in the last couple of years is the one played by Padmini Kolhapure as Shahid Kapoor’s mother. Seriously, were this and Andaaz Apna Apna (or, Khakee & The Legend of Bhagat Singh, or even Ajab Prem ki Ghajab Kahani) directed by the same person?

3. Ha! Ready Steady Po! Chennai Express shares the position with the colourful Raam Leela (I refuse to write Goliyon ki…whatever, simply because it makes no sense and no difference). Both these movies were literally torture to the senses.

2.  Grand Masti. This is how you destroy the memories of the funny experience of watching a not-so-bad Indian adult comedy – by making it’s ridiculous sequel.

1. Vishal Bhardwaj is one of the finest storytellers India has, and then he makes Matru Ki Bijli Ka Mandola. It’s the 2nd worst movie I have seen in my life topped only by MF Hussain’s Ghajagamini. 

Personal Favourites of 2013

5. At number 5 is Shuddh Desi Romance. It scores on fresh subject, realistic dialogues and amazing set of actors.

4. At 4th position is Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.While it needed a much stricter editing, it was nonetheless one of the most inspiring cinematic biographies. While many people, including me, compared it to last year’s Paan Singh Tomar, I totally understand the need for infusing the former with commercial elements so as to make it appeal to a wider audience.  

3. 3rd position is shared by Ship Of Theseus, a cinematic achievement in itself (and the movie that made me write my first movie review), and the power-packed D-Day. While the former is a philosophical take on life, the latter is a brutally mainstream edge-of-the-seat entertainer.

2. Kai Po Che! and Raanjhanaa. If you watch Hindi films, you will know why.

1. The best movies were undoubtedly the much engrossing Shahid (acted brilliantly by Rajkumar) and the very adorable Lootera (directed superbly by Vikramaditya Motwane).