Best film 2016
There were 2 over-riding themes that dominated 2016. Firstly, this was the year of the biopic. In varying shapes and sizes, with different levels of cinematic treatment, Bollywood saw an inordinate number of biopics and/or films based on true stories and events. While some were laughably bad (Azhar immediately comes to mind), the majority of these were inspiring and entertaining in equal measure. Nearly half the movies on our list are biopics, the sporting stories of MS Dhoni: Untold Story and Dangal offering a relatively more upbeat balance to the heroic tales told in Airlift and Neerja. With the exception of Dhoni, the other stories were relatively unknown and not in the public consciousness before these films were made - and it is nice to see truly inspiring stories such as these brought to life so splendidly. The other big theme was the emphasis on social issues, with more and more filmmakers using the medium to convey strong hard-hitting messages. Among the big issues raised were Punjab's drug epidemic (Udta Punjab), de-stigmatising therapy (Dear Zindagi), and sexual abuse and harassment (Pink and Kahaani 2) were the most prominent issues addressed, while even a family drama like Kapoor and Sons integrated messages on homosexuality, relationships and parenting. Of the movies not on this list, plenty of typical masala entertainers and frothy love stories without much substance in the form of Mohenjo Daro, Dishoom, Baar Baar Dekho and Fitoor were roundly rejected by audiences. The ones that worked (Sultan and Ki & Ka) had strong underlying messages about gender roles and equality, flawed execution notwithstanding. It may be presumptuous to say that the audiences have begun to expect more or that their tastes have evolved, but there does seem to be a clear shift - and the industry is that much better for it. Still some way to go, but for now - let us enjoy the films of 2016 that have helped bring about this change.
AIRLIFT
Airlift is one of the rare occasions where Bollywood displayed subtlety and nuance when it could have gone for unbridled heroism. Many feared the worst when it was announced that the two businessmen in the real life story would be combined into one Akshay Kumar, but the film stays true to the content and the plot. Akshay's own performance is a big contributor to this, his natural humility and hard-working attitude making him a perfect fit. With an able supporting cast including Nimrat Kaur and Purab Kohli amongst others, Airlift was one of the biggest success stories of the year - even if the 'January curse' meant it was overlooked for most of the major awards.
NEERJA
Neerja is a once-in-a-lifetime film, not just for Sonam Kapoor but for the viewers as well. One of the most realistic depictions of an in-flight experience witnessed in any movie, not just Bollywood, Neerja is nothing short of a cinematic masterpiece. From the light-hearted family scenes at the start, to the sheer terror of the hijacking, and the frantic reactions of her parents at home trying to stay strong - every little aspect of this film is delivered brilliantly and beautifully. And at the heart of it all is Sonam Kapoor - defiantly answering her critics with a career-best performance. Jim Sarbh as the main terrorist is a revelation, and Ram Madhvani's direction is stellar. It's emotional and it's heartbreaking, but it's quite simply unmissable.
Kapoor and sons
Family ensemble movies are nothing new to Bollywood, but the 'family' usually simply serves as the foil for a love story. In the last decade especially, since K3G and Baghban - there have been very few tales of true family conflict, that too presented in an engaging and nuanced manner. Dil Dhadakne Do may raised the bar last year, but Kapoor and Sons simply knocked it out of the park. An engaging storyline, with numerous yet vital sub-plots, takes the viewer on a roller-coaster of a journey which has something for everyone. Delivered by a ridiculously talented cast with beautiful cinematography and a great soundtrack, Kapoor and Sons takes the quintessential Bollywood family entertainer and adds a heavy dose of relatability, satire and genuine emotional conflict. The results are simply phenomenal, and Shakun Batra deserves all the plaudits coming his way.
udta punjab
Udta Punjab is not a film - it's an experience. Scene after scene of relentlessly assaults each of your senses, leaving you emotionally drained and in awe. We have come to expect gritty and realistic movies as being low-budget indie affairs, occasionally elevated by the presence of an Irrfan or a Nawazuddin. To have a film like this, delivered so slickly by an A-list cast is simply a sight to behold. The cinematography is outstanding, perfectly depicting the rural wastelands of drug-addled Punjab as well the cocaine-fuelled glamorous life of rockstar Tommy Singh. Amit Trivedi's soundtrack ebbs and flows perfectly, complementing the events on screen. Despite well publicised issues with the CBFC, the writers still manage to convey the grim, hard-hitting realities of the drug epidemic in Punjab with a compelling plot and intricate twists. Possibly one of the greatest movies of this generation.
MS Dhoni: the untold Story
The prospect of a biopic film about a sportsperson who is a) very much still active and b) so prominently in the limelight had caused a lot of intrigue, and some skepticism. However, MS Dhoni: Untold Story managed to surprise everyone with its freshness and appeal, underpinned by a superb peformance from Sushant Singh Rajput as MS Dhoni. The use of CGI was also a hot topic after the movie released, with Sushant's face being seamlessly superimposed onto real-life footage of various iconic moments (including THAT winning six in the World Cup final) adding a feel of authenticity. The first half of the movie is especially enjoyable, as it deals with Dhoni's life growing up and his time in the Railways as his India career prospects appear to be slipping away. A great movie for both cricket-lovers and those with no interest in the sport to watch.
Pink
One of the most significant films of the year, Pink is a must-watch for people of all ages and backgrounds. India has an unfortunately storied history of undermining women's roles in society, and the double standards are equally evident in urban centres as they are in the rural areas. Delhi NCR has long held a reputation for being unsafe for women, but seeing the plight of these 3 girls is really a chilling experience. Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury and Shoojit Sircar deliver a withering critique of our flawed justice system and social attitudes. Pink makes for difficult viewing at times, as scene after scene of injustice that the girls have to deal with make your blood boil. The real tragedy is that these are all things we have seen on a regular basis, but nobody so far has held up a mirror to our collective faces as a society. Pink does exactly that, and the fact that these conversations are being brought to the mainstream is progress indeed.
Dear Zindagi
Like Pink, another hugely significant step forward for Bollywood that a film like this was even made - let alone that it was successful. While also showing some elements of the daily challenges and judgments women face in our society, the biggest theme of this movie is to bring the subject of mental health and wellness into the mainstream. Some may quibble at the oversimplification and "first world" nature of the narrative, but the basic tenets of the story are well crafted. Alia Bhatt delivers another solid performance, particularly in one of the most powerful scenes in any film this year where she has an emotional meltdown - calling out her parents failings and revealing the root of her insecurities in a fit of pique. Shahrukh Khan in his witty, nurturing interpretation of a therapist adds a dash of...something - it can't quite be explained, but you know its a good thing. Gauri Shinde delivers a great follow-up to her fantastic debut English Vinglish - helping pave the way for a more female-centric future in Bollywood.
Dangal
As we talked about in our post for Best Actor, Aamir Khan is the probably the only person in Bollywood who repeatedly manages to hit the sweet spot between mass commercial appeal and thought-provoking, engaging content. After 3 Idiots and PK, the wrestling biopic Dangal is another shining example of this. Nitish Tiwari's film is about more than just Aamir Khan, so let's start by acknowledging his stellar performance and quickly move on. Sticking with acting, each of the 4 actresses depicting the younger and older versions of sisters Geeta Phogat and Babita Kumari are astounding. Zaira Wasim in particular as the young Geeta is a revelation, perfectly capturing the body language and emotional journey as she deals with her father's obsession with making his girls wrestlers. The cinematography is another strong feature, with everyday life in the village depicted perfectly. What is most striking though are the wrestling sequences. It is rare to see a sporting contest depicted on celluloid in such a realistic manner, particularly the sequences in the Commonwealth Games where you actually feel like you are watching the match unfold as it happens - that too a full contest not just a montage. In short, this was simply a brilliantly made film.