Best Hindi Movies of 2020

What with Covid and all, 2020 has been a low-key year for movie releases in general. Still, even from the few that did release on OTT platforms (Netflix, Prime etc.), I have managed to cobble together a Top 10 2020 Bollywood Movies list that passes muster! Here are The Best Bollywood Movies of 2020 in descending order, with some music and the platforms where you can watch them:

10. Jawaani Jaaneman (streaming on Amazon Prime Video)

Yes, I know you are rolling your eyes at this one, but I did like it. The story of an aging, narcissistic Lothario in for the surprise of his life, a surprise that will literally turn his life upside down, was in parts heart-warming and sweet. Saif Ali Khan plays the playboy with aplomb, Alaya Furniturewala makes an impressive debut and the luminous Tabu lights up the screen!

9. Gunjan Saxena (Netflix)

This real-life based film is about the accomplishments of one of the first female pilots in the Indian Air Force. Watch this film for high-impact story-telling, decent acting and an overall quality production. It’s a story of courage and resilience and suitable for family-viewing. Gunjan Saxena is well worth a watch at #9.

The Podcast Review of Gunjan Saxena is here.

8. Panga (Amazon Prime Video)

Another film about a woman – this time it’s a kabaddi player who has given up the sport at the National Level in favor of being a full time mother and raising her son. When many years later, our heroine Jaya, is dissatisified with her lack of accomplishment while her compatriots have forged on, she must overcome many hurdles to get back in the game. This film raised issues normally not raised in hero-focussed Bollywood, was heartfelt and felt honest. Some great acting – Kangana Ranaut, Jassi Gill, Neena Gupta are all fantastic – and nicely paced events helps bring in Panga at #8.

7. Lootcase (Hotstar)

A middle-class man finds a suitcase full of money and while he is thrilled with the windfall, he is unaware that the not-very-nice owners of that money want it back. Large-scale upheaval results. Kunal Khemu, Rasika Duggal, Ranvir Shourey and Vijay Raaz are very good in this humor-filled action-drama.

6. Yeh Ballet (Netflix)

An unusual film by Bollywood standards, director Sooni Tarporevala’s this real-life based movie is about two boys from the slums of Bombay who want to excel at ballet, and their struggle against family, friends and society at large to do what they love. Yeh Ballet uses the underdog trope well and gives us a lovely, tug-at-the-heartstrings film.

5. Ludo (Netflix)

Anurag Basu’s Ludo, while not quite Barfi quality, is a well-done drama featuring a large cast of characters. 4 different stories intersect and overlap and Basu’s skill at keeping the threads coherent brings in this entertaining film at #5.

4. Raat Akeli Hai (Netflix)

A true-blue murder mystery Raat Akeli Hai has Nawazuddin Siddiqui as the intrepid, quirky policeman Jatil Yadav investigating a suspicious death. There are many characters in this film, but I remember it for the beautifully fleshed out Jatil Yadav and his fawning Mummyji (played by the magnificent Ila Arun). Not since the fabulous Manorama 6 feet Under have I been so impressed with a desi detective!

The Podcast Review of Raat Akeli Hai is here.

3. Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakta Sitare (Netflix)

Konkona Sen Sharma and Bhumi Pednekar play two sisters set adrift by their own special situations in modern society. This film shows them asking the hard questions and having the gumption to actually free themselves from the rules that bind ordinary women. It’s got its rough edges but this film gets you thinking and remembering these sisters and their predicaments for a very long time.

The Podcast Review of Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakta Sitare is here.

2. Thappad (Netflix)

Thappad is a remarkable film with another courageous woman – a housewife Amrita (played by Taapsee Pannu), content with her domestic life – questioning her choices when life goes topsy-turvy in one surprising night. Thappad is remarkable because it questions traditional norms with respect to the role of women in society. The fabulous direction and the heartfelt performances bring Thappad to the #2 spot.

1. Kadakh (Sony LIV)

Kadakh is an unpredictable, edge-of your-seat suspense drama starring Ranvir Shourey, Mansi Multani and a varied and talented cast. Director Rajat Kapoor has made a beautifully nuanced drama with great attention to detail. This genre of film is rare in Bollywood and Kadakh goes straight to my Best Films By Genre List because of its quality and fantastic story-telling.

The Podcast Review of Kadakh is here.

Want more Top 10 Lists? See my Best Hindi Films by Year for 2019, 2018 and 2017.