Top 6 Unmissable Indian Movies You Should Watch

The story follows a young boy living in the slums of Juhu. In his quest to find Latika, Jamal decides to participate in the popular TV game show 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,' knowing she will be watching. Despite the hostile attitude of the host, who deliberately gives Jamal wrong answers during the breaks, Jamal reaches the final question. With one last opportunity to win 20 million rupees (about $400,000), the host has Jamal arrested, accusing him of cheating. During questioning, Jamal recounts his life story, explaining how his experiences led him to the answers. The inspector, convinced by Jamal’s story, allows him to return to the show for the final round.

The last question asks about the third musketeer in the classic story. Jamal uses the 'phone a friend' option to call Salim, but it’s Latika who answers. Though she doesn’t know the answer, she reassures Jamal that she’s safe and whispers 'I’m yours' in Hindi before the timer runs out. With this emotional connection, Jamal guesses correctly (Aramis), winning the grand prize.

• Release Year: 2008
• Duration: 120 minutes
• Genre: Drama, Romance
• Director: Danny Boyle, Loveleen Tandan
• Cast: Dev Patel, Freida Pinto, Anil Kapoor, Irrfan Khan,…
• Awards: Academy Award for Best Picture
• IMDb Rating: 8.0/10
• Featured Song: O Saya

The film centers around Aakash, a brilliant pianist who pretends to be blind to enhance his playing skills. One day, he’s accidentally hit by a scooter driven by Sofie, who invites him to perform at her family restaurant. However, Aakash's life takes a dramatic turn when he unintentionally becomes involved in a murder case, witnessing both the victim and the killer but being unable to do anything.

His charade of blindness helps him escape death, but the danger continues to loom. Will he be able to protect himself from the murderer, or will he fall victim to the conspiracy surrounding him?

• Release Year: 2018
• Genre: Comedy, Crime
• Duration: 138 minutes
• Director: Sriram Raghavan
• Cast: Tabu, Ayushmann Khurrana, Radhika Apte
• IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
• Awards: Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Negative Role
• Featured Song: Naina Da Kya Kasoor

This is the story narrated by Aisha Chaudhary, recounting her parents' love story. Despite coming from different social classes and facing societal rejection, they built a strong and enduring marriage. They had a son, Ishaan, and a daughter who died shortly after birth. Soon after, Aisha was born, and tragically, she too was diagnosed with the same illness that claimed her sister's life. The family was thrown into despair as they desperately searched for a cure. In the final scene, Aisha's father plays a video of their happiest family moments.

• Release Year: 2019
• Genre: Romance
• Duration: 143 minutes
• Director: Shonali Bose
• Cast: Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Farhan Akhtar, Zaira Wasim, Rohit Suresh Saraf
• IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
• Awards: Nominated for multiple categories at the 2020 Filmfare Awards

The film tells the story of three friends – Farhan, Raju, and Rancho – from their college days to adulthood. During their time at university, Rancho profoundly impacted Farhan and Raju's lives and future paths.

After graduation, Rancho mysteriously disappears, and no one hears from him again. Years later, Chatur contacts Farhan and Raju, inviting them back to their old college on the anniversary of a vow made ten years ago. Although Rancho doesn’t show up, Chatur has found his address and wants to flaunt his success before him. Farhan and Raju, eager to reconnect with their old friend, embark on a journey to find him. Along the way, they uncover the truth about their friend and discover startling revelations about his background. In a twist, they even end up kidnapping Chatur, stealing his car, and persuading Pia to abandon her wedding to join them on their search for Rancho. At the address Chatur found, they meet a strange man, Jaaved Jaffrey, who turns out to be the true Rancho. The friends learn that their classmate was actually a poor orphan who worked as a servant to fund his education, using his master's name to attend school. After graduation, Rancho's master took the degree, while he chose a different path and became a teacher in Ladakh.

Farhan, Raju, Pia, and the captured Chatur journey to Ladakh. At a school for underprivileged children, they discover the brilliant inventions created by their old friend. The three friends reunite, and Rancho finds happiness with Pia. When asked about his real identity, Rancho reveals himself as Phunsukh Wangdu, a successful inventor with numerous patents, a business partner that Chatur had been hoping to collaborate with. Upon learning Rancho's true identity, Chatur is left in shock, begging Phunsukh not to sever their business ties and acknowledging his defeat in the traditional way.

• Release Date: December 23, 2009 (USA)
• Director: Rajkumar Hirani
• Based on: Five Point Someone
• Release Date: December 25, 2009 (India)
• Awards: Filmfare Award for Best Dialogue

Ghajini follows the story of a successful CEO of a major tech company who falls in love with a woman, despite rumors circulating that they are a couple, even though they’ve never met. Eventually, they begin a relationship, but she becomes the target of a ruthless human trafficker seeking revenge for her exposing him.

Tragically, the woman is murdered, and the man is severely beaten, resulting in a condition where he loses his memory every 15 minutes. With each passing moment, his mind resets, erasing everything that happened before. How can he avenge her death when he can’t remember anything? How can he survive in such a state? Watch the film to discover if he can complete his mission and recover his memory.

• Release Year: 2008
• Genre: Action
• Duration: 186 minutes
• IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
• Director: AR Murugadoss
• Cast: Aamir Khan, Asin, Jiah Khan, Pradeep Rawat
• Featured Song: Guzaarish
• Awards: Screen Award for Most Promising New Actress

The film tells the inspiring story of Mahavir Singh Phogat, a wrestling champion who defies societal norms to train his two daughters, Geeta Phogat and Babita Kumari, to become professional wrestlers.

Mahavir Singh Phogat coached his daughters, Geeta and Babita, to excel in the sport. Geeta Phogat became the first Indian female wrestler to win a medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, securing a gold in the 55 kg category, while her sister Babita Kumari won silver in the 52 kg category. The movie celebrates the strength of women, encouraging women to take part in sports and fostering national pride.

• Release Year: 2017
• Duration: 161 minutes
• Genre: Action, Sports
• Director: Nitesh Tiwari
• Cast: Aamir Khan, Sakshi Tanwar, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Zaira Wasim, Sanya Malhotra, Suhani Bhatnagar, Aparshakti Khurana, Girish Kulkarni,...
• IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
• Awards: Filmfare Award for Best Film, 2017