111 Essential Art Films from Indian Cinema

Udaan

2010 • 138 min • Budget $800K • Box office $520K

Drama

A young man returns to his industrial hometown and faces a difficult choice: pursue his personal aspirations or accept his father's expectations for him.

7.2

8.1

Aakrosh

1980 • 144 min

Drama

This compelling legal drama explores the injustices faced by India's scheduled tribes in the 1980s. A determined lawyer takes on the defense of a tribal man accused of his wife's murder. Investigating the case, he discovers the harsh realities of…

7.2

7.9

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Kaagaz Ke Phool

1959 • 142 min

Drama, Romance

Suresh Sinha was a successful film director, but his life revolved around his close relationship with an aspiring actress. This story uses flashbacks to explore ambition, art, and relationships within the glamorous film world. We see Sinha balancing his career…

6.8

7.8

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Shwaas

2004 • 107 min

An aging man battling cancer dedicates himself to sharing the beauty and importance of life with his grandson. The story emphasizes the strength found in maintaining a positive perspective, even when facing difficult circumstances.

7.2

8.2

Maqbool

2003 • 132 min

Crime, Drama

A modern-day adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth. Set in Mumbai's criminal underworld, the story follows two corrupt police officers who act as the witches. Their manipulations lead one officer to seize power from Abbaji, the head of a powerful crime family,…

7.0

8.0

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Nayakan

1987 • 156 min

Drama, Crime

This intense drama follows Velu Naicker, whose life changes forever when he witnesses the murder of his father by dangerous criminals. Driven by grief and a desire for revenge, Velu targets the corrupt police officer he believes orchestrated the crime.…

7.8

8.6

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Biswaprakash

1999 • 148 min

While searching for meaning in life, Biswaparakash confronts a shifting world increasingly driven by consumerism. This new environment clashes with his deeply held beliefs, values, and traditional way of life.

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6.9

Past, Present, and Future

1985 • 137 min

In 1961 Goa, the film chronicles the trajectory of a wealthy and prominent Goan family. The story unfolds through the recollections of a close friend, presented in the past tense.

8.8

7.0

Days and Nights in the Forest

1970 • 115 min

Drama, Comedy

Four friends from Calcutta take a trip to a remote village in Bihar, staying in a charming bungalow. In this unfamiliar place, their individual personalities are tested as everyday events reveal hidden aspects of themselves and how they respond to…

6.9

8.0

Anaahat

2003 • 90 min

A woman challenges societal expectations by claiming her right to experience sexual pleasure.

6.0

7.7

Elippathayam

1982 • 115 min

In rural Kerala, Unni, the final male descendant of a declining aristocratic family, struggles to adapt to modern times. As society shifts, he increasingly isolates himself, consumed by suspicion and fear.

7.1

7.5

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The Golden Thread

1965 • 123 min

Drama

In Calcutta, Ishwar, an honest man living with East Bengali refugees in a shanty town, takes a job at an iron foundry seeking financial stability. This choice creates a moral conflict when an old friend offers a more secure path,…

6.4

7.4

Vanaprastham

1999 • 119 min

Kathakali dancer Kunhikuttan falls for Subhadra, a woman from a higher caste. She is captivated by his performances, drawn to the roles he embodies, rather than to him as a person.

7.9

8.1

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My Own

1994 • 141 min

This gentle Indian drama centers on a widow grappling with loss. Ramayyar was the heart of Ananpoorna's world, and his death has left her life feeling empty. The film interweaves her recollections with her current struggles. Before he passed, they…

5.8

7.3

The Golden Bird

2011 • 55 min

Two travelers seek a flying machine they hope will offer a final escape from reincarnation. As they journey, they document their memories, dreams, and anxieties using a sound recorder and a notebook.

5.0

6.5

Agraharathil Kazhutai

1977 • 90 min

A donkey wanders into a village where the Brahmin caste holds power.

6.4

7.1

Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi

2003 • 120 min

During the 1970s Indian Emergency, a time of significant social and political upheaval, the film follows the lives of three young people.

7.2

7.9

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Vijeta

1982 • 151 min

"Vijeta (The Victor)" follows Angad (Kunal Kapoor), a young man navigating the complexities of adolescence while caught in his parents' marital struggles. As he grapples with finding his path, Angad decides to pursue a career as a fighter pilot with…

9.8

7.7

The Stranger

1991 • 114 min

Drama

This drama follows a wealthy Indian family whose predictable life is shaken by the arrival of a man who says he's a long-lost uncle. They are wary at first, but he slowly wins them over with stories from his travels.…

7.6

8.0

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The Music Room

1958 • 100 min

Drama, Music

This drama tells the story of an older landowner whose passion for music increasingly dominates his life and leads to the decline of his successful estate. As his property falls into disrepair, he becomes consumed with creating a musical space…

7.5

7.8

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Gandu

2010 • 85 min

Following a theft from his mother's lover, nihilistic rapper Gandu descends into a drug-fueled rampage alongside a rickshaw puller.

5.2

5.3

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The Voyage Beyond

1987 • 130 min

A father persuades his daughter to marry a terminally ill man, hoping she will inherit his fortune.

6.6

7.2

It's a Long Way to the Sea

1995 • 106 min

Powal is a boatman in the village of Nemuguri, located on the Dihing River. Because there's no bridge there, his job is secure, a tradition passed down through his family for three generations. His life remains peaceful until he starts…

6.0

7.7

Genesis

1986 • 105 min

The film follows the simple story of a civilization's decline, centered on four people: a farmer (Naseeruddin Shah), a weaver (Om Puri), a trader (M.K. Raina), and a woman (Shabana Azmi). Initially, villagers are offered sustenance by local lords in…

5.7

6.9

Bagh Bahadur

1989 • 91 min

Each year, Ghunuram leaves his job to rehearse and perform in a folk dance in his village, where he's known for his captivating Tiger Dance. This year holds extra significance: he plans to propose to the daughter of a fellow…

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7.8

Black Friday

2004 • 162 min • Budget $700K • Box office $1M

Crime, Drama

In 1993, bombings devastate Mumbai, deeply dividing the city's people. As the culprits remain hidden, authorities initiate an extensive search to identify those responsible for the attacks.

7.5

8.4

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Salaam Bombay!

1988 • 113 min • Box office $2M

Crime, Drama

Krishna, an 11-year-old boy in Bombay, is constantly bullied by his older brother and dreams of motorbikes. Seeking revenge, he destroys his brother’s prized possession and is sent to work off the debt by earning money for a replacement. He…

7.3

7.9

Kaalpurush

2005 • 117 min

A man grapples with the lingering impact of his influential father.

7.0

7.1

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The Indian Shylock: The Original Silent Version

1925

This social drama follows Shantaram, a peasant who is dispossessed of his land by a ruthless moneylender using fraudulent documents. He migrates to the city and finds work in a mill. Drawing from realist storytelling, the film contrasts a peaceful…

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7.7

Chakra

1981 • 135 min

Amma (Smita Patil) experiences unimaginable trauma when she is raped and then forced to flee her home with her husband and child after he kills the attacker. Their situation worsens in the city when her husband is killed by smugglers,…

5.1

6.9

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Two Acres of Land

1953 • 125 min

To save their family's ancestral land from a powerful corporation, a poor man and his young son journey to Calcutta in search of employment. They hope to earn enough money to prevent the land from being taken.

7.9

8.3

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Death of a Doctor

1990 • 133 min

Dr. Dipankar Roy spends years researching a leprosy vaccine, sacrificing his personal life for the work. When the discovery is announced publicly, the junior doctor is met with international acclaim. However, this recognition is quickly overshadowed by the jealousy and…

5.5

8.3

Anantaram

1987 • 125 min

A young man tells two different stories about his life, subtly altering events and details within each narrative as he descends into instability.

8.3

7.9

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Mirch Masala

1987 • 121 min

Set in rural British India during the early 1940s, the story follows a woman who chooses to challenge the village's tyrannical subedar. She finds support from the guards at the local spice factory, and together they inspire other women to…

7.8

The Namesake

2006 • 122 min • Budget $12M • Box office $20M

Drama

The Ganguli family navigates the complexities of adapting to American life after relocating from Calcutta. Parents Ashoke and Ashima are dedicated to providing their children with new opportunities, while their son Gogol attempts to reconcile his Indian roots with his…

6.7

7.5

13+

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Mohan Joshi Hazir Ho!

1984 • 130 min

Mohan Joshi and his wife sue their landlord, claiming the apartment building is unsafe. They hire two lawyers to represent them, but the lengthy court case allows the lawyers to exploit the couple financially, growing wealthy while the case drags…

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7.5

Pyaasa

1957 • 146 min

Drama, Romance

Vijay, a poor poet yearning for love and recognition, has his life changed by two women who enter his world. As his poetry gains attention and he finds love, Vijay discovers success brings unexpected difficulties. He struggles with relationships and…

7.2

8.3

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Jait Re Jait

1977 • 116 min

This is the story of a Nagya, a drummer, who deeply desires to be considered a "pure one." He encounters Chindhi, a woman who has left her husband because she views him as incapable.

5.5

8.3

Guide

1965 • 183 min

Romance, Drama

A former tour guide is mistaken for a wise man by the residents of a small village. As he accepts their trust, he begins a journey of self-reflection, revisiting his past and a lost love to find genuine guidance for…

6.6

8.4

The Ruins

1984 • 106 min

Subhash, a city photographer, travels to a village to photograph ancient temples and ruins, drawn to their history. He meets Jamini, a young woman who was previously hurt by a visitor from the city. The film explores whether Jamini will…

6.3

7.2

Garm Hava

1973 • 146 min

Following the Partition of India, a Muslim businessman and his family fight to secure their rights in a nation that was once their home.

6.6

8.0

The Cloud-Capped Star

1960 • 127 min

Drama

This is the story of a compassionate young woman who grew up in a refugee family after leaving East Pakistan. Raised in a comfortable home, she always puts her family first. But her constant selflessness is often unrewarded, leading her…

7.3

7.8

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Ek Ruka Hua Faisla

1986 • 127 min

Twelve men on a jury are locked in a room, struggling to reach a verdict in a murder trial. The defendant is accused of killing his father. Eleven of the jurors are certain of his guilt and try to persuade…

7.9

8.3

The Home and the World

1985 • 140 min

The film begins with a woman reflecting on the experiences that shaped her worldview. Years earlier, her husband, an educated landowner, defied custom by educating her and allowing her to leave the confines of traditional married life, much to the…

7.3

7.5

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Miss Lovely

2014 • 113 min

Miss Lovely is a Hindi film set in the gritty underbelly of Bombay's low-budget film scene. It tells the heartbreaking story of two brothers who make exploitative horror movies in the mid-1980s.

6.2

7.3

Maya Darpan

1972 • 107 min

Taran lives with her father in a small town changing with the rise of industry. Their relationship is difficult, as her father grows increasingly resentful over his inability to find Taran a suitable husband. She finds comfort in her connection…

6.4

6.7

In Search of Famine

1981 • 128 min

A young, idealistic director travels to a village to film a movie about the Great Bengal Famine. He aims to expose the ongoing hardships faced by people in rural India through his project.

6.9

7.6

The Seventh Horse of the Sun

1992 • 130 min

The film centers on a man reminiscing about his friend, Manek Mulla, a gifted storyteller. One afternoon, Manek weaves a captivating tale of love, using multiple perspectives and exploring the story's connection to society. As Manek tells his story, the…

7.4

8.0

Ijaazat

1987 • 137 min

A divorced couple unexpectedly cross paths at a train station waiting room, prompting them to confront and re-examine their shared history.

6.0

8.3

Mathilukal

1990 • 120 min

Mathilukal ("Walls") is a film based on a short story by the acclaimed Malayalam author Vaikom Muhammad Basheer. The story is personal, set in India during the 1940s as Basheer was imprisoned in Trivandrum Central Jail for his involvement in…

7.6

8.2

Arohan

1983 • 144 min

Hari Mondal (Om Puri) is a poor farmer living in the remote Bengal village of Giripur with his wife, two sons, brother, his widowed aunt Kalidashi (Gita Sen), and her daughter Panchi. The film begins in the mid-1960s, as the…

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7.5

Awaara

1951 • 168 min

Drama, Music, Romance

This drama follows a small-time thief whose life changes when he's accused of trying to kill a well-known lawyer. The trial brings together a group of people whose lives are unexpectedly linked. Flashbacks reveal their histories and how past decisions…

7.2

7.8

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Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai

1981 • 110 min

"Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyun Ata Hai" explores the lives of the Pinto family and those around them. Albert, the central figure, seems perpetually angry at everyone. His brother Dominic prefers unemployment to low-wage work, his sister Joan patiently works…

5.0

7.1

Kanchana Sita

1978 • 76 min

This film adapts a tale from the Ramayana's Uttara Kanda, focusing on Rama's decision to send his wife, Sita, into the forest to appease his people. Although Sita is never physically present, her essence is powerfully felt through the atmosphere…

6.3

7.2

Apur Sansar

1959 • 105 min • Box office $134K

Drama

A recently graduated and unemployed young man named Apu, who wants to be a writer, feels lost. An old friend suggests he go to a village wedding. The trip immerses Apu in a lively, traditional celebration, prompting him to consider…

8.1

8.4

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Aparajito

1956 • 110 min • Box office $170K

Drama

Apu and his family relocate from the countryside to the vibrant city of Benares. The film follows Apu's journey from childhood to adolescence, including his studies in Kolkata. We see his intellectual and moral development, alongside the evolving dynamics of…

7.9

8.2

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Piravi

1989 • 110 min

When his son doesn't come home for his daughter's engagement, elderly Raghava Chakyar waits for him at the bus stop every day. He discovers his son, Raghu, has been arrested by the police on political charges and begins investigating the…

6.6

7.7

Do Ankhen Barah Haath

1957 • 143 min

A young, forward-thinking prison warden gains approval to relocate six hardened murderers to a run-down farm in the countryside. The plan is for them to rehabilitate themselves and the property through manual labor and compassionate mentorship.

7.4

8.4

Manthan

1976 • 134 min

Veterinarian Dr. Rao travels to a village with the goal of establishing a cooperative dairy to improve the lives of the local people. The story unfolds during India's White Revolution (Operation Flood), which began in 1970. The entire project was…

6.9

7.7

Aandhi

1975 • 133 min

J.K. Works as a hotel manager in a beautiful part of India. He helps Aarti, the daughter of a politician, when she's intoxicated, and prefers to keep the incident private. After she recovers, they fall in love, marry in a…

7.1

7.9

Ajantrik

1958 • 102 min

Bimal is a taxi driver in a quiet, rural town. He lives by himself, and his taxi – a well-worn 1920s Chevrolet he calls Jagaddal – is his only friend. Despite its age and many repairs, Bimal cherishes Jagaddal above…

6.8

7.5

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A Grave-keeper's Tale

2006 • 98 min

Maati Maay is a complex film that tells multiple interconnected stories within a traditional community, examining various relationships between people.

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7.9

Swayamvaram

1972 • 131 min

Against their families' wishes, Vishwam and Sita run away and marry. Initially enjoying a blissful life together as an unemployed couple, they soon face mounting difficulties due to their lack of financial resources.

5.9

7.1

The Big City

1963 • 136 min

Drama

Set in the vibrant city of Calcutta, the film follows a traditional housewife who takes a job as a salesperson. This simple choice sets off a chain of events that slowly challenges the strict rules of her life, questioning what…

7.8

8.3

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Junoon

1978 • 141 min

During the 1857 Indian Rebellion, a determined Indian Nawab wants to marry a young Anglo-Indian woman. However, the woman's strong-willed mother opposes the union.

5.3

7.5

Bhavni Bhavai

1981 • 135 min

In a drought-stricken Indian city, Maharaja Dhiraj Chandrasen, a ruler with two wives and no heir, initiates numerous rituals to implore the Rain Gods for relief.

4.3

7.1

Aparoopa

1982 • 100 min

In the tea country of Assam, India, a young woman abandons her education to marry a wealthy man her father owes money to. Her routine life is disrupted by the unexpected arrival of an old friend from university.

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6.6

Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro

1983 • 132 min

Two eccentric individuals start a photography studio. A sudden collaboration with a gossip magazine unexpectedly pulls them into a world of deceit, crime, and comical mishaps.

7.1

8.3

Koshish

1972 • 125 min

This romantic drama follows the 20-year relationship between Hari and Aarti, a deaf-mute couple determined to embrace life fully despite the challenges they face.

7.3

8.4

Arth

1982 • 138 min

Mahesh Bhatt wrote this semi-autobiographical film about his affair with actress Parveen Babi.

6.7

7.8

Saath Saath

1982 • 145 min

Avinash (Farookh Shekh) is a principled, humble man striving to make his way in the world. He believes in working hard and learning from experience, dedicated to his studies and dreaming of a better society built on honesty. He aims…

8.0

7.4

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Sparsh

1980 • 145 min

Drama, Romance

The film follows a visually impaired man who runs a school for blind children. It explores the difficulties he faces in his work. A recent widow joins the school as a volunteer, also dealing with personal grief. As they work…

7.3

7.9

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Ardh Satya

1983 • 123 min

A fresh police officer quickly finds himself navigating a world of corruption, unexpected romance, and violent realities on the job.

6.8

8.1

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Bandini

1963 • 157 min

In 1930s British-ruled Bengal, a prison doctor develops feelings for a woman convicted of murder who has ties to the independence movement.

6.0

7.6

Gaman

1978 • 119 min

Two working-class friends in Bombay work hard to make their lives better, but face ongoing challenges.

6.8

7.5

Don't Cry for Salim the Lame

1989 • 111 min

Salim Pasha, who has a physical disability, engages in criminal activities such as extortion and robbery alongside his friends Peera and Abdul. Salim is portrayed as a carefree individual.

5.7

7.7

Pather Panchali

1955 • 125 min • Box office $536K

Drama, History

Harihar Ray, a devoted but poor priest from a small village in Bengal, dreams of a better future for himself and his family. He leaves his familiar home to find work and financial security for them. This moving story explores…

7.8

8.2

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+10

27 Down

1974 • 118 min

Sanjay dreams of being an artist, but his father pushes him into a job as a train conductor. Unfulfilled, he meets and falls in love with Shalini, only to face pressure for an arranged marriage when his father discovers their…

6.3

7.3

The Chess Players

1977 • 129 min

Drama

In 1856, the prosperous Indian kingdom of Awadh, ruled by Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, becomes the target of the British Empire. General Outram is sent to facilitate its annexation, creating intense pressure on the kingdom. But the Nawab prioritizes pleasure…

7.0

7.5

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The Citizen

1977 • 112 min

Ramu and Uma, the eldest son and daughter respectively of migrant families, dream of a happy life together. However, economic hardship in post-partition Calcutta presents them with numerous obstacles on their path.

8.0

7.8

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Dharavi

1991 • 111 min

This film chronicles a determined taxi driver's struggle to escape poverty. He hatches plans and invests his savings in risky ventures that ultimately fail. This puts him in the sights of a corrupt politician and dangerous local figures, but he…

6.3

7.3

Damul

1985 • 106 min

Damul (Bonded Until Death) portrays the harsh realities of bonded labor through the story of a laborer forced into theft by his landlord, leaving him with no other option.

6.3

7.7

Anhey Ghorhey Da Daan

2011 • 112 min

In a rural Punjab village, a family struggles with unfair social and economic conditions. Their lives are disrupted when a conflict erupts during a lunar eclipse.

7.8

7.4

Report to Mother

1986 • 115 min

Purushan, traveling to Delhi, becomes deeply affected by the story of a young drummer who committed suicide. He gathers a group of people to accompany him, intending to share the news with the drummer's mother.

7.2

7.3

Om Dar-B-Dar

1988 • 101 min

Om, a teenage boy in an Indian village, has one remarkable talent: he can hold his breath for an exceptionally long time. His father, Babuji, gave up his government job to pursue astrology. Drawn to magic and religion, Om journeys…

6.8

7.0

An Enemy of the People

1990 • 99 min

Dr. Ashoke Gupta, an idealistic physician practicing in a town near Calcutta, uncovers that the water from a well-visited temple is contaminating the local water supply, causing widespread typhoid and hepatitis. Determined to prevent further illness, he risks his professional…

7.2

7.3

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Runaway

1958 • 124 min

Eight-year-old Kanchan is a mischievous child who constantly gets into trouble at home. He sees his father as a cruel and oppressive figure who controls his mother. In his dreams, he imagines the city as a wondrous place, like El…

6.3

8.0

Bandit Queen

1994 • 119 min • Box office $399

Action, Crime, Drama

The film tells the story of Phoolan Devi, who grew up in rural India under strict patriarchal traditions. At just 11, she is forced into marriage and repeatedly raped and abused by those she trusted. This leads her to become…

6.6

7.5

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Mrigayaa

1977 • 119 min

In 1920s India, a British administrator with a passion for hunting forms an unexpected bond with a skilled archer from a local village. The film explores the complex relationship between British colonizers and the Indian villagers, who have long suffered…

6.0

6.8

Calcutta 71

1972 • 116 min

The ghost of a young man, executed at 20, journeys through different periods, connecting four stories of people fighting to survive in India. It's a stark look at poverty, natural disasters, and political turmoil. A wealthy family's home is overwhelmed…

8.8

8.1

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Mouna Raagam

1986 • 146 min

Pressured by her family, college student Divya is compelled to marry Chandrakumar. Instead of accepting her fate, she requests a divorce as her wedding gift, revealing details about her past.

7.8

8.4

Charulata

1964 • 117 min

Set in 1870s India, Charulata is a woman feeling isolated from her husband, Bhupati, a busy journalist. Bhupati notices his wife's unhappiness and asks his cousin, Amal, to visit and encourage her artistic side. Amal, a young poet, and Charulata…

7.5

8.1

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Ship of Theseus

2012 • 143 min

Drama

This film explores three interconnected narratives centered on individuals grappling with the ethical and moral dilemmas presented by advancements in medicine.

6.9

8.0

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36 Chowringhee Lane

1981 • 122 min

Following her niece's wedding, Violet Stoneham, an Anglo-Indian schoolteacher, finds herself isolated in her small apartment at 36 Chowringhee Lane in Calcutta. She warmly receives visits from a former student and his partner.

7.1

7.5

A Soft Note on a Sharp Scale

1961 • 124 min

Ghatak uses the story of a dedicated group of IPTA workers to explore themes of partition, idealism, corruption, the connection between art and life, the potential of art, and class struggle.

5.9

7.2

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Utsav

1984 • 145 min

Vasantasena, a dancer at King Palaka's court, seeks refuge in Charudatta's home to escape unwanted advances from the king's brother-in-law. There, she develops feelings for Charudatta, who is already married and without wealth.

4.4

6.9

Masoom

1983 • 138 min

A man's happy family life is shattered when he learns about a young son he fathered years ago as a result of an affair.

6.4

8.3

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A Climate for Crime

2008 • 115 min

The film unfolds through four separate stories, linked only by a central theme of crime. As the narrative progresses, the crimes become increasingly intricate.

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6.6

Adi Shankaracharya

1983 • 130 min

This is the first and only Indian film made entirely in Sanskrit. It chronicles the life of Sankara, the philosopher who founded the Advaita school of non-dualistic thought.

6.4

7.7

100

The Lunchbox

2013 • 104 min • Budget $3M • Box office $17M

Drama, Romance

A mix-up in Mumbai's reliable lunch delivery service brings a young woman and an older man together. They begin exchanging notes within his lunchbox, creating a shared fantasy world. Slowly, this imaginative space starts to blur the lines between their…

7.4

7.8

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