Random Talk: Best recent commercial Indian films

Many people think that I am unfair towards Indian movies and in most of the cases this is true. This is not because I don't like Indian directors or because I am not used to watching Indian movies. This is simply because there are not really that many good films in the Indian film market.

This is mainly because we, as Indians, refuse to think out of this small box created by cultural restrictions. That and the need to see scantily clad women, on screen begging to be rescued by the all powerful gravity defying hero. If you think I am wrong then please tell me how many heroines who appear on screen today can actually act. Probably about six or seven. And that is if I am being optimistic.

Unfortunately this has led to a dumber audience. We have lowered our expectations so much, that we go to the theaters to watch our favorite heroes take on similar roles, speak punch lines and rescue said women, than to actually care about the characters and invest in the story.

Let me makes this clear Lingaa is utter bullshit. The only reason it is successful is because it has Rajini in it. Thalivaa was even worse, and to think someone killed themselves over it not being released just goes to show how much we have degraded ourselves. In the field of making good movies, at least.

But enough about bad Indian films. I wanted to write this article to showcase some of the recent films which are really good watching experiences and are gems of the Indian film industry.

VISHWAAROPAM

Director: Kamal Hassan

Year: 2013

The most recent film on the list, this is a film which is as well shot and written as a TRUE espionage thriller. Kamal Hassan pulled all of the stops on this one and his dedication to the movie can be seen onscreen. One other great thing about this movie is how well it is shot. All in all a film worth watching in theaters.

3 IDIOTS

Director: Rajkumar Hirani

Year: 2009

What's great about this film is the fact that it has lots of heart, and the message it delivers. And it also helps that it so well acted and shot. It is the highest rated Indian film in the world, and is definately worth the title.

YUDDHAM SEI

Director: Mysskin

Year: 2011

One of the darker films on the list, it deals with a really powerful and controversial topic. It is shot in a dark, gritty and almost guerrilla style, which provided much needed depth and character to the film. Even better is the fact that not even one of the actors in this film is bad. One of the best films I have seen in a long time.

CHAK DE INDIA

Director: Shimith Amin

Year: 2007

Chak De India is all in all a brilliant film which doesn't give up its heart for any reason. There is only one montage song and the movie in itself is wonderfully shot and written. The banter between the characters is wonderful and realistic. One of Shah Rukh Khan’s best performances yet.

TAARE ZAMEEN PAR

Director: Amole Gupte, Ram Madhvani, Aamir Khan

Year: 2007

There is nothing great about this film in the way it is shot, the way it is written is the way it is directed. What makes this film as exceptional as it is is the acting. A truly heart touching film about a dyslexic boy's struggle and how he overcomes it with the help of his teacher, it can be summed up in one word: wonderful.

ONNAIYUM ATTUKUTTIYUM

Director: Mysskin

Year: 2013

Another gritty shot film, onnaiyum attukuttiyum is one of the best examples of what a good director can do to a film. Another great thing about this is that most of the actors are unknown and we feel connected with them. Definitely a film worth checking out for aspiring filmmakers.

AYAN

Director: K.V. Anand

Year: 2009

One guilty pleasure of mine is Ayan. It is generally well directed and well shot with a great story. But what I didn't like is the fact that it had so many freaking songs in it. And one other thing that was bad was the heroine. All in all a really good film. This shows that good films can be made for even mass audience.

ANNIYAN

Director: S.Shankar

Year: 2005

Vikram put so much into this role that I just had to include it in this list. The story line itself is inspired be se7ven, but it is so well made that I had to include it anyway.

GAJINI

Director: A.R. Murugadoss

Year: 2005

Another similar film is Gajini. Although it is a complete rip-off of memento, unlike anniyan, it does do its job well and it is Surya's breakout performance. So, all in all a film worth including in this list.

RANG DE BASANTI

Director: Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra

Year: 2006

Rang De Basanti, is one of the best films about Indian freedom struggle that I have seem for some time, now. With breakout performances, this is so well made that I decided to add this to the list eliminating chennaiyil oru naal, a film which I loved.

So guys, there you go, ten fairly recent films which I consider to be some if the best films In the Indian film industry. If you notice something, you will see that this is the same people again and again that try to go out of the familiar territory of a masala entertainer. What I do hope is that in the future more people start experimenting outside the box. And please do something about the heroines who can't act. Please.

So this is EMJAYREVIEWS90 signing off. See you guys next time.

Peace!!