Top 10 Bollywood films of 2016
The year 2016 is been splendid for Bollywood in many ways. From “Neerja” to “Dangal” we came across different content and some extraordinary performances on and off screen. We zeroed down on top 10 films of 2016 which stand tall on their strong content and great cinematic flair.
10. DANGAL
This year we’ve seen few phenomenal films but there was one film that hit the ball out of the park and that was Dangal. The film unveils the inspirational story of Phogat sister’s and wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat who fight against all odds to make his daughters stand tall in this male dominant world.
A path-breaking journey from local wrestling championship to the Olympics is filled with joy, hope and love. Aamir khan’s stellar performance and unbelievable transformation set this film on fire right from the beginning. Director Nitesh Tiwari’s control over his craft leaves us spellbound and force us to applaud his labour of love.
9. SARBJIT
A sister fights for 23 years to clear her brother’s name after he is posthumously accused of terrorism. Omung Kumar directs this film with sincerity and honesty.
Randeep Hooda, Aishwarya Rai, Richa Chadda live their respective part and made them believable. Sarbjit is heart-wrenching, It displays a sense of cruelty and how a dispute between two nations can put a person’s life at stake.
8. Dear Zindagi
Kaira a budding cinematographer wishes to become a filmmaker, but her relationship takes a downturn and her suffering starts from Insomnia and to cure it she meets Dr Jehangir Khan who takes her on the journey of life.
Alia Bhatt puts her soul into the character where director Gauri Shinde tells a complicated story with simplicity.
Dear Zindagi is a refreshing piece of cinema which is lite and yet deep.
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7. NEERJA
Neerja is a story of brave Neerja Bhanot who sacrificed her life while protecting the lives of 359 passengers on the Pan Am flight 73. Ram Madhvani created an atmosphere which took us back in 1986. He shot the film which looked like an actual hijack.
The transition between Neerja’s past and present had been amazingly shot and edited. Sonam gave us the sense of fear through her marvellous performance. Neerja is one of the best biopics in a long time.
6. ALIGARH
Aligarh is a story of Dr Shrinivas Ramchandra Siras, who gets suspended from his job because of his sexual orientation. Directed by national award winner Hansal Mehta handled this film with great sensitivity.
The film opens with a wide shot almost keeping us at a distance until the story unfolds. Manoj Bajpayee’s portrayal of a homosexual man is outstanding and leaves us in deep thoughts about societal pressure.
5. NIL BAANTEY SANNATA
Insaan doo hi cheezon se banta hai ek toh kismet se ya mehnat se and as we all know not everyone is born with a silver spoon. Nil Baantey Sannata is one such story of mother and daughter relationship. When Apeksha loses her interest in studies, and decide to become a maid like her mother, then Chanda her mother takes the charge and turns the table to make her daughter educated.
This delightful film is been directed by debutant Ashwini Iyer Tiwari. The film is beautifully shot and executed.
4. AE DIL HAI MUSHKIL
How Ae Dil Hai Mushkil made to this list? Well, it’s my personal pick of the year. A story of unrequited love seems to be relevant in the current zone time rather than the Rom-Com’s with a happy ending and they stayed happily ever after.
Karan Johar directs this with full-fledged heart leaving no stone unturned to display the pain of unrequited love.
3. UDTA PUNJAB
Udta Punjab is a film that sheds light on drug crisis which takes place in the state of Punjab. Capturing four different stories linked with the same issue is a core background of this film.
Film applauded for its storytelling and execution and the way it documented facts. Co-writer and director Abhishek Chaubey’s realistic approach makes this film stand out from the rest. Performances from the cast make you feel the world believable and more real. The film portrays that how consuming drugs can lead your life into drastic directions.
2. PINK
Debutant Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury’s Pink a hard-hitting courtroom drama revolves around the three character’s fighting back against the molestation.
No is not just a word but the expression itself is what this film underlines. We have been told to love the colour pink but the film reminds us to respect it as well.
1. KAPOOR & SON
Co-writer and director Shakun Batra crafts this immensely beautiful film with love and care. He structured the screenplay brilliantly by creating multidimensional characters, events and episodes which unfold the secrets these characters are hiding from each other.
Smooth hand handled shots which allow us to get into the personal space of these characters and know their story inside out. Kapoor & Sons is a brave film where a protagonist is not ashamed of his sexuality, a father accepts to be having an extramarital affair, a mother’s confession on how she betrayed her own son.
The film is a joyful ride filled with bucket of emotions leaves a message no matter how many ups and downs a family sees but being together, standing for each other and accepting the way we are, makes a family complete.