As we all know, 2020 was a year destroyed by Covid19. Cinema and other entertainment industries found themselves in loss globally. Bollywood was no different.
Many groundbreaking movies raptured fans and audiences with heart-touching scripts, great direction, and unique stories. Most of the movies premiered digitally due to the pandemic, and very few movies were released in theaters during the initial months. Bollywood explored every genre in 2020, like love stories, biography, historical, comedy, etc. Despite Covid19, we still have 10 gems of Bollywood cinema. You should add them to your watch list if you’re looking for brilliant movie scripts.
1. Chhapaak
Directed by Meghna Gulzar and featuring Deepika Padukone in the lead role, Chhapaak is based on the real-life story of an acid attack survivor (“Laxmi Agarwal”). She was 15 when her face was splashed with acid by “Naeem Khan” (a 32-year-old family friend) because Agarwal had refused him. Chhapaak narrates the journey of acid attack survivor Malti and her fight for justice. Chapaak was declared tax-free in some states of India, including Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh. It became one of the best Hindi movies of 2020—an accurate tale of courage and strength.
2. Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl
This is based on the life of Gunjan Saxena ( an Indian Air Force pilot ). She was one of the first women who took part in 1999 in the Indian Kargil War. It shows Saxena’s persistence during life obstacles and facing challenges. It portrays Gunjan’s uphill battle in an inspiring way for the thousands of young women in India trying to overcome the effects of traditional gender roles.
I must say, it’s one of the finest and inspirational biopics of 2020, produced by Dharma production and Zee Studios. The movie is going to lift you up and also tell you about the conflict of Indo-Pak.
3. Angrezi Medium
Angrezi Medium is a Bollywood drama film, also the last film of the iconic actor Irfan Khan, directed by Homi Adajania. This movie is all about the story of father and daughter. Tarika ( Radhika Madan ) wants to study at London University. Her father, Champak Bansal ( Irfan Khan), owner of a sweetmeat shop, is not that financially strong, but he’ll do anything to make her dream come true. However, he’s a bit afraid of exotic lives and fears of losing his daughter.
In the movie, the comedic difference between Small Town India and London familiarly adds humor. I must say, it’s a well-written plot and in the end, this movie will make you miss & love your parents, in a heartwarming way.
4. Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan
It’s a love story of a Same-Sex couple with a strong social message. A historic judgment decriminalized same-gender sex in India in September 2020. After this, discrimination against LGBTQ people is still highly typical in India, and same-gender marriage is still banned. Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan is based on the bonding and love of a Gay Couple. Script, direction & screenplays are admirable, and they’ll make you laugh with a great social message.
Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan, Directed by Hitesh Kewalya, collected worldwide ₹863.9 million, becoming one of the top Bollywood movies of 2020.
5. Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior
Ajay Devgan featured in the Historic Action drama film, Tanhaji, an epic historical Blockbuster movie of 2020. The plot revolved around the real and epic story of the 17th Century when Tanhaji Malusare recaptured the Kondana fort.
It was directed by Om Raut and produced under the banner of Ajay Devgn Films and T series. The film was dubbed and also released in Marathi.
6. Dil Bechara
Dil Bechara was the most trending film and topic of 2020 because this was the last film of actor Sushant Singh Rajput. The movie’s story is based on the American novel “The fault in our stars” by John Green, which became a Hollywood movie with the same name. Dil Bechara’s film follows the story of 2 cancer survivors. They met in a support group, fell in love, and struggled to cope with the burden that emotion carries when you know that you don’t have much time to live with your loved ones.
SSR here plays the lead role of Immanuel Rajkumar Aka Manny and Sanjana Sanghi as Kizie Basu. Dil Bechara is filled with Comedy, Drama, and Romance. An emotional journey and story of two hopelessly youngsters. Screenplays, Editing, and Cinematography are remarkable, and AR Rahman‘s music is going to lift you.
7. Bulbbul
Bulbbul is a thriller film of 2020. Part period piece and part feminist storytelling, Bulbbul is a Sturdy film from both aspects. The producer of this film is Anushka Sharma. It was written by Karnesh Sharma and directed by Anvita Dutt. The story protagonist is Bulbbul (Tripti Damri), a child bride in the 1870s Bengal Presidency, married to an older landlord, Indranil (Rahul Bose).
Bulbbul is a mix of different era Bengali and Deshi horror, made for gripping viewing. It is also from those films whose creation and soundtracks are in perfect pitch. The music of Amit Trivedi is outstanding and beguiles you. In short, you’ll see a good combination of beauty and horror with a cinematic aesthetic.
8. Gulabo Sitabo
Gulabo Sitabo is a movie starring Amitabh Bachchan and Ayushman Khurrana in lead roles. We all know about Bachchan Sir, he’s a great actor of this century, and you’ll see his iconic role as Mirza Nawab and Ayushman Khurana as Baankey Rastogi. Gulabo Sitabo is a quirky dramedy that follows the story of a landlord Mirza Nawab who tries to get his tenant out of his priceless possession, his mansion in ruins. But the character of Baankey is no less. He gives it back to Mirza and continues to live in his house without paying a single penny.
You’ll feel the mixed taste of Hindi, Urdu, Awadhi language, and the beauty of Nawab’s city Lucknow. If you’re looking for a decent and different type of movie with brilliant screenplays, instead of love stories and romantic drama, then I’d highly recommend you to watch Gulabo Sitabo. A pure Hindi comedy film directed by Shoojit Sircar.
9. Raat Akeli Hai
If you love murder mystery films, you should watch Raat Akeli Hai. Wait! Nawazuddin Siddiqui is a tenacious police officer (jatil Yadav ). Now you have a big reason to watch this film. The story is about a movie where Raghubeer Singh, an old and rich Thakur, is murdered on his wedding day, and the whole family is under suspicion. Inspector Jatil Yadav (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) takes over the case as the powerful and lead investigator.
You’re going to be confused about the suspect and killer until the last 20 minutes of the movie. The ending is surprising, and of course, the picturization of the story is admirable, and the dialogue delivery of Nawazuddin Siddiqui is speechless. One of the best murder mysteries directed by Honey Trehan.
10. Panga
No doubt Kangana Ranaut is the finest actress of Bollywood, also known more for her tweets and replies on social media. Panga film proves Kangana is still a tremendous actress. Panga is a story of Jaya Nigam (a formal pro kabaddi player).
She had to give up her love for Kabaddi when she got married. Jaya Nigam (Ranaut) re-enter the world of Kabaddi at the age of 32, encouraged by her husband and son. Jaya confronts challenges of life, societal stereotypes around a mother’s role, as well as the physical restrictions of her own aging body. This is a tale of women, how they sacrifice their happiness and dreams for their families. Panga is an excellent family film.
Edited by Prakriti Arora
