Best Hindi Movies on Netflix, from Bollywood and up

Netflix has a huge selection of movies from India, especially from the Hindi industry, and looking through their catalog can be overwhelming. If you don’t know where to look and the algorithm is failing you, here are eight places to start. From big Bollywood productions to some smaller indie/arthouse selections, this is one of the best Hindi movies Netflix has to offer.

Dil Se.. and Mani Ratnam’s movies

Image: Amazon Prime Video

Beloved director Mani Ratnam is one of the few Indian filmmakers to achieve success and international critical acclaim. Dil Se.. his best known, and it’s not hard to see why. It’s a stunningly beautiful colonial and political drama masquerading as an interstellar love story with some of the most unforgettable visuals and songs in Bollywood. Some more Ratnam series also streaming – Hindi dramas Yuva and Guruas well as Tamil classics Bombay, Kannathil Muthamittaland O Kadhal Kanmani. All six are well worth your time, and if you’re not already exploring Indian cinema, his films are a great way to start.

Main Hoon Na and Om Shanti Om by Farah Khan

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Two of Farah Khan’s four directorial debuts are available to stream, and both are simply magical. The longtime choreographer who has helped popularize some of Bollywood’s biggest stars also has great directing talent, and her films are perfect if you need to cast me. Khan’s most striking skill is her deft way of combining classic stories and references – filled with cameos and sublime jokes, they are the work of an incomparable man. Loving the art of cinema, her various obsessions easily blend into her own signature style. It’s Hoon Na is the story of a secret army major at a college, and Om Shanti Om is an epic about romance and reincarnation that follows a young man whose life is changed after he meets his favorite actress. Both have a lot of comedy, romance, action and fun – plus, the more you learn about Bollywood, the more rewarding they’ll be to revisit. Guarantee and stick with the final credits!

Highway and the films of Imtiaz Ali

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Imtiaz Ali is a controversial filmmaker – his deeply personal romances are gorgeous, filled with unforgettable music and complicated (often inaudible) characters and stories. ) is sure to spark discussion. Highway, his masterpiece, is about a rich young girl who falls in love with her captor and by chance he grants her freedom. His other four films: Jab we met, Jab Harry meets Sejal, Tamashaand Love Aaj Kal (2020) is also streaming. Love him or hate him, his films are always fascinating, and present a chaotic, flawed person that is rarely seen on screen and hard to resist.

Ishqiya and Dedh Ishqiya

Ishqiya has a tone unlike any other – a comedy about a best friend’s trip that is touching without being poignant, humorous but dark and sad, Ishqiya is filled with love for music and classical Hindi art. The three perfect lead performances by Vidya Balan, Naseeruddin Shah and Arshad Warsi combined with lovely photography and witty writing give a modern indie feel to the audience. By Ishqiya Classic Bollywood frames. It and its sequel are equally great Dedh Ishqiya create a funny, sexy and interesting story.

Dev.D (2009)

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Bengali Novels Devdasabout a man who falls into depression and alcoholism after losing the woman he loves, there have been several screen adaptations, but by Anurag Kashyap Dev.Dev is a very different beast. Taking place in modern times, Dev is a spoiled young man who turns to drugs after breaking up with his childhood love, and ends up meeting a similarly obsessed sex worker who changes his mind. his life. Dev.Dev is a black comedy mixed with drugs and abuse, with a colorful and deranged energy that serves as a parody of its lavish predecessors. The subversive retelling pushes back the homage to its tragic hero, while still offering the possibility of forgiveness and redemption. This subversive movie with a huge following still feels fresh and raw more than a decade later.

Amrapali (1966)

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A period piece rich with detailed costumes and sets, Amrapali takes place in 500 BC and is the story of an insatiable king determined to ruthlessly conquer every city he can. Along the way, he meets dancer Amrapali, played by radiant actress Vyjayanthimala, who eventually makes him question his worth. Partly a flop upon release, this film is heavy on the erotic energy of violence, power, and the beautifully hypnotic classical dance played today.

Andhadhun (2018)

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Andhadhun was such a hit upon release that it had two remakes, with a third being works. The story of a blind musician who is dragged into a murder mystery with a pure female idol Hitchcock, and it’s a rare homage to the master who fuses classical and modern techniques in a unique way. does not feel tired or derivative. Not only was it a huge surprise, but it was shot and executed to perfection, with lead actors Tabu and Ayushmann Khurrana deftly transitioning from suspense to dark comedy with a depth not often found in the genre. This will appeal to those who are looking for something out of the ordinary and who have missed out on previous Hollywood horror films.

Jodhaa Akbar (2008)

Photo: Balaji Telefilms

A true epic, this 16th-century Mughal Empire film has everything you could want from a big-budget hit. Royal intrigue, lavish costumes and settings, great music and action are the perfect backdrop for the long-lasting romance between gorgeous stars Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. They really don’t make them what they are anymore – big budgets are spent mainly on aesthetic pleasures and igniting a relationship and empire in turmoil is fun to indulge in and escape in. few hours.