When we consider our desi movies, drama, romance, fun, and entertainment are the first few things that come to mind. Our films are pure masaledaar, filled with passionate romance, clever humor, and powerful emotions. To understand life problems, struggles, and advancement, movies can help. However, several of the films addressed some serious social issues and were able to connect with their audience. These films, which addressed ingrained stigma and social stereotypes, not only raised awareness among viewers but also had a positive impact.
Here, we’ve put together a list of films that unquestionably challenged conventional wisdom in our culture and ushered in a fresh wave of change.
1. 3 Idiots
You don’t get crazy friends who teach you the most important life lessons every day. Despite the film’s abundance of hilarious one-liners, it made everyone realize how crucial it is to put your wants before what is expected of you. According to Aamir Khan, “Bachcha kabil bano, kabil… kamyabi toh saali jhak maarke peeche bhagegi.”
The movie, which is based on Chetan Bhagat’s well-known novel Five Point Someone, follows two college friends named Farhan and Raju as they develop a special bond with Rancho, a friend who promptly vanishes after graduation. When one of their college classmates appears to have found him ten years later, they set out in search of him. They keep on recounting the pleasant memories of their time in college. The hard-hitting movie 3 Idiots will make you laugh and cry at the same time.
2. Rang De Basanti
Amir Khan, the Mr Perfectionist of Bollywood, released yet another blockbuster. He has a real talent for incorporating meaningful life lessons into the enchanted world of entertainment. Aamir and his gang demonstrated that you must take the initiative to change your life.
3. Taare Zameen Par
Taare Zameen Par is another movie by Aamir Khan. We pondered whether finding perfection in even the most flawed people is possible after reading a lovely story that explores the imagination of an 8-year-old dyslexic child.
4. Queen
No matter if you have a shoulder to cry on in life or not, Kangana Ranaut inspired us to believe that a fairytale can still exist without a dashing prince to complete it. Simply muster the courage to enter the wild world.
5. Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara
The most crucial lesson in the movie Zindagi na milegi dobara, which was directed by Zoya Akhtar having actors Farhan Akhtar, Abhay Deol, and Hrithik Roshan and actresses Katrina Kaif and Kalki is to live life without regrets and to the fullest. To celebrate Kabir’s bachelor party, his three friends Arjun (Hrithik Roshan), Kabir (Abhay Deol) and Imraan (Farhan Akhtar) travel to Spain. Arjun comes to the realization that living in the present and being grateful for what one has is considerable, which he is lacking in his life while on the trip.
6. Badhaai Do
The way that Badhaai Do introduces the idea of a “lavender marriage” concept to the public is certainly eye-opening. The actor who plays Shardul Thakur, Rajkummar Rao, meets the actress who plays Sumi, Bhumi Pednekar. Due to pressure from society, neither of them can obtain their preferred sexual orientation. They finalize to consummate a deal which manifests as a cordial union. While Shardul represents a stout policeman’s character who is the epitome of masculinity in every frame—good looks, a great physique—the fact that he is gay repeatedly undermines his self-assurance. While Bhumi, a physical therapy trainer, works to find her ideal partner—a woman.
The plot revolves around their continuing need to fabricate lies to keep their sexual connections a secret from their families. The difficulties of a lavender marriage; i.e. the box of deceit, pressure, concealment, and pretentious behavior—are beautifully depicted in this movie. Harshavardhan Kulkarni, the director, does a fantastic job of revealing the characters’ gradual development rather than infusing the movie with a laborious social message.
7. English Vinglish
The film English Vinglish, which was directed by Gauri Shinde and starred by the talented Sridevi, conveys an essential message to the audience. The focus of the movie is Shashi (Sridevi), a housewife who is mocked by her family and society for not speaking English fluently.
Her life, however, changes when she decides to enroll in English-speaking classes while visiting her family in the US. She encounters several individuals who are similar to herself there, and they help her realize that she needs to value herself and not consider the limited viewpoint that society has given her. This film had a strong message about cherishing oneself beyond everything else, and that’s what connected with viewers.
8. Thappad
There’s no big deal, ek thappad hi toh hain. Taapsee Pannu has created a very impressive career graph for herself, continuing to work on films that combine entertainment with social relevance and educational value. Given the compelling narrative of never having to give in to patriarchal expectations by being a woman who cannot express her opinions, Thappad is among the most impressive films the actress has produced.
Her husband Vikram (Pavail Gulati), and Amrita (Taapsee Pannu), who plays the role of a devoted and content wife, lead a routine and happy life. Vikram slaps Amrita at an office party, however, after a workplace accident. Amrita chooses to file a lawsuit rather than remain silent and keep her head down. A divorce is appropriate for the actual physical assault that occurred. A slap cannot be disregarded, and Taapsee once more shines in this Anubhav Sinha film as a role model for contemporary Indian women by standing up for her rights and determination.
9. Pagglait
The film, which addresses enduring misogyny, sexism, and islamophobia, centers on a recently widowed young woman who refuses to grieve after her husband dies. And as a result of this film, people began to change how widows are perceived in patriarchal societies.
10. Dangal
The movie Dangal, one of the best of 2016, stars Amir Khan, Fatima Sana Sheikh, and Saniya Malhotra and is based on champion wrestlers Geeta and Babita Phogat. We must admit that, despite Amir Khan’s presence in the movie, the girls’ outstanding acting abilities stole the show.
The plot centers on Mahavir Singh Phogat (Amir Khan), who wants to raise his boys to be great wrestlers but is disappointed that he is childless. He soon learns, however, that his daughters can wrestle because it runs in the family. Then he trains them to become the best female wrestlers in the nation. The movie is all about the power of women and how people need to abandon the notion that girls should only perform domestic duties.
Conclusion
Films evoke a wide range of emotions in us, motivate us to pursue our goals and work harder every day, and inspire us to live life to the fullest, and that’s exactly why we love them. Many people believe Bollywood only makes entertaining movies, but we don’t believe this to be true. The opposite is also true: society is reflected in cinema. However, society has its own deeply ingrained beliefs and perceptions that pass down through the ages and serve as a standard for future generations.