This article features 11 Most Underrated Bollywood Movies of All Time

When it comes to Indian cinema, there is only one name on the lips of everyone and it’s Bollywood. The Hindi Cinema wing of Indian Cinema has the most commercial success in a calendar year than any other. Some films do very well at the box office, whilst others just fail. The hit films were once decided upon the number of houseful shows it shall have for weeks at stretch. However, with the change in cinema, from single screens to multiplexes, the declaration of a film’s status is now on the basis of its box office collection. Hence, in Bollywood, these good films are underrated movies.

The idea of writing an article about Underrated Movies in Bollywood:

A wise man once told me, “Now the films have to make a killer start at the box office or else it’s a flop. I remember, when 4 films shall release in a month; just one was hit. Seldom a film will be a super hit!” Well, this wise man is none other than my father. He and my mother watched Hum 12 times at the talkies; yes, those were the golden days.

The man who never misses a film is sad about today’s Hindi Cinema. Alongside, for the past few years, he is saying that there is no quality cinematic performance in Bollywood. Although he is the one who got me enticed into films, I beg to differ with him on this. Still, Bollywood produces some of the best films in India and those are a gem, yet, due to an obscure star cast, they are never in the limelight unless the box office collection crosses 100 crores. Seems stupid, but, yes, that’s the truth.

Why do Good Movies fail in Bollywood?

Films like Dhoom 3 have grossed over Rs. 400 crores worldwide; yet Maasan is still downloaded from Torrent. It does seem idiotic on our part, but, we live in a place where free diseases are more appreciated than paid precautions.

Leaving all these talks aside, let’s come back to the article. Nowadays, a film is hit on its box office collection, yet the film is too mainstream or stereotypical. But, on this list we are going to talk about the films which did not perform well at the box office, however, were really good films.

The list mentioned below is of the films which were excellent in terms of acting, direction, story and music, nonetheless only did average business at the box office.

So, here is the list of 11 Most Underrated Bollywood Films:

• Behen Hogi Teri
• Anjaam
• Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!
• The Lunchbox
• Luck By Chance
• Raman Raghav 2.0
• Ek Hasina Thi
• Phantom
• Bluffmaster!
• Nautanki Saala
• Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu

Behen Hogi Teri (2017)

A rom-com directed by Ajay Pannala, starring Shruti Hasan and Rajkumar Rao is a tale of lovers who love each other unconditionally, yet, do not confess to their parents as everyone in their colony has a ritual of every girl tying a sacred thread on the wrist of every boy, considering the union to be holy as brother and sister. As hilarious this plot sounds, the twists and turns churns up the humour and results in chaos unlike another.

Since Behen Hogi Teri’s budget was not too big, the setting is a small town in India. One good feature about this film is an excellent portrayal of acting. And, not just the display of six-pack abs and bikini body. The film is a complete family entertainer where a naïve and coy boy falls for an enthusiastic chic, where both are scared to confess their relationship to their parents; a must-watch with family and friends.

Anjaam (1994)

One of the most critically acclaimed works by Shah Rukh Khan. Anjaam is the story of a businessman, Vijay who falls in love with Shivani and turns into a psychopath when Shivani marries Ashok over him.

The best negative role played by Shah Rukh Khan, I never understood how a film with such a fantastic storyline, star cast and direction did not do well. This film is a lost gem in Bollywood; definitely worthy of making on this list.

Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! (2008)

Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye is one of those many films that failed to reach the hearts of the audience when it was on the big screen. Yet, over the years it has won millions of hearts, especially the youth. This film is on everybody’s list about one of the many Bollywood cult films. The other films to feature on the same list are Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron, Andaz Apna Apna, etc.

Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! is a story of a small-time thief who wants to make it big in the capital of the country, Delhi. Abhay Deol beautifully portrays the title character – Lucky. A hilarious turn of events takes place when Lucky churns between Police and Media for a robbery. It is a must-watch film jam-packed with laughter, deceive and drama.

The Lunchbox (2013)

The Lunchbox marks the debut of the highly skilled actress, Nirmat Kaur.  The film has a very simple yet, unique storyline. An exchange of tiffins from Mumbai’s Dabbawala builds the plot of this film. A middle-aged widower falls in love with a housewife over letters.

The film beautifully portrays two instances of love which are considered as a taboo in Indian society. The first one is a ‘wife’ falling in love with some other men than her husband. And the other one is the age difference between the male and female protagonist. A simple film that humbly justifies the concept of love and friendship when Irfan Khan and Nirmat Kaur exchange their problems and dearest emotions with each other via the means of letters. One letter at a time with the lunchbox. A cute and soothing film which apparently did not do well on the box office, yet marked its charm to the niche audience it was intended for.

Luck By Chance (2009)

The directorial debut of Zoya Akhtar, Luck By Chance is a gem of the film industry.

Fantabulous acting by the newcomer – director-actor, Farhan Akhtar, Konkana Sen Sharma and Minisha Lamba, this film marked a revolution in the minds of cinema lovers. Where the films in Bollywood always used to end in the male lead’s favour, this film ends with the female lead, Konkana  Sen Sharma’s perspective. And yes, they don’t end up together (Not so sorry for the spoiler). Perhaps, that’s the reason why this film failed to hit the targets on the box office. Nonetheless, the movie is an excellent experience. Do-Watch!

Raman Raghav 2.0 (2016)

Raman Raghav 2.0 is a neo-noir psychological thriller about two different characters, Ramanna, a serial killer and Raghavan, a drug-addict cop. Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Vicky Kaushal ecstatically portray both the characters, respectively.  A caste which surpassed all the expectations of quality acting and character donning.

One of the major reasons for this film to go flop was the theme and storyline of the film. India is a country where films usually end in a way that leaves the audience either grinning or laughing. However, being a neo-noir film, Raman Raghav 2.0 doesn’t allow the audience to be happy at the end of the film. The film is a hidden gem in Bollywood.

Raman Raghav 2.0 is a film that is must-watch. Experience cinema at its best with a series of murders caused by the inner devil; a dark and violent film that never got the recognition it deserved from the Indian audience.

Ek Hasina Thi (2004)

It seems that the Indian audience does not appreciate neo-noir genre too well. Ek Hasina Thi is another neo-noir on this list which failed to make its mark at the box office. The film is the directorial debut of Sriram Raghvan who worked with a highly talented cast which often, just like this film, is underrated.

The leads include Urmila Matondkar playing the sole protagonist and Saif Ali Khan playing the antagonist. A psychological thriller covering various themes like deceit, murders, suspense, and the best, revenge.

Ek Hasina Thi is a must-watch for all the movie lovers in India.

Phantom (2015)

Ever wondered what would it be like if the government decides to take revenge on terrorist organizations, how would it proceed? Phantom tells you how. This film is a spy-thriller by Kabir Khan, under Yash Raj Films Banner. The film stars Saif Ali Khan and Katrina Kaif as main leads. Alongside, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayub plays a pivotal supporting role.

It’s a revenge story of the 2008 Mumbai attacks by the terrorist organization, Lashkar-e-Taiba. This thriller is a must-watch film for every Indian. The film did have a decent box office collection, however, the popularity and coverage never hit the deserving spot; making it one of the underrated Bollywood movies of 2015.

Bluffmaster! (2005)

Bluffmaster! is a story of a con-man who is conned by his apprentice.

The film is popular for one of its signature dialogues, “How many days do you remember in a lifetime of 30 years?” The dialogue stole millions of hearts, including mine. The soundtrack, music composition and theme music of the film is iconic and still reaches the heart with the same thrust. A gem of a film that lost its position in the Hindi cinema with time. It’s not a hidden gem, but a lost one for sure.

Bluffmaster! is a masterpiece that makes me cry, laugh and feel with an astonishing punch of quirkiness and energy. Another speciality of this film is that the entire length was completely shot in Mumbai including famous streets and landmarks like P. D’Mello Road, Gateway of India, The Taj Mahal Hotel, Worli Sea Face, Maratha Mandir and many other locations. One can say that the cinematography displays only South Mumbai.

The cast includes stars like Abhishek Bachchan, Nana Patekar, Priyanka Chopra, Ritesh Deshmukh and Boman Irani. Well, it’s safe to say that Bluffmaster! is one of the many underrated Bollywood movies.

Nautanki Saala (2013)

This film teaches the lesson of losing a best friend, fiancé and love of your life within a couple of months when the protagonist, Ayushman Khurrana saves an unknown person, Kunal Roy Kapoor from the vicious act of suicide.

The film has numerous satirical and humorous scenes that do bring a burst of laughter in the air with elegant and intellect. The comic timing, acting, direction and storyline are exceptional. The irony of the film is that Ayushman Khurrana, the main lead, portrays Raavan in the play, Raavan Leela having the character name in the film, Ram; a classic satirical irony.

Despite being a film that did not perform well at the box office, it is surely a film that touches the heart. Nautanki Saala is a film that failed to steal the show before dropping the curtains.

Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu (2012)

Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu is a character story of Rahul who accidentally marries Riana in Vegas after drinking too much on Christmas eve. The story evolves from a blossoming stage of being strangers to turning best friends. It is an energetic portrayal by Imran Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan on the screen; that a guy and a girl can be just friends without hurting anyone’s feelings.

Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu incorporates a very important theme and aspect of the human life which we constantly ignore, Liberal Arts. The film is full of humour, one-liners and characters that are not just lovable, but also fun to watch.

Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu is a hidden diamond in the Hindi Cinema marking the spring of love, care and respect between two individuals who have a different view on life and love. The film is a light-hearted comedy with moments of drama, fun and tears.

This was my list of 11 most underrated Bollywood movies. The ratings of the movies are on the basis of their box office collection. Nevertheless, these films have cult-happenings after years of solitude, and sometimes company.

If we do not feature any other underrated films in this list of most underrated Bollywood Movies; do let us know in the comments. Click here for more entertainment articles.