Underrated Gems of Bollywood Part-1

Films. Music. Entertainment. The Indian audience simply loves Bollywood.

More than 700 feature films release every year. However, many cinematic gems out of these go unrecognised, several magnificent performances remain unnoticed and many end up becoming cult classics. But after all, it is all that stays in the hearts of the viewers.

This piece of writing appreciates visual crafts in the field of mainstream cinema.

Cinematic masterpieces not only involve great acting by the artists but also behind the camera brilliance including cinematography, music, background scores, and screenplay. The efforts behind the camera go unsung and the performances on screen go unappreciated.

Here’s to the first set of some great gems that went unsung and deserved much more.

First in this list is the 2007, Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwariya Rai starrer GURU that visually appeals the audience not only with its story but also with its music and screenplay.

Mani Ratnam’s directorial brilliance is clearly evident in this inspiring tale of a visionary villager.

Abhishek Bachchan who plays the role of a polyester manufacturer and a business tycoon effortlessly convinces the viewers of a character largely based on the life of Dhirubhai Ambani. Aishwariya Rai’s marvellous performance, R Madhavan’s commendable acting along with praiseworthy performances by Vidya Balan and Mithun Chakraborty makes Guru a visual treat.

Besides, A R Rahman’s magical touch to the melodious music department makes the Guru soundtrack a legendary one. Beautiful melodies like “Ay Hairathe” and “Tere Bina”, fast paced yet catchy “Maiyaa Maiyaa” and the exceptional background score is a bliss to the ears. Mani Ratnams’s Guru undoubtedly tops the list of highly underrated films ever made with Abhishek Bachchans performance being top tier.

Second in this list is Gauri Shinde’s coming-of-age drama, Dear Zindagi that is a slow yet a much needed film in todays times. Alia Bhatt is a gifted actress who plays the role of an insomniac who is mentally troubled and who looks to seek answers for her mental unrest from a psychiatrist, Dr. Jehangir Khan, impeccably played by the evergreen and ever-charming Shahrukh Khan.

The main idea of life being beautiful, living in the present and doing what one simply loves despite it being easy or hard is conveyed with ease and the screenplay indeed is prolific and unique. Shahrukh just stays himself, charming, classy and witty.

The soundtrack of the film very well mixes with the let-go atmosphere of the movie with “Just go to hell dil” and “Love you zindagi”. Arijit with his melodic genius gives a soothing touch to the album with “Tu hi hai” and “Taarefon se”. Dear Zindagi deservd much more as it simply highlights the importance of mental health and way of living a peaceful and a content life. The main highlight scene is the seashore kabaddi which sums up the ball of life and also Dr. Khan’s definition of genius.

“Genius woh nahi hota jiske paas har sawaal ka jawaab ho...Genius woh hota hai jiske paas har jawaab tak pahunchne ka patience ho”

Simply magical!

Lastly, is the Imtiaz Ali masterpiece, Tamasha that became a cult classic years after its release. It is funny how the story explored much more than Ved and Tara’s romance. After all, its an Imtiaz Ali special. The complexity of relationships is beautifully explored through Ranbir and Deepika’s characters. Having many layers within a character, we realise the cause through mediums like flashbacks and childhood.

The contradiction of Ved’s character from a carefree guy to a man who is trapped into his job and routine life is depicted using repetitive shots and mirrors. Tara is the heart of Tamasha. She sees the world in a way different from Ved and yet needs him in her life. She has everything but adventure and excitement in her life and feels the real Ved, whom only she can bring back, can help her be as carefree as him.

Tamasha’s unique music album with a funky “Matargashti”, the soothing “Agar Tum Saath Ho” and the legendary “Safarnama” shows how layered is the film in pace, mood and atmosphere. So much brilliance just to convey the fact that one should do what they love. It was truly ahead of its time.