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5 Indian Films to See in 2014

Published: Dec 31, 2013 06:59:08 AM IST
Updated: Jan 3, 2014 12:33:40 PM IST
5 Indian Films to See in 2014

1. Kajarya
by Madhureeta Anand
An assured second feature, and a strong, original voice about female foeticide in India, the film questions notions of women’s emancipation, and explores how India lives in many centuries at the same time. A Delhi journalist exposes a woman, believed to embody Goddess Kali, who ritually kills girl children in a village near Delhi. Co-produced by Q’s Overdose Films, the film had a world premiere at the Dubai International Film festival.


2. Kanyaka Talkies (Virgin Talkies)
by KR Manoj
A superb debut feature in Malayalam, it is a satire about a run-down porn cinema theatre in rural Kerala, that is transformed into a new church. It stars Murali Gopy and Lena.

It was deservedly the opening film of the Indian Panorama at the International Film Festival of India. It not only intertwines meaty ideas about cinema, religion and repressed sexuality, but is shot with distinctive visual flair by Shehnad Jalal, and has good sound design. The film explores insanity and hypocrisy, and how independent women, stifled by small, claustrophobic societies, come to a bad end.

5 Indian Films to See in 2014
3. Tumbad
by Rahi Anil Barve
A period horror film, it is about three generations of a Brahmin family in Pune, set in the pre-independence era. It is a brooding tale of greed, flecked with elements of fantasy: Even as the nation gains freedom, the protagonists regress to greed and corruption. It is the debut feature of Barve, whose short film Manjha was released by director Danny Boyle, along with his Slumdog Millionaire’s Blu-ray Disc. Produced by Recyclewala Films, it includes Ship of Theseus director Anand Gandhi, and actor-producer Sohum Shah, who plays the protagonist. Terrific craftsmanship, atmospheric cinematography—with Pune’s dark, stone ‘wadas’ (traditional residences) and pouring rain.


4. Bombay Velvet
by Anurag Kashyap
The first of a planned trilogy on how Bombay city became a metropolis, it is set against a backdrop of love, greed, violence—and jazz—from the ’50s to the ’70s. The film stars Ranbir Kapoor, Anushka Sharma and Karan Johar, and is co-produced by Fox Star Studios and Phantom Films. Kashyap, of course, is presiding deity of independent Indian cinema: His Ugly was at Cannes, and he also co-produced The Lunchbox and Monsoon Shootout, both of which were also at Cannes.

5 Indian Films to See in 2014
5. Jigarthanda
by Karthik Subbaraj
A stylish film starring Siddharth, Lakshmi Menon and Simha, it is named after the famous falooda drink from Madurai (it also puns on the cold-hearted). It is about a director who wants to make a film on a gangster. He meets a real life gangster for research, leading to a piquant situation. Following the success of his thriller, Pizza, Karthik Subbaraj directs the film in Tamil, produced by Kathiresan. The film has a hip, original voice, quoting Tarantino, but also mocking Westerns.

(This story appears in the 10 January, 2014 issue of Forbes India. To visit our Archives, click here.)

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  • Pramoth Kumar

    Jigarthanda is simply fantastic with a different genre. Never expected such a Torantino\'s type of movie from a Indian movie maker. Simha was phenomenal. The next generation of movie makers are coming forward to build a strong industry ahead. Credits to Karthik, Simha and Siddharth. Waiting to see more movies with different genre.

    on Aug 3, 2014
  • Mohamed Ashiq

    Jigar thanda the movie is cool.again a massive hit for kartick subbaraj.the back ground music is also good.guys dont miss it. good treat a gang story to watch..

    on Aug 2, 2014
  • Arfaz

    Looking forward to watch Kanyaka Talkies. Has not been released in theatres yet..

    on Apr 14, 2014
  • Neha Singh

    And apart from Tumbad, the only other film that I am looking forward to, though it is not part of this list, is Kanu Behl\'s debut, Titli. Have heard a lot of complimentary things about it from the people whose opinion I trust.

    on Jan 8, 2014
  • Neha Singh

    Of all the films, Tumbad looks the most promising and ambitious, especially because the entire team of Ship of Theseus is behind it. Had the privilege of seeing parts of it and I can safely say that there is no match in the kind of craftsmanship and aesthetics these guys have put forward. It can compete with the best in the world, not just in our country. If you thought Ship of Theseus looked incredible then you\'ve got to wait for Tumbad. Pankaj Kumar (DOP) has outdone himself. It\'s engaging, mysterious and so entertaining. It is one film that needs to be experienced on a big screen. Waiting with bated breath.

    on Jan 8, 2014
  • Pruthwiraj Sai

    i loved the information on movies.kindly give more on bombay velvet

    on Jan 3, 2014
  • Peter Simon

    The Last One JKigarthanda sounds quite similar to Kim Ki Duk\'s story: Rough Cut. Hope it isn\'t true. Mr Voice Over Subbaraj - entertain us. Please. Honestly.

    on Jan 1, 2014
    • Zamrod34

      LOL. Jigarthanda is phenomenal. The story is very original. Kum Ki is about a gangster who wanna act in movies while Jigarthanda is totally different story. Cinematography is out of this world. Go on and watch Jigarthanda, zillion times better than Rough Cut.

      on Aug 5, 2014
  • Hurendrarai Shah

    Great news. Worth waiting for . .Will be a Good n worth change from the silly and mindless .big budget movies. Let us hope for better movies.

    on Dec 31, 2013
  • Hurendrarai Shah

    Promising scene on Indian cinema. Worth waiting for. Let us hope these and other such movies in future will give us a relief from the silly and ridiculous so called big Budget movies. Here is hoping for better movies.

    on Dec 31, 2013