Did you know that more than 1,000 movies are made every year in Bollywood, double than the number of movies that come out of Hollywood? But only a handful of movies, most of them from a few famous actors, ever get the fame and recognition they deserve. Movies that have action scenes and clicked stories create the most buzz. In fact, many Indians would rather watch Cricket and participate in cricket betting before watching a movie with lesser-known actors. This is why here we list some of the most underrated Bollywood movies of all time.

Masaan

Masaan is a 2015 drama film directed by Neeraj Ghaywan. It stars some well-known actors like Richa Chadda, Vicky Kaushal, Shweta Tripathi, and Sanjay Mishra. The movie is set in present-day Varanasi and follows two separate stories that eventually converge. The first story is of the college teacher Devi Pathak who becomes a victim of the stigma associated with pre-marital sex. While the second story revolves around another Varanasi resident Vicky Kaushal who works in cremation ghats by burning funeral pyres. He’s stuck in a society that discriminates against his low caste and wants to transcend the restrictions of a casteist society.

 

These characters try to escape the harsh realities and find respite in each other at the conclusion of this beautiful story. Massan received overwhelming critical acclaim from mainstream media. It was praised for giving a great impression of a small town on the viewer’s mind and for the exceptional acting by the lead actors. The Hollywood Reporter described the film as “a classically poignant drama of star-crossed love” and “part of the new generation of indie films whose clear intent is to set ablaze a hidebound society’s constrictions on personal liberty.” Masaan won various awards at the Cannes Film Festival, the Producers Guild Film Awards, the 22nd Screen Awards, the Filmfare Awards, the Zee Cine Awards, the National Film Award, and the Stardust Awards.

Tumbbad

 

Tumbbad is a 2018 historical period horror film directed by debutant Rahi Anil Barve and Adesh Prasad. It’s directed by Barve, Prasad, Mitesh Shah, Anand Gandhi. Starring Sohum Shah as Vinayak Rao in the lead role, the plot follows the story of his search of a hidden treasure in the 20th-century village of Tumbbad, Maharashtra.

 

The premise revolves around a mythical story of the Goddess of Prosperity who gave birth to 160 million gods. She loved her first-born, Hastar, above all others. However, because of Hastar’s greed for food and gold, the other gods attacked him. The goddess agreed to save him in a pinch, but on the condition that he could never be worshipped and would be forgotten by history. Cut to today, Vinayak is interested in acquiring the gold said to be hidden with Hastar in a mansion. It explores mankind’s unsatiated desire to have more.

 

The Lunchbox

 

The Lunchbox is a 2013 epistolary romantic movie. It’s written and directed by Ritesh Batra and stars well-known names like Irrfan Khan, Nimrat Kaur, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui in lead roles. The movie focuses on the story of two characters: Saajan Fernandes and Ila. Ila a lonely housewife who decided to add some spice to her stale marriage by preparing a special lunch for her careless husband. However, the food she delivers accidentally lands up in the hands of Saajan, an irritable widower. Over the course of the movie, Ila and Saajan begin an unusual friendship by exchanging letters through the lunch box. They share their joys and sorrows without ever meeting in person.

The Lunchbox received a standing ovation at the International Critics’ Week at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival. It also won the Critics Week Viewers Choice Award knows as Grand Rail d’Or.