Hotstar is in a league of its own when it comes to streaming platforms. It has a whole host of movies, shows, sports content, and whatnot and it caters to a wide audience. However, in the midst of all this content, it can be difficult to decide what to watch when boredom hits.
We’ve picked 5 unique and eclectic Indian movies on Hotstar that cover a host of different moods/themes/vibes. Check the following out!
Mumbai Matinee
This Rahul Bose-starrer is a sometimes fun, sometimes poignant watch that follows Debu, a 30-something advertiser who, by all other accounts, is quite normal. But he has one problem—he’s still a virgin. When he and Baba Hindustani, played by the spectacular Vijay Raaz, cross paths, Debu realises he has ended up with more than he initially bargained for.
What makes this film standout, apart from the stellar performances by the lead cast, is its excellent story and dialogues. While many Indian movies in the 2000s experimented with the sex comedy trope, hardly any have done it in as nuanced a manner as Mumbai Matinee.
Jhankaar Beats
Not only is Jhankaar Beats one of our personal favorite on Hotstar, but its also a unique, feel-good film like no other. It’s why it has grabbed the second spot on my list.
This movie takes you down memory lane with its beautiful rendition of R.D. Burman music, which, compared to today’s over-saturated, lacklustre remixes, really reminded me of the era when the greats were revered by a next generation of artists. (Think: nakal mein bhi akal chahiye hoti hai). Even though this film came out in 2003, it still hits the spot today.
The movie revolves around three friends—Deep, Rishi, and Neel—as well as their personal and professional struggles while they prepare for the Jhankaar Beats music competition and try to make their dreams come true. It has industry veterans like Juhi Chawla and Rahul Bose as well as Shayan Munshi and Sanjay Suri in lead roles.
If you want to feel some sense of normalcy and escape the various stressors of life today, then you can steal a couple of hours and go back in time with Jhankaar Beats.
Ghar
This blast from the past has Rekha and Vinod Mehra in the lead. The two play a romantic couple that faces immeasurable tragedy after they tie the knot. So as to not spoil the movie for you, I won’t mention the trauma they suffer.
However, even though you may be desensitised to the issues they face, you’ll still appreciate the softness with which the film explores the aftermath of these experiences for the pair.
What also makes it one of the best movies is its incredible music. With R.D. Burman at the helm, evergreen classics like Aap Ki Aankho Mein Kuch and Phir Wahi Raat Hai feature on the soundtrack.
Plus, Rekha and Dinesh Thakur (the writer) both won Filmfare’s back in 1979 for their work on Ghar.
Parzania
Parzania features the powerhouse combination of Naseeruddin Shah and Sarika as a Parsi couple who is looking for its son Parzan in the wake of the 2002 communal riots in Gujarat. Corin Nemec also plays the role of Allan, an America in India writing his thesis on Gandhi.
Parzan is played by Parzaan Dastur, who, as a child actor, rocked our screens in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai as well as in the song Ye Ladka Hayye Allah in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. He is that cute kid whose always counting the stars and just being a generally mischevious lad.
However, the role he plays in Parzania is the complete opposite.
Not only do a mother and son separate, the plot also navigates how the tragedy then goes on to impact various communities, making Parzania a sobering film to watch. But the focal point of the film isn’t the politics; it’s the human cost of the communal riots. Watching the parents grieve isn’t easy, but Parzania opens up conversations on the likes of spirituality, trauma, hatred, loneliness, and systemic failures by the end.
Despite Parzania being released in 2007, unfortunately, in a country like ours where communal violence is a reality, the film has managed to stay relevant even after so many years.
Side Note: The film was initially not released in Gujarat owing to its sensitive nature, but limited screenings were eventually allowed.
Parzania went on to win two National Film Awards as well as Filmfare Awards, making it a must-watch.
Gulmohar
I must confess: I watched Gulmohar at a time in my life where I was really in the “hate” phase of my love-hate relationship with Delhi, my birth place. I bring this up because Gulmohar actually felt like a tribute to the version of Delhi that I have always loved. It really is one of those films in which the location takes on the quality of an intrinsic character so effortlessly.
The film follows the Batra family as they try to cope with the sale of their house and their new reality of everyone going in different directions.
As the matriarch (Sharmila Tagore) reveals her intention to move to Pondicherry, new secrets come to life, and they must now all reassess their biases, beliefs, and what family means to them.
Some of the themes it revolves around are those of personal responsibility, love, passion, family, and relationships, and Gulmohar does so in a beautiful way.
Plus, there’s a cheeky revelation at the end that really makes the entire journey worth it.
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