Big caveat - since the name proudly proclaims the Bambaiya origins of the writer - the list contains movies released in Bombay in the year 2010 (which includes some movies which were released in 2009 worldwide )
Sherlock Holmes
There were three good Robert Downey Jr movies this year - but only one makes the cut. Even with a slightly disappointing mystery, this remarkable adaptation of the classic detective franchise by Guy Ritchie was one of the highlights of this year. The spectacularly visualized super-slo-mo fights, the rapid fire humorous exchanges (bromance?) between Holmes and Watson and the authentic 19th century sets make it a must repeat-watch
Paranormal Activity
The small-budget horror movie that made quite a few bravehearts skip a beat with its potrayal of an always lurking, but never-seen monster that terrorizes a suburban couple in LA. While it takes a while to build up that tension, the pressure mounts rapidly in the end and the sudden ending is sure to leave you shaken. And despite all my bravado, I dont think I want to sit through it again
Road to Sangam
A really touching movie that most people probably never heard about. Yet among the movies listed here, if I had to choose one that everyone should have seen, it would be this movie. A simple god-fearing muslim mechanic finds himself trapped between religion and patriotism when a motor engine that carried Mahatma Gandhi's ashes needs repairs and muslim leaders of his locality have downed shutter as a protest against the government. The writing is almost impossibly nuanced and deceptive, and the movie has many layers. And if you still need some more convincing, Tusshar Gandhi (Mahatma Gandhi's grandson) saw it fit to play himself in the movie for a substantial part.
Striker
In Wake Up Sid last year, we saw a wonderful coming-of-age movie - but in the candyfloss world of Yash Raj productions. Striker is raw, gritty, real-world coming-of-age movie, set in the 1980s in the slums of Malvani in Mumbai. A gifted carrom player, shackled by the crime and poverty, strives to make it big in life. Some wonderful cinematography depicting the 1980s era accurately and an award-worthy performance by Ankur Vikal in a supporting role - Striker is one of best kept secrets of 2010.
Up in The Air
After its nominations and awards, Up in The Air really doesnt need any words from me. A moody, melancholy film about a man who fires people for a living - and collects air miles with a passion. Till he meets someone who also collects air miles - and he thinks he has found someone who understands him ...
Love Sex Aur Dhokha
With Love Sex and Dhoka, Dibakar Banerjee has almost cemented his claim as India's coolest director by making this
Udaan
Already a recipient of several critics awards in many Bollywood awards ceremonies, Udaan is the other coming-of-age movie in this list. Equally gritty, but much more personal and melancholy than the first one, Udaan feels almost an autobiographical tale about teenage angst and despair under an autocratic father and in an alien land. Slow and brooding, but with an equally liberating and exhilirating end
Tere Bin Laden
The first light-hearted movie in this list. Some loser journalists in Pakistan stumble upon a Osama Bin Laden-lookalike and try to exploit the similarity. Recruiting a rag-tag bunch of friends, they set about making their fake Osama a real one. A genuine laugh out loud situational comedy made memorable with the Urdu-Punjabi mix and the antics of the murga Sikandar.
Inception
Again, gazillions of pages have been devoted to the enigma called Inception and I feel really incapable of saying anything that hasnt been said. The gifted director Christopher Nolan toys with the audiences, showing them a convulted story of dreams within dreams - where nothing is what it seems. And to top it all, he leaves a somewhat ambiguous ending - setting up the basis for heated arguments all around the planet. Intriguing and devilishly-clever
Peepli Live
Aamir Khan's first production which didnt have him acting. Peepli Live was a sensitive (and sarcastic) take on the hardships faced by farmers and the ridiculous extents our news media will go to cover a juicy story. In this case, it was the carrot of a live suicide of a farmer under a pile of debt. As the media frenzy increases, the Natha's home becomes a battleground/circus for various reporters and political parties. Yet, debutante director Anusha Rizvi ends the movie on a surprisingly nuanced and haunting note. A touching story which succeeds in making you think
Do Dooni Char
A touching middle-class story that harks back to the days of Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Amol Palekar movies. Do Dooni Char stars Rishi Kapoor as a middle-aged maths teacher, who like other middle class families, just barely makes ends meet. But when he decides he wants to buy a car, it sets of a chain of events which ends in reaffirming family ties and one happy Duggal family. Rishi and Neetu Kapor as Mr and Mrs Duggal make this movie super special - and a must watch
The Social Network
A movie that is more of a documentary rather than a feature film, follows the birth and rise of www.facebook.com and tells us the story of its founder Mark Zuckerberg. We get the inside story about how facebook might not be Zuckerberg's idea at all - and how alienated (and mistreated?) some of his closest aides. A fascinating docu-drama, with crisp dialogues and an enigma called Mark Zuckerberg
Phas Gaya Re Obama
Phas Gaye Re Obama happens to be another biting sarcasm, about the cottage industry of kidnapping in the hindi heartland of India. A down-on-his-luck NRI gets kidnapped by cash-strapped kidnappers languishing in the recession aftermath. However, there are bigger fish in the waters and a NRI is too good a bait to let go. Phas Gaye Re Obama is a delightful play on the subprime crisis, with some subtle comic situations and some outrageous guffaws. All culminating in a very intelligent ending.
Band Baaja Baaraat
And finally, my most favorite movie of this year ! A bollywood love story of two colourful individuals who are complete opposites - yet inevitably get attracted to each other. Filmed amidst the riotous colours of Delhi weddings and with catchy songs, Anushka Sharma and debutante Ranveer Singh steal hearts with their performances. And you go home with a wide smile plastered on your face
Honorable mentions
- The Hurt Locker
- Ishqiya
- Ironman 2
- The A Team
- Despicable Me
- Due Date
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