We have all looked at Bollywood as the producer of those no-story-only-masala movies till now. And well, Bollywood has done everything to deserve to be looked at like that. With uncountable movies devoid of real story and meaning, Bollywood has given us endless taste of tasteless Cinema.
It is ironical that we call them *Masala* movies because honestly, these movies are nothing but bland. Okay that’s enough. Things are changing now and the change is for good. We experienced some phenomenal movies in the year 2018 with Bollywood finally trying to break those archaic stereotypes, it has been cashing on since ages. Let’s dig in.
1. Raazi
Release date: May 11, 2018
Written by:Â Meghna Gulzar, Bhavani Iyer
With this gripping and emotionally tensed movie, Meghna Gulzar gives us a peek into the dangerous life of Indian agents who risked their lives for crucial information. Raazi is a very powerful drama with carefully crafted characters. Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal play their respective characters with brilliance. The best part of this movie is how it gives a glimpse of reality in the *spy* genre (somebody shouts Tiger Zinda hai) and refrains from being unnecessarily loud or jingoistic.
2. October
Release date:Â April 13, 2018
Written by:Â Juhi Chaturvedi
October is not just a movie, it’s a poem. It is a painful poem reflecting extreme levels of love and loss. And yet, it is also a beautiful story of unconditional love. Here’s a movie that is extremely different from every love story ever made in Bollywood. Shoojit Sircar’s October, even in all its brilliance, is difficult to watch because it makes you confront human being’s biggest vulnerability: Death. The characters of Dan and Shiuli are extremely well written, and the audience could very well connect with them. The Background score of the movie calls for a special mention. October is a movie that you cannot just watch; you will have to experience it.
3. Hichki
Release date:Â March 23, 2018
Written by:Â Siddharth Malhotra, Ambar Hadap, Ganesh Pandit
The movie Hichki deserves a lot of appreciation and love for its storyline and Rani Mukherji’s stellar performance. The direction of the movie is quite intelligent and thee storyline is full of emotions. Although, Hichki is not the perfect movie and falls short in many ways; it gets extra points for taking up an otherwise unpopular disorder called the Ourette Syndrome. Rani Mukherji does justice to her character with this syndrome and plays the role of witty and high spirited teacher.
4. Pad Man
Release date:Â February 9, 2018
Written by:Â R. Balki, Swanand Kirkire
Padman received a mixed review both from the audience and the critics. But at the end of the day, it remains a very important film highlighting a very important social issue. Padman is extraordinary true-life story about a man who went out of his way to make Sanitary Pads available for the women of his village. The movie plays a huge role in breaking the taboo around Periods and Sanitary pads in our country. Akshay Kumar and Radhika Apte were great with their acting and performance as usual. The best part of the movie is that it is less melodrama and more nuanced with relevant points and meaningful references.
5. Stree
Release date:Â August 31, 2018
Written by:Â Raj Nidimoru, Krishna D.K.
In this new era of Bollywood, we are not only trying to stop endorsing Patriarchy but also actively making movies that bash patriarchy like never before. Stree is a very important movie that confronted patriarchy as vigorously as it gets. Amar Kaushik’s Stree is a film that is full of symbolism and hidden messages. With the help of a clever story under the genre horror comedy, Stree stands up to ages of social oppression of women. Rajkummar Rao and Shraddha Kapoor have done justice to their respective roles. Stree is one of those feminist works of genius that shows you the truth while not making you uncomfortable.
6. Tumbbad
Release date:Â October 12, 2018
Written by:Â Rahi Anil Barve, Anand Gandhi, Adesh Prasad, Mitesh Shah
Tumbbad is psychological horror film, likes of which has never been made before. With its unimaginable illusions and uncertain storyline, Tumbbad keeps you on the edge of your seats. The film has a first-class production design and brilliant performances. The movie’s intensity and brilliance is in its depiction of human greed and the dark things it can make us do. The movie, despite being a horror film, is as real as it gets.
7. Bhavesh Joshi Superhero
Release date:Â June 1, 2018
Written by:Â Vikramaditya Motwane, Anurag Kashyap
The superhero films made by Bollywood are generally full of Masala and extremely exaggerated. But this piece of beauty is nothing like those quintessential superhero movies and yet it is everything a true cinema appreciator wants. A dark superhero film, Bhavesh Joshi, has a very sincerely written storyline with an equally sincere direction. The stunts have been choreographed by French actor Cyrill Raphaeli and they are so good, SO GOOD!
8. Manto
Release date:Â 21 September 2018
Written by:Â Nandita Das
Manto is an unconventional biopic on Urdu writer Saadat Hasan Manto. Manto was known for his modern writing and was one of those writers who constantly faced the wrath of those who couldn’t face the truth. Nandita Das’ Manto beautifully displays Manto’s real life and his stories, creating an effortless convergence of reality and fiction. You can watch Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s outstanding performance as Manto on Netflix.
 9. Andhadhun
Release date:Â October 5, 2018
Written by: Sriram Raghavan, Hemanth Rao
Andhadhun is being called one of the best thrillers ever made in Indian Cinema. It is even being put on the lists of best ever films. The movie is not only packed with mind-blowing performances by Tabu, Aayshman Khurana, Radhika Apte and everyone else but also has a nerve-wracking plot. The plot is so good that you do not let go of the movie even after it has ended. You carry the movie and its various interpretations back home and discuss it with the same zeal you watched the movie with. This movie sets its new rules and challenges all commercially driven suspense thrillers ever made in Bollywood. This is a movie that even many many years from now, will be remembered as an epic.
10. Badhaai Ho
Release date:Â October 18. 2018
Written by:Â Akshat Ghildial
Another movie starring Ayushmann Khuranna that challenges everything we have seen in Bollywood so far. It not only picks up a highly stigmatized topic of discussion in our society, but also presents it in way that has never been done before. The movie is a LAUGHTER RIOT and yet it has moments that makes you cry buckets. Amit Sharma’s Badhai Ho tells a heartfelt story about an old couple getting pregnant and then facing flak of the society. With a brilliant star-cast, the movie has one of the best performances of the year.
