The Best of Modern Bollywood: 10 Films That Defined the Last Decade
Bollywood — the Hindi-language film industry centered in Mumbai — has undergone a remarkable creative evolution over the past ten years. Alongside the big-budget masala entertainers, a wave of content-driven, character-rich films has emerged. Here are ten films that genuinely deserve your time.
1. Andhadhun (2018)
Sriram Raghavan's darkly comic thriller about a blind pianist who witnesses a murder is one of the most tightly plotted Indian films ever made. Ayushmann Khurrana is outstanding. If you watch one film on this list, make it this one.
2. Gully Boy (2019)
Zoya Akhtar's love letter to Mumbai's underground rap scene, inspired by real-life artists Divine and Naezy. Ranveer Singh delivers a career-defining performance, and the film's energy is infectious from start to finish.
3. Article 15 (2019)
Anubhav Sinha's unflinching look at caste-based discrimination through the lens of a police procedural. Ayushmann Khurrana again shines. This is Bollywood at its most socially conscious and cinematically assured.
4. Tumbbad (2018)
A gothic horror-fantasy unlike anything else in Indian cinema. Set across several decades, it weaves together greed, mythology, and atmosphere into something genuinely extraordinary. A cult classic in the making.
5. Dangal (2016)
Aamir Khan's sports drama about wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat training his daughters to become world-class athletes. Emotionally powerful and brilliantly performed, it became one of the highest-grossing Indian films globally.
6. Masaan (2015)
Neeraj Ghaywan's quiet, devastating drama set in Varanasi explores grief, love, and social constraint. Beautifully shot and deeply humane — this is the kind of film that stays with you for days.
7. Queen (2014)
Kangana Ranaut in the role that made her a star. A young woman travels to Europe alone after her fiancé calls off the wedding, and discovers herself in the process. Simple premise, extraordinary execution.
8. Pink (2016)
A courtroom drama that tackles consent and victim-blaming head-on. Amitabh Bachchan is magnetic as the defense lawyer. Blunt, necessary, and impressively made.
9. Drishyam (2015)
This remake of the Malayalam original stars Ajay Devgn as a man determined to protect his family at any cost. A masterclass in suspense construction — the plot mechanics are supremely satisfying.
10. Stree (2018)
A horror-comedy that manages to be genuinely funny and genuinely unsettling. Set in a small town terrorized by a supernatural entity, it works as both genre entertainment and sharp social commentary.
Where to Watch
- Most of these films are available on Netflix India, Amazon Prime Video, and JioCinema
- Availability varies by region — use JustWatch to check your country