The year 2017 proved that audiences were craving rooted, relatable stories set in rural or small-town India. It was also the year that regional cinema issued a massive wake-up call to Bollywood. Key Highlights and Trends
Taboo-breaking, small-town social comedies with high relatability. Badhaai Ho , Shubh Mangal Saavdhan , Dream Girl
When the dust of the pandemic settled, the industry publications wrote about the "Lost Years" of 2020-2021. They talked about the big flops and the streaming wars. But tucked away in the corners of the internet, Arjun’s text file remained—a simple, unassuming document that preserved the soul of an era, ensuring that the quiet stories were just as loud as the blockbusters.
The Definitive Index of Hindi Movies (2016–2021): The Era of Realism, Streaming, and Content Shifts index of hindi movies 2016 2021
He updated his text file.
Massively successful films driven entirely by complex female protagonists. Raazi , Thappad , Mimi , Piku 🏆 Highly Acclaimed Masterpieces (The Must-Watch List)
: Ayushmann Khurrana solidified his brand of "taboo-breaking comedy" by playing a groom dealing with erectile dysfunction in a middle-class setting. The year 2017 proved that audiences were craving
: Vidya Balan brought the vibrant life of the world-famous "human computer" to streaming audiences. Early Theatrical Exceptions
The years 2016 to 2021 marked a transformative era for Hindi cinema (Bollywood), characterized by a shift towards content-driven narratives, the rise of digital streaming platforms, and the massive success of commercial blockbusters. This period saw the industry evolve, bridging the gap between artistic storytelling and box office success.
: Starring Akshay Kumar, this gripping historical thriller detailed the massive real-life evacuation of Indians stranded in Kuwait during the Gulf War. Badhaai Ho , Shubh Mangal Saavdhan , Dream
: Sriram Raghavan’s brilliant black-comedy thriller starring Ayushmann Khurrana that kept audiences guessing until the very last frame.
: The last major theatrical blockbuster to release before the pandemic lockdowns.
: Ranveer Singh headlined this sports drama chronicling the Indian cricket team’s historic 1983 World Cup victory, released theatrically to high critical acclaim.
A delightful slice-of-life romantic comedy that revitalized the small-town ensemble sub-genre. 2018: The Triumph of the Writers
: A hard-hitting courtroom drama that sparked national conversations on women’s consent.