2016 proved to be a wonderful year for Indian film industry. Besides breaking the box office by several 100 crore club films, the year also gave us some critically acclaimed movies that movie lovers will cherish in the future too. So in this post we are going to mention the 15 movies released in 2016 that we think are unforgettable.

(Note: We tried to stay away from big budget mainstream movies to provide a platform for the ones with a more humble budget).

Check out this link to find the information about the list of Best Indian Movies Released on 2016-17

15 Best Indian Movies of FY 2016-17

 Aligarh (Hindi)

Director: Hansal Mehta

Cast: Manoj Bajpayee, Raj Kumar Yadav, Ashish Vidyarthi

2016 brought several stories inspired by true events; one such was Aligarh, based on the case of Dr Srinivas Ramchandra Siras. Besides being a gripping and intense story of a man fighting against a patriarchal and homophobic society, this film deserves to be seen for how it handled a sensitive issue with utmost sincerity and didn’t scandalise the story (as a majority of movies based on homosexuality tend to do in India).

Alligarh is Rated one of the Best Indian Films of year 2016.

Ammani (Tamil)

Director: Lakshmi Ramakrishnan

Cast: Lakshmi Ramakrishnan, Nithin Satya, George Mariyan, Subbalakshmi

India still lacks in the number of movies that put elderly in focus. Ammani tries to fill that void and does it beautifully. It is a story of two elderly woman who have left the good years of their lives behind without asking much for themselves in return. The movie shows two women of the same age bracket, living in poverty, but with polar opposite perspective on life. The film tries to explore the age old question ‘what makes a person happy’ through the perspective of two old women. In a society where most elderlies are categorised as invalids, Ammani is a very important film.

Thithi (Kannada)

Director: Raam Reddy

Cast: Thammegowda S, Channegowda, Abhishek HN, Pooja SM

Rarely comes a film that explores a dark subject like death, and makes it enjoyable. Thithi is one such film that is made with equal amounts of sincerity and fun. Winning several awards an multiple international and national competitions. The story of the film is about how a family deals with the death of the oldest man of their clan; who was also a crackpot, notorious in the whole village, giving his death a comic and sad twist. This is one of those rare films that has real people in its cast with no experience of acting and made it work.

Thithi is one of the notable Independent Films of 2016-2017.

Iraivi (Tamil)

Director: Karthik Subbaraj

Cast: Vijay Sethupati, Bobby Simha, SJ Surya

Iraivi is a unique film due to its treatment; though the film revolves around three male protagonists, but through them we learn how their actions wreck (and affect) the lives of the women involved with them. Besides talking about women suffering, the film also points out how a lot of men mistake their futile actions as empowering for women around them. Through the actions and decisions of the main characters we learn how even simple looking mistakes can hugely affect people around us. The film has a tight script, good characters and great visuals for which Karthik S is known for.

U Turn (Kannada)

Director: Pawan Kumar

Cast: Shraddha Srinath, Roger Narayan, Dileep Raaj, Radhika Chetan

U Turn is a thriller/mystery that borderlines into the crime genre. It follows Shraddha Srinath’s character as she finds herself in the middle of a police investigation for a homicide that has left everyone clueless. The story also depicts many social issues that are common among modern families, and builds on them to take the story further. The film triumphs due to its execution and narration of the story. There are moments in the film that make you want to jump off your seat and do something. But in the same moments, the director also reminds the audience how powerless they are, just like the characters in the film. Watch it for its wonderful characters that feel and play like the real human beings.

Shankhachil (Bengali)

Director: Goutam Ghose

Cast: Prasenjit Chatterjee, Shajbati, Kusum Sikder

Shankhachil is a story of a father and his battle to get his sick daughter treated in the nearest hospital. Sounds simple, right? Except its not. The protagonist Badal lives in a small Indo-Bangladesh border village with his small family, but when his daughter Roopsa falls seriously ill, the only hope he sees is in the nearest hospital that is in an Indian village, across the border. The film follows Badal’s struggle as he tries to get his daughter treated in a land where they are not allowed. How he keeps his and his family’s real identities hidden contributes to the majority of the film’s story. The film is a technical masterpiece as most Goutam Ghose films are, but it also touches a sensitive issue of the divide of religion over the language. The film won National Award for the Best Bengali Feature Film at the 63rd National Film Awards.

Shankhachil- one of the Most sensational Films released in 2016-2017

Sairat (Marathi)

Director: Nagraj Manjule

Cast: Akash Thosar, Rinku Rajguru, Tanaji Galgunde

Let us first say how visually stunning this film is. Every frame in Sairat is a painting. But this film is not just pretty, but smart too. Sairat is a love story that blooms against all social and political odds. The film tackles the subjects of inter-cast relationships and honour killing in a very no nonsense way. Rinku Rajguru won a National Award for her performance at the 63rd National Film Awards. The film is all set to be remade in Hindi, Tamil, Punjabi, Malayalam, Kannada and Tamil.

Neerja (Hindi)

Director: Ram Madhvani

Cast: Sonam Kapoor, Abrar Zahoor, Shekhar Ravjiani

This biopic tells the story of the Pan Am Flight 73’s hijack in 1986 through the eyes of its cabin crew, with Neerja Bhanot (Sonam Mahajan) in the centre. With a gritty and realistic camera work, the film shows us the harrowing moments of the hostage situation that took the world by storm. This film deserves to be seen for not just its storyline, performances and technicalities, but because we all deserve to know who Neerja Bhanot was and what she did.

Neeraja – one of the sensational movies of B-Town

Maheshinte Prathikaaram (Malayalam)

Director: Dileesh Pothan

Cast: Fahaadh Faasil, Aparna Balamurli, Soubin Shahir

A man who gets beaten up in a futile feud, vows to never wear slippers until he gets his revenge. With this summary, the story of Maheshinte Prathikaaram offers several other things. Where Fahaad Faasil is wonderful as the protagonist Mahesh, Aparna Balamurli looks gorgeous. This film is not just beautiful and funny, but also a feel good piece of cinema. The film is filled with light moments that will make you chuckle, and its visual comedy reminds you of Edgar Wright’s style of comedy. The best thing about this film’s script is that it doesn’t rely on slapstick humour or crude and contrived jokes that most Indian films resort to in the name of comedy. Maheshinte Prathikaaram has its unique brand of comedy that leaves you wanting for more.

Maheshinte Prathikaaram- One of the Must watch movies released in 2016-2017

Ventilator (Marathi)

Director: Rajesh Mapuskar

Cast: Ashutosh Gowariker, Jitendra Joshi, Swati Chitnis, Usha Nadkarni

Everyone from a big family will understand the pain of the protagonist in this film. The story show the struggles of a son whose father has been put on a ventilator. Like Thithi, this film also takes the subject of death and turns it on its head. Despite being a comedy, Ventilator doesn’t shift focus from what really matters — human connect, and it treats it with utmost sincerity. With some of the biggest names from Marathi film industry in the cast, the film is produced by Priyanka Chopra and her mother.

A Aa (Telugu)

Director: Trivikram Srinivas

Cast: Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Nithin, Srinivas Reddy

This is the second film based on the novel Meena after the 1973 movie Meena, starring Krishna and Vijaya Nirmala. A Aa, tells the story of Anasuya and Aanand who fall in love after meeting like strangers on a train. However, they later come to know that they are distant cousins and so their marriage is not possible. The film is marked with Trivikram’s brand of dialogues that he is known for. Though the film is enjoyable on its own, its a must watch for Samantha fans as she is a stunner in this one.

Madaari (Hindi)

Director: Nishikant Kamat

Cast: Irrfan Khan, Jimmy Shergil, Tushar Dalvi

Spiritual sequel to A Wednesday, this film follows the same treatment where a common man takes drastic steps to remind the system how hollow and corrupt it has become. A low budget film, but made with sincerity and dedication, Madaari keeps you on the edge during the whole runtime. Irrfan Khan is (as its a no brainer) stellar with his performance, but you should also watch out for Jimmy Shergil as he plays a no nonsense office in charge of catching Irrfan Khan and get the abducted child back to the safety of his comfortable home. Major points for veteran TV and theatre actor Uday Tikekar for his performance of a shrewd and corrupt politician. Watch this film for its gripping story and brilliant performances.

 Eagoler Chokh (Bengali)

Director: Arindam Sil

Cast: Saswata Chatterjee, Shubhrojit, Anirban Bhattacharya, Joya Ahsana

Ace police detective Shabor Dasgupta returns in this second instalment of his film franchise. And this time he is solving another whodunnit where a young woman has been murdered. The film plays out like a typical Sherlock/Byomkesh story with clues and noise intertwined with each other. The story and script does have a few holes and flaws, but it makes up for that by its impressive performances. Saswata Chatterjee is a treat to watch as an out of shape but genius copper, assisted by Shubhrojit. But the biggest treat (both acting wise and for the ladies) of the film is Anirban Bhattacharya who plays a psychologically twisted rich man. The film deserves a watch for being one of the best murder mysteries of 2016.

Kammattipaadam (Malayalam)

Director: Raajev Ravi

Cast: Dulquer Salman, Vinaykan, Shaun Romy

Kammatipaadam is one of those satisfying action flicks that make you want to join a gym or martial arts school right after you exit the theatre. With stunning visuals that remind you of a Hollywood film set in south America, this film has the slum of Kammatipaadam in focus where things are not as they used to be. Dulquer Salman plays one badass character showing a completely different dimension of his that we were not expecting. The film is satisfactorily violent and unflinching. A must for every action film lover.

Oopiri (Telugu)

Director: Vamsi Paidipally

Cast: Akkinekki Nagarjuna, Karthik Sivakumar

The first Indian remake of the French film The Intouchables, Oopiri has its unique charm. Though there are some scenes that are frame by frame copy of the french originals, the makers managed to modify the climax a little to make sure it doesn’t remain just a copy of a good film. Karthik is charming in every frame he appears but Nagarjuna makes his presence felt even when he doesn’t even lift a finger (literally) in his role. The film focuses on the relationship of a paraplegic billionaire and an ex-convict who is trying to turn his life around. The story puts both the main characters in situations they were trying to stay away from, and that makes it enjoyable and memorable. A must watch for its beautiful story and impressive performances.

Keywords: Best Indian Movies 2016-17, Top Indian Movies 2016, Famous Movies 2016

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