The Best Movies of 2021
It’s not uncommon to see movie trailers and think that the film looks amazing or awful; however, by the time it comes out, you might have completely forgotten about it (or perhaps you didn’t think much of it in the first place). Here are our opinions on the best and worst movies of 2021 (so far). Check them out to see if they’re any good!
Jai Bhim
Jai Bhim is a coming-of-age movie about an Indian boy growing up in poverty. He has to deal with bullies, family problems, and the struggles of finding his identity as he strives to find his way out of the slums. It’s a story that will hit close to home for many readers. The film also stars Priyanka Chopra as the titular character, which is sure to please her many fans from across India. Overall, this movie is worth seeing. I would recommend it to anyone who likes inspirational movies like Lion King or Aamir Khan’s Lagaan. If you don't have time to watch it in theaters, then wait until it's available on DVD or streaming services. Shershaah:
Shershaa
Shershaah is a Hindi movie, directed by Simranjit Singh. The story focuses on Shershaah, the son of a police officer, who leaves his family to join the militants in Kashmir. His father hopes that he will come back, but all hope is lost when he finds out that Shershaah has been killed in an encounter. Though it was released in 2016, Shershaah has just recently become available for viewing on Amazon Prime Video. Reviews have not been favourable with many criticizing the film for its clichéd plot. One reviewer stated It tries to be like dozens of other films about militancy in Kashmir but does not succeed. Despite this criticism, others found the film enjoyable as they were transported into a world they know little about. In fact, some reviewers felt that Shershaah was representative of their own lives. Another enjoyed how true-to-life the movie seemed while another commended the lead actors’ performance. For those interested in learning more about the conflict in Kashmir or those looking for a feel-good film, there are worse options than Shershaah.
Radhe
This film is based on a true story from the 1800s in India. It follows Radhe, a young girl who is married to an older man named Gopal. The movie tackles issues such as child marriage, gender bias, racism, and sexual assault. While it has some positive messages about women's rights, the film does have its flaws. For example, there are some moments that depict physically abusive relationships with no consequences for either partner involved. The female protagonist also stays with her abusive husband despite receiving other opportunities to leave him throughout the course of the film. Overall, this movie is worth watching if you're interested in seeing Indian culture or want more films portraying abuse survivors' stories. However, this movie isn't perfect. It has some troubling themes, especially when dealing with how little-known abused wives often stay in their toxic relationships.
Bhuj: The Pride of India
Bhuj is a documentary following the execution of a safety study after an earthquake had destroyed the town. It was one of the top-grossing films in 2017. This film received seven awards out of 10 nominations at various film festivals, including the National Awards. The story focuses on the 20-year development process of Bhuj and how it has become India's pride.
After interviewing many residents, the directors were able to paint a complete picture of their way of life: food habits, cultural practices, religion and even folklore.
It's easy to see why this movie was successful because it educates you about another part of India without being too heavy handed about it. Although parts are difficult to watch, there are also moments of joy that can leave you teary eyed.
One thing I found funny is that as soon as some people recognized the production team from Bhuj: The Pride of India during filming for Drishyam 2, they would say Can't believe your still making movies.
Sooryavanshi
A heartfelt story about the power of love, family, and friends. The bond between Sooryavanshi and his son is one that will be remembered for years to come. The father-son relationship has been a recurring theme in many Hindi movies, but this movie does it the best justice yet.
In a year where the trend seems to be dark and gritty movies, Radhe does what no other film has done before; it balances comedy with drama with ease. The movie features talented actors like Kangana Ranaut who plays a brilliant lawyer with an infectious sense of humor. She manages to make even the most mundane scenes entertaining. Alongside her is Rajkummar Rao who as always delivers a stellar performance. He has always been great at playing quirky characters who are endearing in their own way and he doesn't disappoint here either. Varun Dhawan's role was initially kept under wraps and only revealed towards the release date which managed to keep audiences engaged until then. There's also some good cameo performances from Ajay Devgn and Amitabh Bachchan which are worth checking out too!