When the topic is Indian cinema, most people only talk about blockbusters. And somewhere within all these masala movies with star-studded casts, item numbers and memorable punchlines, we often overlook movies with good stories, brilliant acting and filmmaking. Hence, we have made a list of underrated Indian movies across all Indian film industries. These movies can change your perception of Indian cinema.
1. Udaan (2010)
A critically acclaimed coming-of-age story about personal freedom, family oppression, breaking toxic family cycles and discovering yourself. This movie leaves a long-lasting impact with its powerful storytelling, raw emotions and poignant music.
Director: Vikramaditya Motwane
Cast: Rajat Barmecha, Ronit Roy
2. Masaan (2015)
A heartbreaking poetic story of caste, love, loss, guilt and redemption set on the ghats of Varanasi. One of the finest modern Indian dramas that interweaves two stories where the protagonists struggle in a traditional society.
Director: Neeraj Ghaywan
Cast: Richa Chadha, Vicky Kaushal, Sanjay Mishra, Shweta Tripathi
3. Ankhon Dekhi (2013)
A whimsical and philosophical film about a man who decides to believe only what he can see. A critically acclaimed hidden gem tries to contrast blind beliefs with personal experience.
Director: Rajat Kapoor
Cast: Sanjay Mishra, Seema Pahwa, Rajat Kapoor
4. Tumbbad (2018)
A visually stunning mythological horror film rooted in greed and moral decay. The story revolved around a man who gets obsessed with uncovering a cursed ancestral treasure. It is a cult classic that deserved far more love than it received.
Director: Rahi Anil Barve and Anand Gandhi
Cast: Sohum Shah
5. Bhooter Bhabishyat (2012)
A witty and charming satirical black comedy where ghosts of different eras live together in a mansion. The movies raise concerns about how rampant urban development is leading to the loss of cultural heritage in Kolkata.
Director: Anik Dutta
Cast: Parambrata Chatterjee, Swastika Mukherjee, Sabyasachi Chakraborty, Saswata Chattopadhyay, Kharaj Mukherjee, Samadarshi Dutta, Paran Banerjee, Mir Afsar Ali and Mumtaz Sorcar
6. Killa (2014)
A poignant, National Award-winning Marathi language coming-of-age film about loss, loneliness, friendship, and identity from the perspective of an 11-year-old boy.
Director: Avinash Arun
Cast: Parth Bhalerao, Archit Devadhar
7. Super Deluxe (2019)
A critically acclaimed, wildly imaginative, multi-layered Tamil film that blends dark comedy, drama and social commentary. The film narrates four separate stories about mortality, faith and unexpected connections.
Director: Thiagarajan Kumararaja
Cast: Vijay Sethupathi, Samantha, Fahadh Faasil
8. Cinemawala (2016)
A heartfelt drama about a father-son conflict set against the decline of single-screen theatres.
Director: Kaushik Ganguly
Cast: Paran Bandopadhyay, Parambrata Chatterjee
9. C/o Kancharapalem (2018)
A simple yet profound anthology of love stories across age, class and community.
Director: Venkatesh Maha
Cast: Subba Rao, Radha Bessy
10. Maheshinte Prathikaaram (2016)
A beautifully crafted slice-of-life dramedy about a small-town photographer seeking revenge after a public humiliation and unexpectedly finding growth, humor, and love along the way. Warm, simple, deeply human, and filled with charming characters, this film is a perfect example of Malayalam cinema’s subtle brilliance.
Director: Dileesh Pothan
Cast: Fahadh Faasil, Aparna Balamurali, Anusree
Visit our website for more movie recommendations across various genres.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What makes a movie ‘underrated’?
A film is tagged as underrated when it fails to receive the sort of attention it deserves, despite its beautiful storytelling, brilliant acting and meaningful themes.
2. How were these underrated Indian movies selected?
Each one of these films was chosen based on a combination of:
- audience ratings
- critic reviews
- family-appropriate themes
- emotional depth or feel-good storytelling
3. Are underrated movies safe to watch with family?
These underrated Indian movies are meticulously handpicked for you to watch with your family. But it’s a good idea to check the film ratings before you hit the play button.
4. Are these movies suitable for all age groups?
Most films in this list are ideal for adults. Some materials in these movies can be inappropriate for kids under 13 years old. We highly recommend parental guidance.
5. Where can I watch these underrated movies?
Most of the listed films are available on popular OTT platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Zee5, and Hotstar.
