Is this list coming in a year too late? Not really. The decade ends with 2010 and releasing this compilation early means you are missing out on one whole year of movies. (Not that 2010 was a year with many memorable films.)
This list is not simply a pick of one ‘best’ film from each year covered. Instead, these are films that stand out in the decade and have contributed to the template for films in their genres. In fact, this has been a deciding factor for the inclusion/exclusion of films here. Also, the concept of “Bollywood” is being extended to include films by Indian filmmakers featuring Indian actors.
In chronological order…
Dil Chahta Hai (2001)The foundation for the ‘smart’ film was first laid with Dil Chahta Hai. It introduced a slickness never seen before in Indian cinema. We knew Aamir Khan could deliver his lines like no one else and Saif Ali Khan had also been fairly successful with comedy before. But they hit their peaks under Farhan Akhtar’s direction who hasn’t disappointed since. Comedy and tragedy dissolve seamlessly in this film whose music is still heard blaring from cars out on a long drive.
P.S. – Lagaan released in the same year has knowingly been kept out of this list.
Monsoon Wedding (2001)The more you watch this film, the more it grows on you. A typical wedding at an upper middle class household becomes an excuse for various intertwined stories, skeletons tumbling out of the closet, Punjabi garishness and many prospects for a sequel (which sadly has never materialised). Mira Nair winds it all tightly together with an eclectic selection of songs in the soundtrack.
Khakee (2004)My favourite Indian thriller since Dev Anand’s Jewel Thief. With another super duper performance by Amitabh Bachchan as the asthmatic cop, and ably supported by
Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgan. Each moment pulsates with suspense, and there is hardly a scene that does not make an impact. The best being the one where Devgan gets a constable to slap Bachchan. This ranks as one of Rajkumar Santoshi’s best works.
Maqbool (2004)Easily, one of the most powerful films of the decade. Vishal Bharadwaj has never quite been able to replicate its creative success in his subsequent ventures. An adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth set to Mumbai’s underworld, Pankaj Kapur, Irfan Khan and Tabu give all they have to their characters. The result is a crackling film that lends itself to repeated viewing. If I were to choose one best film to top this list, this would be it.
Swades (2004)In 2004, Shah Rukh Khan had already graced us with two mind numbing films viz. Main Hoon Naa and Veer Zaara. So understandably, I was reluctant so tolerate his over acting for the third time. Yet somehow I braved my way to a theatre playing Swades and came out a changed man. Shah Rukh Khan has never acted the way he done in Swades, and he may never do so again. The ‘come back to India’ theme was sensitively and more importantly, believably dealt with by Ashutosh Gowariker. One of the rare films that has given me a lump in my throat. A. R. Rahman’s music is timeless as ever.
Khosla Ka Ghosla (2006)After Farhan Akhtar, Dibakar Banerjee’s is the second great debut of the decade. His Khosla Ka Ghosla is a quiet, unassuming movie with standout performances. A comedy about the tussle of a common man with a land shark, the ha-has range from a quite chuckle to loud guffaws.
Loins of Punjab Presents (2007)I saw this strangely titled film about a desi idol contest in America seated on a window sill in an auditorium as all the seats were already occupied when I got there. By the time it ended, I had lost track of the number of times I had fallen off the sill laughing. The director, the late Manish Acharya was present to field questions. A comment from the audience member sums up the film perfectly – “There was never a dull moment in the film.”
Jab We Met (2007)Kareena Kapoor will forever be remembered for this. A brash Punjaban has a chance meeting with a soft spoken upper class boy and sparks fly. Audiences given to repeated viewings of DDLJ found this to be the perfect romantic comedy to break their monotony. I wish it had a better title than this odd bhel puri of Hinglish.
Jodha Akbar (2008)More often than not, Bollywood trips while making grand, historical costume epics. The last good one was Mughal-E-Azam in 1960. 48 years later, Gowarikar rustles up another eye-pleasing extravaganza with soulful music. What is more commendable is that the film rises above the ordinary despite the stunted acting prowesses of the lead pair.
Gulaal (2009)Fans may rate Dev.D to be Anurag Kashyap’s best work till date but I prefer Gulaal. A hard hitting look at college elections and the politics that surrounds it. In that sense, it was similar to Tigmanshu Dhulia’s Haasil, only better.
