Indian cinema is huge. It’s actually massive. Most people outside the subcontinent—and honestly, plenty within it—think it's all just three-hour dance-offs and guys dodging bullets in slow motion. That’s a mistake. A big one. If you’re looking for must watch indian movies, you have to stop looking at Mumbai as the only source of truth. The real magic is currently happening in the corners people used to ignore.
Take Kantara, for example. It’s a Kannada-language film that basically came out of nowhere to dominate the national conversation in 2022. It didn't have a massive Marvel-sized budget. What it had was raw, visceral energy and a deep dive into local folklore that felt more authentic than anything a corporate studio could cook up. It’s that kind of grit that defines the modern list of essential watches.
The Satyajit Ray Legacy and Why It Still Matters
You can't talk about Indian film without mentioning Satyajit Ray. It’s literally impossible if you want to be taken seriously. His Apu Trilogy changed everything. Specifically, Pather Panchali (1955).
It’s slow. Very slow. But it’s beautiful in a way that hurts. Ray didn't have fancy equipment; he had a vision of rural Bengal that felt like a documentary but breathed like a poem. When people search for must watch indian movies, they usually want the hits from the last five years, but skipping Ray is like trying to understand rock and roll without ever listening to the Beatles. It’s the foundation.
The Music Room (Jalsaghar) is another one. It’s about a fading aristocrat clinging to his pride while his world crumbles. It’s tragic. It’s haunting. It shows a side of India that is deeply intellectual and artistically rigorous, far removed from the "Masala" stereotype.
The Rise of the Malayalam "New Wave"
If you want the best writing in India right now, go south. Kerala is producing films that are consistently blowing everyone else out of the water. They don’t rely on "Superstars" as much as they rely on airtight scripts.
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The Great Indian Kitchen is a perfect example. There are no explosions. No item songs. Just the soul-crushing reality of domestic labor. It’s uncomfortable to watch, which is exactly why it’s a must watch indian movie. It forces a mirror up to society.
Then you have something like Kumbalangi Nights. It’s a family drama, but not the kind with melodramatic music cues. It’s about four brothers who basically hate each other living in a house that doesn't even have a front door. The cinematography is stunning—the backwaters of Kerala look like a dream—but the story is grounded in such a messy, human reality that you can’t look away.
Why the South is Winning
- Script is King: In Mollywood (Malayalam cinema), the story comes first. Always.
- Realistic Budgets: Because they don't spend hundreds of crores on actor fees, they take more risks with the subject matter.
- Cultural Specificity: These movies aren't trying to please everyone. They are hyper-local, which, paradoxically, makes them feel more universal.
Bollywood’s Identity Crisis and the Gems That Survived
Bollywood (the Hindi film industry) has been struggling lately. Let’s be real. The big-budget remakes are failing. The "nepotism" debate is exhausting. But buried under the fluff are some of the most important must watch indian movies of the last decade.
Masaan (2015) is one of them. Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, it follows two parallel stories in Varanasi. It deals with caste, sexuality, and grief in a way that feels incredibly modern yet ancient. Vicky Kaushal’s performance is heartbreaking. It’s the kind of movie that stays in your ribs for weeks after you see it.
And we have to talk about Tumbbad.
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Is it horror? Is it a period piece? Is it a fable? It’s all of them. It took six years to make because the director, Rahi Anil Barve, insisted on filming only during the monsoon to get the right "gloomy" look. That kind of dedication is rare. It’s a visual masterpiece about greed that looks better than most Hollywood films with ten times the budget.
The "R" Factor: Tollywood and the Global Stage
RRR. You knew this was coming. S.S. Rajamouli’s epic isn't just a movie; it’s an event. While some critics dismiss it as over-the-top, they’re missing the point. Rajamouli understands the "language of the spectacle" better than almost anyone alive today.
It’s a fictionalized story of two real-life revolutionaries, Alluri Sitarama Raju and Komaram Bheem. It’s loud. It’s violent. It has a dance sequence that won an Oscar. But at its heart, it’s a story about friendship. It brought Indian cinema back to the global stage in a way that hadn't happened since Lagaan.
Fact-Checking the "Masala" Genre
The term "Masala" refers to a mix of spices, and in film, it means a blend of action, comedy, romance, and drama. For a long time, this was seen as a "lesser" form of art. That’s a snobbish take.
Films like Gangs of Wasseypur (Parts 1 & 2) proved that you can take the tropes of Indian commercial cinema—the songs, the revenge plots—and turn them into a sprawling, Scorsese-esque crime saga. Anurag Kashyap didn't just make a movie; he mapped out the DNA of crime in North India. It’s gritty, foul-mouthed, and absolutely essential for anyone wanting to understand the diversity of must watch indian movies.
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Breaking Down Your Viewing Strategy
Don't just jump into a random Netflix category. You'll get lost in a sea of mediocre rom-coms. To truly experience Indian cinema, you need a balanced diet.
Start with the classics to get your bearings. Sholay is the definitive "Curry Western." It’s the blueprint for the hero-villain dynamic in India. Then, move to the Parallel Cinema movement of the 70s and 80s—directors like Shyam Benegal and Govind Nihalani. Ankur or Ardh Satya will show you the political underbelly of the country.
Finally, dive into the modern era. Look for names like Vetrimaaran (Tamil cinema) or Chaitanya Tamhane (Marathi cinema). Tamhane’s The Disciple is a slow-burn look at the world of Indian classical music. It was executive produced by Alfonso Cuarón. That should tell you something about its quality.
Actionable Steps for Your Watchlist
- Diversify your languages: Don't just stick to Hindi. Search for Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Marathi titles.
- Check the Director: Look for names like Zoya Akhtar, Pa. Ranjith, or Lijo Jose Pellissery. If their name is on it, it’s usually worth your time.
- Use Subtitles, Not Dubs: Dubbing often loses the rhythmic nuance of the original language, especially in a country with so many distinct dialects.
- Look Beyond Streaming Giants: Some of the best independent Indian films are on platforms like MUBI or even for free (legally) on YouTube via certain production house channels.
Indian movies are transitioning. They are moving away from the "escapism at all costs" model and leaning into stories that are uncomfortable, weird, and deeply local. Whether it’s a small-budget indie from the Northeast or a massive blockbuster from Hyderabad, the landscape is more exciting now than it has been in decades. Start with one of these, and you'll realize the "Bollywood" label is just the tip of a very large, very deep iceberg.
To get started, look up Jai Bhim for a legal drama that will leave you angry, or Dil Chahta Hai if you want to see the moment modern urban India finally found its voice on screen. There is no single "Indian" experience, and these movies prove it.