Hindi Cinema has seen a major transcendental shift in the past decade. Though mainstream (read Candy floss/Masala/Blockbuster) cinema like Om Shanti Om, Ghajini, Dabangg manages to rake in the big bucks at the box office, today there is a movie for a viewer who does not worship stars but instead appreciates meritorious and quality cinema. Plethora of new age film makers are telling stories on screen which are not make belief...but stories one can identify with. Corporatisation of Hindi Cinema has made sure that the talented film-maker has been nurtured and his work seen the light of the day.
Here's my small writeup on the top 5 films of the decade (2001 - 2010).
1. Swades (2004) - Ashutosh Gowariker's gem about an NRI reconnecting to his roots will be known for SRK's strikingly earthy portrayal of Mohan Bhargav. Ashutosh Gowariker was able to bring forth on the silver screen - SRK the actor. When we saw Mohan Bhargav we saw Mohan Bhargav, not SRK the larger than life superstar. Swades is arguably SRK's best performance so far and a reminder of how unutilised he has been as an actor. The film is bigger than its supposed minor flaws and a slightly stretched runtime because when viewed in its entirety, the patriotic pride and emotions it manages to invoke in the viewer is unparalleled.
2. Dil Chahta Hai (2001) - Hindi Cinema has been demarcated into clear time-lines -- the Pre and post Dil Chahta Hai era. Nothing connected and caught the imagination and psyche of the Indian urban populace like Dil Chahta Hai. The story of Sid, Sameer and Akash, their coming of age was indeed path breaking not for its cinematic brilliance but for the very single fact that the characters were people caught in situations, one could relate to. Dil Chahta Hai will be eternally known as the Film which contemporarised Indian Cinema.
3. Mr. and Mrs. Iyer (2002) - Released just after the Godhra riots, Mr. and Mrs. Iyer with its engaging screenplay, superb execution and brilliant performances by the lead pair captured the disunity that still plagues our nation. Mr. and Mrs. Iyer was the ignition spark for the new age film maker - one who was willing to experiment and not let commercial considerations or acceptance overrule his creative tenets. Mr. and Mrs. Iyer was the birth of parallel/off beat Hindi Cinema as we know it today.
4. Dor (2006) - An immaculate script, a visionary director, talented actors and haunting cinematography - Dor is pure magic on screen and epitomizes the hallmark of aesthetic film-making. A tale of women empowerment and liberation which is witty, non preachy yet emotionally moving.
5. Dev.D (2009) - Inspired by the legeandary novel Devdas and films of similar name, Dev.D successfully and charmingly retained the major ingredients of the original story - of romance, jealousy, egotism, unrequited love, anguish, addiction and tragedy and amplified this with a smashingly cool urban treatment. It is shocking, awe-inspiring, cold and thought provoking. Stunning art direction, cinematography and a superb soundtrack, Dev.D is certainly one of the stand out works of the decade.
Films which just missed the cut: Jhankaar Beats Rang De Basanti, A Wednesday, Rocket Singh, Khosla Ka Ghosla, Wake Up Sid, Love Sex Aur Dhoka
