Here’s a brief list of movies from the subcontinent that were released in the recent past - but you might have missed them just because they weren’t promoted as blockbusters. Small budget, but high-impact films. Most had a limited multiplex release, but they are now available as DVD releases. So, if you are not going out camping over the weekend, try watching these.
Manorama Six Feet Under: Based in a sleepy town in Rajasthan, this film-noir is about an amateur detective in who finds himself caught in a web of lies, deceit and murder. This movie is based on Chinatown (1974) by Roman Polanski, with the basic premise being similar to the original, despite changes in the representation of characters and some key plot points. Amazing performances by Abhay Deol, Raima Sen and Gul Panang makes this one of the best thrillers from Bollywood in recent times.
Khuda Kay Liye: Also known as “In the Name of God”, this is actually a Pakistani film. Reportedly, a condemned film, but it was one of the highest grosser in Pakistan. It was also the first Pakistani film to be released in India in 40 years, and did have a decent run in Indian multiplexes where it ran for weeks. The film is about the difficult situation in which the Pakistanis in particular and the Muslims in general are caught up since 9/11.
Shaurya: Though inspired from “A Few Good Men”, this Samar Khan directed movie is still better that usual stuff Bollywood dishes out. A film about two friends caught on opposing sides in a court martial, the film does a bit of preaching, but a wonderful performance from Kay Kay Menon, along with decent acting from Rahul Bose and Javed Jaffery makes this worth watching.
Aamir: A gripping film which has Rajiv Khandelwal in the performance of the year. A man-on-the-run thriller, it is set in the Muslim dominated streets, the bylanes and poor living conditions of people living in residential pockets of old Mumbai. The only problem - the storyline is very similar to a earlier released film from the Philippines - Cavite.
Blue Umbrella: Also known as Chatri Chor, this Vishal Bharadwaj film is not exactly a children’s film, but a film about children. Based on Ruskind Bond’s novel “The Blue Umbrella”, this film is one you shouldn’t miss. Set in the picturesque Himachal Pradesh, Chatri Chor tells the story of the turmoil caused in a small village, by a blue umbrella that a young village girl obtains from a Japanese tourist.
Johnny Gaddar: This had a slightly more high-profile release. Thanks to Neil Mukesh and SEL’s music. A homage to James Hadley Chase thrillers, this one has enough twists and turns to keep you interested.
Anwar: The story of a young man, an artist, who leaves his home and everything he knows in order to escape a world he no longer recognizes. All he ever wanted was a love story, Instead, his mentor abandons him and his best friend and his one true love betray him.
Apart from these, there are quite a few limited release films you could have a look at including Parzania, Being Cyrus, Gandhi My Father, Mithya, etc. If you have your own recommendations, let us know.
:D okay as far as the personalized message...
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maine mithya ,jhonny gaddar .aamir and gandhi my father movies dekhi hain. inme mujhe aamir and gandhi my father bahut pasand aayi.gandhi my father dekhkar main kai din bahut disturb rahi. is movie main father son ki relationship main pyar hote hue bhi basic thinking ke clash ko bahut deeply dikhaya gaya hai.kis tareh ek father apni ideology se poore country ko convince kar leta hai magar apne bacche per impact nahi daal pata.
first thing ki ye ek real story hai
secondly ye aaj bhi kai gharo ki kahani hai.
jo serious cinema dekhne ke showkeen hai mere khayal se unhe ye movie bahut pasand aayegi.
another film is aamir which is also very realistic.
the massage of this movie is very good.
i hav seen khuda ka liye, i think its a quite good film
I have seen manorama, being cyrus, parzania, khuda ke liye and johnny gaddar. I just adored them all except for being cyrus which I thought was more into brainpicking than anything else. There are other films that I would like to add to the list but will have to reflect a little.
Saw Manorama Six Feet Under this week - liked it.
Have seen Anwar - liked it too and of course the one song I want Raja to sing for his Ayesha is in this movie ‘Maula Mere Maula’.
Love the song and am waiting to hear it in Raja’s voice. 
Being Cyrus was one of the very, very few movies that I just could not sit through. I just changed channel some where very early in the movie. I agree with padma about this movie - wanted to pull my hair out and felt like screaming. hahahaha
Thank you all for the list - I see I am not up-to-date with my movies - have to start working on it.
Top on my list of must see movie is Gandhi My Father.
omg…i missssed a lot of thesee moviess…lol….
i only watched Anwar and Khuda Ki Liye….an from both movies i was expectingg a lot…but neither one lived up to my expectations…..lol
i heard khuda ke liye wasss good i hvent gotten around to watch itt yett.
I must admit that your taste is very similiar to mine,
I have seen Shaurya, Aamir and Parzania, Imust say that they are very realistic movie…..not much entertainment…but sincere effort.
I like the song in Shaurya in Adnan Sami’s voice very much….
My pick is Blue Umbrella. It seems not many have seen it - my recommendation - watch it. It’s the best movie out in Bollywood in quite a few years. If you thought Pankaj Kappor’s best performance ever was in Maqbool, watch this performance of his. The music by Vishal Bhardwaj is a bonus.
I have not seen any of these and of course not many of the mainstream either but thank you whoever wrote this article because naam likhna bahut muskil kaam hai I have a feeling it is my matarwa but after having read your comments I will try to see them (just imagine if you were giving religious guidance how many people you would have converted)
I havent seen any of these movies but have definited jotted on my “must see” list. Hopefully one of the weekends I will watch them.
@ shashi ji.. thanks… I will make sure to watch “Gandhi my father”. main yeh movie pahle hi dekhna chahti thi lekin pata nahi kaise miss ho gayi…aapka review padne ke baad ab toh must see ho gayi yeh movie.