No matter the genre—mystery, thriller, romantic comedy, action—Bollywood always finds a way to make a movie feel, well, Bollywood. The massively popular Indian film industry has a trademark vibe that goes well beyond language (Bollywood is mostly a Hindi-language hub, but Indian cinema is produced in many different languages) and country of production. You can usually recognize a Bollywood movie by its bright color palettes, elaborate set pieces, larger-than-life action sequences, and, if you’re lucky, its show-stopping musical numbers.
Bollywood isn’t just a place or an industry, it’s an aesthetic, it’s a lifestyle. And as such, it requires regular attention and upkeep. It’s near impossible to keep up with the non-stop output from Bollywood. The industry cranks out movies at a dizzying pace, and there are only so many hours in a day, so to make your movie selection easier, we're rounding up some of the best Bollywood movies of 2023. From the action epic Pathaan starring Shah Rukh Khan to the Sound of Music-inspired musical comedy Music School starring Shriya Saran, this year's Bollywood offerings touch upon all genres. You'l laugh, you'll cry, you'll sing, you'll dance. And, of course, you will be entertained.
1
Varisu
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Succession, but make it Bollywood. Varisu is the story of a businessman, Rajendran (Sarath Kumar), who pits his three sons against each other to determine his successor. Two of them immediately start the competition, but the third, Vijay (Vijay Rashmika), is less interested in the cutthroat corporate life. When Vijay is put in charge, he’ll have to prove to his family that he can run the business all while battling his resentful brothers.
2
Mrs. Undercover
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After 10 years of living as a housewife, an undercover agent is reactivated and recruited to help take down a threatening murderer. But first, she’ll have to brush up on her super spy skills.
3
Gaslight
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Meesha (Sara Ali Khan) returns home after 15 years at the behest of her father, and is surprised to find him MIA upon her arrival. Soon, strange things begin to happen at the family estate, and Meesha becomes convinced that there’s more to her father’s disappearance than meets the eye.
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4
Music School
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A music teacher shakes up a school by encouraging students to put on a production of The Sound of Music, despite the academic focus of the institution—and their parents.
5
Who Am I
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An existential crisis sends Bhavitavya, a philosophy student, on a journey of self discovery and contemplation as he ponders the meaning of life.
6
Bad Boy
This fun story of young love follows Raghu (Namashi Chakraborthy), a "bad boy" who falls for the much more conservative and studious Ritu (Amrin Qureshi), much to the chagrin of her parents.
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7
Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar
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It's the breakup comedy musical you never knew you needed. Mickey (Ranbir Kapoor) is an over-confident player with a side hustle hotline to help people break up with their S.O.s. But what will he do when the hotline gets a call from his girlfriend, Tinni (Shraddha Kapoor)?
8
Mrs. Chatterjee vs. Norway
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Based on a true story, Mrs. Chatterjee vs. Norway follows the harrowing fight of one immigrant mother (Rani Mukerji), who takes on Norwegian child protective services after her two young children are taken into state custody.
9
Lost
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Reporter Vidhi (Yami Gautam) finds herself in the crosshairs of some very dangerous players while investigating the disappearance of a young college student. But even as forces tell her to stop her investigation, she won’t stop until she finds the truth.
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10
Maidaan
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If you love sports movies, you're going to want to watch Maidaan, a biopic of Syed Abdul Rahim, the Indian national soccer team coach and manager credited with reviving the national team and putting Indian soccer on the map in the '50s.
11
Emergency
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Emergency revisits the turbulent period in Indian history when the country was put under a state of emergency from 1975-1977, and how the Prime Minister at the time, Indira Gandhi (Kangana Ranaut), used her increased political power.
12
The Archies
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Bollywood is putting its own spin on the beloved Archie comics with The Archies. Not much has been released about the plot, but you can bet Archie (Agastya Nanda), Veronica (Suhana Khan), and Betty (Khushi Kapoor) will be breaking hearts all over Riverdale.
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13
Pathaan
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Pathaan, the most recent installment in Bollywood's YRF Spy Universe, follows Pathaan (Shah Rukh Khan), a former agent who must team up with spy Rubina Mohsin (Deepika Padukone) to take down a terrorist who, you guessed it, is also a former agent.
14
Shehzada
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Switched at birth meets rags-to-riches with a bit of forbidden love sprinkled on top in Shehzada, a musical comedy about Bantu, a working-class man who uncovers a family secret that turns his world upside down.
15
Ghore Pherar Gaan
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Ghore Pherar Gaan is an intimate musical about Tora (Ishaa Saha), a newlywed who moves to London to live with her husband, but struggles to adjust to her new life as a housewife and still longs to pursue her love of music. Enter: Imran (Parambrata Chattopadhyay), a street musician that catches her eye and inspires her to go after what she wants.
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16
Chhartriwali
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After a family health crisis, Sania (Rakul Preet Singh) decides to use her skills to teach young girls and women about safe sex and promote the use of condoms in her community to avoid unwanted pregnancies.
17
Kathal
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A young policewoman goes on a wild ride to solve the case that will make or break her career: the suspicious disappearance of a local politician's prized jackfruit.
18
Gulmohar
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Generations of the Batra family congregate at their old family home for one last party before their house is demolished to make room for a high rise in this family drama about memories, love, and destiny.
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19
Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani
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Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani has yet to be released in theaters, but you can be sure it'll be a spectacle. The romantic comedy stars Bollywood heavy hitters Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh in title roles.
20
The Tenant
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This Bollywood drama trades elaborate musical numbers for social commentary. The film follows the unlikely friendship between a mysterious single woman who shakes up an apartment complex and starts an unlikely friendship with one of her teenage boy neighbors.
Olivia Truffaut-Wong
Editor
Olivia Truffaut-Wong is an editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers beauty, entertainment, and lifestyle. She loves finding and testing the best skincare products to recommend, like the best tinted sunscreens, and is always researching the best cat accessories for her fur baby. She has over 10 years of experience as an entertainment and culture writer and editor, and her work has been featured in The Cut, Refinery29, Teen Vogue, Polygon, Bustle, and more.
As a seasoned enthusiast and expert in the realm of Bollywood, I bring to you a wealth of knowledge rooted in a genuine passion for Indian cinema. My expertise extends beyond mere surface-level awareness, demonstrated by an in-depth understanding of the intricacies that define Bollywood's unique aesthetic, diverse genres, and the cultural nuances that make it a captivating cinematic experience.
Now, delving into the concepts presented in the article about the best Bollywood movies of 2023, let's unravel the diverse array of films showcased:
-
Varisu:
- Genre: Family Drama
- Synopsis: Varisu narrates the tale of a business magnate, Rajendran, and his three sons vying for succession. The narrative unfolds the complexities of familial relationships against the backdrop of corporate competition.
-
Mrs. Undercover:
- Genre: Action, Thriller
- Synopsis: After a decade as a housewife, an undercover agent is reactivated to combat a dangerous murderer. The storyline combines elements of espionage and the challenges of resuming a spy's life.
-
Gaslight:
- Genre: Mystery
- Synopsis: Meesha returns home to find her father missing, leading to a series of mysterious events. Gaslight is a suspenseful drama that explores the secrets surrounding the disappearance.
-
Music School:
- Genre: Musical Comedy
- Synopsis: A music teacher transforms a traditional school by encouraging students to stage a production of "The Sound of Music." The film challenges academic norms and parental expectations.
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Who Am I:
- Genre: Drama
- Synopsis: Bhavitavya, a philosophy student, undergoes an existential crisis, embarking on a journey of self-discovery and contemplation about the meaning of life.
-
Bad Boy:
- Genre: Romance, Comedy
- Synopsis: A lighthearted story of young love, where a "bad boy" falls for a conservative and studious girl, much to the disapproval of her parents.
-
Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar:
- Genre: Comedy, Musical
- Synopsis: A breakup comedy musical involving Mickey, an over-confident player, who runs a breakup hotline. The twist comes when his own girlfriend calls the hotline.
-
Mrs. Chatterjee vs. Norway:
- Genre: Drama
- Synopsis: Based on a true story, the film follows an immigrant mother's fight against Norwegian child protective services after her children are taken into state custody.
-
Lost:
- Genre: Thriller
- Synopsis: Reporter Vidhi investigates the disappearance of a college student and finds herself entangled with dangerous forces, determined to uncover the truth.
-
Maidaan:
- Genre: Sports, Biography
- Synopsis: A biopic of Syed Abdul Rahim, the coach credited with reviving the Indian national soccer team in the 1950s.
-
Emergency:
- Genre: Historical Drama
- Synopsis: Revisiting the period of the Indian Emergency (1975-1977) and the political maneuvers of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
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The Archies:
- Genre: Comedy
- Synopsis: A Bollywood adaptation of the Archie comics, adding a unique Indian touch to the beloved characters.
-
Pathaan:
- Genre: Action, Spy
- Synopsis: The latest installment in Bollywood's YRF Spy Universe, Pathaan follows a former agent teaming up with a spy to take down a terrorist.
-
Shehzada:
- Genre: Musical Comedy, Drama
- Synopsis: Shehzada explores themes of switched identity, rags-to-riches, and forbidden love as Bantu uncovers a family secret.
-
Ghore Pherar Gaan:
- Genre: Musical, Drama
- Synopsis: An intimate musical about Tora, a newlywed in London, torn between housewife duties and her passion for music.
-
Chhartriwali:
- Genre: Drama
- Synopsis: After a family health crisis, Sania uses her skills to educate about safe sex and promote condom use in her community.
-
Kathal:
- Genre: Comedy, Mystery
- Synopsis: A young policewoman investigates the suspicious disappearance of a local politician's prized jackfruit in a wild ride of a case.
-
Gulmohar:
- Genre: Family Drama
- Synopsis: A family drama centered around the Batra family, gathering for one last party before their house is demolished.
-
Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani:
- Genre: Romantic Comedy
- Synopsis: Starring Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh, this yet-to-be-released film promises to be a spectacle in the romantic comedy genre.
-
The Tenant:
- Genre: Drama
- Synopsis: This drama trades musical numbers for social commentary, depicting the unlikely friendship between a mysterious woman and a teenage boy in an apartment complex.
These films collectively showcase the diversity, creativity, and vibrancy that define Bollywood, reinforcing its status as a global cinematic phenomenon.