15 Bollywood Movies that changed the face of Hindi Film Industry

We will all agree to the fact that Bollywood has changed in a lot of ways. Actors came and went, some stayed and are still shining; whilst there were few who changed the face of the Hindi Film Industry altogether. Actors like Ayushmann Khurana, Rajkumar Rao and Vicky Kaushal are said to be the new face of the Hindi Film Industry; but then again with Akshay’s recent ventures like Padman and Aamir’s Dangal, we cannot forget the actors who stayed during the change; and are present still.

So here we have 15 Bollywood Movies that changed the face of Hindi Film Industry :

Haider(2014)

15 Bollywood Movies that changed the face of Hindi Film Industry
15 Bollywood Movies that changed the face of Hindi Film Industry

Based on the popular Shakespeare’s tragedy Hamlet, moreover Haider is third adaptation of a Shakepearean drama after Maqbool (2003) and Omkara (2006). Shahid Kapoor made a big comeback in the Bollywood industry with Haider, with critics acclaim towards the storyline, music and direction; Shahid had completely immersed himself into the a role. Although its a modern-day adaptation of Hamlet, the story revolves around the insurgency in Kashmir in 1995. Furthermore, Haider is the first Indian film that won the People’s Choice Award at the Rome Film Festival.

Toilet : Ek Prem Katha(2017)

15 Bollywood Movies that changed the face of Hindi Film Industry
15 Bollywood Movies that changed the face of Hindi Film Industry

Toilet : Ek Prem Katha is one of the first few problems that openly talked about the sanitation problems faced by village women in our country. Starring Akshay Kumar and Bhumi Pednekar in the lead, the movie was a commercial as well as a critical success; for its storyline and message behind the movie. Along with discussing serious issues regarding open sanitation, the movie also has equal doses of romance, comedy and drama. Hence a full package.

Dangal(2016)

15 Bollywood Movies that changed the face of Hindi Film Industry
15 Bollywood Movies that changed the face of Hindi Film Industry

Based on the real life of Geeta and Babita Phogat, the movie was not only a commercial hit, but also entered the 300 crore club. Starring Aamir Khan,  Fatima Sana Shaikh and Sanya Malhotra in lead roles, the film revolves around the Phogat Family. How Mahavir Singh Phogat(Khan), a pehlwani wrestler trains his daughters Geeta Phogat and Babita Kumari to become India’s first world-class female wrestlers. Zaira Wasim and Suhani Bhatnagar their younger versions whereas Fatima Sana Shaikh and Sanya Malhotra portray the adult versions of the two Phogat sisters. Khan’s dialogue “Maari Choriyaan Choron se Kam Hai ke” is one of the most popular dialogues till date.

Lipstick Under My Burkha(2016)

15 Bollywood Movies that changed the face of Hindi Film Industry
15 Bollywood Movies that changed the face of Hindi Film Industry

The movie revolves around 4 women who are in search of their freedom. Although, they still manage to claim their desires at the end, but not before facing all the odds and obstacles that came their way. Furthermore the movie was initially banned as it was “lady oriented” and had bold female characters. The portrayal of their right to freedom created issues, which led to a ban of its release in the country. The film went on to premiere at the Tokyo and Mumbai Film Festivals, and won the Spirit of Asia Prize and the Oxfam Award for Best Film on Gender Equality. After its initial release after a few cuts and edits, the film was nominated at the 63rd Filmfare Awards, for Best Film (Critics) and Best Supporting Actress for Ratna Pathak.

Thappad(2020) ; Pink(2016)

A perfect hit to the misogyny that lies underneath somewhere or the other in people around us. Although the writers and directors of both the movies were different; but they are few of those movies who have portrayed the true meaning of feminism and battling the underlying misogyny. Starring Taapsee Pannu in the lead, with different co-stars the movies give us the perfect example of how women should live in our society; with respect and dignity.

Trapped(2016)

15 Bollywood Movies that changed the face of Hindi Film Industry
15 Bollywood Movies that changed the face of Hindi Film Industry

Rajkumar Rao is indeed one of the best actors of the Bollywood Industry. This movie will creep up on you with no warning beforehand, and build a separate space in your head; that what a man can do when he’s trapped, completely. The movie revolves around a man, who accidentally gets locked in his own house. With no food and water, and continuously yelling for help, but his flat is way too on top to be heard. He even throughs out his TV from the balcony to get the attention of the watchman, or anyone for that matter. A completely normal man who goes completely insane, when he’s Trapped.

Pad Man(2018)

15 Bollywood Movies that changed the face of Hindi Film Industry

Pad Man is based on the real life story of social activist Arunachalam Muruganantham. He’s a social entrepreneur from Tamil Nadu, whose journey was penned by Twinkle Khanna in her fictional story The Legend of Lakshmi Prasad. The movie starred Akshay Kumar, Radhika Apte and Sonam Kapoor in the lead. The story revolves around the importance of menstrual hygiene amongst women. Moreover Pad Man went on to win the 66th National Award for the Best Film on other Social Issues.

Tumbbad(2018)

15 Bollywood Movies that changed the face of Hindi Film Industry
15 Bollywood Movies that changed the face of Hindi Film Industry

Although the movie didn’t do commercially well, but it definitely won the hearts of his viewers late on. Tumbbad is a mythological thriller that will give you goosebumps every now and then. The mystery is kept intact along the whole film to keep on on the edge. The climax will leave you in shreds and immediately hit you with a realisation that you couldn’t have thought of otherwise. The moral of the film is quite simple, that greed can never let you live in happiness; but the way the message is portrayed is quite brilliant.

The Dirty Picture(2011)

15 Bollywood Movies that changed the face of Hindi Film Industry

Vidya Balan completely ate up the role through and through. She is one of the few actresses who broke the stereotypical images of actresses in the Bollywood Industry. The storyline, direction and acting is a full package to keep you entertained. And by the end you will be in awe with Vidya Balan.

Vicky Donor(2012)

15 Bollywood Movies that changed the face of Hindi Film Industry

Who would have thought that there could be a film based on the life of a Sperm Donor? That too in the year 2011, was Bollywood ready for a film like that? No one ones, but we are sure of one thing that this movie did break a stereotype amongst the movies made in Bollywood. And helped in changing the face of the Hindi Film Industry.

Padmaavat(2018)

15 Bollywood Movies that changed the face of Hindi Film Industry
15 Bollywood Movies that changed the face of Hindi Film Industry

Padmaavat is the third collaboration of Sanjay Leela Bhansali with Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone. This movie was one of the perfect historical period drama movies of Bollywood. Starring Deepika, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh in the lead, Padmaavat is mostly a woman centric movie. The character played by Deepika is in itself empowering, but the limelight was completely eaten by Ranveer Singh. He once again proved that he is one of the best actors of Bollywood. The rawness he portrays of Alauddin Khilji is just “Mashallah!”

Barfi(2012)

15 Bollywood Movies that changed the face of Hindi Film Industry

Why wasn’t Barfi nominated for the Oscars is still a question for many. A Anurag Basu Film, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra and Ileana D’Cruz in the lead; the movie revolves around a deaf and mute boy, Ranbir. It is a comedy drama, and is potentially one of the best films of Bollywood. Priyanka Chopra proves that she can play any role from the scratch, without doubt.

Queen(2013)

15 Bollywood Movies that changed the face of Hindi Film Industry

Kangana Ranaut is the Queen of Bollywood, as said by fans. For years now she has been doing women centric films, and has been successful too. Queen is one such movie, where a girl from a middle class family goes on her honeymoon alone after her fiancé doesn’t show up on the wedding day. The movie is the journey where Rani, aka Kangana finds true self. And that a queen doesn’t need a King to survive.

Panga(2020)

15 Bollywood Movies that changed the face of Hindi Film Industry

Panga is yet another Kangana Ranaut movie, although it didn’t do well commercially as the lockdown hit the nation. The movie is a sports drama film, where a forgotten Kabaddi world champion makes the decision to make a comeback. Jaya Nigam(Kangana) is a middle class woman, who’s now married and has a seven year old kid. The movie revolves around the new journey she embarks on to make her hidden desire to be the Kabaddi player she once used to be come true.

Also read 16 Bollywood Actors who boost their career through OTT and their Salary 2021

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