In the history of Indian cinema, Aamir Khan's Dangal stands tall as the highest-grossing film ever made. Chronicling the life of former wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat, the narrative follows his journey to fulfill his unfulfilled dream of winning a gold medal in wrestling through his daughters. Made on a modest budget of 70 crore rupees, the film raked in an astounding 2200 crore rupees worldwide at the box office. It earned widespread critical acclaim and holds an impressive 8.3 rating on IMDb. Despite its monumental commercial success, several other Indian films manage to outshine Dangal when it comes to audience appreciation, content depth, and IMDb scores, even if their box office collections were lower.
Koshish (1972)
Starring Sanjeev Kumar and Jaya Bachchan, Koshish tells the poignant story of a hearing-impaired couple struggling for their right to live a life of dignity within society. Directed by the legendary lyricist Gulzar, the film leaves a deep emotional impact on the minds and hearts of its viewers. Released in 1972, this sensitive drama is rated 8.4 on IMDb.
3 Idiots (2009)
The 2009 blockbuster 3 Idiots manages to deliver a profound message while keeping audiences thoroughly entertained. Directed by Rajkumar Hirani, the film inspires people caught in the relentless rat race to pause and live life on their own terms. Featuring a stellar cast including Aamir Khan, R. Madhavan, and Kareena Kapoor, the movie holds an 8.4 rating on IMDb.
Guide
Even after 60 years of its release, Dev Anand and Waheeda Rehman's classic Guide remains close to the hearts of cinema lovers. The plot revolves around a former guide who, mistaken for a holy man by villagers, guides them through their local history and introduces them to a spiritual journey of self-realization. The timeless classic is rated 8.4 on IMDb.
Black Friday
Anurag Kashyap's Black Friday explores the grim events of the 1993 Bombay bomb blasts from the varied perspectives of different individuals involved. The storyline is meticulously built upon police investigations, the accounts of conspirators, and the tragic experiences of the victims. Starring powerhouse performers like Kay Kay Menon and Pavan Malhotra, the film holds an 8.4 rating on IMDb.
Jai Bhim
At a time when Hindi cinema was struggling to recover during the coronavirus pandemic, Jai Bhim emerged from South Indian cinema like a powerful storm, winning immense love from audiences and critics alike. The plot follows a tribal man falsely accused of theft by the police, prompting his helpless wife to seek a lawyer's assistance in the quest for justice. South superstar Suriya plays the lead role in the film, which boasts a stellar 8.6 rating on IMDb.
Gol Maal (1979)
Directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, the 1979 cult classic Gol Maal is a comedy that never fails to amuse viewers no matter how many times it is watched. Featuring Amol Palekar, Utpal Dutt, and Bindiya Goswami, the film revolves around an ordinary man who tells a white lie to secure a job, only to get entangled in a web of subsequent falsehoods. It holds an 8.5 rating on IMDb.
Do Ankhen Barah Hath (1957)
Released in 1957, Do Ankhen Barah Hath holds a coveted cult status in Indian cinema. Its enduring popularity is reflected in its 8.4 IMDb rating. The film narrates the gripping tale of a young prison warden who is permitted to take six aggressive, hardened convicts to a dilapidated village farm in an ambitious experiment in rehabilitation.
