Decoding the 100 Best Hindi Movies till Date!


With the increasing focus on responsible film critiquing and better research going into evaluating films, over the last few years, we have seen various publications come out with their list of 100 best Hindi films, that define Hindi cinema. While recently going through one such list, I was embarrassed to call myself a Hindi movie buff, when I had not seen more than half of these movies! That is when I decided to take it up as a challenge- to not just watch these celebrated movies but also try to decode them. So, 100 movies, 100 blog-posts, 250-odd days (before the end of 2018)! It’s Project Decoding Bollywood!

While there are various lists including one from IMDB and Filmfare, I decided to select the list published by a London- based publication, Timeout, in 2015. One of the main reasons why I picked this list is because it has been compiled by a panel of leading critics and Bollywood experts. You can read the list here. This list contains not just critically-acclaimed movies, but also masala potboilers and cult classics! Some blockbusters and some commercial failures - with a small, yet significant contribution to the industry. Since the list was published in 2015, I have taken the liberty of adding a few movies released between 2015 and 2017, which I deemed fit to be a part of this list. The list of the movies that I will be attempting to decode, in no particular order, are:
  1. Bobby (1973)
  2. Hum Aapke Hai Koun (1994)
  3. Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani (2013)
  4. Veer-Zaara (2004)
  5. Umrao Jaan (1981)
  6. Swades (2004)
  7. Salaam Bombay (1998)
  8.  Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006)
  9. Ardh Satya (1983)
  10. Hera Pheri (2000)
  11. Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013)
  12. Dhobi Ghat (2011)
  13. Kati Patang (1970)
  14. Black Friday (2004)
  15. Gangs of Wasseypur: Part 1 (2012)
  16. Arth (1982)
  17. Dhoom (2004)
  18. Kahaani (2012)
  19. Dabangg (2010)
  20. Black (2005)
  21. Gangster (2006)
  22. Bandit Queen (1994)
  23. Kabhie Kabhie (1976)
  24. Udaan (2010)
  25.  Zubeidaa (2001)
  26. Teesri Kasam (1966)
  27. Naseeb (1981)
  28. Zanjeer (1973)
  29. Omkara (2006)
  30.  Chhoti Si Baat (1975)
  31. Jewel Thief (1967)
  32. Devdas (2002)
  33. Ganga Jamuna (1961)
  34.  Madhumati (1958)
  35. Chandni (1989)
  36. Bunty aur Babli (2005)
  37. Sharmeelee (1971)
  38. Parineeta (1953)
  39. Lootera (2013)
  40. Hum Hai Rahi Pyaar ke (1993)
  41. Mr and Mrs 55 (1955)
  42. Masoom (1983)
  43. Sahib Bibi aur Ghulam (1962)
  44. Tezaab (1988)
  45. Sangam (1964)
  46. Rockstar (2011)
  47. Queen (2014)
  48. Mera Naam Joker (1970)
  49. Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998)
  50. Maine Pyaar Kiya (1989)
  51. Khakee (2004)
  52. The Lunchbox (2013)
  53. Dil Se (1998)
  54. Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham (2001)
  55. Jodhaa Akbar (2008)
  56. Ghajini (2008)
  57. Kaala Patthar (1979)
  58. Chak De! India (2007)
  59. Ankur (1974)
  60. Golmaal (1979)
  61. Barfi (2012)
  62. Khamoshi (1994)
  63. Anand (1971)
  64. Silsila (1981)
  65. Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011)
  66. Shaan (1980)
  67. Parinda (1989)
  68. Jab We Met (2007)
  69. Shree 420 (1955)
  70. Om Shanti Om (2007)
  71. Dil toh Pagal Hai (1997)
  72. Awara (1951)
  73. Andaz Apna Apna (1994)
  74. Dil Chahta Hai (2001)
  75. Satya (1998)
  76. Mr India (1987)
  77. Bombay (1995)
  78. Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959)
  79. 3 Idiots (2009)
  80. Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983)
  81. Do Bigha Zameen (1953)
  82. Amar Akbar Anthony (1977)
  83. Pakeezah (1972)
  84. Lagaan (2001)
  85. Deewaar (1975)
  86. Guide (1965)
  87.  Pyaasa (1957)
  88. Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge
  89. Mother India (1957)
  90. Mughal-e-Azam (1960)
  91. Sholay (1975)
  92. Dum Laga ke Haisha (2015)
  93. Piku (2015)
  94. Masaan (2015)
  95. Talvar (2015)
  96.  Neerja (2016)
  97.  Bahubali 2 (2017)
  98.  Mukti Bhawan (2017)
  99.  A death in the gunj (2017)
  100. Maachis (1996)

I have replaced the following movies in the above list with more deserving ones from the 2015-2018 period:
  1. Mujhse Dosti Karogi (2002)
  2.  Aiyya (2012)
  3. Prem Rog (1982
  4. Jaagte Raho (1956)
  5. Ek Tha Tiger (2012)
  6. Garam Hawa (1973)
  7. Tashan (2009)
  8. Main Hoon Na (2004)
  9. Velu Nayakan (1999)
  10. Parvarish (1977)
  11. Satyam Shivam Sundaram (1978)

P.S: I hope these movies are available on Netflix or Amazon Prime or at least, YouTube! :P In case they are not, I have a list of personal favourites, which shall make it to this list then.

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