Top 10 path-breaking Bollywood films

Often we see magazines coming up with ‘power lists’ or the ‘must-watch’ movie lists. We attempt to come up with a slightly different list. A list of films that attempted to do something different! A list of 10 path-breaking films! Films that attempted to go against conventions of filmmaking, break rules, redefine some and set new trends. Since the recent years have seen a steady evolution in filmmaking techniques and storytelling patterns, we restrict our choice of films to the past couple of decades.

With no new films releasing in theatres in coming weeks with the producer-exhibitor standoff, make sure you catch up with these strongly recommended films, (if you haven’t so far).

Stay tuned for more of such unusual compilations....

Hum Aapke Hain Haun! (1994)

In the early 90s when formula ruled filmmaking, Sooraj Barjatya made a simple family drama. Hum Aapke Hai Kaun had all good people and there wasn’t anybody even grey, forget black. The film had no villains if you can overlook Bindu’s character who too has a change of heart. That started the feel-good film trend in Bollywood with more filmmakers like Aditya Chopra and Karan Johar making films with no negative characters as such for that sugar-sweet feel.

The film had as many as 14 songs yet the audiences didn’t squirm in the seats or head outside the auditorium. The big fat Indian wedding was glorified with local traditions and HAHK was the trendsetter even beyond cinema since many practices like the ‘joota-churai’ custom became a trend at several Indian marriages. So did Madhuri’s green dupatta and purple sari!

Even in terms of marketing, HAHK had a different approach since it was the first Hindi film that didn’t release on the then-popular video cassette and audiences had to head to cinemas. Moreover the film released with limited prints and went on to multiply over the weeks with significant public demand