Here’s everything we liked and didn’t like about Hindi movies this year

Lights, camera, and boy there was a lot of action, and drama with the movies India watched this year. While some of them lived up to the hype—with intriguing stories in some and stunning visual effects in another—there were many that didn’t leave us thinking about them even as the credits rolled. Furthermore, there were well-written stories starring female leads that packed a punch on the big screen, as well as the return of a superstar after four long years. We also saw a box-office sensation star in multiple films but fail to live up to his larger-than-life-like status. 

With 2022 almost coming to an end, Bazaar India reflects on the year gone by and tells you about the things that brought a smile to our face and what didn’t.

WHAT WE LIKED 

Content is king and queen too 

A year that once again stood testament to the age-old saying about movies—a good movie will always stand out. But what we saw this year were women-centric films and the lead actors in them steal the show. The year started with a fantastic February as Alia Bhatt gave one her career’s best performances in Gangubai Kathiawadi, and was followed by a double delight of Vidya Balan and Shefali Shah sharing screen space in Jalsa (one of the most underrated films of the year if you ask me). While audiences loved Jugjugg Jeeyo, it was Neetu Singh and Kiara Advani who gave us saas-bahu goals (the best scene of the movie is a heart-warming dialogue between the two). The year also proved that cinema will show us women who refuse to take things for granted and take matters into their own hands with films such as Darlings and Monica, O My Darling. Saving the best for the last month, December was a delightful one in this regard as one marveled at the mother-daughter tale directed by Anvitaa Dutt that was Qala. 

Sequels live up to the hype 

It’s tough for sequels to live up to the hype of the first film. An even bigger task for Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 and Drishyam 2 considering how much of a hit each of the prequels were. We often see people already deciding the fate of sequels weeks before their release with social media flooded with posts saying that they should never be made. But here were two films that just made two established franchises all the more celebrated. It’s foolish to compare Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 to the first film and we should simply enjoy how good Karthik Aaryan and Tabu were in it. On the other hand, Drishyam 2 was probably the best example of how sequels should be made. It had the right elements of drama and thrill, and ensured that you were hooked to the screen right from start to the end.   

Aamir Khan, you were worth the wait 

The less said about Thugs of Hindostan, Aamir Khan’s last film, four years back, the better. I just had one thing to ask the stellar actor as I walked out of the theatre with a sore headache—why. It’d been a long wait of four years as I counted down the days to Laal Singh Chadha and knew that I wouldn’t be missing it for the world. It was a fantastic Friday for me as I watched Chadha intrigue every listener with his fascinating stories and taking us on a memorable trip that we just didn’t want to end. With the man pouring his heart and soul into the film, an attribute that he’s been associated with for decades, it was no surprise to see this film tug at your heartstrings.  

WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE 

Akshay Kumar needs to get his mojo back 

Bachchan Pandey, Samrat Prithviraj, Raksha Bandhan, Cuttputilli, and Ram Setu. Five films, each one different from the other in terms of genre for Akshay Kumar, one of the most bankable names in Bollywood. However, going for quantity instead of quality (scripts) didn’t seem to be a winning formula for the Khiladi at the box office as these films failed to impress at the box office. Right from being a king in a historical, to advocating another social issue, or playing an archaeologist, nothing seemed to work for Kumar. With close to six films lined up for him in 2023, we just hope we get back to seeing one of our favourite actors pack a punch on the big screen like always.  

We missed Salman and SRK 

Cinephiles missed the much-awaited Bhaijaan Eid release this year and could only savour a teaser of King Khan in his short, but swagger-filled cameo in Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva. For me, movies are all about the huge crowd lining up outside the theatre to hoot and cheer for their heroes—none bigger than the Khans when it comes to the fandom and frenzy. Not having any of the two on the screen this year was really sad. But there’s a lot to look forward to in 2023. SRK has three films (Pathaan, Jawan, and Dunki) while Salman has two (Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan and Tiger 3). Much to everyone’s delight SRK will be seen as Pathaan in Tiger 3. No prizes for guessing which will be the best scene of 2023.  

Why write roles for women in big-budget films if they have absolutely nothing to do? 

While we enjoyed Allu Arjun put up one hell of a performance in Pushpa: The Rise, one did wonder what Rashmika Mandanna was doing in the film. This trend of women being nothing but a mere prop, or an addition to a romantic song (to divert the audience’s attention from what they should be watching) just adds to the duration plus offers those watching nothing of value. This, to me, is something that should change at the earliest. We witnessed that in KGF: Chapter 2 with Srinidhi Shetty and Cirkus with Pooja Hegde and Jacqueline Fernandes as well. In a year where we’ve seen such stellar films with women leading from the front, it’s sad to see some of the biggest films of the year not doing the same.