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Underrated Bollywood Movies on Netflix & Amazon Prime Right Now

On the topic of the Best Underrated Bollywood Movies on Netflix and Amazon Prime, multiple indie and festival darlings might not get the celebratory release at the movie theaters. However, thanks to digital streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime, we’re able to experience these hidden gems, in the comfort of our homes. These films not only showcase us the splendid excellence of the filmmakers and the actors but also portray a wide range of emotions and shine a light on various issues we are facing as a society. So, without further ado, here are the Best Underrated Bollywood Movies on Netflix and Amazon Prime you must-watch on any given day.

Also Read: Best Bollywood Movies on Social Issues
Also Read: Best Bollywood Comedy Movies on Netflix


[Ranked in no particular order]
12. Soni

Director – Ivan Ayr
Starring – GV Ohlyan & Saloni Batra
Streaming Platform – Netflix

First on the list of the Best Underrated Bollywood Movies on Netflix and Amazon Prime, Soni stars Geetika Vidya Ohlyan and Saloni Batra in the lead roles and explores a few vital-yet-undiscussed topics like gender issues, women safety, behavioral issues of men. It manages to illustrate the concerns splendidly with exquisitely-shot and remarkably-acted scenes. Notably, the performances from its lead stars are top-notch.


11. Hamid

Director – Aijaz Khan
Starring – Talha Arshad Reshi
Streaming Platform – Netflix

Based on a stage play – Phone No. 786 by Mohammed Amin Bhat, Hamid (2018) directed by Aijaz Khan stars Talha Arshad Reshi in the lead role with acclaimed actress Rasika Dugal in a supporting role. The storyline of the film surrounds itself with the narrative of Hamid trying to contact his dead father by dialing 786, which he believes is the contact number of God. Furthermore, the movie takes an unexpected turn when his phone call gets answered from the other side.


10. Maska

Director – Neeraj Udhwani
Starring – Prit Kamani, Shirley Setia
Streaming Platform – Netflix

Despite the age-old “realization” storyline, Neeraj Udhwani’s Maska manages to impress in multiple departments. Beginning with the setting, that showcases the antique side of Mumbai, the Parsi culture, picturesque cinematography, tuneful music, and the solid performances from the cast. The multitude of writing issues might dilute the overall quality of the film, however, Maska is a sweet little romantic drama you can enjoy watching on a Saturday evening.


9. Lipstick Under My Burkha

Director – Alankrita Shrivastava
Starring – Various
Streaming Platform – Amazon Prime

Alankrita Shrivastava’s Lipstick Under My Burkha showcases parallel stories of four women on how they have to live up to the standards of their families. Displaying the true face of India’s deceptive society, the writing and the performances from the entire cast are phenomenal. A must-watch just to understand, appreciate, and felicitate such ideas.


8. Evening Shadows

Director – Sridhar Rangayan
Starring – M. Ambegaonkar, A. Mahadevan
Streaming Platform – Netflix

Sridhar Rangayan’s Evening Shadows premiered at multiple different festivals, including Mardi Gras Film Festival in Sydney before streaming on Netflix in April 2019. The narrative details the tense family drama when the son opens up to his traditionalistic mother and a stubborn father that he is gay. One of the Best Underrated Bollywood Movies on Netflix and Amazon Prime.


7. Love And Shukla

Director – Jatla Siddartha
Starring – Saharsh Kumar Shukla
Streaming Platform – Netflix

Jatla Siddartha’s Love And Shukla portrays an authentic story of a million other newlyweds living with their parents and in-laws across India. Set in the busy streets of Mumbai, the storyline of the film explores the journey of a newly married auto driver, who searches for a way to spend intimate and quality time with his wife in the midst of living with his parents in a single room apartment.


6. Gone Kesh

Director – Qasim Khallow
Starring – Shweta Tripathi
Streaming Platform – Amazon Prime

Debutant Qasim Khallow’s Gone Kesh with Shweta Tripathi in the lead role went unnoticed at the time of its release in 2019. However, appreciated by the critics and by the audience after its digital release, this film excels due to the unconventional-yet-motivational story and the decent performance from its lead star. The storyline of the film explores the life of Enakshi who gets diagnosed with alopecia and starts losing her hair at a young age. However, she doesn’t give up on her dreams of becoming a dancer and faces all her obstacles fiercely.


5. Ankhon Dekhi

Director – Rajat Kapoor
Starring – Sanjay Mishra
Streaming Platform – Amazon Prime

Next on the list of the Best Underrated Bollywood Movies on Netflix and Amazon Prime, with Sanjay Mishra in the lead role, Ankhon Dekhi (2014) directed by Rajat Kapoor (whom we also know as a well-known actor), explores the story of Bauji, who declines her daughter’s request to marry the man she loves, primarily because the villagers monotonously shame him. However, his judgment shifts once he meets the guy and elects to become impartial with his decisions.


4. Ahista Ahista

Director – Shivam Nair
Starring – Abhay Deol & Soha Ali Khan
Streaming Platform – Netflix

Starring Abhay Deol and Soha Ali Khan in the lead roles, Ahista Ahista, written by Imtiaz Ali, tells the story of Ankush (a known witness at the marriage registrar office) and Megha (fresh off a break-up) as they bump into each other in an uncanny situation. Subsequently, Ankush attempts to help Megha, but in the process secretly falls for her.


3. Parched

Director – Leena Yadav
Starring – T. Chatterjee, Radhika Apte
Streaming Platform – Amazon Prime

Parched is a story of four Rajasthani women, who live in a constrained male-dominated society. The movie addresses the different difficulties faced by women regulated by rules and norms made by dominant men. The movie also aptly depicts female desires, sexual abuse, and pierces through the notions of what a woman must be.


2. Peepli Live

Director – Anusha Rizvi & Mahmood Farooqui
Starring – Raghuvir Yadav
Streaming Platform – Netflix

Peepli Live starring Omkar Das Manikpuri and Raghuvir Yadav in the lead roles is a satirical take on a very serious issue involving farmer’s suicides. The film’s plot kicks off when Natha elects to commit suicide to get some monetary compensation from the government. But, situations turn upside down when his impending suicide becomes an overnight sensation with news media harassing and surveilling him 24/7 to capture the rare event.


1. Dhanak

Director – Nagesh Kukunoor
Starring – Hetal Gada & Krrish Chhabria
Streaming Platform – Netflix

Best Underrated Bollywood Movies on Netflix: Exploring an array of emotions of human nature, indie director – Nagesh Kukunoor’s Dhanak showcases a beautiful sister-brother story with Hetal Gada and Krrish Chhabria playing the lead roles. The narrative of the film begins when Pari, after seeing a poster of Shah Rukh Khan promoting eye donation, takes her visually impaired brother to the actor’s shooting spot hoping to get his eye cured.


Also Read: Best Bollywood Movies on Netflix
Also Read: Best Bollywood Movies on Amazon Prime

Surya Komal

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