The world of Indian cinema is so naturally buoyant that it bursts into the audience area rather than limiting itself to the silver screen. Amid much-hyped movies such as Dangal, RRR, and Kabir Singh romping in the headlines and at the box office several stories of equal merit receive relatively little attention. These Indian movies are underrated and frequently have more heart, invention and social relevance than the big Bollywood blockbusters – in short, they’re hidden gems worth a podcatch.
In this article, we shine a spotlight on these lesser-known masterpieces. Whether you’re a seasoned cinephile or just looking for your next watch, these synopses of underrated Indian films will help you uncover treasures that deserve your attention.
Why Underrated Films Matter
While high-budget blockbusters often enjoy massive visibility, underrated movies bring something special: bold storytelling, fresh talent, and genre-bending narratives. These films often tackle real-world issues, showcase regional brilliance, and break cinematic norms without the pressure of commercial success.
Key Reasons to Watch Hidden Gems:
- Fresh and experimental storytelling
- Strong performances by emerging or overlooked actors
- Socially relevant themes
- Diversity in language, region, and cinematic style
1. Tumbbad (2018) – Hindi | Horror, Mythology
Synopsis: Set in 20th-century Maharashtra, Tumbbad follows the story of Vinayak Rao, a man obsessed with uncovering a hidden ancestral treasure. As he descends deeper into the myth of the cursed god Hastar, he’s forced to confront the consequences of greed and the haunting legacy of his lineage.
Why It’s a Hidden Gem: Despite critical acclaim, Tumbbad didn’t get the mass recognition it deserved. Visually haunting and narratively layered, it’s one of India’s finest contributions to horror-fantasy.
2. Super Deluxe (2019) – Tamil | Dark Comedy, Drama
Synopsis: Super Deluxe weaves together four bizarre stories in modern-day Chennai—a cheating wife, a trans woman reuniting with her family, a teenager entangled in a pornographic mess, and a father hiding a body. These threads converge in surreal, shocking, and deeply human ways.
Why It’s a Hidden Gem: This Tamil film redefines storytelling with its quirky screenplay and bold themes like gender identity, morality, and religion. Despite rave reviews, it remained niche outside South India.
3. Court (2014) – Marathi/Hindi/English | Legal Drama
Synopsis: Court follows the trial of an aging folk singer accused of abetting suicide through his protest song. As the courtroom proceedings unfold, the film unveils the flaws, bureaucracy, and biases of the Indian judicial system.
Why It’s a Hidden Gem: India’s official Oscar entry in 2016, Court is a masterclass in realism and social commentary, yet few outside the indie film circuit have seen it.
4. A Death in the Gunj (2016) – Hindi | Drama, Mystery
Synopsis: Set in 1979 in rural McCluskieganj, the film explores a quiet family vacation that gradually reveals buried tensions. At its center is Shutu, a sensitive young man who feels alienated and invisible until tragic events unfold.
Why It’s a Hidden Gem: Directed by Konkona Sen Sharma, this film is subtle, poetic, and psychologically rich. A festival favorite that deserves broader recognition.
5. Thithi (2015) – Kannada | Comedy, Social Drama
Synopsis: Thithi chronicles the lives of three generations of men in a rural village after the death of their 101-year-old patriarch. The story humorously captures greed, tradition, and the changing face of rural India.
Why It’s a Hidden Gem: Winner of multiple international awards, this non-professional-actor-starring film is heartfelt, authentic, and utterly captivating.
6. Titli (2014) – Hindi | Crime, Family Drama
Synopsis: In Delhi’s violent underbelly, Titli—the youngest of a violent car-jacking family—wants to escape the cycle of crime. But his arranged marriage to Neelu, who has her own dreams, complicates his journey.
Why It’s a Hidden Gem: Produced by Dibakar Banerjee, Titli offers raw realism and moral complexity. It challenges Bollywood norms and pushes independent cinema to new heights.
7. Sairat (2016) – Marathi | Romance, Social Drama
Synopsis: Sairat tells the story of Parshya and Archie, a lower-caste boy and an upper-caste girl who fall in love in rural Maharashtra. Their romance faces brutal societal opposition in this heart-wrenching tale.
Why It’s a Hidden Gem: Despite huge success in Maharashtra, Sairat remained underrated nationally. It combines youthful energy with stark social commentary and was the first Marathi film to cross ₹100 crore.
8. Masaan (2015) – Hindi | Drama
Synopsis: Set in Varanasi, Masaan interweaves two tragic stories: a young woman ostracized for a sexual encounter and a boy from a lower caste falling in love across social lines. Both search for liberation from the weight of tradition.
Why It’s a Hidden Gem: A winner at Cannes, this film is delicate, beautifully acted, and emotionally resonant. Yet it never reached the wider audience it merits.
9. Ship of Theseus (2013) – Hindi/English | Philosophical Drama
Synopsis: The film explores identity through three stories: a blind photographer who regains sight, a monk facing a moral dilemma, and a stockbroker uncovering organ theft. The title questions whether something remains the same when its parts change.
Why It’s a Hidden Gem: Intellectual and meditative, this film received international accolades but is still undiscovered by many Indian viewers.
10. Eeb Allay Ooo! (2019) – Hindi | Satirical Drama
Synopsis: A young migrant in Delhi lands a bizarre government job: scaring away monkeys from public buildings. As he struggles with the absurdity and alienation of the role, the film offers biting satire on class and identity.
Why It’s a Hidden Gem: Unusual, humorous, and socially sharp, this film was praised at festivals but never gained mainstream traction.
How to Find and Watch These Hidden Gems
Platforms to Explore:
- Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Zee5: Some underrated films are available here.
- MUBI and Hotstar: Great for indie and festival favorites.
- YouTube and Vimeo: Some films or short versions are uploaded directly by creators.
- Film festivals: Watch out for selections at IFFI, MAMI, or the Dharamshala International Film Festival.
Pro Tip: Use filters like “IMDb rating above 7.5, under 100,000 votes” to discover hidden cinematic gems.
The world of Indian film is far more than just Bollywood. Here’re those underrated films that remind us that story telling, innovation and impact sometimes doesn’t come with a ₹100 crore price tag; still their amazing in their own right. With Tumbbad’s eerie lore to Masaan’s heart-wrenching tale, every hidden gem is a welcome break from the monotony of mainstream cinema.
Listening to these stories does more than entertain it invites listeners to dive into India, with all its complexity, diversity and emotional intensity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What defines an underrated Indian movie? An underrated Indian movie is one that may not have received mass attention or commercial success but is critically acclaimed or offers high-quality storytelling and performances.
Q2: Are these films available with subtitles? Yes, most of these films are available with English subtitles on streaming platforms.
Q3: Why don’t underrated films get popular? Reasons include limited marketing, lack of star power, or non-mainstream language or themes. However, they often perform well at film festivals and among critics.
Q4: What genres do underrated Indian films cover? They span all genres—from romance and drama to horror, satire, and crime—often blending genres in unique ways.
Q5: Can regional films also be considered underrated? Absolutely. Many regional films are masterpieces in their own right but stay underappreciated due to linguistic and distribution barriers.