"Underrated Gems: The Top 10 Indian Films You Need to See"

1. "A Death in the Gunj" (2016) - Directed by Konkona Sen Sharma, this psychological drama explores the complex relationships and secrets of a family on a holiday trip.

"A Death in the Gunj" is a masterfully crafted psychological drama that delves into the complexities of family relationships and the secrets we keep from one another. Directed by Konkona Sen Sharma, the film is set in the late 1970s and follows the McCluskie family as they gather for a holiday trip in a small town called McCluskiegunj.

The film boasts an impressive cast, led by Kalki Koechlin, who gives a powerful performance as the conflicted and troubled protagonist, Shutu. The other characters are equally well-drawn and acted, each with their own secrets and issues to contend with. The film explores the themes of identity, masculinity, and the weight of family expectations through the lens of Shutu’s personal journey.

The film's technical aspects are also noteworthy, with the art direction and costume design effectively evoking the period setting, and the music adding to the atmosphere of the film. The camera work is also noteworthy as it captures the beauty of the landscape and the simmering tension among the characters.

Overall, "A Death in the Gunj" is a thought-provoking and emotionally powerful film that will stay with you long after the credits have rolled. It is a must-watch for fans of Indian cinema, and for anyone looking for a film that offers a nuanced and honest exploration of human relationships.

2. "Killa" (2015) - Directed by Avinash Arun, this coming-of-age film follows an 11-year-old boy as he adapts to a new life in a small coastal village.

"Killa" is a coming-of-age film that tells the story of an 11-year-old boy named Chinmay, who moves with his mother to a small coastal village after his father's death. The film is directed by Avinash Arun and is a very well-crafted movie with a heartwarming story, great cinematography and a strong performance by the lead child actor Archit Deodhar who plays Chinmay.

The film's story is a simple one, but it's the small details that make it so effective. The film's portrayal of Chinmay's struggles to adapt to a new life in the village, as well as his relationship with his mother, is both honest and moving. The film deals with themes of grief, loss and the power of nature and how it can help us to heal.

The film's technical aspects are also noteworthy, with the film's cinematography capturing the beauty of the coastal village with its lush greenery, and the music score adding to the atmosphere of the film. The film's use of natural light and the use of the landscape in the storytelling is particularly noteworthy.

Overall, "Killa" is a poignant and deeply affecting film that will resonate with audiences of all ages. It is a beautifully made film that is both heartwarming and heartbreaking, and it is a must-see for anyone looking for a film that is both simple and profound at the same time.

3. "Court" (2014) - Directed by Chaitanya Tamhane, this legal drama offers a critical look at India's judicial system and the marginalized communities it often fails.

"Court" is a thought-provoking and powerful film that offers a critical look at India's judicial system and the marginalized communities it often fails. Directed by Chaitanya Tamhane, the film tells the story of a folk singer and activist who is arrested and put on trial for inciting a sewage worker to commit suicide through one of his songs.

The film boasts a strong cast, led by actor Vivek Gomber, who gives a powerful performance as the defendant. The film's screenplay is well-written and it's pacing is slow but it is purposeful as it allows the audience to take in the proceedings in the court room and the characters reactions. The film is also a commentary on the state of freedom of speech and expression in India.

The film's technical aspects are also noteworthy, with the film's cinematography capturing the drab and institutional settings of the court room effectively, adding to the film's overall tone and atmosphere. The film's score also adds to the tension and drama of the film.

Overall, "Court" is a thought-provoking and powerful film that offers a nuanced and honest look at the Indian judicial system and the marginalized communities it often fails. It is a must-watch for fans of Indian cinema, and for anyone interested in films that offer a critical look at the state of the world.

4. "Karthik Calling Karthik" (2010) - Directed by Vijay Lalwani, this psychological thriller stars Farhan Akhtar in a dual role as a man who starts receiving mysterious phone calls from himself.

"Karthik Calling Karthik" is a psychological thriller directed by Vijay Lalwani, starring Farhan Akhtar in a dual role as a man who starts receiving mysterious phone calls from himself. The film is a well-crafted psychological thriller that keeps the audience guessing until the very end. Farhan Akhtar gives a strong performance as the protagonist Karthik, a socially awkward, introverted man who starts to experience a change in his life after receiving these phone calls.

The film's story is intriguing and well-written, with several twists and turns that keep the audience guessing. The film also deals with themes of identity, self-discovery, and the power of the mind. The film's score and the cinematography are also noteworthy, adding to the overall atmosphere and tension of the film.

The film's technical aspects are also noteworthy, with the film's cinematography capturing the urban landscape of Mumbai effectively and the music score adding to the atmosphere of the film. Farhan Akhtar's acting is also noteworthy as he is able to convey the different emotions of the two characters he plays.

Overall, "Karthik Calling Karthik" is a well-crafted psychological thriller that offers a thought-provoking and emotionally powerful story of one man's journey to find his true self. It is a must-see for fans of Indian cinema, and for anyone looking for a film that offers a nuanced and honest exploration of the human mind.

5. "Vikram Vedha" (2017) - Directed by Pushkar-Gayathri, this action-crime film stars R. Madhavan and Vijay Sethupathi in a story about a police officer and a wanted criminal.

"Vikram Vedha" is a 2017 Indian Tamil-language neo-noir action crime thriller film directed by Pushkar-Gayathri and produced by S. Sashikanth. The film stars R. Madhavan and Vijay Sethupathi in the lead roles, while Shraddha Srinath, Kathir, and Varalaxmi Sarathkumar play supporting roles. The film received positive reviews upon its release, with praise for the performances of Madhavan and Sethupathi, the direction, and the screenplay. Many critics compared it to the Hollywood film "The Departed" and praised the film for its unique storytelling and the way it blended elements of Tamil folklore with modern crime thriller genre. The film was a commercial success and has since gained a cult following.

6. "The Lunchbox" (2013) - Directed by Ritesh Batra, this romantic comedy-drama tells the story of a mistaken delivery in Mumbai's dabbawala lunch delivery system that leads to an unlikely friendship.

"The Lunchbox" is a 2013 Indian epistolary romantic drama film written and directed by Ritesh Batra, and produced by Guneet Monga, Anurag Kashyap, and Arun Rangachari. The film stars Irrfan Khan, Nimrat Kaur, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui in the lead roles. The film follows a mistaken delivery in Mumbai's famously efficient lunchbox delivery system, which connects a young housewife to a lonely office worker through the daily exchange of notes in the lunchbox. It received positive reviews from critics upon its release, with praise for the performances, particularly of Irrfan Khan and Nimrat Kaur, the direction, the screenplay, and the cinematography. The film was a commercial success and won several awards, including the Critics Week Viewers Choice Award at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival. It was also India's official entry for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 86th Academy Awards.

7. "Udaan" (2010) - Directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, this coming-of-age film explores the struggles of a teenage boy who is forced to live with his abusive father in a small town.

"Udaan" is a 2010 Indian coming-of-age drama film directed by Vikramaditya Motwane and produced by Sanjay Singh, Anurag Kashyap and Ronnie Screwvala. The film stars Rajat Barmecha, Ronit Roy and Ram Kapoor in the lead roles. The film tells the story of a teenage boy who is expelled from his boarding school and returns home to live with his abusive father and his dream of becoming a writer. The film received widespread critical acclaim upon its release, with particular praise for the performances of the lead actors, particularly Rajat Barmecha, the direction, the screenplay, and the cinematography. The film was also praised for its portrayal of the complex relationship between father and son and the themes of freedom, repression and the search for identity. The film was a commercial failure but it was the recipient of several awards and nominations, including four Filmfare Awards.

8. "That Girl in Yellow Boots" (2011) - Directed by Anurag Kashyap, this psychological thriller stars Kalki Koechlin as a British woman searching for her father in India.

"That Girl in Yellow Boots" is a 2011 Indian psychological drama film written and directed by Anurag Kashyap and produced by Sunil Bohra. The film stars Kalki Koechlin and Naseeruddin Shah in the lead roles. The film follows the story of Ruth, a British woman searching for her father in Mumbai, who takes up a job at a massage parlor as a means to support herself and her search. The film received mixed reviews from critics upon its release, with praise for the performances of Kalki Koechlin and Naseeruddin Shah, the direction and the cinematography, but criticism for its slow pace and lack of emotional depth. Some reviewers also praised the film for its bold and unconventional subject matter and the way it dealt with issues of sexuality, class, and identity. The film was not a commercial success but it was the recipient of some awards and nominations.

9. "Ankhon Dekhi" (2013) - Directed by Rajat Kapoor, this dramedy film tells the story of a man, who after a personal crisis, decides to only believe in what he can see with his own eyes.

"Ankhon Dekhi" is a 2013 Indian Hindi-language drama film written and directed by Rajat Kapoor. The film stars Sanjay Mishra, Rajat Kapoor, and Seema Pahwa in the lead roles. The film tells the story of a man who, after a personal experience, decides to only believe what he sees with his own eyes, leading to chaos in his relationships and community. The film received wide critical acclaim upon its release, with praise for the performances, particularly of Sanjay Mishra, the direction, the screenplay, and the cinematography. Critics also praised the film for its humor, its portrayal of the complexities of human relationships and its exploration of the themes of truth, faith, and perception. The film was a commercial failure but it was the recipient of several awards and nominations, including two National Film Awards.

10. "Masaan" (2015) - Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, this drama film is set in Varanasi and tells the parallel story of four characters, dealing with issues of caste, class, and honor.

"Masaan" is a 2015 Indian Hindi-language drama film directed by Neeraj Ghaywan and produced by Phantom Films. The film stars Richa Chadha, Sanjay Mishra, Vicky Kaushal, and Shweta Tripathi in the lead roles. The film tells the story of four lives intersecting along the Ganges: a low caste boy falls hopelessly in love; a daughter ridden with guilt of a sexual encounter ending in a tragedy; a hapless father with fading morality; and a spirited child yearning for a family, long to escape the moral constructs of a small-town India. The film received widespread critical acclaim upon its release, with praise for the performances, particularly of Richa Chadha, Sanjay Mishra, and Vicky Kaushal, the direction, the screenplay, and the cinematography. The film was also praised for its portrayal of the complexities of human relationships, its exploration of the themes of caste, class, and morality, and its sensitive handling of taboo subjects. The film was a commercial failure but it was the recipient of several awards and nominations, including the FIPRESCI Prize in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival.