2023 marked a triumphant comeback year for Bollywood after a few lackluster pandemic-impacted years. A diverse array of films across genres connected with audiences and critics alike, breathing new life into the world’s most prolific film industry. From action blockbusters to heartfelt dramas to social commentaries, Hindi cinema offered something for everyone. Here’s a look at the 20 best Bollywood movies that stood out and made 2023 a memorable year:
1. Pathaan
Pathaan heralded the grand return of Shah Rukh Khan to the big screen after a 4-year hiatus. This globetrotting spy thriller, directed by Siddharth Anand, saw SRK in top form as the titular RAW agent who teams up with Pakistani agent Rubina (Deepika Padukone) to take down a rogue ex-RAW agent planning to unleash a devastating bioweapon on India. With jaw-dropping action sequences shot across exotic locations, crackling chemistry between its lead pair, and a scene-stealing extended cameo by Salman Khan, Pathaan was an all-out entertainer that brought audiences back to theaters in droves, breaking numerous box office records. It was the perfect showcase of SRK’s enduring stardom and a potent reminder of why he’s considered the King of Bollywood.
2. Jawan
2023 was the year of Shah Rukh Khan’s double comeback. After Pathaan‘s success, SRK returned a few months later with Jawan, an Atlee-directed action drama that presented the superstar in a never-before-seen avatar. Khan played a double role as Azad, a former army officer-turned-vigilante, and his son, a mute man caught up in Azad’s quest for revenge. The film’s intriguing premise, emotional core, and solid supporting turns by Nayanthara and Vijay Sethupathi helped it strike a chord with audiences. SRK’s transformative performance and the film’s powerful message about the plight of ex-servicemen cemented Jawan as one of the year’s biggest hits.
3. Animal
Ranbir Kapoor and Sandeep Reddy Vanga, the star and director of 2019’s Kabir Singh, reunited for this searing crime drama about a young man’s descent into the underworld to avenge his father’s murder. Set in the heartlands of India, Animal was a gritty, no-holds-barred exploration of toxic masculinity, generational violence, and the blurred lines between good and evil. Kapoor delivered a career-best performance as Jai, a brooding anti-hero consumed by rage and a thirst for revenge, while Anil Kapoor was equally compelling as his father. Vanga’s unflinching direction, Santhana Krishnan’s stunning cinematography, and the film’s immersive world-building made Animal a visceral and uncompromising cinematic experience.
4. Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani
Karan Johar returned to direction after 7 years with this delightfully old-fashioned romantic comedy. Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt played the titular couple, Rocky and Rani, two polar opposites who fall in love and must win over each other’s drastically different families. RRKPK was a refreshing throwback to the larger-than-life, song-and-dance filled romances of the 90s, complete with lavish sets, gorgeous costumes, and a stellar ensemble cast including Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan and Shabana Azmi. Johar’s trademark mix of romance, family drama and humor, along with Ranveer and Alia’s effervescent chemistry, made the film a comforting and entertaining watch. Its box office success reaffirmed the enduring appeal of the classic Bollywood romance.
5. Sam Bahadur
Vicky Kaushal followed up his Uri and Sardar Udham success with another stirring patriotic drama, a biopic of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, the legendary Indian army chief who led India to victory in the 1971 war. Meghna Gulzar’s direction captured both the public and private personas of Manekshaw, from his strategic acumen and leadership skills to his charming wit and stylish swagger. Kaushal disappeared into the role, nailing Manekshaw’s distinct voice and mannerisms, while also conveying the weight of the decisions he had to make. The film’s authentic recreation of key historical events like the 1971 war and its exploration of Manekshaw’s fascinating life made it a gripping and emotionally resonant watch.
6. Dunki
Trust Rajkumar Hirani to take a complex issue like illegal immigration and turn it into a heartwarming entertainer. Dunki starred Shah Rukh Khan as Bhola, a happy-go-lucky Punjabi villager who dreams of moving to Canada for a better life. He enlists the help of a local agent (Vicky Kaushal) who runs a shady business facilitating illegal immigration. What follows is a madcap journey filled with humor, emotion and social commentary as Bhola and his fellow immigrants navigate the challenges and pitfalls of chasing the elusive foreign dream. SRK’s effortless charm and Hirani’s trademark blend of laughter and tears made Dunki a rousing, thought-provoking entertainer that also raised important questions about the human cost of migration.
7. Afwaah
After a string of middling films, Nawazuddin Siddiqui bounced back with a riveting lead performance in Afwaah, Sudhir Mishra’s hard-hitting drama about the insidious impact of fake news and rumor-mongering. Siddiqui played Rahul, an earnest journalist who finds himself at the center of a media storm after he’s falsely accused of murder. As the lies and innuendo spread like wildfire, Rahul must fight to clear his name and uncover the truth. Mishra’s sharp direction and Siddiqui’s powerhouse performance made Afwaah a tense and timely thriller that held a mirror to the dark side of the digital age. Its chilling climax and powerful message about the importance of responsible journalism struck a chord with audiences.
8. Mere Desh Ki Dharti
Faraz Haider’s Mere Desh Ki Dharti was a heartwarming social drama that celebrated the resilience and ingenuity of India’s farmers. The film followed two young engineers, played by Divyenndu and Anupriya Goenka, who leave their corporate jobs to start a sustainable agricultural startup in their ancestral village. As they work with the local farmers to revive traditional farming practices and fight against corporate exploitation, they rediscover their roots and purpose. MDKD‘s earnest performances, lush visuals of rural India, and inspiring message about the dignity of farming made it a sleeper hit. Its success was a testament to the growing appetite for heartland stories that showcase the real India.
9. Kho Gaye Hum Kahan
Zoya Akhtar’s much-anticipated follow-up to Gully Boy was a searing generational drama about three childhood friends grappling with the challenges of adulthood in contemporary urban India. Ananya Panday, Siddhant Chaturvedi and Adarsh Gourav played the central trio whose lives are upended by a shocking tragedy. As they confront their grief, guilt and the complexities of their intertwined relationships, they must also navigate the pressures of career, family and societal expectations. Akhtar’s sensitive direction, the lead trio’s nuanced performances, and the film’s authentic exploration of millennial angst and ambition made KGHK a critical and commercial success. Its portrayal of the search for identity and meaning in an increasingly alienating world resonated deeply with young audiences.
10. Bheed
Anubhav Sinha continued his winning streak of hard-hitting social dramas with Bheed, a searing indictment of the plight of migrant workers during the COVID-19 lockdown. The film followed a group of migrants from different walks of life who are forced to undertake a perilous journey back to their villages after the sudden lockdown leaves them stranded without jobs or money. Sinha’s unflinching gaze captured the desperation, resilience and humanity of the migrants as they braved hunger, exhaustion and police brutality on their long walk home. Rajkummar Rao led the ensemble cast with a moving performance as a daily wage laborer determined to reunite with his family. Bheed‘s stark realism and empathetic storytelling made it an essential document of one of the most traumatic chapters in India’s recent history.
11. Lust Stories 2
Netflix’s popular anthology film series returned for a second installment, this time with four new stories exploring the complexities of love, sex and relationships in modern India. Konkona Sen Sharma, Tillotama Shome, Amruta Subhash and Kajol played the lead roles in the four segments directed by Sujoy Ghosh, Amit Sharma, Vasant Bala and Kajol herself. Each story offered a unique and nuanced perspective on female desire and agency, from a widow rediscovering her sexuality to a housewife’s extramarital affair to a young woman’s quest for self-love. The directors’ sensitive handling of the subject matter, the fearless performances by the leading ladies, and the film’s frank and refreshing approach to sexuality made it a groundbreaking and empowering watch.
12. Guns & Gulaabs
Raj & DK, the maverick duo behind The Family Man, made their highly anticipated return to feature films with this stylish and subversive crime thriller. Guns & Gulaabs was set in the dark underbelly of 1990s Mumbai and followed a disparate group of characters – a disillusioned cop, a ruthless gangster, a femme fatale, and a naive young man – whose lives collide in a web of violence, betrayal and redemption. Rajkummar Rao, Dulquer Salmaan, Adarsh Gourav and Gulshan Devaiah led the ensemble cast, each bringing a unique flavor to their morally ambiguous characters. Raj & DK’s signature blend of dark humor, pulpy thrills and social commentary, along with the film’s slick visual style and pulsating score, made Guns & Gulaabs a gripping and provocative neo-noir that pushed the boundaries of the genre.
13. Satyaprem Ki Katha
After a string of successful action films, Kartik Aaryan surprised audiences with his nuanced performance in this heartfelt romantic drama. Satyaprem Ki Katha told the story of Satya and Katha, two young lovers from different backgrounds who must overcome societal prejudices and family opposition to be together. Aaryan played Satya, a working-class man who falls in love with Katha, a wealthy and educated woman, played by Kiara Advani. The film’s sensitive portrayal of caste and class divides, along with its moving depiction of the transformative power of love, struck a chord with audiences. Aaryan and Advani’s sizzling chemistry, Sameer Vidwans’ emotionally resonant direction, and the film’s soulful music made it a poignant and uplifting romance that celebrated the triumph of love over hate.
14. Ae Watan Mere Watan
Kangana Ranaut delivered another fiery performance in this patriotic period drama about the forgotten heroes of India’s freedom struggle. Ranaut played Rama Mehta, a young woman from a conservative Gujarati family who becomes a secret agent for the Indian National Army during World War II. As she navigates the dangerous world of espionage and sabotage, Rama must also confront the personal cost of her choices and the sacrifices she must make for her country. Ranaut’s intense and physically demanding performance, along with the film’s lavish recreation of the 1940s era and its thrilling action sequences, made Ae Watan Mere Watan a rousing and inspiring tribute to the unsung heroes who fought for India’s independence.
15. Kathal
Sanya Malhotra charmed audiences with her endearing performance in this quirky and heartwarming small-town comedy. Kathal followed the misadventures of Mahima, a feisty young woman who takes on the local police and politicians when her prized jackfruits go missing. As she navigates the absurdities and corruption of small-town life, Mahima discovers her own strength and voice. Malhotra’s spunky and relatable performance, along with the film’s witty script and colorful supporting cast, made Kathal a delightful and refreshing watch. Its success was a testament to the growing appetite for slice-of-life stories that celebrate the humor and resilience of ordinary Indians.
16. Gumraah
Aditya Roy Kapur delivered a career-best performance in this gripping psychological thriller about a man accused of a heinous crime he has no memory of committing. Kapur played Arjun, a successful businessman who wakes up one morning to find himself arrested for the murder of his wife. As he struggles to piece together the events of the fateful night, Arjun must confront the dark secrets of his past and the possibility of his own guilt. Kapur’s intense and layered performance, along with the film’s taut direction by Vardhan Ketkar and its shocking twists and turns, made Gumraah a nerve-wracking and thought-provoking exploration of the nature of memory, identity and culpability.
17. Gaslight
After a series of glamorous roles, Sara Ali Khan proved her acting chops with a gritty and understated performance in this tense and atmospheric mystery thriller. Khan played Misha, a young woman who returns to her ancestral home after her estranged father’s death, only to find herself trapped in a web of secrets and lies. As she navigates the eerie halls of the mansion and the hostile reception from her stepmother and half-sister, Misha must uncover the truth behind her father’s death and confront the ghosts of her own past. Khan’s vulnerable and nuanced performance, along with the film’s Gothic visuals and slow-burn suspense, made Gaslight a haunting and immersive psychological drama that kept audiences guessing until the very end.
18. Tarla
Huma Qureshi delivered a tour-de-force performance in this biopic of the legendary chef and cookbook author Tarla Dalal. The film traced Dalal’s inspiring journey from a young housewife experimenting in her kitchen to a culinary icon who revolutionized home cooking in India. Qureshi captured Dalal’s passion, determination and infectious joy as she overcame personal and professional challenges to pursue her dreams. The film’s mouth-watering depiction of Dalal’s signature dishes, along with its heartwarming portrayal of her family life and friendships, made Tarla a delicious and uplifting celebration of food, entrepreneurship and the power of following one’s passions. Its success was a testament to the enduring appeal of Tarla Dalal’s legacy and the growing appetite for female-led biopics.
19. Haddi
Nawazuddin Siddiqui delivered a bravura performance in this daring and unconventional crime thriller. Siddiqui played dual roles as twin brothers – one a respected doctor and the other a ruthless gangster – whose lives become intertwined when one is mistaken for the other. As the brothers navigate a dangerous world of crime and deception, they must confront their own identities and the blurred lines between good and evil. Siddiqui’s chameleonic performance, along with the film’s stylish direction by Akshat Ajay Sharma and its unpredictable plot twists, made Haddi a bold and boundary-pushing exploration of the duality of human nature. Its success was a testament to Siddiqui’s versatility and risk-taking as an actor.
20. Kaalkoot
Vijay Varma impressed audiences and critics alike with his chilling performance in this dark and disturbing psychological thriller. Varma played Raghav, a reclusive and troubled artist who becomes obsessed with a mysterious woman he meets at a gallery opening. As he descends into a spiral of madness and violence, Raghav must confront the demons of his past and the consequences of his actions. Varma’s intense and unsettling performance, along with the film’s surreal visuals and haunting score, made Kaalkoot a nightmarish and uncompromising exploration of the dark side of creativity and obsession. Its unflinching portrayal of mental illness and toxic masculinity sparked important conversations about the need for greater awareness and empathy around these issues.
2023 will go down as a landmark year for Bollywood, not just for the quality and diversity of its output, but also for the way it brought audiences back to theaters after the pandemic-induced lull. The success of films like Pathaan, Jawan, and Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani proved that the big-screen experience still holds a special place in the hearts of Indian audiences, and that star power and spectacle will never go out of style.
As we look back on the best films of 2023, we can’t help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation for what the future holds. With a new generation of filmmakers and actors waiting in the wings, and a growing appetite for bold and original storytelling, the best of Bollywood is yet to come.
