Mainstream films ahead of their time (90s to present)

Page

Next Last

Dia Singh

@diasingh2

Rocker

+ 2

Posted: 7 years ago

So lets pick out some of the unconventional films in the past 28 years that were :-

a) unique and different from the regular films of their time.

b) dealt with something that's still relevant today

c) touched an issue/topic that was way ahead of its time.

Please note that I am talking about the mainstream cinema and not the "parallel" cinema OR "art films" or "OR independent" films. So please don't mention films like Ek Doctor Ki Maut (1990), Bandit Queen (1994) OR That Girl In Yellow Boots (2011), as they are/were not considered mainstream films.

One good example would be Lamhe (1991) since it was as mainstream as it gets, being a Yashraj venture.

Here's my list

Guzarrish (2010)
I think it was a brilliant film that unfortunately came out at a time when cine-goers were more interested in films like Dabangg which had brought back the 80s masala genre to Hindi cinema.
Delhi Belly (2011)
For the first time, a mainstream Hindi film tackled dark comedy. A controversial venture indeed by Aamir Khan. 😆😉
Kaun (1999)
A unique and well-directed film by RGV. The film had no songs, and literally 3 characters and still was NOT promoted as an "art" film. A perfect mix of horror, suspense and thriller.😃
Andaz Apna Apna (1994)
Need I say anything about this gem? Can't believe it was a box office flop.😲 Glad that it developed a cult following over the years.👏
Dil Chahta Hai (2000)
An out and out commercial film, and certainly ahead of its time.⭐️ Even today, the film looks and feels so FRESH.😊

Edited by diasingh2 - 7 years ago

Quote

Frequent Posters

1098676

Suspended

Posted: 7 years ago

Delhi Belly was a Hit, so it was not ahead of it's time. A movie is called ahead of it's time, when it doesn't work at the box office, but gets a cult status among the audience, after many years of it's release.

Guzaarish is ahead of it's time, but the movie is still not celebrated as a classic after many years of it's release. The reviews of this movie is polarizing. I don't think this movie should be categorized as mainstream cinema.

Andaz Apna Apna was definitely ahead of it's time. The movie was rejected because 90s audience was not habitual of watching an out-and-out comedy movie, with no emotional appeal or without any depth in characters. But if released today, it'll be a Blockbuster.

DCH was kind of a path-breaking cinema, than being ahead of it's time. It was not rejected by the audience, but it was not a big Hit either, because the target audience was only limited to the urban youth. Even if released today, the movie will not be a big Hit compared to Aamir's other Blockbusters, because the movie has limited appeal.

I think Kaante(Reservoir Dogs rip-off), was also ahead of it's time. The movie didn't work in past, because of it's "Hollywoodish" plot, though the makers did put all the masala ingredients to appeal to the massy audience. Such type of movie will work today, as the audience has became matured to handle such complex plots. Kaante will be a Blockbuster if released now.

Another rip-off London Paris New York, which is a copy of Before Sunrise also seems to be ahead of it's time to me. I don't know if this movie didn't work because the actors were not popular, or the plot was too niche, but I think this movie will be appreciated in the future.

Tamasha is another movie which seems like will get a cult status in future years. The movie is very different and has a poetic feel to it.

Awarapan and Swades were other two of last decade, which were rejected by the audience, but has got a cult status. Swades was ahead of it's time, and has got it's audience finally.

Awarapan, I can't say clearly that this movie was ahead of it's time or not, or it didn't work just because Emraan Hashmi didn't do any erotic scenes in the film. But the movie is very layered, so I think it was released at the wrong time.

And of course, Gangs Of Wasseypur...This movie has already got a cult following, and will be part of mainstream cinema after 15-20 years.

There are many other movies coming in my mind, but they are not mainstream, and neither they will become in future, so I'll not mention them.

Quote

Looks like you are new here. Register for free, learn and contribute.

Stone Cold

@Stone-Cold

Dazzler

+ 2

Posted: 7 years ago

Shah Rukh's Dil Se and Koyla were ahead of it's time, especially Dil Se.

Quote

AlicentHightower

@QueenRhaenys

Dazzler

Posted: 7 years ago

Jagga Jasoos.I hope Basu re-releases it with better editing.

Quote

Bollywoodlaver

@Bollywoodlaver

Voyager

Posted: 7 years ago

Lamhe, Dil chahta hai, munnabhai mbbs and Dus

Edited by Bollywoodlaver - 7 years ago

Quote

subhs

@subhs

Rocker

+ 5

Posted: 7 years ago

Jagga jasoos and Dil chahta hai

Quote

1146481

Suspended

Posted: 7 years ago

I dont know if Andaz Apna Apna was "ahead of their time". It was a great comedy film but wud hv worked if properly marketed. The only reason it flopped was bcoz people did not know about the film release as the producer had botched it up.

My list:

Guzaarish

Lakshya

ZNMD

Kites (I loved this film. Back then, the language barrier caused issues. It wud hv worked in Multiplex today)

Luck by Chance

Phir Milenge (Salman)

Lamhe (Sridevi, Anil Kapoor)

Edited by ThunderLight - 7 years ago

Quote

Erika

@roni_berna

Stunner

+ 6

Posted: 7 years ago

Mother India: A woman single-handedly managing to feed her family and in the end she as a mother kills her own son for abducting a girl. It is still a concept that people only appreciate on screen but refuse to accept it in reality.

Chandni Bar, Astitva: Both were way ahead of their time where one shows the story of a bar dancer and the other is a story about infidelity of a woman.

Dor: A movie which shows how a widow has to suppress her feelings just because her husband died and how she isn't allowed to smile and laugh and keep mourning the rest of her life.

Prem Rog: Similar concept of Dor and made years back. I loved every aspect of this movie. It wasn't regressive at all and Rishi Kapoor's character loved PAdmini despite of being married and supported her throughout even after she became a widow.

Aakhir Kyun: Another gem where the wife leaves her husband who has an affair with her cousin. She refuses to accept infidelity and live such a life and leads her life as a divorcee.