Overlooked Cinematic Treasures : rediscovering underrated films

The films I will talk about today, hold a special place in my heart. These films are exquisite examples of cinema, encompassing brilliant casting, direction, aesthetics, and emotions. They have helped me understand that films transcend mere mainstream cinema. Allow me to acquaint you with these forgotten jewels.

1. Rocket Singh : Salesman of the year

Director : Shimit Amin

Writer : Jaideep Sahni

Main Cast : Ranbir Kapoor, Gauahar Khan, Prem Chopra, Naveen Kaushik, D'Santosh, Mukesh Bhat, Shazahn Padamsee, Manish Chaudhari

This movie was released in the year 2009 and yet it is unheard of by many. The movie revolves around a guy, Harpreet Singh Bedi, a fresh college graduate who starts his own small sales firm after facing setbacks in the corporate world. Through honesty and unconventional methods, he challenges the norms of the cutthroat sales industry, demonstrating integrity and entrepreneurial spirit.

The movie excels in its portrayal of the realism. The director brilliantly explores the ethical dilemmas of the corporate culture with the aesthetics of a middle class college graduate. The writers did a great job combining drama of the corporate world with humorous chatter. Ranbir Kapoor did justice to the role of Harpreet Singh Bedi, capturing the evolution of the character from a naive young adult to an entrepreneurial mastermind. The cast enhances the authenticity of each character and strikes a cord with the audience by exploring the themes of integrity. The ending leaves the viewer with a sense of satisfaction as it showcases Harpreet's growth from a disillusioned employee to a principled entrepreneur.

2. Bend it like Beckham

Director : Gurinder Chadha

Writer : Gurinder Chadha, Guljit Bindra, Paul Mayeda Berges

Main Cast : Parminder Nagra, Keira Knightly, Johnathan Meyers, Anupam Kher, Shaheen Khan, Ameet Chana, Juliet Stevenson, Archie Panjabi

This brilliant piece of cinema came out in 2002. This exceptional film may not have been a box-office hit, but it truly captured my heart. "Bend It Like Beckham" is a coming-of-age sports comedy that explores themes of cultural identity, gender roles, sexuality, and family expectations. Directed by Gurinder Chadha, the film follows Jess, a British-Indian teenager with a passion for soccer, navigating the clash between her traditional Sikh upbringing and her ambitions.

The brilliant storyline navigates Jess' struggles with societal norms and her personal growth, cleverly intertwining humor with touching moments. The film's strength lies in its authentic portrayal of cultural clashes and the bonds of friendship, supported by strong performances from Parminder Nagra and Keira Knightley. With a performance which made me cry and one of the better soundtrack's, "Bend It Like Beckham" remains one of my comfort films forever.

3. Finding Fanny

Director : Homi Adajania

Writer : Homi Adajania, Kersi Khambatta

Main Cast : Deepika Padukone, Arjun Kapoor, Naseeruddin Shah, Dimple Kapadia, Pankaj Kapur, Ranveer Singh, Anand Tiwari

This fun little movie which is a roller coaster of many emotions was released in 2014. Although it had a star studded cast, the movie didn't make it big at the cinemas. Finding Fanny is a whimsical exploration of love, loss, and redemption set against the backdrop of rural Goa. Homi Adajania's direction portrays a human narrative, focusing on a group of quirky and weird characters going on a road trip to find a lost love. This quirky piece of cinema led by Naseeruddin Shah and Deepika Padukone, the film works through themes of regret, redemption, and the bittersweet nature of life's unexpected turns. This film hold a special place in my heart because it captures human connections and behavior and it left a lasting impression on me.

4. Blinded by the Light

Director : Gurinder Chadha

Writer : Sarfraz Manzoor, Gurinder Chadha, Paul Mayeda Berges

Main cast : Viviek Kalra, Billy Barratt, Kit Reeve, Kulvinder Ghir, Nikita Mehta, Meera Ganatra, Aaron Phagura, Hayley Atwell

This wholesome film was released in the year 2019 and oh how I loved watching every minute of this film. Blinded by the Light is a heartfelt coming-of-age story that explores the transformative power of music. Set in the year 1987, the film follows Javed, a British-Pakistani teenager, who finds peace and inspiration in the music of Bruce Springsteen during the economic and racial turmoil of Thatcher-era England. Directed by Gurinder Chadha, the film masterfully portrays cultural and personal identity crises using various media and beautiful cinematography.

Javed deals with familial expectations, societal pressures, and his own dreamsand his discovery of Springsteen's music allows him to express his defiance towards his conservative upbringing and racist attitudes. Viviek Kalra not only did justice to this role but also enhanced it. The brilliant direction captures the intertwining of Springsteen's music with the highs and lows of his life seamlessly. One thing I love about this movie more than any other factor is how well the supporting characters blended into the story. Aaron Phagura and Kulvinder Ghir were my favourites because of their exceptional performances.

"Blinded by the Light" reminds us that even in the darkest times, a guiding light can lead us to our true selves.

If you enjoyed this blog, the do leave a comment about how you think it was and what other things should I cover in my next one!

Love, Trintrin