Planning a movie night with the whole fam? Here’s a list of some classic Bollywood that make for the perfect family watch!
Chak De India (2007)
YouTube Trailer Chak De India
Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Vidya Malvade, Sagarika Ghatge and others
Directed By: Shimit Amin
Release Date: 10 August, 2007
Overall Take: A film with stellar performances, not just by Shah Rukh Khan, but a host of other actors who make part of the hockey team. With a take on the Indian sports scene, the film is a heartfelt expression of patriotism coupled with an authentic representation of what it truly means to play in a team.
Kapoor & Sons: Since 1921 (2016)
YouTube Trailer Kapoor & Sons
Starring: Sidharth Malhotra, Alia Bhatt, Fawad Khan, Rishi Kapoor, Ratna Pathak
Directed By: Shakun Batra
Release Date: 18 March, 2016
Overall Take: Kapoor & Sons is a contemporary family drama that touches upon some crucial topics pervading our generation and more so, our society today. It harps on the fact that every family has an overwhelming amount of baggage – and that family can also be the one to hurt you the most.
The Lunchbox (2013)
Starring: Irrfan Khan, Nimrat Kaur, Nawazuddin Siddiqui
Directed By: Ritesh Batra
Release Date: 08 December, 2013
Overall Take: This one is a poignant reminder of the elusiveness of love. An adorable, wholesome storyline that is carried off with such effortless charm and wit from the lead characters whom you just can’t NOT adore!
Dil Dhadkne Do (2015)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating:
60% (Tomatometer) 72% (audience score)
Rating: PG (U/A)
YouTube Trailer Dil Dhadakne Do
Starring: Anil Kapoor, Shefali Shetty, Priyanka Chopra, Farhan Akhtar, Ranveer Singh
Directed By: Zoya Akhtar
Release Date: 30 November, 2016
Overall Take: The quintessential, classic Bollywood’s grand family and the shenanigans within. This one makes for the ideal family movie-night watch. A manifestation of the old saying that indeed, money cannot buy you happiness.
Badhaai Ho (2018)
YouTube Trailer Badhai Ho
Starring: Ayushmann Khurana, Sanya Malhotra, Neena Gupta, Gajraj Rao
Directed By: Amit Ravendernath Sharma
Release Date: 19 October, 2018
Overall Take: This one is an amusing comedy that elucidates our hypocritical outlook towards sex. Hidden beneath these layers of comedy is a thought-provoking social message – and coupled with meticulous thought put into the casting and dialogues, it’s a family treat!
The Sky is Pink (2019)
YouTube Trailer The Sky is Pink
Starring: Priyanka Chopra, Farhan Akhtar, Zaira Wasim, Rohit Saraf
Directed By: Shonali Bose
Release Date: 11 December, 2019
Overall Take: The Sky is Pink is unanticipatedly humorous in places, with a larger, touching plot that makes it quite the tearjerker. This is a narration of a couple’s love story, except that it is from the point of view of their young teenage daughter who succumbs to a life-threatening illness.
Chillar Party (2011)
YouTube Trailer Chillar Party
Starring: Irrfan Khan, Sanath Menon, Rohan Grover, and others
Directed By: Vikas Behl, Nitesh Tiwari
Release Date: 08 July, 2011
Overall Take: An emotional, innocent take on childhood friendships and harmless naivete. Chillar Party is fairly uplifting, while also touching upon some sensitive, triggering content about a homeless, orphaned child.
English Vinglish (2012)
YouTube Trailer English Vinglish
Starring: Sridevi, Adil Hussain, Mehdi Nabbou, and others
Directed By: Gauri Shinde
Release Date: 30 November, 2012
Overall Take: A heart-warming story of a woman, mother, and entrepreneur in her own right – who overcomes her biggest insecurity that has been the cause of her mutilated self-esteem; and discovers new-found self-worth.
Dear Zindagi (2016)
YouTube Trailer Dear Zindagi
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Shahrukh Khan
Directed By: Gauri Shinde
Release Date: 25 November, 2016
Overall Take: Dear Zindagi is emotionally compelling, relatable, and perfectly apt for its time. A story surrounding Kaira, a young adult who struggles with a host of relationship problems. She begins going to therapy, where she meets Dr. Jehangir – who helps her with navigating her problems and the curveballs that life throws her way while discovering the root cause of it all.
Dangal (2016)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating:
88% (Tomatometer) 94% (audience score)
Rating: U/A
YouTube Trailer Dangal
Starring: Aamir Khan, Sakshi Tanwar, Fatima Sana Sheikh, Sanya Malhotra
Directed By: Nitesh Tiwari
Release Date: 21 December, 2016
Overall Take: A gripping story of a former wrestler and father, who strives to train his daughters to compete in the Commonwealth Games. A thrilling story of the various challenges and stigma they encounter along the way, and the glorious victory over them!
Happy Movie-thon! We guarantee that you and your family will have a blast, take your pick and kick back with one of these.
