One of the best ways to get into new cinema is to watch those avant-garde cult films that have resonated with so many people across the world. After all, these films bring something new to the table, which is why they attract such a dedicated fan base. So, I figured it would be remiss if I did not compile a list of the five best Indian cult movies that can help you explore a different side of Indian/Bollywood movies.
But First… What is a Cult Movie?
A film that garners a devoted and passionate following within a niche audience, often transcending its initial commercial success or critical reception? That’s a cult film.
In other words, such films can be like a hidden gem before they slowly garner momentum and gain an audience in people who absolutely love it and can’t get enough of it. These movies are often quirky or different in some way, and they pull fans who feel a special connection to them.
Even if these films do not break the box-office record, they still manage to get a niche following as time goes on because they offer something unique to their viewers; many times, it is something that most other mainstream movies fail to touch on.
If you are looking for a more formal definition, then here’s how Dartmouth Libraries defines the term ‘cult movie’:
“A term denoting an eclectic group of films defined post hoc in terms of their consumption by dedicated and devoted groups of filmgoers who engage in repeat viewing, celebratory enthusiasm, and performative interaction (memorising dialogue, practising gestures, wearing costumes, etc.).”
If we’re talking about Hollywood, then some cult movies that come to mind are The Big Lebowski, Donnie Darko, and Office Space. As for Bollywood, well, that’s where this list comes in.
Top Picks for the Best Indian Cult Movies
1. Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983)
Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro Plot Synopsis
The first film on this list is about two hapless photographers who inadvertently uncover a web of corruption while trying to make ends meet. Their journey spirals into a chaotic adventure involving political intrigue, murder, and absurd situations.
Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro Cast Details
- Director: Kundan Shah
- Lead Cast: Naseeruddin Shah, Ravi Baswani, Om Puri, Pankaj Kapur, Satish Shah, Bhakti Barve
Why You Should Watch It
While the themes of Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro — such as corruption and politics — are tried and tested topics for Bollywood, the comedy is what sets this film apart from its contemporaries.
I will be honest. When I first started watching the film, I thought it was a little slow and took time to build up, so I put it aside. A few months later, I rewatched it completely, and after the hilarious climax that made me laugh till I was crying, I mentally kicked myself for not having finished the movie before.
2. Khosla Ka Ghosla (2006)
Khosla Ka Ghosla Plot Synopsis
Khosla Ka Ghosla is the story of Kamal Kishore Khosla, a middle-class man who dreams of owning his own house. In fact, it’s probably the only thing he truly cares about, especially with all the family drama intensifying.
Just when it seems like he will be a proud homeowner, it turns out that luck — and the system — isn’t really on his side.
Khosla’s plans are thwarted when a corrupt land developer, Khurana, fraudulently seizes his property. Determined to reclaim what is rightfully theirs, Khosla’s family devises a clever scheme involving a fake government official to outwit Khurana and retrieve their beloved home.
Khosla Ka Ghosla Cast Details
- Director: Dibakar Banerjee
- Lead Cast: Anupam Kher, Boman Irani, Parvin Dabas, Vinay Pathak, Ranvir Shorey and Tara Sharma
Why You Should Watch It
Khosla Ka Ghosla is a brilliant movie that looks at the bureaucratic challenges and corruption rampant in Indian society with the help of a protagonist who represents an important section of its population — the middle class.
However, this isn’t just another film that looks at the pressures and injustices of daily life. Instead, it focuses closely on the homeownership issue, with Khosla’s family drama ongoing in the background. Khosla Ka Ghosla’s brilliance lies in how it eventually melds the two distinct narrative threads to create a saga of familial retribution that tugs at the heartstrings of the audience.
3. Gandu (2010)
Gandu Plot Synopsis
The unnamed protagonist in this film — whom everyone refers to as a “gandu” — lives a mundane life and has what appears to be an emotionally abusive relationship with his mother, who herself supports the house by pleasing her lover. To escape from his urban prison-like existence, he relies on drugs and rap music.
Eventually, Gandu becomes friends with Ricksha, and they start spending more and more time together. Amidst all this, Gandu struggles to find meaning in his life; he becomes increasingly disillusioned with society. However, he ends up on a journey of self-discovery and rebellion against the constraints of his environment as the movie progresses.
Gandu Cast Details
- Director: Qaushiq Mukherjee (also known as “Q”)
- Lead Cast: Anubrata Basu, Joyraj Bhattacharjee, Kamalika Banerjee, Silajit Majumder, and Rii Sen
Why You Should Watch It
Gandu is the kind of film that zeroes in on what life can be for many kids in this modern world — lonely, complex, and difficult to navigate — in a way that most other Indian films simply have failed to capture. All the reviews call it “raw” and “authentic,” and they’re not wrong… But the strength of this film lies in its ability to succinctly yet explitictly explore what it means to grow up in tough situations.
This movie is a great embodiment of the anti-establishment/rebellion phase many young people go through, especially in an Indian context, where these themes are not generally discussed in such depth as in Gandu. It also deals with various other complex issues like sexuality and coming-of-age experiences.
If you want something edgy and surrealistic, then this is the film for you.
Plus, the Bengali rap will not disappoint.
4. Tumbbad (2018)
Tumbbad Plot Synopsis
Tumbbad is a gripping dark fantasy horror film that unravels the ominous secrets of the namesake cursed village in Maharashtra. Set in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it follows the tale of Vinayak Rao, a young boy fascinated by the mysterious legend of his family’s hidden treasure that is guarded by a malevolent deity, Hastar. As he grows older, Vinayak becomes obsessed with finding the treasure, putting his very existence at risk.
Tumbbad Cast Details
- Director: Rahi Anil Barve
- Lead Cast: Sohum Shah, Harsh K
Why You Should Watch It
Tumbbad is one of those films that doesn’t rely on any jumpscares.
It does, however, pack a punch in the finale, with greed being the ultimate driving force behind the horrible incidents that transpire, thereby relegating the hard task of impacting its viewers to “emotions” and not camera tricks.
This is not to say the movie doesn’t have brilliant cinematography; in fact, the director had made a 700-page storyboard Tumbbad, and the effort that has gone into its visuals is evident (though I do wish that Hastar’s design somewhat missed the mark).
Moreover, the story, imbued with Indian mythology and folklore, is a distinct one, and Tumbbad deals heavily with morally ambiguous characters who get swayed by emotions like greed and jealousy. Still, its layered narrative and dark and atmospheric tone also deserve applause.
5. Ship of Theseus (2012)
Ship of Theseus Plot Snyopsis
Ship of Theseus is an introspective drama that weaves together three distinct narratives exploring themes of identity, morality, and the larger interconnectedness of life.
The film follows the lives of three characters: a visually impaired photographer named Aliya, a monk named Maitreya who battles for animal rights, and a stockbroker named Navin who undergoes a kidney transplant. As their individual journeys unfold, each character grapples with profound questions about existence, ethics, and the nature of self.
Ship of Theseus Cast Details
- Director: Anand Gandhi
- Lead Cast: Aida El-Kashef, Neeraj Kabi, Sohum Shah
Why You Should Watch It
This is a film that challenges most human perceptions around change and existence. Given its title, it is no surprise that Ship of Theseus is heavily philosophical in nature and presents deeper questions about the notion of “good” v/s “bad,” spirituality, and the human condition.
If you’re someone who is new to philosophy, then this movie can truly be a great introduction to different ways of thinking about life. In that vein, it is possible to see why many people have claimed this movie “changed” their life. However, if you’re someone who has been exposed to various schools of thought, then its philosophy may not be *that* groundbreaking for you — but still, it won’t disappoint.
Either way, Ship of Theseus will leave you with a lot to think about. But more importantly, I think the genius of its film lies in the fact that it helps its viewer reckon with the ever-changing nature of life, thoughts, faith, beliefs, systems, institutions, and relationships without being preachy.
