Must-watch off-beat Hindi films that redefined Bollywood storytelling

Vidhu Vinod Chopra's '12th Fail' is inspired by the real-life story of IPS officer Manoj Kumar Sharma, a story of perseverance in the face of Herculean odds. Vikrant Massey takes on an astounding role. The film captures how many of India's UPSC aspirants struggle to achieve a dream and inspires us by virtue of their sincerity.

'Masaan' is a poignant narrative woven within the ghats of Varanasi, depicting stories around love, loss and tabooed social conventions. With a memorable performance from Richa Chadha and an incredible debut from Vicky Kaushal, alongside a richly earned place in International critical acclaim for its poetic narratives and emotional weight.

Running contrary to a soft lighting convention, 'Mithya', a dark comedy-thriller, stars Ranvir Shorey and offers layer upon layer of mistaken identity story along with all the association conveyed to the imagery of the underworld. Esoteric, impenetrable, and quirky - one of these underrated films is worthy of ongoing cult prominence.

'Pink' featuring Amitabh Bachchan and Taapsee Pannu is not just a courtroom drama, but it goes further than that; it empowers and questions consent and women's rights. The discourse that ‘Pink’ generated was incalculable, and the impact nationally went beyond the four walls of a theatre; screening is evidence that cinema has the power to create discourse.

Hansal Mehta's 'Shahid' tells the story of the lawyer and activist Shahid Azmi, using Rajkummar Rao in a career-defining performance. 'Shahid' brings injustice to the fore and tells a great story of resistance and the power of an individual to fight for truth.

Vikramaditya Motwane's 'Udaan' charts the journey of a teenager trapped in a rigid structure imposed by his authoritarian father. The movie touches on issues of freedom, identity, and rebellion beautifully and stands to be a milestone of the independent cinema wave of India.