'October', 'Maqbool', 'Lootera': Bollywood's underrated movies that deserved more love

Shoojit Sircar’s 'October' is a subtle Bollywood love story, but displayed in a very out-of-the-box angle. Starring Varun Dhawan in one of his most restrained roles, the film beautifully explored love, loss, and compassion. Its in-depth emotions didn’t resonate with mainstream audiences at the time of release, but it has since garnered cult status among all cinema lovers.

Vishal Bhardwaj’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth was a masterpiece with Irrfan Khan, Tabu, and Pankaj Kapur. While it did not achieve mainstream box office success, the movie remains a benchmark in Indian parallel cinema, often studied for its storytelling and cinematic craft.

Starring Ranveer Singh and Sonakshi Sinha, 'Lootera' is a poetic love story inspired by O. Henry’s short story 'The Last Leaf'. While the film’s cinematic visuals, soulful music, and marvelous performances made it an artistic gem, it didn’t churn money at the box office. Despite being a commercial flop, today, it remains a favorite among lovers of soulful cinema.

Ranbir Kapoor as the earnest yet rebellious salesman Harpreet Singh delivered a refreshing performance in 'Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year'. Directed by Shimit Anin, the movie talked about workplace ethics, integrity, and the struggle of staying honest in a corrupt system. It failed commercially but is remembered lovingly as one of Ranbir’s most refined roles.

Abhishek Chaubey’s dacoit drama set in the valleys of Chambal was an unapologetically real depiction. With excellent performances by Sushant Singh Rajput, Manoj Bajpayee, and Bhumi Pednekar, 'Sonchiriya' presented themes of morality, caste oppression, and redemption. The movies appeared too niche for mass audiences but remain one of Bollywood’s finest works of all time.

Even Shah Rukh Khan could not make this movie a box office hit. 'Swades' did not enjoy the commercial glory that many of his other films did. Ashutosh Gowariker’s story of an NRI reconnecting with his roots was way ahead of its time. But it is not unknown that today, the movie is considered one of SRK’s most iconic performances and a film that speaks deeply about social responsibility and belonging.

An exceptionally out-of-the-box love story where two strangers connect through letters in a misplaced dabba, The Lunchbox remains a masterpiece for all the movie lovers. Though the movie won global acclaim, but it still felt underappreciated in its home country. Irrfan Khan and Nimrat Kaur’s understated chemistry remains one of Bollywood’s most tender portrayals of love.