We bet you are bombarded with recommendations of ‘films to watch’ from friends and family on a weekly basis. While Hindi and English are common choices, there is no dearth of content in the regional space. We hop on to the recommendation bandwagon and give you suggestions on what you can lap up, because hey, all quality advice is welcome. Isn’t it?
Kumbalangi Nights (2019)
Director: Madhu C Narayanan
Platform: Amazon Prime
Source- Amazon Prime
This Malayali movie chronicles the life of four estranged brothers living in Kumbalangi, a village in Kerala. Circumstances push the brothers to keep their differences aside and work together. While the film showcases the stunning backwaters, forts, lush greenery synonymous with Kerala, its beauty lies in highlighting flawed and broken humans striving to do better each day.
Super Deluxe (2019)
Director: Thiagarajan Kumararaja
Platform: Netflix
Source- Netflix
The stories of a transgender father, a cheating wife, an angry son, and four friends run parallel to each other, only to culminate into a common climax. The flick touches upon human emotions, social and political satire, pop culture references from Tamil cinema, much to a cinephile’s delight. Do watch out for five-year-old Ashok Kumar’s superlative performance.
Angamalay Diaries (2017)
Director: Lijo Jose Pellisery
Platform: Netflix
Source- Netflix
Vincent Pepe and his friends want to make a mark in the thriving pork market in Kerala. The only hitch is another gang that has their monopoly over this business, and wouldn’t let anyone establish themselves. Thus begins the journey of this group of friends of settling into this world, their turbulent love lives, and how they progress. If you are looking for a feel-good watch, this is for you.
Ee.Ma.Yu (2018)
Director: Lijo Jose Pellisery
Platform: Amazon Prime
Source- Amazon Prime
As Vavachan drops dead after a fun, long conversation with his son, Vikariyachan, about the grandeur of his funeral, the latter swears to grant his father’s wish despite financial constraints. What follows are a few dark, funny incidents that delay the funeral. The interesting storyline showcases how different people react to death.
C/0 Kancharapalem (2018)
Director: Venkatesh Maha
Platform: Netflix
Source- Netflix
Kancharapalem is a small town in Andhra Pradesh where the community is very close-knit. The film depicts the love stories of four couples of various age groups based in Kancharapalem, a small town in Andhra Pradesh. The varied age groups lend themselves to various issues around religion, caste, sexuality, and class. What makes this Telugu film stand apart is the fact that it makes you laugh in one scene and ponder, in the other. Watch out for many such sequences.
Muramba (2017)
Director: Varun Narvekar
Platform: Sony LIV
Source- Sony Liv
Alok’s (Amey Wagh) parents are unapologetically nosey and are keen to find out the reason behind their son’s break up with his girlfriend of three years Indu (Mithila Palikar) and try to reconcile them. It’s a simple rom-com but a little different as we see things from Alok’s perspective. This Marathi film is simple, sweet, and insanely funny.
Village Rockstar (2017)
Director: Rimi Das
Platform: Netflix
Source- Netflix
This coming of age Assamese film has swept major international awards for a reason. 10-year-old Dhunu (Bhanita Das) sole aim in life is to own a guitar and form a rock band with village boys. The film deals with subjects like poverty and simple aspirations deftly but leaves a hole in the heart for Dhanu and many kids like her.
Haami (2018)
Director- Nandita Roy, Shiboprosad Mukherjee
Platform- Amazon Prime Video
Source- Amazon Prime
This Bengali film follows the aftermath of an innocent Hami (a peck on cheeks) between Bhutu and Chini, two 7-year-olds. The kids think nothing of this peck but parents however blow this out of proportion a hilarious plot ensues. The film tells the tale of friendships, innocence, and simpler things in life. Also, watch out for performances by both the kids, Broto Banerjee (Bhutu) and Tiyasha Pal (Chini).