Unheralded Comedy Treasures: Indian Films Humorously Overlooked but Definitely Worth a Laugh
In the vast landscape of Indian cinema, there exists a treasure trove of comedies that often fly under the radar, overlooked by mainstream audiences and critics alike. These underrated gems offer a breath of fresh air, providing original voices, relatable characters, and stories that take a different route.
One such film is "Do Dooni Chaar" (2010), a heartwarming tale about a humble middle-class family navigating modern India with dreams of owning a car. Offering family-friendly humor and social commentary, this film is a must-watch for those seeking a gentle, yet insightful comedy experience.
Another underrated gem is "Sankat City" (2009), a fast-paced, unpredictable film about a car thief, a godman, and a bag of cash. Filled with quirky characters and smart humor, it's a comedy that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Many of these hidden gems can be found on popular streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar, and ZEE5. For instance, "Phas Gaye Re Obama" (2010) is a witty satire set during the global recession, offering smart political humor and rural characters that break stereotypes.
"Dasvidaniya" (2008) is another poignant film that balances humor and sentiment beautifully. It follows a man diagnosed with a terminal illness creating a list of things to do before he passes away.
"Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana" (2012) is a heartwarming tale about a man saving his family's dhaba and recovering a secret recipe. Meanwhile, "Yeh Saali Zindagi" (2011) is a crime-comedy with romantic chaos, while "Serious Men" (2020) is a satirical comedy-drama about ambition, class, and the price of a lie.
Some of these underrated comedies are in regional languages like Malayalam, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil, and Bengali. However, most streaming platforms provide English subtitles, making these films accessible to non-native speakers.
For example, "Ee Nagaraniki Emaindi" (Telugu, 2018) is a film about a group of friends pursuing filmmaking dreams, while "Maheshinte Prathikaaram" (Malayalam, 2016) is a film about a photographer seeking revenge in a small Kerala town.
"Bheja Fry" (2007) is a low-budget film with minimalist setup, brilliant acting, and sharp wit, while "Tere Bin Laden" (2010) is a film about a Pakistani reporter faking a video of Osama Bin Laden to migrate to the U.S., offering hilarious satire and boundary-pushing humor.
While these films might not have had massive marketing budgets or star-studded premieres, they offer a unique perspective on Indian humor and society. They might not fit typical Bollywood comedy formulas, but they are certainly worth seeking out for their originality, relatable characters, and clever writing.
Some of these films, like "Serious Men" or "Yeh Saali Zindagi," may not be suitable for younger audiences due to themes or language. However, for those willing to venture off the beaten path, these underrated Indian comedies are a goldmine of hidden gems waiting to be discovered.
References:
[1] Unherzindagi.com. (2020). Underrated Bollywood comedy movies on OTT platforms: JioHotstar, Prime Video, and more. [online] Available at: https://www.herzindagi.com/tv-ott/underrated-bollywood-comedy-movies-ott-jiohotstar-prime-video-article-1034426
[2] Mansworldindia.com. (2020). 9 underrated Hindi movies of 2025 that every cinephile must watch. [online] Available at: https://www.mansworldindia.com/lifestyle/entertainment/9-underrated-hindi-movies-of-2025-that-every-cinephile-must-watch
[3] The Better India. (2020). 10 underrated Indian films that deserve your attention. [online] Available at: https://www.thebetterindia.com/144715/underrated-indian-films-deserve-attention-netflix-amazon-prime-hotstar-zee5-disney-plus-hotstar-ott-platforms/
- The drama, action, animation, and box office hits often dominate Indian cinema, but the romance and comedy categories host their own treasures, such as the underrated gem "Do Dooni Chaar" (2010).
- Comedy movies like "Sankat City" (2009) and "Phas Gaye Re Obama" (2010), often overlooked, can be found on popular streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar, and ZEE5.
- In addition to Hindi films, regional languages like Malayalam, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil, and Bengali offer underrated comedies, such as "Ee Nagaraniki Emaindi" (Telugu, 2018) and "Maheshinte Prathikaaram" (Malayalam, 2016).
- The underrated film "Bheja Fry" (2007) is a low-budget comedy gem with brilliant acting, sharp wit, and minimalist setup.
- For those who enjoy adult-themed comedies, movies like "Serious Men" (2020) or "Yeh Saali Zindagi" (2011) offer a fresh perspective on Indian humor, society, and the Indian entertainment landscape.
- Whether you are into lifestyle, fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, or books, movies-and-tv are an essential part of your life, and delving into underrated Indian comedies can provide you with a unique viewing experience.
- Underrated Indian comedies, while not always grabbing the spotlight on the red carpet, are worth seeking out for their originality, relatable characters, and clever writing, offering a breath of fresh air in the vast landscape of Indian cinema.
