Bollywood is famous for making films based on a set formula that guarantees to bring in hard cash. Even if the formula supports regressive, sexiest, and misogynist mindsets. But there are some films when you see them, you feel they are progressive, and the filmmakers who have made them have taken a bold stand. These filmmakers have not shied away from giving us PROGRESSIVE FILMS that made Bollywood cinema watchable and forward-thinking.
Here are a few of the Progressive Films, which graced the screen in recent times:
1 Masaan (2015)
The film makes a bold attempt to deal with the punishing caste system with great sensitivity. Power-packed with top–notch performances by Vicky Kaushal and Richa Chadda. It can be considered one of the leading progressive films of all time.
2 Dirty Picture (2013)
This film was inspired by the lives of Silk Smitha and many of her contemporaries from Southern Cinema. The film addresses the sexualization and objectification of women in cinema. With the power-packed performance of Vidya Balan, this progressive film handled the innate sexism of the film industry in an admirable way.
3 Cheeni Kum (2007)
In this progressive film, Amitabh Bachchan plays the role of Buddhadev who is 64 years old Chef living with his mother who is 85. He falls in love with 34-year-old Nina Verma (Tabu), who is even elder than her father in age. This film showcased such a mega age gap, breaking the stereotype.
4 My Brother Nikhil (2005)
The film beautifully portrays unconventional relationships—one of the finest that has touched upon the topic of the LGBTQ+ community. The film is very sensitive, powerful, emotional, and life-changing. Fine performances by Juhi Chawla and Sanjay Suri.
5 Shubh Mangal Saavdhan (2017)
Nobody ever made an attempt to acknowledge that men could have erectile dysfunction. In a masculine society like ours, this film was definitely a step forward. Fine performances by Bhumi Pednekar and Ayushmann Khurrana.
6 Queen (2014)
We live in a society, where a woman is expected to be broken after her marriage is called off. But, this film managed to shatter this stereotype and normalized a woman traveling to her earlier planned honeymoon alone, to find her confidence. It was one of the most empowering films of recent times. What a performance by Kangana Ranaut.
7 Haider (2014)
Director Vishal Bhardwaj did an incredible job in adapting William Shakespeare’s Hamlet in a manner that perfectly blended into the story of Kashmir. Great performances by Shahid Kapoor, Tabu, and KK Menon.
8 Dedh Ishqiya (2014)
The film managed to portray a lesbian relationship between two leading female characters played by Madhuri Dixit and Huma Qureshi. A mainstream star like Madhuri playing a lesbian character was a huge progressive achievement in itself around 8 years back.
9 Article 15 (2019)
It focused on the caste system, this film was far from perfect. But, this film still manages to jolt people out of slumber to the horrors of caste discrimination in rural India. Fine performance by Ayushmann Khurrana as Police Inspector.
Waiting for your views on this blog.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
18th February 2023