Gems to watch out for

Hair it out

Gone Kesh

Many months before Ayushmann Khurrana took on the baton of self-love and self-worth, Shweta Tripathi starred in Gone Kesh, a film that takes on a similar theme. In an ignorant society, gorgeous hair is a yardstick of beauty. It is a heartfelt slice-of-life film.

Eye on patriarchy

Soni

Delving into the lives of two female cops, the film takes on patriarchy. Partly about the titular character and partly about her colleague, the film sees them forge a friendship after Soni is verbally harassed in a biking incident and she takes her offender to task.

Eerie milieu

Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota

This movie is set in an eerie milieu replete with pop culture references. It’s a world hard to latch on to, but once you do, it’s a unique experience. Gulshan Devaiah in his dual role was flawless in the film.

Heart wise

Hamid

Despite winning a National Award, Hamid was amongst the most-underrated films of the year. The movie sides with humanity, as it explores the tender relationship between a young boy and a man leading an entirely different life.

Legal angle

Section 375

This Akshaye Khanna and Richa Chadha-starrer explores the emotional manipulation behind rape and how such cases are fought in court. The film treads carefully between two solid narratives, finding its own ground.

Humanity first

Sonchiriya

An unpredictable period thriller, the film is a beautifully directed marvel. Questioning what exactly is evil, the film tip-toes between standard understanding of good and evil, and finding humanity amidst it all. It’s a nuanced film that shows how people survive the worst.