2014 has been a particularly good year for Bollywood. On one hand, there were the usual 100 crore money spinners that ruled the box-office, on the other, there were an interesting mix of meaningful women oriented cinema that left an indelible mark in the minds of viewers. We take a look at the best Bollywood movies to have emerged this year.
Highway
This was Alia Bhatt's coming-of-age film. Mahesh Bhatt's little daughter showed the world that she could act and how. Paired opposite the senior Randeep Hooda, Alia not just held her own in the movie but single handedly overshadowed the rest of the cast and crew with her powerhouse acting performance that put on display a myriad of human emotions from love, angst, anger not to forget the emotional upheaval of a sexually molested victim. Director Imtiaz Ali also realised his dream of finally releasing his pet project after an arduous wait of 14 long years.
Queen
Queen is actually the biggest blockbuster of this year. Made on a shoestring budget, the movie made close to Rs. 50 crore and ran housefull for almost a month. Kangana's transformation from a gawky village belle to a sophisticated diva who likes to celebrate life for all that is worth found immediate takers among all sections of film aficionados. After long, one saw a female centric film running to packed houses and receiving rapturous applause at the end. While Kangana would have been a front runner to win awards at all major award functions, her decision to boycott them gives Alia a certain edge.
2 States
A movie that certainly united North and South India. Parents took their teenage wards to watch this college caper adapted from Chetan Bhagat's uber popular novel by the same name. Arjun and Alia whipped up palpable chemistry and the producers soon laughed their way to the bank with the movie crossing an unexpected 100 crores and more at the BO.
Ragini MMS 2
Sunny Leone has a lot to thank Ekta Kapoor for making her the star that she is today. None of her striptease antics before Ragini made audience swoon. But when Ekta decided to inject horror into Sunny's sexy jism, audience lapped it up with glee. Sunny's heaving cleavage, orgasmic sequence and marathi speaking ghostly antics helped Ragini MMS 2 hit the bull's eye. And with it Sunny too finally arrived in Bollywood.
Kick
After the debacle of Jai Ho, Salman was back to doing what he does best - doing nothing but playing himself on screen. Kick is entertainment loaded for all of Salman's fans which if one were to count would easily exceed over 10 million. And we haven't even included his overseas fan following. From serenading the seductive Jacqueline to dancing with coal blocks, Salman did everything sexy in Kick. Oh yes, he did kick some serious rear too. Dark horse Nawazzudin Siddiqui sprinkled the extra toppings but finally it was Salman all the way helping cross the 100 crore mark with ease which reminds us that even a flop like Jai Ho collected more tha 100 crore. That's Salman Khan for you!
Mary Kom
Yet one more addition to the women oriented drama in Bollywood 2014. Mary Kom was highly publicised and marketed but it failed to set the cash registers ringing despite being granted a tax-free status right from day one. The story based on the true life incidents champion boxer Mary Kom was met with average response. The silver lining and a big one at that was Priyanka Chopra's lion hearted performance which truly won many hearts lending this otherwise average movie immense repeat value.
Mardaani
Rani Mukerji's first outing after marriage and a very powerful one at that, we say. Mardaani touched upon a new subject hitherto dealt - female child trafficking. Rani played the role of a female police officer with great gusto and even found favour among the men and women in khaki. The movie didn't do roaring business at the box-office but was critically well-received.
Haider
Vishal Bhardwaj, Please take a bow! Even William Shakespeare would have clapped for Haider from his grave. Using the terror stricken Kashmir as his backdrop, Mr Bhardwaj brilliantly weaved a never before seen adaptation of Shakespeare's Hamlet by extracting speechless performances from Shahid Kapoor, Kay Kay Menon and others. The star of the movie however for us was Tabu. The lady mesmerises you right from the word 'go'. What a Chutzpah indeed!
Happy New Year
King Khan was back in business and he did what he does best - breaking other Khans records. So Dhoom 3 was history soon and Happy New Year gave cinegoers multiple reasons to smile during Diwali. King Khan ruled supreme again with his formula film drama and in the process gave Junior B another lease of professional life.
Last but not the least, PK - The film is yet to release but we are ready to place a wager here. It's Raju Hirani and Aamir Khan coming during Christmas. It has to be a surefire hit. Doubts anyone?
Poll: http://www.tellychakkar.com/fun-zone/poll/which-the-best-movie-of-2014-141208
Did we miss any? Let us know in the comment section below.
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