Despite the coronavirus outbreak that soon snowballed into a worldwide pandemic and led to countrywide lockdowns, Bollywood persisted, working out of their homes, editing
films
remotely, and even shooting with their cellphones to keep churning out content for entertainment-starved masses. OTT platforms, while not a patch on the 70mm screen, emerged as an alternative for both the audience and the makers.
Filmfare Awards
aimed to honour films that braved the worst scenario imaginable to still deliver quality content and keep spirits high across. The recently concluded 66th Vimal Elaichi Filmfare Awards 2021 awarded the best of Hindi cinema for films released during a year that was especially difficult for the industry.
With a jury panel comprising some of the most illustrious names from the industry, the
winners
were handpicked from an already carefully curated list of nominees. And we have now compiled a guide to help you catch these brilliant award-worthy performances right from the comfort of your homes. So, pop some corn and park yourself on the couch to witness the best that Bollywood had to offer last year:
Thappad
Awarded for: Best Film, Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Playback Singer (Male), Best Background Score, Best Story, Best Editing, Best Sound Design
Why watch
it: Very few films released in theatres in 2020, but ‘Thappad’ was lucky enough to get a theatrical release just before the pandemic struck. While every film is an amazing watch on the big screen, the superlative performances and aesthetics of this film aren’t humbled even on a mobile phone, which explains why it swept as many as seven Filmfare awards. The story revolves around Amrita and her quest for equality in marriage and refusal to compromise more than she already has. However, the film is also a tale of several other women whose life mesh with hers, including that of her mother-in-law, mother, maid, neighbours, sister-in-law, and lawyer.
Where to watch it: Amazon Prime Video
Gulabo Sitabo
Awarded for: Best Actor Critics (Male), Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Female), Best Dialogue, Best Production Design, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design
Why watch it: What starts out as a simple and funny tale of disagreement between a landlord, who loves his house, and a tenant, who refuses to move out, soon becomes a satirical account of greed and betrayal. The subliminal messages enmeshed into a seemingly straightforward narrative, are brilliant, to say the least. Coupled with applause-worthy performances by Amitabh Bachchan, Ayushmann Khurrana, and Farrukh Jaffar, the film is an absolute must-watch.
Where to watch it: Amazon Prime Video
Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior
Awarded for: Best Director, Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Male), Best VFX, Best Action
Why watch it: Such was the response to ‘Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior’ upon its release in theatres, that the makers soon planned a franchise focussing on bringing to life several such unsung warriors from the pages of history. This one, featuring Ajay Devgn and Saif Ali Khan, narrates the hardly-known story of Tanhaji Malasure, a military chieftain in the army of the Maratha king Shivaji, who leads the army to capture the strategically important Kondhana fort, guarded by the fierce Rajput chieftain Udaybhan Rathod.
Where to watch it: Disney+ Hotstar
Sir
Awarded for: Best Actor Critics (Female), Best Screenplay
Why watch it: A tale of friendship, love, and hope, this one lends a realistic touch to Bollywood’s often romanticised version of the class divide. Tillotama Shome, in an
award-winning
performance, plays a house help, with whom, her architect-writer employer, eventually starts falling in love.
Where to watch it: Netflix
Eeb Allay Ooo!
Awarded for: Best Film Critics
Why watch it: Just how unusual is the story of a monkey-repeller? The film, a dark comedy, chronicles the life of a man recruited by the government to rid the capital of the monkey menace but things take a turn for the worse.
Where to watch it: Netflix
Ludo
Awarded for: Best Music Album
Why watch it: A delectably linked crime anthology of four stories, this one has been narrated so it seems like an especially clever game of ‘Ludo’ where each peg is trying to topple the other over to emerge victorious. Besides the amazing storyline and some top-notch performances, the film’s music, which bagged an award, too, brings the disjointed narrative together and becomes a commentary of sorts for the hilarious goings-on.
Where to watch it: Netflix
Angrezi Medium
Awarded for: Best Actor in a Leading Role
Why watch it: A sequel to ‘Hindi Medium’, which had the parents struggling to secure admission in an expensive, private English medium school, for their kindergartner, this one focussed on the ambitions of a teenager wanting to study abroad and her middle-class father struggling to make her dreams come true even if it means depleting his life savings. Irrfan Khan, who passed away soon after the film’s release, is exceptional as the father who dotes on his daughter.
Where to watch it: Disney+ Hotstar
Jawaani Jaaneman
Awarded for: Best Debut (Female)
Why watch it: This parenting tale is more a coming-of-age account of a man who refuses to grow out of his wayward ways till, one day, out of the blue, a girl lands up at his doorstep claiming to be his daughter, who is also pregnant. Saif Ali Khan channels his inner funny man to breathe life into the man-child who metamorphoses into a responsible father over the course of the film, while Alaya F effortlessly slips into the skin of the fiercely independent daughter who's on a quest to reconnect with her father, even bagging an award for her turn.
Where to watch it: Amazon Prime Video
Chhapaak
Awarded for: Best Lyrics
Why watch it: Deepika Padukone turned producer with this venture, where she played an acid attack survivor who not only came to terms with her own tragic fate and accepted it but also fought against the system to get the sale of acid banned from shops. The tale was aptly supported with songs full of meaningful lyrics thanks to the mighty pen of Gulzar that never disappoints.
Where to watch it: Disney+ Hotstar
Lootcase
Awarded for: Best Debut (Director)
Why watch it: A good thriller is hard to come by which is why every time one bowls the audience over, it’s cause for celebration. When Nandan comes across a suitcase full of cash, he thinks it’s the end to all his problems till he finds himself being chased by a notorious gangster, an honest cop, and a minister--all of whom want the suitcase at any cost. That the film was directed by a debutant only reaffirms faith in the future of cinema.
Where to watch it: Disney+ Hotstar
Malang
Awarded for: Best Playback Singer (Female)
Why watch it: If the electric visuals and interesting cast comprising of Anil Kapoor, Aditya Roy Kapoor, Disha Patani, Kunal Kemmu, didn’t convince you enough to watch this thriller set in Goa, let the songs guide you to tune in.
Where to watch it: Netflix
Dil Bechara
Awarded for: Best Choreography
Why watch it: Apart from the fact that it is Sushant Singh Rajput’s swan song, ‘Dil Bechara’, the official Indian adaptation of the book ‘The Fault in our Stars’ is a story full of hope and love and for that alone it is worth a watch. But if you need more reasons, let Farah Khan winning the Best Choreography award for the film tell you just how entertaining it will be.
Where to watch it: Disney+ Hotstar