Coming of age movies have been very popular since the start of this century. As the teen population started booming, such movies started rocking at the box office and the beauty of it all is that it can be enjoyed by people of all age demographics (not just the teens). So, here are five "coming of age" (Bollywood) movies you should watch if you haven't already.
I. Udaan
An ambitious young lad forced to keep his dreams & ambitions locked up whilst getting abused by his own father, the lack of maternal love, and his first exposure to the real gritty & unfair world. If the feeling of "frustration" and "angst" was to be defined by a movie, Udaan would be the perfect specimen for it. Many of us have the privilege to do what we want to do in life. Many of us end up doing unconventional things for bread just to satisfy our passion but a huge chunk of the population do not have that privilege and the time when this movie was released (2010) was a perfect time to spread this message. This movie is for all those people who could not chase their ambitions & also for those people who have that privilege just to feel a little grateful and humble about what they have. The movie did average at the box office (of course!) but received huge applause at the Cannes film festival. It has a special place in the hearts of many people and hence, no other movie could be at
the top of the list.
Available on Netflix(IN).
II. Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara
A classic masterpiece by the Akhtar siblings. Three men in the budding years of their life, having a road trip together to introspect and have life-changing experiences does sound like a similar movie (Dil Chahta Hai) but trust me, ZNMD has a totally different vibe to it. It is funny, emotional, overwhelming and so well written that every person watching it would want to admire and relate to these three characters. Moreover, a film whose plot revolves around character development is very difficult to write on paper. Well, in this case, Zoya Akhtar manages to do it with not one but three characters. Three different lives, three different perspectives, three different experiences, and three different outcomes would sound very difficult to write but Zoya Akhtar makes it look like a piece of cake. An ensemble cast, Over the top music, An amazing story, and beautiful scenery makes it one of THE best movies of 2011.
Available on Netflix(IN).
III. 3 Idiots
How can we talk about coming of age movies and not talk about the highest-grossing movie of all time (till the year 2013). This is the kind of movie which has given the industry some of the most iconic scenes and lines and made audiences watch it whenever and wherever possible. Like all other Bollywood movies of that time, this one revolves around life, friendship, and people who did not want to study engineering in the first place but were forced by their parents because they think engineering is the end of the world and the key to all riches in life (how wrong can they be?). Raju Hirani is a master of inciting different feelings within hence, expect this movie to be a rollercoaster of emotions.
Available on SonyLiv.
IV. Rocket Singh - Salesman Of The Year
It saddens me a lot that not many people have not even heard about this movie. It is one of the most unique films the Hindi film industry has ever made in recent years. Venturing into the world of corporate, this movie portrays a young man trying to make his way into life as a salesman. It might not cater to the likes of a variety of age demographics but this movie is for all the people who are sick of their jobs and have been through the struggles of the corporate world. Moreover, the versatility of Ranbir Kapoor as an actor can be seen in this movie. It is disconcerting how this movie failed to garner any buzz but it doesn't mean it shouldn't in the future. Being supremely underrated, we urge everyone to watch it ASAP!
Available on Amazon Prime Video(IN).
V. Tamasha
Another brilliant coming of age film by Ranbir Kapoor (he really likes the genre). Tamasha is also an underrated film that performed mediocrely at the box office. The Imtiaz Ali - Ranbir Kapoor combination always works but the main takeaway of the movie is the story. It revolves around a very deluded person who failed to identify his own personality until a woman enters his life and points it out for him. This film has one of the best conflicts I have even seen in a Bollywood movie because the conflict is not external but internal. Internal conflicts are difficult to write and act on screen but Imtiaz Ali takes makes it look easy because all of his films deal with internal conflicts (experiential learning). In conclusion, this movie is all about the reformation of one's deluded personality, and not one scene fails to impress.
If you are a teen, these movies should be on the top of your list too. Many people usually enjoy Hollywood movies of this genre but the Hindi film industry has a lot of genuine and emotionally tweaking content. the problem is a lack of awareness. So, I hope people who have read this are now AWARE.
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