Best Indian movies on Amazon Prime in 2021 (so far)

In his third outing with ace director Mahesh Narayan, Fahadh Faasil proves yet again why he is widely considered as flagbearer of the new wave in Malyalam Cinema. Malik charts the tumultuous journey of Sulaiman Ali Ahammad lovingly called Ali Ikka — rise in the world of crime to eventually become a godfather to the community that he protects. Travelling in a non-linear structure, the drama explores the relationship between religion, politics, gender and individual ambitions. Loosely based on the Beemapally riots of 2009, Malik also depicts how even close-knit communities can be pitted against each other due to vested political interests.

Director Mari Selvaraj has emerged as one of the most progressive voices of Tamil Cinema. After his powerful 2018 debut film Pariyerum Perumal, Selvaraj delivers yet another hard-hitting tale of caste oppression. Loosely based on the 1995 caste-riots in Kodiyankulam, Karnan shines the spotlight on police brutality and abuse of power, and how Dalit are deprived of even the most basic needs. If Pariyerum Perumal was about a youngster fighting to assert his identity, Karnan shifts its focus on a community standing up for its right to basic human dignity. Dhanush’s portrayal of an irrepressible rebel driven by rage against his tormentors is one of the highlights of the film. His ability to blend into the character is one of the prime reasons why the film works.

The Great Indian Kitchen

Set in a rural milieu, the Vidya Balan starrer is an intricately-woven story exploring the complex issues related to human-wildlife conflict. With obvious references to the killing of the tigress Avni (2018), Sherni tries to unravel the politics of the tribal areas of India that are far removed from the politics of city-dwellers like ourselves. With a stellar supporting cast comprising Vijay Raaz, Sharat Saxena, Brijendra Kala, and Neeraj Kabi, Sherni never oversteps rather delivers noiseless excitement.

After winning widespread-acclaim with Maheshinte Prathikaram and Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum, filmmaker Dileesh Pothan delivers another gem in his third collaboration with actor Fahadh Faasil. The film focuses on the happenings at a plantation family in Kottayam, with a physically and overwise powerful patriarch. It is evident that the family is eyeing the share of the wealth that is waiting for them. The story tells what all greed can make a person do. The film is replete with dark humour and subtle hits at family and society. Joji might have drawn from the overarching theme of Macbeth but did away with the plot.

Helmed by debutant director Dhilip Kumar, Maara is a Tamil adaptation of 2016 Malayalam film Charlie. Starring R Madhavan and Shraddha Srinath, Maara is an endearing tale of a man who wears his heart on the sleeve and a woman who is in his pursuit. A young woman named Paaru (Srinath) stumbles upon a painting on the walls of a coastal town that depicts a fairy tale she once heard as a child. Intrigued, she sets out on a journey to find the person who painted it. Madhavan plays a slightly older character than Dulquer, but he brings his own vulnerability to Maara. It’s visually-striging film that encourages empathy towards those around us,

Director Jeetu Jospeh reunited with superstar Mohanlal to churn out an equally good if not a superior sequel to Drishyam. At the end of 2013 thriller, Jeetu Joseph had convinced the audience that Georgekutty aka Mohanlal has hoodwinked the police and committed a perfect crime. Well, the Rajakkad police would not stop sniffing around him. In the first film, people showed empathy towards Georgekutty’s family horrified over police actions, the sequel, people would engage n gossips as how he got away despite committing a murder. It’s a tightrope to walk but Joseph sailed through.