One theme that's super explored and made into films in Indian movies are Gangster/underworld stories. Indian directors have gone to greater lengths to ensure the movies turn out to be as realistic as possible. In today's List hai podcast, I shall take you through some of the best gangster films made in India that turned out to be watch-worthy hits.
As you know List hai toh hit hai is all about those special theme-based podcasts where I showcase some of the best movies for you to binge-watch on OTT platforms.
One theme that's super explored and made into films in Indian movies are Gangster/underworld stories. Indian directors have gone to greater lengths to ensure the movies turn out to be as realistic as possible. Be it Bollywood or Kollywood or even Mollywood, the filmmakers have always had the penchant to make films based on real-life stories of gangsters or underworld Don’s.
In today's podcast, I shall take you through some of the best gangster films made in India that turned out to be watch-worthy hits.
First Movie on My list
Satya
This film was released in 1998 and was directed and produced by Ram Gopal Verma. This movie turned out to be Ramgopal Verma's first of the trilogy gangster series. The plot of the film is about a man named Satya who comes to Mumbai looking for a suitable job and accidentally befriends the character Bhiku Mhatre and is then taken into the Mumbai underworld. The film gained popularity amongst the audiences for its realistic depiction of the underworld on screen. If you're the type for gangster flicks this one is worth a deho!
We at OTTplay have given it an 8. And you can watch it on Eros now, Zee5 and Youtube.
Company
This is an all-out gangster film written by Jaideep Sahani and directed by RamGopal Verma. This movie is the second of the trilogy gangster series from the director.
The film Company has Mohanlal, Ajay Devgan, Manisha Ko irala in the lead roles and Vivek Oberoi makes his debut. The Plot is about a man named Chandu, who becomes the henchman for the gangster named Malik, with whom he eventually forms a good bond but falls apart after tension arises between the two of them.
OTTplay has given this gangster flick an 8.3 and watch it on Netflix and Zee5
Gangs Of Wasseypur
This film is a super loaded crime action gangster thriller directed by Anurag Kashyap. This film is one of the first of the Gangs of Wasseypur series. The film has Manoj Bajpai, Richa Chadda, Reema Sen amongst others as the star cast. The main plot of the film revolves around the coal mafia of Dhanbad, the film also depicts the struggles, politics, and vengeance between three powerful families. The film was released worldwide in 2012 but was banned in a few countries due to its violent content.
This movie has got an OTTplay rating of 8.0 and watch it on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Voot, Google Play Movies, and Youtube.
Aranya Kaandam
This is a 2010 released neo-noir action thriller gangster movie. This was the first neo-noir film to be released in the Tamil language. The main plot of this film is the story that takes place with the six main lead characters in one single day. The film has Bollywood star Jackie Shroff playing one of the lead roles, named Singaperumal. The movie has a lot of twists and turns and eventually focuses on the lead character Singaperumal and his life.
We at OTTplay have given it an 8.9 and watch it on Google Play Movies and Vi
Om
The Kannada film industry had not explored films based on gangs and rowdyism until this blockbuster film Om was released in 1995. This movie had all the ingredients of a film based on gang wars and rowdyism. The movie was directed by Upendra and Hamsalekha scored the music for it. The film depicted the life story of a gangster and how he eventually quits the negative life. The film turned out to be an inspiration for several real-life gangsters to give up rowdyism and transform their life. The director roped in real-life gangsters to play cameo roles in the film to bring in the authentic feel of the story.
We at OTTplay have given it a whopping 9 and watch it on Jio and SunNXT
Angamaly Diaries - Malayalam
The Malayalam crime drama, directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery and by actor Chemban Vinod Jose, was a surprise hit on its release in 2017. The film featured an astonishing 86 debut actors including lead Antony Varghese. The film was praised for its writing and cinematography, including an impressive 11-minute single-shot climatic scene.
We at OTTplay have given it an 8.5 rating, watch the flick on YuppTV
Shiva
This crime action gangster film was released in the year 1989 and has Telugu superstar Nagarjuna and Amala in the lead roles. This film's basic plot is loosely adapted from the English flick The way of the Dragon. The story revolves around the fights and conflicts between two main characters Siva and Bhavani. Siva is a college student turned gangster and Bhavani is a popular crime head mentored by a politician named Manchiraju. This film attained cult status in the Telugu industry giving Nagarjuna a superstar position and a major breakthrough for him.
We at OTTplay have given it an 8.5 and you could watch it on Amazon Prime Video, MUBI and VI.
Pokiri
This is a 2006 released Telugu action thriller gangster film directed by Puri Jagannadh. The film stars Mahesh Babu and Illeana D’cruz and Prakash Raj in the lead roles.
The main plot of this all-out action film revolves around the local gangster who lands up in trouble with a corrupt cop and manages to catch the attention of a most wanted Don.
The film has an OTTplay rating of 8 and you can watch it on Disney Hotstar, Google Play Movies and Zee5
Nayakan
This film released in the year 1987 is a Tamil epic crime-based film. The film had Kamal Hassan and Saranya in the lead roles, The film is directed by ace director Mani Ratnam. It is to be believed that this film is based on the life of Bombay Underworld don Varadarajan Mudaliar and also loosely based on the English flick The Godfather. The film's plot revolves around the main character Sakthivel “ Velu” Naicker and how he handles the various circumstances he is put into to become a gangster called “ Velu Naicker”.
We at OTTplay have given it an 8.8 rating and you can watch this flick on Amazon Prime Video and Google play movies
That's a wrap for today's special theme-based podcast List hai toh hit hai, I shall be back with another podcast from the world of movies and entertainment. This is your host Nikhil signing off for now!
Aaj kya Dekhoge OTTplay se poocho!