Raazi, Andhadhun, Mulk: The 9 best Hindi films of 2018

2018 will always be remembered as the year when the audience collectively rejected formula films and superstars in it and made great content the ultimate blockbuster. It was the year when films of three Khans- Salman, Aamir and Shah Rukh- were rejected and a year that gave rise to underdogs like Ayushmann Khurrana and Vicky Kaushal. It made fall in love all over again with stars like Tabu and Rani Mukerji and made everyone collectively bow to the mad genius- filmmaker Sriram Raghavan. 

As the year comes to an end, here is a look at the best films of the year. In case you haven't watched any of these, make sure you do before the year ends.

Directed by - Siddharth P. Malhotra

Release date - 23 March 2018 

Rani Mukerji's first film after a long maternity break had her in one of the most difficult roles of her career after 'Black'.

Rani played a teacher suffering from Tourette syndrome, who gets a challenging task to teach (and tame) a bunch of students in an elite school in Mumbai.

The section that she is assigned consists of students from underprivileged background who have no interest in studies but Rani relentless attempts eventually make them take interest and even perform well in class.

A heartwarming story of triumph, the film had Rani playing a character with neuro disorder.

She delivered one of the most honest performances of the year. (Source: Instagram)

Directed by - Shoojit Sircar

Release date - 13 April 2018

Shoojit Sircar's 'October' is perhaps the most sublime film of the year.

A film of two individuals- Dan and Shiuli- who could have had a relationship but their budding friendship was cut short by a tragic accident.

A film on hope, love, loss and death- the film highlighted the importance of keeping the faith and also the importance of letting go when the time comes.

The film had Varun Dhawan delivering one of the most sensitive performances of the year, so natural and so instinctive that it seemed Dan was an extension of the actor himself. (Source: Instagram)

Directed by - Meghna Gulzar

Release date - 11 May 2018

Meghna Gulzar taught an important lesson to the country. That to love one's own country, one doesn't have to malign the other country.

Based on Harinder Sikka's book 'Calling Sehmat' which in turn is based on a real-life incident, the film had top performances by Alia Bhatt, Vicky Kaushal, and Jaideep Ahlawat.

A story set in the 1970s, the film a taut thriller and kept the audience on the edge till the very end.

It had superlative music by Shankar-Ehsan-Loy which enhanced the narrative further. (Source: Instagram)

Directed by - Anubhav Sinha

Release date - 3 August 2018

Anubhav Sinha's film is easily the most underrated film of the year. 

The film narrated the story of a Muslim family, who struggle to reclaim its lost honour. T

he film starring Taapsee Pannu and Rishi Kapoor may have not created a mark at the box-office but it delivered a strong message of communal harmony and was lauded by critics. (Source: Instagram)

Directed by - Amar Kaushik

Release date - 31 August 2018

A horror comedy, 'Stree' worked with the audience on so many levels.

Not only did it have an engaging story, quirky lines and stellar performance by the cast, but it also was a satire on current Indian society where tagging people who do not conform to the conventional ways is easy and where women are never safe.

Pankaj Tripathi in his limited screen time shined the most and Rajkummar Rao, Aparshakti Khurrana and Shraddha Kapoor delivered fine performances. (Source: Instagram) 

Directed by - Nandita Das

Release date - 21 September 2018

Nandita Das and Nawazuddin Siddiqui brought Sadat Hassan Manto's story on the big screen in a year where Rajkumar Hirani made 'Sanju' and showed the world how to make an unbiased biopic where flaws and qualities of the protagonist are highlighted in equal measure.

The film may have been in chaste Urdu which could be difficult to comprehend for the layman, but Das weaved some of Manto's most popular and controversial stories into her narrative making the film a compelling watch. (Source: Instagram)

Directed by - Sriram Raghavan

Release date - 5 October 2018

Master storyteller Sriram Raghavan once again proved to the country that when it comes to whodunnits, no one can tell it as well as he does.

One of the most exciting and intelligent stories of the year, 'Andhadhun' had both Ayushmann Khurrana and Tabu delivering the year's best performances.

With an ending that is still open for interpretation, the film is one of the smartest stories that Bollywood has made in recent times. (Source: Instagram)

Directed by - Rahi Anil Barve,  Anand Gandhi,  Adesh Prasad

Release date - 12 October 2018

We had not seen a psychological thriller like 'Tumbadd' before.

A fantasy-horror film, set in the past, 'Tumbadd' may not have had big stars in it, but its success proved that a good story is always accepted by the audience. 

Gripping, edgy and spooky, the film is so much more than the usual horror films that Bollywood is known to produce. (Source: Instagram)

Directed by - Amit Sharma

Release date - 18 October 2018

You have to have a bit of Delhi in you to completely enjoy Amit Sharma's 'Badhaai Ho'.

A hilarious film about a family that struggles to come to terms with the fact that the elderly couple is all set to become parents, the film also highlighted the society and its prude ways.

The film had Gajraj Rao and Neena Gupta playing the elderly couple who not only are ashamed of their unexpected pregnancy but are also the ones who decide to bravely face the society's guffaws with a straight, courageous face.

Ayushmann Khurrana, Surekha Sikri and Sanya Malhotra ably supported Rao and Gupta who were literally the finds of the year. (Source: Instagram)