Being a cricket-driven country, I’ve rarely seen Indians talking more about something else than cricket. However, on the morning of 13th March, two incredible things happened, and the people who were worried about the Indian cricket team’s qualification in the finals of the ICC World Test Championship of 2021-2023 started celebrating those two things like the holiday of Eid and Diwali appeared back to back, that too right before the weekend.
India at Oscars
At the 95th academy awards, three Indian films were nominated, The Elephant Whisperers for Best Documentary (Short Subject), Naatu Naatu from RRR for Best Original Song and All That Breathes for Best Documentary Feature. Out of which, two won the prestigious Oscar – M. M. Keeravani and Chandrabose for the song “Naatu Naatu”, while Kartiki Gonsalves and Guneet Monga won the Oscar for The Elephant Whisperers.
The two special moments gave Indians across the globe a reason to rejoice. A day before the Oscar win, Virat Kohli ended his draught of test centuries after 3 long years and getting news of two Oscars added the cherry on the top, turning the Monday blues into happy hues. The 95th Academy Awards was held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles and was hosted by comedian and late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel.
RRR
The film has surpassed almost every record on the Indian belt and flourished brilliantly in other parts of the world too. Since its release, people have been sure the movie will bring at least one Academy Award to the country. The S. S. Rajamouli movie depicts fictional versions of two Indian revolutionaries, Alluri Sitarama Raju (Ram Charan) and Komaram Bheem (NT Rama Rao Jr), their friendship, and their fight against the British Raj.
The song “Naatu Naatu,” was composed by M.M. Keeravani, and Chandrabose penned the lyrics. Before grabbing the trophy at the Academy Awards ceremony, “Naatu Naatu” defeated Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Rihanna and won a prestigious Golden Globe award for best original song. The movie was released on Netflix a few months after hitting theatres and went on to become one of the most-watched non-English movies.
One of the reasons “Naatu Naatu” became popular throughout the world was endless Instagram reels and dance trends on social media. The quick tempo and synchronised choreography instantly opened the dancing talent of the audiences, especially on YouTube Shorts and Instagram reels. In one of his interviews, the filmmaker said, “The song is a story within the larger story of the film”, and now we know why!
The Elephant Whisperers
When I was in film school, Guneet Monga was one of the guests we had in our special segment, where every week, one guest visited the campus and guided students about the filmmaking process. Back then, she was known for independent films like Rang Rasiya, Shaitan, Peddlers, Gangs of Wasseypur, Monsoon Shootout, The Lunchbox and Masaan, but she wasn’t a known name amongst the Indian crowd.
The Elephant Whisperers is a documentary about the bond between a couple and orphaned baby elephants, Raghu, and Ammu, entrusted to their care. The film portrays how animals love you back when loved and treated well, which might bring a tear or two to your eyes. I know most of you haven’t watched this beautifully shot doc yet, but no worries, you can watch it now; it’s only going to take 40 minutes of your life.
The documentary was directed by Kartiki Gonsalves in her directorial debut and was released by Netflix globally on 8th December 2022 for streaming. The Elephant Whisperers was the first Indian film to win an Academy Award in that category and is one of the most well-shot documentaries I’ve ever seen. I think, along with the Oscars, it also deserves a big-screen release.
2022 felt like a breeze at the movies after the gloomy pandemic times. The Indian audience especially was at a unique place as we got to enjoy films portraying different cultures, languages, and stories across the country while the big Hollywood blockbusters also made their way to the cinemas. 2022 was not perfect for films as the boycott culture took over Bollywood, but films were appreciated and celebrated nonetheless. Here is a look at the best films released in 2022.
Note – This list does not rate films thus the mentions are in no specific order
Top Gun: Maverick
Starting off with the biggest blockbuster of the year. Tom Cruise flew his way to the theaters piloting the Grumman F-14 Tomcat fighter jet and won our hearts. The sequel for the original Top Gun film was long overdue but Tom reportedly did not want to reprise the role of Maverick for a cash-grab project. With Top Gun: Maverick, Tom Cruise cemented the fact that he is still a box office cash machine and perhaps the last of the stars.
RRR
While RRR was expected to make a splash at the Indian box office, nobody expected the SS Rajamouli directorial to carve its place in global pop culture. The film was screened at the esteemed TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles where Americans were seen doing the ‘Naatu’ dance, a treat to say the least! The film currently has a lot of Oscar buzz around it even though it was not nominated from India. After conquering the American box office, RRR also shined in Japan making it a true Indian global blockbuster.
Everything Everywhere All At Once
If you want to feel what an acid trip feels like without actually taking any then you need to watch The Daniels’ directorial right away. This film explores the concepts of the multiverse better than Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness by a mile (Sorry Marvel!) The film revolves around the character of Michelle Yeoh who is coursing her way through an existential crisis, dealing with family troubles, and… the IRS?! You’ll get what I am talking about once you watch this mind-bending film.
Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers
Who thought that a Chip ‘n Dale movie in 2022 will be anything else but a cash grab? 2022’s direct-to-Disney+ film Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers was a breath of fresh air amid corporations trying to use the nostalgia bate in order to put butts in the theatre seats. The film follows the titular characters thirty years after the television show has gone off-air. Chipmunks Dale and Chip live different lives but are forced to reunite when a cast member of the original show mysteriously disappears. People who love pop culture are in for a treat as the film is filled with fun references, even an ugly Sonic one!
Gangubai Kathiawadi
This twisted tale of Gangubai Kathiawadi surely loses its steam by the time it ends but successfully builds a world, characters, and set designs that are awe-inspiring. The film is based on S. Hussain Zaidi and Jane Borges’ spine-chilling book ‘Mafia Queens of Mumbai,’ and showcases Ganga’s rise to power from a sex worker to a celebrated queen of Kamathipura in Mumbai. Alia Bhatt’s performance in the film was widely appreciated and the film lit up at the box office at a time when big superstars failed to get the cash registers ringing.
Rocketry: The Nambi Effect
Rocketry: The Nambi Effect marked R. Madhavan’s directorial debut. The film was not just critically claimed but also made decent collections at the box office. The film is based on the life of ISRO scientist Nambi Narayan and spans across his days as a graduate student at Princeton University to getting accused in the ISRO espionage case. The film premiered at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival and was released in multiple languages. SRK fans can enjoy his extended cameo in the Hindi version of the film.
Jhund
What happens when celebrated Marathi director Nagraj Manjule and the legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan collaborate on a film project? The result is the captivating film Jhund which leaves the audience stunned with its honest portrayal of kids growing up in slum areas. The film is based on the life of football coach Vijay Barse, the founder of Slum Soccer NGO, and how he gets slum kids hooked on a sport to distract them from nefarious activities.
Chandramukhi
2022 was the year of regional films in India and this Marathi film took people by surprise! The Prasad Oak directorial film revolves around the love story of a Tamasha singer/dancer and a rising politician. The film is a period piece that explores the concept of adultery, relationships, women’s exploitation, and the influence of politics on people’s lives. The film was based on Vishwas Patil’s novel of the same name – Chandramukhi.
Kantara
This film was a case study for Indian filmmakers on changing audience behavior. While a film like Kantara could easily get smashed between blockbusters before the pandemic, it managed to become one of the biggest hits in the post-pandemic era. The film revolves around the conflict between humans and nature with a twist of Bhootha Kola. The film depicts Supreme God Vishnu’s third incarnation on earth called the Varaha Avatar. The riveting climax made Kantara a must-watch for cinephiles and casual moviegoers alike.
Bullet Train
If you’re a fan of the Quentin Tarantino genre of films then Bullet Train is the perfect fit for you. You must have seen situational comedies but how about a situational crime thriller? The film revolves around five assassins boarding a fictionalized version of Japan’s bullet train and all hell breaking loose! It features an ensemble cast of Brad Pitt, Sandra Bullock, Bad Bunny, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and a surprise cameo I would not like to reveal. Watch it for the laughs, thrills, and exhilarating climax!
The Batman
The only superhero movie worth mentioning in this year’s top films is Matt Reeves’ directorial The Batman. While Marvel had a lukewarm year in 2022 with only Black Panther: Wakanda Forever being an amazing film, DC had its fun with The Batman and Black Adam. Matt Reeves’ iteration of the caped crusader was somehow darker than its previous versions featuring Ben Affleck and Christian Bale. One can only hope that this version of Batman stays on as DC’s primary Batman as they’ve got a lot of Dark Knights running around the multiverse!
The Adam Project
What happens when Ryan Reynolds, Mark Ruffalo, Jennifer Garner, and Zoe Saldana feature in a film together? You get a heartwarming tale sprinkled with a lot of action. The film features Ryan Reynolds as a pilot from the future who goes back in time and meets his younger self while trying to discover the reason behind his wife’s disappearance. The film was helmed by director Shawn Levy who is all set to direct the upcoming Deadpool 3, so the project rests in safe hands!
Elvis
While we definitely need a break from the biopic trend going around in mainstream movies, Bas Luhrmann’s directorial Elvis is one film I do not mind. The film is based on the life of the musical star Elvis from his rise to fame to his death and everything in between. It features a top-notch performance by Austin Butler as Elvis Presley and Tom Hanks as Colonel Tom Parker. While the film focuses a lot more on the Colonel’s character than Elvis himself, it manages to pull an interesting narrative overall. Watch it for the trippy visuals!
Minions The Rise of Gru
Minions The Rise of Gru sheerly made it to the list by its influence on the world when it was released back in July 2022. The ironic meme posting around the film actually made me go buy a ticket for the film and watch it surrounded by a bunch of kids having the times of their lives! Funnily enough, Minions The Rise of Gru was one of the few films in Hollywood in 2022 that actually managed to get near the billion-dollar mark at the box office at a budget of only $80 million.
Enola Holmes 2
If you’re interested in suspense thriller films that don’t lean towards a dark narrative then Enola Holmes 2 is the perfect little film for you. This film features Millie Bobby Brown’s Enola Holmes starting her own agency and struggling to make ends meet until the day a factory worker seeks her help to find her missing sister. The film also features a hearty cameo by Henry Cavill which is a treat to say the least.
Special Mentions –
Prey Thiruchitrambalam Beast Vikram Zombivili The Gray Man Turning Red Don’t Worry Darling Orphan: First Kill Ambulance
