#BingeRewind: Underrated films that didn’t receive the praise they truly deserved

From films so underground you didn’t even realise they had released to well-talked-about titles that somehow slipped through the cracks, here are some underrated films that deserve your attention!

The definition of “underrated” can vary from person to person; what feels overlooked to one viewer may be perfectly recognised by another. With that in mind, here’s a look at films that may have been discussed within certain circles, especially among cinephiles but still didn’t find their way into wider popular conversation, even though they deserved to. Each of these films tells a story through a distinctive lens, engaging with its themes thoughtfully and with nuance. This list focuses specifically on Hindi-language films.

Also Read: #BingeRewind: Content that we honestly didn’t need in 2025!

Ghich Pich - Not available on OTT yet

As far as coming-of-age stories go, this film directed by Ankur Singla could easily be the most relatable. It places you right into the nostalgia of growing up in the 2000s. As three boys navigate their way through Chandigarh, they also navigate their relationships with their fathers, their friendship, and the burden of growing up that often lies in the fear of disappointing their families.

Sister Midnight - Amazon Prime Video 

This film directed by Karan Kandhari is a darkly humorous take on female rage, born out of the frustration of simply being a woman in a world where she’s expected to show up, deliver, and keep going no matter the cost of feeling lost inside. It’s a film where the daily routine of women, and the endless expectations placed on them, becomes the most honest portrait of female rage, one that has always existed, hidden in plain sight.

Stolen - Amazon Prime Video 

There are two Indias we live in - one where we believe that changing the world just takes standing up for what’s right, and the other where standing up for what’s right can get you killed by a frustrated, manipulated mob unwilling to listen. This film directed by Karan Tejpal sits right in the middle of those two Indias, as two brothers get pulled into something they were “not supposed to,” simply because they chose to help a woman in need and it ends up costing them everything.

Humans in the Loop - Netflix 

We can have endless discussions about AI and humans, but the most important one lies at the heart of this film directed by Aranya Sahay that AI is like a child, if we nurture it wrong, it grows up walking the wrong path. And who better than a tribal woman rebuilding her life from scratch to teach AI how to recognise lost identities? Her work doesn’t just give meaning to what AI learns, it gives representation to those invisible people whose labour and existence often go unnoticed. 

Agra - Not available on OTT yet

Despite its boldness and powerful thematic core, Agra directed by Kanu Behl struggled to find its rightful place in mainstream theatres. The film doesn’t shy away from discomfort: it offers a raw, unflinching portrayal of loneliness, suppressed desire, family dysfunction and psychological decay in a cramped middle-class household that makes you question a lot of things about society in general.

Kaalidhar Lapaata - Zee5 

Directed by Madhumita, Kaalidhar Laapata stands out for its quiet emotional core and sincere performances, especially from Abhishek Bachchan, whose portrayal of a man abandoned by his family is filled with dignity and vulnerability. The bond he shares on-screen with the child actor (Daivik Bhagela) brings a warmth that lingers long after the credits roll and still the film was rather underrated this year and deserved way more credit from the audiences!

Jugnuma - Not available on OTT yet

​Jugnuma: The Fable, after winning hearts in the international film circuits, swept the Indian critics off their feet with its near-perfect blending of folklore, magic and reality, to deliver a poetic drama, which served as a refreshing escape from usual Bollywood outings. Helmed by Raam Reddy, the film, set in the late 1980s Himalayas, featured Manoj Bajpayee as the lead and explored themes of ecological destruction, class divide, and the blurring lines between myth and reality. The film was technically sound and visually stunning, however its genre and slow burn narration prevented a wide theatrical release, confining this masterpiece to a limited niche audience. 

Superboys of Malegaon - Amazon Prime Video 

Reema Kagti's Superboys of Malegaon stood out for us courtesy of its heartwarming celebration of passion for cinema, friendship and humble filmmaking. Based on the true story of a group of amateur filmmakers in Maharashtra known for creating hilarious parodies of Bollywood and Hollywood blockbusters, the film did an impressive job transforming a real-life story into a movie that resonates universally. The screenplay, the characters, their colors, and their conflicts were all beautifully penned by Varun Grover making them and subsequently the film, relatable yet inspiring to the audience. 

Chidiya - Rent on Amazon Prime Video

Mehran Amrohi’s Chidiya is a bittersweet story of two young brothersShanu (Svar Kamble) and Bua (Ayush Pathak) living in cramped Mumbai chawls, whose simple dream of playing badminton often clashes with the harsh realities of their lives. Despite dealing with themes of loss and poverty, the story brims with hope and positivity as the resilience of the boys and support of their community helps turn tides in their favor. Supported by a stellar ensemble cast including Amruta Subhash and Vinay Pathak, the film’s emotional core and sensitive handling of social themes resonated powerfully with festival audiences worldwide despite a modest run at the box office. 

Ground Zero - Amazon Prime Video 

A film situated in the heart of Kashmir that coincided unfortunately with the timing of the  2025 Phalgam attack went under the radar despite being a film based on the real life of BSF officer Narendra Nath Dhar Dubey who led the operation in which terrorist Rana Tahir Nadeem, better known as Ghazi Baba, was killed in 2003, after he planned the Parliament attack of 2001. The film explored the complexity with which the army works in Kashmir while handling militancy. But this film directed by Tejas Prabha Vijay Deoskar wasn’t a chest thumping nationalistic roar that satisfied the high emotions running at the time!

Are there are any other titles you felt we were underrated in 2025? Let us know in the comments below!

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