Amazon Prime Video has amassed a sizable library of films over the years, and it is often regarded as the greatest streaming platform for access to a diverse range of Indian films. However, scrolling endlessly to discover the jewels can become boring. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of 42 of the best movies now available on Amazon Prime Video India (as of October 2021).
Amazon Prime Video, the new face of entertainment for the Indian public, is one of the key sites to search and watch new Indian movies on your smart devices. Every week, Amazon adds thousands of new movies to its library, making it difficult to choose from such a large selection. As a result, we’ve compiled and chosen the Best Indian Movies released in 2019, 2020 and 2021.
Best Indian Movies on Amazon Prime
It is very well established that Bollywood is not Indian cinema. Bollywood is just Hindi movies. Indian cinema consists of Telugu cinema, Malayalam cinema, Tamil cinema, Marathi cinema, Bengali cinema and cinemas of all other regions combined. For those who are interested in just Bollywood, we will be making a different list. For now, here’s a list of the best Indian movies on Amazon prime divided into separate lists.
Best Hindi Movies on Amazon Prime
Sardar Udham
Sardar Udham on Amazon Prime Video, directed by Shoojit Sircar, investigates the relatively unknown storey of Sardar Udham Singh, who gunned down one of the perpetrators of the Jalianwala Bagh massacre, Michael O’Dwyer. This film is subtle, offbeat, and profound over its 160-minute runtime, but it takes a lot of patience to get through.
Kesari
Kesari recounts an unbelievable historical incident from the 1890s, the Battle of Saragarhi, fought by 21 Sikh soldiers of the British Indian Army against 10,000 to 12,000 Afghans. This film, starring Akshay Kumar, covers the entire incident from beginning to end, mostly through the enchantment of dramatised narrative and extreme patriotism inside a protracted, never-ending 150-minute timeframe.
Gully Boy
From Luck By Chance to Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and Dil Dhadakne Do, Zoya Akhtar has always strived to explore diverse genres and compete with fresh content, including her twenty-minute short film Lust Stories, which was featured in the 2018 Netflix Original. Gully Boy, her 2019 directorial debut, is no exception. It’s honest and amusing, emotional and inspiring, and most importantly, it stands tall and stays true to the mood it created. Despite the fact that the duration causes a few severe hitches in the final product, Zoya Akhtar manages to present a lovely storey while also shining a light on India’s asli hip-hop culture, which is still undervalued despite having some serious Indian talents.
Shakuntala Devi
The film, directed by Anu Menon and starring Shakuntala Devi, has a captivating plot, a well-written screenplay, and other elements such as comedy, Shakuntala’s sharp wit, and, last but not least, multiple difficult numbers. The performances by Vidya Balan and Sanya Malhotra were outstanding, as this is a compelling portrait of a brilliant intellect. One of the best new Indian movies available on Amazon Prime.
Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar
A pregnant banker, who is on a hitlist for reasons that will become clear later in the novel, is on the run with a morally torn ex-cop who becomes unwittingly entangled in the scenario. This unconventional Bollywood film is a refreshing and fascinating one-time watch, with an engrossing drama garnished with the atmosphere of a thriller.
Pithoragarh (a Himalayan town in the state of Uttarakhand’s easternmost district) provides a tranquil and picturesque backdrop for the drama, which otherwise opens on a gloomy note. Give it a go on Amazon Prime Video without being swayed by the terrible reviews the film has received incorrectly (and very surprisingly).
Good Newwz
The tagline was “The Biggest Goof-Up of the Year!” Good Newwz, starring Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Diljit Dosanjh, and Kiara Advani, wraps off 2019 on a strong note, akin to Simmba last year. From beginning to end, the film is wonderfully enjoyable. The humour and emotional passages succeed and will certainly enjoy the audience who comes to the movies to have a good time. Away from the happiness and rainbows, there are a few flaws that may have been avoided to make a fine movie even better.
Mardaani 2
Mardaani 2 is a sequel to the 2014 Indian film of the same name, starring Rani Mukerji in the lead role as Shivani Roy. The 2014 film was a moderate box-office success and an enjoyable drama, with Rani portraying a distinct and unique character in comparison to her prior roles. Unsurprisingly, the sequel enjoyed the same critical and commercial success as the first, and it represents another watershed moment in Rani’s long and prolific film career.
Section 375
Section 375, directed by Ajay Bahl, is one of those rare Bollywood films that keeps you hooked to the screen throughout and leaves you shocked at the conclusion. This 124-minute Indian courtroom drama explores a multitude of concerns in today’s world by focusing on a sexual assault case involving a film director and a junior costume designer. Be it the police department’s blatant carelessness, or the fury and inferences drawn by people on social media.
Manish Gupta, the writer, solved every topic flawlessly and expertly organised his tale by making sense of every scene. Section 375 is appealing and attempts to transmit an important message to today’s generation, and it, in my opinion, did an excellent job.
WAR
Yash Raj Films may have discovered an identical stepbrother for its Indian Dhoom franchise in WAR, with fast cars, a charismatic male lead, big action set-pieces, and a sky-high budget. WAR, directed by Siddharth Anand and starring two men who undoubtedly adhered to a tight diet throughout the whole filming process, is an action-thriller with a significant focus on the term “Action.” To summarise, WAR is a high-budget, high-octane action-thriller that falls short in terms of decent storyline. If you enjoy mindless battle scenes or are a fan of either Hrithik or Tiger, you should see this film.
Bell Bottom
Bell Bottom, Akshay Kumar’s 2021 espionage thriller, about an undercover RAW agent who embarks on a covert mission to free 210 hostages held by hijackers in the UAE. Despite the obvious flaws that you’d expect to discover in a nationalistic Akshay Kumar movie, this film manages to keep you interested till the very end. Ranjit Tiwari, who is well acquainted of the subject’s pluses and minuses, manages to produce a pleasant afternoon viewing.
Best Telugu Movies on Amazon Prime
Evaru
Evaru, loosely taken from the 2016 Spanish film The Invisible Guest, is Adivi Sesh’s second suspense-thriller after Kshanam. Venkat Ramji, in contrast to the original version, does a wonderful job of shaking things up by taking the essential ideas from the source material and making the narrative his own.
The film will keep you guessing and entertained for the most part, thanks to commendable performances by Regina and Sesh. If you’ve seen the Hindi version, Badla, starring Taapsee Pannu and Amitabh Bachchan, you might find this film predictable, but it’s still worth a look.
Brochevarevaru Ra
Vivek Athreya’s Brochevarevaru Ra is the epitome of what Tollywood has been lacking in recent years. The plot of this black comedy starring Sree Vishnu and Nivetha Thomas glides through its length as a series of events lead to awful results in a fast-paced no-nonsense laugh riot.
Athreya’s ability to portray an unconventional storey in the most entertaining and hilarious way imaginable, together with the fantastic performances from the entire ensemble and Vivek Sagar’s great music composition, must be praised. Brochevarevaru Ra demonstrates that the era of commercial films is over and that good experimental films are here to stay.
Yatra, directed by Mahi V. Raghav, starring Mammootty in the major role and recounts the real-life events of Late. The Padayatra was a political campaign launched by Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy (former Chief Minister of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh) (Journey by Foot). Yatra is emotionally engrossing and feels less like an Indian propaganda picture than recent campaign-driven films, thanks to its superb narrative style, well-paced screenplay, tear-jerking sequences, and charming performances from the entire cast, notably Mammootty.
Majili
Majili, directed by Shiva Nirvana (of Ninnu Kori fame), is the fourth collaboration between Naga Chaitanya and Samantha Akkineni. While the first half of this film drags, the second half picks up the pace and masterfully delivers an emotional storey that is warm, honest, and genuine. If not for the predictable start, this film may have been a lot superior product that would have stood out as the greatest.
Agent Sai Srinivasa Athreya
Agent Sai Srinivasa Athreya, directed by Swaroop RSJ, impresses with its fascinating narration, excellent comedy sequences, and a meaningful social message to share. A totally original and engrossing storey that progresses quickly while entertaining the audience without calling their intelligence into question. Congratulations to the entire cast and crew for making an effort and bringing something new and different to the table.
HIT
Following the blockbuster success of Swaroop RSJ’s Agent Sai Srinivasa Athreya and Sashi Kiran Tikka’s Goodachari, Tollywood has taken another giant step forward in the thriller genre with HIT. The film stars Vishwak Sen in the major role, as well as Ruhani Sharma, Murli Sharma, and veteran actor Bhanuchander in supporting roles, and newbie Sailesh Kolanu as the writer-director of this two-hour-ten-minute rollercoaster trip.
HIT is a magnificent film-watching experience made possible solely by Sailesh Kolanu’s great writing talents, exceptional performances (particularly from Vishwak Sen), and unconventional characters. This film will continue to raise the bar for Telugu cinema, and it is an exciting, suspenseful thriller that you should not miss.
Best Tamil Movies on Amazon Prime
Asuran
Asuran can be summed up as “the rise of the oppressed.” The plot revolves around Sivasami, a lower caste farmer who tolerates all oppression and abuse perpetrated by the upper caste only to avenge them later when the oppression exceeds threshold boundaries. The writing and directing are extremely fascinating and racy in the first half, but they drag in the second half when Sivasami relates his flashback. Following in the footsteps of progressive directors such as Pa Ranjith and Mari Selvaraj, Vetri Maaran did justice in depicting the dark and cruel realities of our society that many people still fail to recognise.
Vellai Pookal
Vellai Pookal, directed by a first-timer and featuring Kollywood’s well-known character artist Vivek in the lead role, deals with an intriguing plot and revolves around a 57-year-old cop, Rudhran (Vivek). Despite a few parallels in terms of overall backdrop, this film leaves an impression with a number of refreshing qualities such as the performances, the distinctive editing style, excellent cinematography coupled with vibrant images, and the well-written narrative. Vivek, the film’s main character, carries the plot throughout and makes it an entertaining watch.
Sarpatta Parambarai
Sarpatta Parambarai is the storey of a blue-collar pugilist who picks up boxing gloves to find his identity, purpose in life, and way to atonement. The plot of a sports film, on the other hand, is predictable. Sarpatta Parambarai is no exception to the formula’s immeasurable hurdles on the road to success.
As any good boxer knows, sometimes stepping back is the best way to deliver a punch. As a result, Pa Ranjith’s new boxing picture climbs above cliches by framing his films with socio-political components that conceal the conventional plot. One of the best Indian films available on Amazon Prime.
Peranbu
Peranbu, which premiered at the International Film Festival Rotterdam on January 27, 2018, stars Mammootty in the lead role and was released to the general public on February 1, 2019, to generally positive reviews, with many praising the film’s social message, performances, cinematography, and background score. Peranbu is regarded as one of the best Indian films of 2019. It is thoughtful, enticing, and compassionate.
Karnan
Every storey has been told before. Throughout the decades, stories of oppressed and oppressor have been shouted from rooftops. The answer to elevating an antique plot, though, is to pay attention to the other aspects, which Mari Selvaraj has done. Without delving into too much detail about the main cast’s outstanding performances, Karnan’s mix of commercial formula and symbolic storytelling deserves to be discussed.
Maara
Maara tells the storey of a restoration artist named Paaru who is looking for a humorous traveller named Maara after discovering a notebook and a photograph of him while staying at his residence. While the majority of the plot and screenplay are based on the original, filmmaker Dhilip Kumar modified it somewhat to make the Tamil version even more lovely. Maara is a work of visual poetry. The ensemble, like the tale, lives in their characters, and Dhilip Kumar presents one of the finest remakes that has the potential to outshine the original.
Soorarai Pottru, directed by Sudha Kongra and starring Suriya, is based on the life of G. R. Gopinath, a retired captain of the Indian Air Force and the founder of Air Deccan. Sudha Kongra delivers the film of the year and an extraordinary film in Suriya’s career, backed up by a high-quality technical team, commendable acting, and to-the-point scripting.
Putham Pudhu Kaalai
Putham Pudhu Kaalai is a collection of five short films, each about a different person and their life during the COVID-19 lockdown. The first short is ‘Ilamai Idho Idho,’ directed by Sudha Kongra and written by Francis Thomas and Sruthi Ramachandran. The second film is ‘Avarum Naanum – Avalum Naanum,’ directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon and written by Reshma Gatala.
‘Coffee, anyone?’ is the third feature in this anthology film, directed by Suhasini Mani Ratnam, who also co-wrote the script with her husband and master storyteller, Mani Ratnam. The fourth short film, named ‘Reunion,’ is written and directed by Rajiv Menon. Karthik Subbaraj wrote and directed the final short film, named ‘Miracle.’
Ponmagal Vandhal
Ponmagal Vandhal, directed by J. J. Fredrick and starring Jyothika, is the Tamil Cinema Industry’s first film to succumb to the COVID-19 pandemic. On the plus side, Ponmagal Vandhal is an emotionally charged drama, as Fredrick’s writing and visuals will leave an indelible impression on all of us. With child sexual assault as its core premise, the film is built on the strength of the emotional values it conveys, which are vividly displayed by Jyothika’s outstanding performance.
Best Malayalam Movies on Amazon Prime
Drishyam 2
Drishyam 2 is an intriguing thriller directed by Jeethu Joseph that delves into the family turmoil and aftermath of the previous film, Drishyam. Six years after the events of “Drishyam,” Georgekutty is living his life for the family, guiding them through difficult times. Drishyam 2 is the best sequel a film has ever had. It meets up to expectations and is a must-see for anyone, with a unique and engaging tale.
Trance
Fahadh Faasil’s outstanding acting abilities are at the heart and soul of Trance. To be honest, it’s one of the best Indian performances I’ve seen in a long time. He has the capacity to attract people through his screen presence, body language, and dialogue delivery, and with a tale that necessitates top-tier performances, Fahadh lives up to the expectations.
Director Anwar Rasheed has managed to shed some light on the ongoing religious scams with an innovative, provocative plot, but is less concerned with the matter and concentrates more on the style aspects to dazzle the audiences, rather than talking more about the subject. Trance, on the other hand, is a compelling thriller.
Joji
Dileesh Pothan’s Joji on Amazon Prime Video is a 2021 Malayalam drama that follows the events in Joji and his siblings’ lives as they take an unconventional course. The film is based on Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth, and Fahadh Faasil’s outstanding performance demonstrates why he is the best actor of his generation. It’s a difficult film with a distinct flavour that everyone will like.
C U Soon
C U Soon, directed by Mahesh Narayanan, is a virtual life mystery-thriller that explores the possibilities of using visual cinematography to shoot a full feature film during these challenging times. The film tells the storey of two people who are matched on an online dating service, and the storyline eventually transforms into a fascinating drama centred on the girl’s dark secrets. An unusual mystery thriller with just the right amount of emotional melodrama.
Kala
Tovino Thomas and Sumesh Moor feature in the lead roles of Kala, a Malayalam thriller directed by Rohith V. S. The plot of the film centres around Shaji, who becomes trapped in a struggle of human emotions and an incomprehensible day in his life. This film, produced by Tovino, is a must-see on Amazon Prime Video just to get the whole vibe of it, but be warned: it contains a lot of violence and murder.
Ayyappanum Koshiyum
Sachy’s Ayyappanum Koshiyum is a gripping storey about the ego battle between S.I. Ayyappan Nair (Biju Menon) and Hawildar Koshi Kurien (Prithviraj Sukumaran). The storey opens with a combined check drill by excise and the police department on the boundaries of a tribal community called Attappadi, during which Koshi is apprehended for carrying whiskey into the dry area.
It is the beginning of the conflict between ex-military official Koshi and Sub Inspector Ayyappan Nair. Biju Menon delivered an electrifying performance that overshadowed Prithviraj’s portrayal as the antagonist. The beauty of Attappadi (a village in Kerala) is enthralling to see and was perfectly captured on film.
Helen
Helen, by Mathukutty Xavier, is a survival thriller with feel-good undertones. Helen (Anna Ben) is a young, active, and ambitious girl who aspires to travel abroad while working part-time in a restaurant to meet her financial needs. In the first part of the film, a wonderful father-daughter connection and her love life are depicted. The plot then shifts into a survival drama, with Helen’s father and her boyfriend’s survival methods in search of her providing suspense. Helen demonstrated that a single smile can make all the difference in life, and the film is Malayalam’s first one-of-a-kind thriller. Don’t pass it up!
Driving License
Lal Jr.’s Driving License differs from his other films in that it introduces new components to the old superstar-fan-based films. The film’s humour was original, and Saiju Kurupp used his acting skills to accentuate the funny parts. However, the audience may grow tired of the cliched dialogue after a while. Nonetheless, Driving License is fascinating and brilliantly balances aspects of fun, thrill, and drama. A really enjoyable ride and a great family film that matches the Christmas Holiday mood.
Jallikattu
Lijo Jose Pellissery’s Jallikattu, directed by one of the most promising directors working in Indian cinema today, takes place in a secluded village where a buffalo escapes and unleashes a frenzy of joyful violence among the villagers.
A wonderful film that is infused with life and honesty. It depicts the life of Ambili, who is a misfit in society and has a unique personality. The first half of the film highlights the major characters’ lives in his picturesque village of Kattappana, while the second part becomes a road trip film in Kashmir, where he used to reside as a youngster. Soubin Shahir embodied his character Ambili, while Johnpaul George delivered a film with a profusion of excellent features, similar to his debut film Guppy.
Unda
Unda is a one-of-a-kind, realistic police storey that depicts the actual colours of police officers and depicts the storey of a gang of cops assigned to election duty in Chattisgarh. Despite the fact that they are stationed in a dangerous Maoist-infested area, the paucity of manpower, ammo, and survival dictate the rest of the storey. It’s one of those beautifully-written films that’s both uplifting and entertaining, and it’s well worth seeing.
Virus
Virus, directed by Aashiq Abu and starring Parvathy in the lead role, is a realistic look at the devastating 2018 Nipah virus outbreak in Kerala. The suspenseful plot and captivating screenplay, as well as the outstanding performances from the whole cast, are the film’s main selling points. Virus brilliantly depicts the government’s steps and precautions in dealing with these heinous acts. Don’t pass it up.
Kumbalangi Nights
Kumbalangi Nights is a 135-minute family drama about four brothers and their love-hate relationship. Fahadh Faasil, who leads the cast with a superb performance, deserves special recognition for his ability to shift into this cruel character, as does the supporting cast, who help and complement the plot admirably. Kumbalangi Nights is marked by its beautiful photography and euphonious soundtrack, which set it apart from the other films released this year. A must-see!
Best Kannada Movies on Amazon Prime
Chambal
Chambal, starring Sathish Ninasam, is based on the life of D. K. Ravi, a Karnataka cadre Indian Administrative Service officer. Jacob Verghese, who directed Pruthvi (2010), a similar subject nine years ago, nails the tale once again with a far more genuine atmosphere and more solid people. Chambal is one of the Best Sandalwood Movies of 2019. It has a no-nonsense narrative and good performances from the cast, particularly Sathish.
Love Mocktail
Love Mocktail, written, directed, and produced by ‘Darling’ Krishna, tells the storey of Adithya (also played by Krishna), who reminisces about his love life and narrates it to the woman he rescued while driving in the coastal region.
Kavaludaari
Kavaludaari is about a traffic inspector who discovers old bones and skulls at a construction site and begins to study their past. The remainder of the storey is a recounting of events that transpired on the night of a crime. Hemanth Rao had a lot of hopes after his directorial debut, Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu, which had blown us away. It would suffice to state that he once again manages to blow us away. The finest aspect is that you don’t watch the movie; instead, you journey through it. And it’s a thrilling thriller experience you won’t want to miss.
Dia
Next on the list of Best Indian Movies on Amazon is Dia, directed by K. S. Ashoka, who previously directed the critically acclaimed 2013 horror film, 6-5=2. The film depicts our female protagonist’s complex secluded lifestyle, as well as the significant transformations she undergoes after falling in love with one of her fellow students, Rohith. Dia is a great film that you should not miss seeing, elevated by a realistic, simple-yet-powerful tale and followed by some exceptional performances and a heroic directorial job by Ashoka.
Best Bengali Movies on Amazon Prime
Vinci Da
Vinci Da, directed by Srijit Mukherji and starring Rudranil Ghosh as the eponymous character, is about a struggling make-up artist. Despite a few glitches in the narration and implementation of the tale, this film surprises for the most part with its intriguing concept that is equally and thrilling from start to finish. Furthermore, outstanding performances by Rudranil Ghosh and Ritwick Chakraborty enhance the plot, making Vinci Da one of the Best Indian Movies of 2019 and one of the Best Crime Thrillers of Bengali Film Industry since 2011’s Baishe Srabon.
