Recap 2020 : Best Hollywood Films/Series, Disappointing and Worst

Just like the Hindi Movies, saw only 12 English/World movies in theatre.. and then 37 movies on the laptop (the count will keep growing here it seems). Also saw 10 series out of which 'Dark' was without any doubt the best I have seen ever, the final season lived upto the expectations to make it the best series till date. 

The Haunting of Bly Manor was a good follow-up to 'The Haunting of Hill House', this one however was more on love and loss concept in a horror surrounding. 'Sex Education' 2nd season was a fun watch minus the ending that was lets just say no one wanted it. 'Upload' was a nice surprise short series that I just out of curiosity watched and happy to have given it a go. 'Narcos Mexico' Season2 worked for me due to Felix and how he reaches his downfall, does require to sit through almost half or more of the season that is at a very snail pace, still a good watch. 

Talking of the top movies, the quality was lot higher in 2020, I loved almost every film listed and also the ones that didn't make the cut. The Trial of Chicago 7 works for the lovely courtroom drama that is mix of serious and comic moments. Soul is another great Pixar animation movie talking of the life on earth and relating to life after death in fun way plus the message of living every moment. 

Judas and the Black Messiah is hard-hitting with a spectacular performance from Daniel Kaluuya, and a brutal ending. Deservingly won an Oscar! While 'Promising Young Woman' is a very enjoyable take on revenge involving Carey Mulligan's lovely act 

Special mention to 'Another Round', a unique concept of using alcohol in right quantity to enhance the lifestyle and make body more active. There's no chance I would ever forget that final dance by Mads Mikkelsen on 'What a Life'.  Also, 'The Platform' very much like Parasite shows up the divide between upper class and lower class in a very creative manner. 

'The Half of It' was a surprise addition, a lighthearted rom-com that worked in all ways, mainly for the friendship angle between leads. While 'First Cow' also deals with friendship, as long as you can sit through the very very very slowish first 20-25 mins, the ending is very heartbreaking here. 

So, Here's my complete list ... 

Best Hollywood/World Movies of 2020 : 

1. The Trial of Chicago 7

2. Soul

3. Judas and the Black Messiah

4. Another Round

5. Promising Young Woman

6. Sound of Metal

7. The Platform

8. The Half of It

9. First Cow

10. The Father

Minari, Collectiv, Palm Springs, Onward and Better Days miss out.

Best Series around the World in 2020 : 

1. Dark S3

2. The Haunting of Bly Manor

3. Sex Education S2

4. Upload 

5. Narcos Mexico S2

The Sinner S3 misses out, while Money Heist S4 and 13 Reasons Why S4 were very average at best. 

Worst Hollywood/World Movies of 2020 : 

1. She Dies Tomorrow

2. Eurovision Song Contest : The Story of Fire Saga

3. Da 5 Bloods

'She Dies Tomorrow' suffered from a terrible execution of what was a good premise to build story on. Eurovision Song Contest didn't work for me because of the male lead otherwise in parts I did find it watchable. While Da5 Bloods felt a big bore even the cameo of Chadwick Boseman couldn't help.

Disappointing Hollywood/World Movies of 2020 : 

1. Wonder Woman 1984

2. Tenet

3. Mank

One of rare occasion in Hollywood when all biggies failed incredibly. Wonder Woman 1984 couldn't come anywhere close to the magic of 1st one, the idea of greed became tedious after a while. Tenet has a typical Nolan's confusing screenplay playing with time but this one lacked the feels and emotions completely. And Mank was well, just not my kind film specially when I couldn't like the classic Citizen Kane on whom it is based. 

Recap 2020 : Best Hindi Films/Series, Disappointing and Worst!

Didn't knew a year would come when I would see so less movies in theatre, just 8 in the theatre and 11 on laptop. Irony is that count of theatre might be 0 when I make list for 2021, well who knows corona goes away magically in coming months. 

Also, saw plenty of series with Scam 1992 knocking it out of the stadium, what a series, what performances and what a brilliant use of entire cast of talented actors that over the years have been wasted in nothing roles or cliched characters. 

Asur took the next spot.. totally enjoyed the shuddh hindi and the plot despite some visible flaws. Maybe flawed cheezon ko pasand karne ki aadat ho gayi hai. PaatalLok was another great series that was engaging and didn't disappoint in the finale.

Even though there wasn't a single special film that I could love to the core, there were still plenty good films and considering the times we living in, have to be satisfied by that. Top5 were actually very neck to neck in terms of quality, sorted them out in terms of their repetitive appeal for me. 

Ludo was at the top, another of Anurag Basu's enjoyable films that has a great ensemble cast. Rajkumar Rao's Mithun mimicry and habit of dancing whenever in tension was highlight of the movie along with the ever reliable Pankaj Tripathi. Gunjan Saxena, does get little caught in the cliches of routine biopic yet it provides some hard-hitting moments with a lovely father-daughter relationship involving Pankaj Tripathi and Jhanvi Kapoor (she can act for me). 

Raat Akeli Hai was a lovely slow-burner, didn't really go KnivesOut way as trailer suggested which actually worked in its favour with the mystery angle done well while exploring male dominance and violence against women themes and ofcourse Nawazuddin Siddiqui's great performance. 

The experimental AK vs AK is terrific with Anil Kapoor in super form, only let down by the unwanted spoon-feeding in final 10 mins. While Tillatome Shome's performance in 'Is Love Enough? Sir' is great to watch in a very good movie that explores a very taboo relationship. 

Malang despite having some regular routine mess Mohit Suri world always has, works for its tight screenplay and the Aditya-Disha chemistry. Easily my guilty pleasure movie of the year. 

Special Mention to Bulbbul that reunited the 'Laila Majnu' pair, it was also a good watch.  The much talked about 'Dil Bechara' was lets say 

This year again I ain't posting Best Performances, so the ones that stood out for me were - Pankaj Tripathi (Gunjan Saxena), Nawazuddin Siddiqui (Raat Akeli Hai), Tillatome Shome (Is Love Enough? Sir', Tripti Dimri (Bulbbul) and Anil Kapoor (AK vs AK), 

Not posting Hindi Albums and Top100 songs too this year, couldn't listen most of the albums, will try to cover it up with the 2021 list if possible. 

Here's my complete list... 

Top 10 Hindi Movies of 2020 : 

1. Ludo

2. Gunjan Saxena : The Kargil Girl

3. Raat Akeli Hai

4. AK vs AK 

5. Is Love Enough? Sir

6. Malang

7. Bulbbul

8. Thappad

9. Kaamyaab

10. Tanhaji : The Unsung Warrior

Angrezi Medium, Indoo Ki Jawani and Lootcase miss out. 

Best Series of 2020 : 

1. Scam 1992

2. Asur : Welcome to your Dark Side S1

3. Paatal Lok

4. Panchayat 

5. Special Ops S1

Mirzapur S2 misses out.. Also 'She'  and 'JL 50' was interesting in many parts. 

Worst Hindi Movies of 2020 : 

1. Coolie No.1

2. Baaghi 3

3. Love Aaj Kal

Varun Dhawan overacted both versions, the Mithun mimicry was torturous and Sara Ali Khan again disappointed, I think some songs were the only saving grace in this film. Baaghi3 was silly with another over the top action like the 2nd part. And Imtiaz Ali enters the list where I don't like him to be, Love Aaj Kal trailer was so good but the movie never worked for me minus some parts of 'Kal' where as the 'Aaj' part felt no connect and emotions at all, again Sara Ali Khan a let-down but I feel any other actress won't have made any difference too. 

Most Disappointing Hindi Movies of 2020 : 

1. Angrezi Medium

2. Love Aaj Kal

3. Gulabo Sitabo

Irrfan Khan deserved a better last movie, no where close to Hindi Medium, he however still gave some good scenes to enjoy. And Shoojit Sircar's run of great films ended atleast for me Gulabo Sitabo was pretty average even with the great twist. 

Mini Review : Hillibilly Elegy (Netflix)

Directed by : Ron Howard

Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6772802/

Everyone in this world is one of three kinds : a good terminator, a bad terminator and neutral.

J.D Vance (Gabriel Basso), a Yale law student gets a call from his hometown Ohio by his sister Lindsay (Haley Bennett) as he learns his drug addicted mother Bev (Amy Adams) is in hospital. He is forced to go back despite having job based meeting and then an interview next morning. 

Told through flashbacks with J.D the narrator, we get to know about his early life, the relationship with his mother and grandma Mamaw (Glenn Close), a dysfunctional family where he had to go through plenty of drama. The movie basically tries to go two ways, and succeeds at it, one been how your life would turn out if that one particular moment didn't happen, which in this case is when Mamaw decides to take over responsibility of young J.D knowing Bev would end up being a bad mother which she already was due to her drugs addiction. Through Mamaw's help and later girlfriend like Usha (Friedo Pinto), we see J.D become a better grown up guy rather than getting indulged into violence and drugs with the kind of friends he had made earlier. 

The other point movie makes is about the family background, you can't run away from it or well atleast most can't. And yet you could be successful despite the drama or kind of toxic childhood you have to go through specially if belonging to a middle class or below, maybe use it as a fuel rather than get destroyed and taking those bad traits of your parents. J.D could easily had said no and stayed to finish his interview, but he preferred going back to a mother who never really cared like a mother should do. But part of blame goes to Mamaw who didn't look up to what Bev was turning into, which is one of reasons why she was quick to react to avoid history repeating with J.D. 

I love that particular scene where Mamaw is asking for extra food to feed J.D and later gives much larger portion for him to eat, which was the point where J.D did realize the effort she is putting in and he had to change and become serious to not let the chance go begging of becoming someone in life. And followed all the struggled and low jobs he does to earn money. 

Performances wise, Glenn Close is excellent, love her concerned looks at J.D or the restrained anger whenever Bev would create issues. Her relationship with J.D gives some of best scenes in the movie, and I would had liked more of it and J.D's childhood shown which I felt was little less. Amy Adams some might find over the top, but her act worked for me, that skates hospital scene was hilarious and also the way she would hold J.D hands while crying wanting comfort of someone is there with her. I personally enjoyed Gabriel Basso performance too even though he may not be on same level, liked how he portays the dilemna, a career finally getting to a high and yet his family background might just spoil it. Also, lovely cameo from Friedo Pinto playing Indian girlfriend of J.D.

I had a very good connect with the story even though there's nothing I have experienced like that in my life, many places I felt bad for J.D or for that matter even Bev. Hillibilly Elegy is a very well made up film by Ron Howard, just minor issues else I enjoyed it a lot.

My Rating : 7/10

Mini Review : Raat Akeli Hai (Netflix)

Directed by : Honey Trehan

Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12567088/

Bahar duniya bahut kharab hai, humse akele nahi ho payega.

An old rich guy, Raghuveer Singh (Khalid Tyabji) is found dead on the night of his wedding with a young girl Radha (Radhika Apte). The local cop Jatil Yadav (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) arrives at the house learning about each member of this dysfunctional family where everyone is a suspect as he tries to solve the puzzle which involves politicians, corruption and also another incident that happened 5 years ago in which Raghuveer's 1st wife had died. 

It clearly will give you 'Knives Out' vibe initially but unlike that movie, the tone here isn't comical rather very dark drama that takes on violence against women and male dominance as the main themes. The little bit of light hearted humor comes only with Jatil and his mother (an excellent Ila Arun) scenes where she is always eager to find a perfect match for him. 

The whole whodunnit angle is well played out, even if the story isn't something not seen before, it would take a real smart mind to know who killed Raghuveer, there's only 2 particular scenes that gives a hint to the killer. But as I said before, more than the murder mystery, its a social take on the way women are treated and the corrupted system. I was infact getting ready for a 'Jaane bhi do yaaro' kind climax when Jatil says to the politician that you don't have much time left. I felt the politician's power will undo all the work and Jatil will get suspended. 

The screenplay was balanced for me, felt it went at right pace, keeping me engaged, the length of the movie did felt too long and the unwanted songs included was a very poor decision. What really works is Nawazuddin's act, who off-late has been giving monotonous feel but here him been in almost every frame of movie, you can feel him totally into the character, with some fun dark comedy but not overdone. Radhika Apte also chips in a very good performance, and has a good chemistry in all scenes with Nawaz. Good cameos from the supporting cast, Aditya Srivastav, Shweta Tripathi, Tigmanshu Dhulia and Padmavati Rao especially. 

The train sequences between Jatil and Radha were my favourites, also loved the chilling opening sequence. 

Raat Akeli Hai is a good watch, works on many levels, be it performances or a mystery thriller or as just a social drama.

My Rating : 7/10

Mini Review : Indoo Ki Jawani (Netflix)

Directed by : Abir Sengupta 

Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11112526/

Hum Indians na sabko judge karte hai, hamare jitna Judgemental koi nahi hota hai

Spoilers ahead.. 

About Indira Gupta (Kiara Advani) who through help of her close friend Sonal (Mallika Dua) decides to join a dating app and gets a right swipe match in form of Samar (Aditya Seal). She invites him over at her place with her parents and brother gone away for some days. Things turn wild when moments after he arrives, she finds he is from Pakistan having heard the news earlier in the morning that there are a few terrorists from Pakistan missing in nearby area.

There's a lot that I liked and plenty that I didn't but it certainly isn't a bad film as the ratings or reviews suggest, or maybe one of those cases when I liked a movie majority didn't, oh I just love it when that happens!

Its fun watching the entire adventure part of Indira trying to learn about how to go one step further than having a boyfriend, that involves the first kiss which holds a special place for her. There's Sonal's numerous gyan that includes them watching a adult movie together or her suggesting that all men want one thing or how Indira should try one night stand as in films they never end at one night and turn into love (she has many filmi references throughout). 

Totally enjoyed the banter between Indira and Samar on India-Pakistan, at times silly but it was entertaining and truthful for most part. Love the scene where Indira is hiding many knives, chilli powder in various places of the house just in case Samar turns out to be a bad guy. The awkward conversations between them leading to 'Kashmir ki Kali' is also fun to watch (they just had to choose that film because of Pakistan angle). 

Its the terrorist part that derails the movie, firstly I felt there was no need to plant the seed of doubt whether Samar is the terrorist or not, and then the real terrorist should have not been too comical like it was in here. Or to be honest, I would had liked Samar and Indira not even having an encounter while just learning through Sonal/neighbour/tv that the terrorist just got caught. Also, it was hard to gulp up Sonal and her bf's scenes together. The old neighbours or friend of Indira's brother lusting for Indira was also slightly over-done in a creepy manner. And the songs, except for the remix of Mika's 'Saawan mein' (was okay only) were quite bad. 

In the end, it was the trio of Kiara (she was quite good, specially her comic timing), Aditya (good despite less screen time) and Mallika (at start felt irritating but turned out a fun character) that kept me entertained throughout. 

My Rating : 6.5/10

Mini Review : Over the Moon (Netflix)

Directed by : Glen Keane and John Kahrs

Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7488208/

If you give love, you will never lose love.. It only grows.

An animated musical about a mythical moon goddess Chang'e (voiced by Phillipa Soo) who needs a particular gift that would re-unite her with dead lover Houyi (voiced by Conrad Ricamora). Fei Fei (voiced by Cathy Ang) who lost her mother sees her father move on in past years to an extent that he wants to marry again, a thought that doesn't go well with her making her develop a rocket that would help her reach out Chang'e, and find proof of Chang'e been a reality so that her father would realize how Fei Fei's tales of Chang'e eternal love were true and maybe he would abandon the idea of moving on. 

The setting of going to an imaginary afterlife place reminded of 'Coco' but the comparison stops there. Also, 'Rocket to the Moon' track reminded me of 'Frozen' track, again the comparison ends there. 

More than the story it were 3 animation characters, Fei Fei, cute Bungee (Fei Fei's rabbit, voiced by Edie Ichioka) and Fei Fei's new friend on moon, Gobi (voiced by Ken Jeong) that made me liked the movie. Their interactions made for some very fun and sweet moments, if only the story and the entire setting of Chang'e place or those Mooncake shaped Lunette's were interesting enough too. The songs were a disappointment too being a musical.

Chin (voiced by Robert G Chiu), at start felt irritating, but his going through the walls thing was funny and so was the latter scenes where he tries to help out his soon to be sister Fei Fei as he believes. Love the scene where Fei Fei lets Bungee stay over the moon, and also when Gobi narrates his past story. And totally adored all the reactions Bungee gives to everything Fei Fei does.

Its a good enough watch, felt entertaining in many parts, despite the mentioned flaws I didn't really felt bored at all. If you aren't looking for too much, then this movie shall work for you too. 

My Rating : 6.5/10 

Mini Review : Shaun The Sheep - Farmageddon

Directed by : Will Becher and Richard Phelan

Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6193408/

Zom Zom

In the town of Mossingham, a UFO crash lands over the farm with a  mysterious alien Lu La (voiced by Amalia Vitale) landing out of it. Shaun (voiced by Justin Fletcher) becomes friendly with Lu La and tries to help along with rest sheep and Bitzer, sheepdog (voiced by John Sparkes). Also, there's an organisation that aims at capturing UFO's and has a leader Agent Red (Kate Harbour) who seems to have some personal agenda against the aliens.

The first part was a decent timepass movie, for me that worked in parts, and this one follows same route. My main problem is with the looks of Lu La and also the adventures Lu La has on earth was very mix of 'Thats Cute' to 'Thats so irritating'. Love the Shaun's pizza sequence or others that involve him and rest sheeps. Also, fun watching all scenes involving Bitzer and the sheeps, or when he is mistaken for an alien. Also, it would be nice if there's a character that had dialogues, its like Minions have their own language but doesn't mean all other characters don't speak too.

Maybe every animation film can't be meant for both kids and grown-ups, this one just falls in that category. I still didn't feel bored, still a very average movie.

My Rating : 5/10 

Mini Review : Minari

Directed by : Lee Isaac Chung

Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10633456/

They need to see me succeed at something for once.

Spoilers ahead.. 

Jacob (Steven Yeun) relocates his Korean-American family from California to 1980's rural Arkansas with his wife Monica (Yeri Han) and children - David (Alan S Kim) and Anne (Noel Cho). He intends to build a 50 acre farm while doing part-time work with wife at a chicken sexer place. The rest story is about how everyone tries to adjust with the financial disaster looming if the farm doesn't go as per the plan. 

I always find simple family based stories (not dysfunctional) beautiful to watch and Minari is one of them. You see Jacob full of enthusiasm and desires wanting to prove he is capable of much more while his wife is skeptical and not liking the new house or the environment having no neighbour nearby. There's the regular fights on it but they keep supporting each other, Jacob does it by making Monica's mom, Soonja (an excellent Youn Yuh-jung) come live with them or by taking them to church to mingle with other people. 

Love how Jacob relates to his son David regarding the burning of male chicken as they being useless and we men rather have to be useful in this world. Also, the enjoyable scene when you think Jacob is gonna beat David with a stick but it turns into comedy when David twice intentionally brings broken sticks.

The main highlight of the movie however are the interactions of Soonja and David, they are super cute and very fun to watch, be it him saying 'she can't be grandma, she does nothing what Grandmas does' or her telling him to ignore those fake heaven stories Monica narrates so he would start habit of praying out of fear. Soonja also gives out what 'Minari' title means for viewers like me, about it being a plant that can be grown at any place like weeds and rich or poor anyone can enjoy it which basically could be a reference to Immigrants and they trying to find a new place to live at. 

The ending felt little confusing to me, like the writers weren't sure how to finish it on a nicer note. Its still a very enjoyable movie with strong emotions and fun moments involving excellent Alan S Kim and Youn Yuh-Jung.

My Rating : 7/10

Mini Review : Pieces of a Woman (Netflix)

Directed by : Kornel Mundruczo

Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11161474/

How can I give this pain to someone else? Someone who has already suffered? And I know she would not want that. At all. That is not why my daughter came into this world for the time that she did.

Spoilers ahead.. 

Martha (Vanessa Kirby) and Sean (Shia LaBeouf) decide to give birth to their child at home when on a certain day they call their midwife who couldn't be available and sends Eva (Molly Parker) as a replacement qualified enough. Everything is looking fine until just moments after birth of the child, Eva realizes the baby's body is turning blue and eventually leads to death. What follows after that, is a long emptiness and alien kind behavior Martha goes through while dealing with all the relationships and also the Eva court case who is by Martha's mother Elizabeth (Ellen Burstyn) held responsible for the untimely death of Martha's newly born baby. 

In the starting scene when a worker at bridge asks Sean who is Martha, he replies 'She is fine, she is always fine', the tone suggests maybe this ain't a happy couple and the child might be a way of them getting closer. Even the conversations or ways Sean tries to calm Martha down when she is feeling the contractions and getting moody needing distractions gives similar vibes. 

The excellent first act involves long 30 mins sequence at Sean-Martha place, where things seem normal when Eva comes and initially checks how the baby is doing, but the tension increases later when Eva feels the heartbeat of the baby isn't normal. We feel the same kind of relief Eva feels when the birth happens successfully only to see that the baby ends up living in this world for barely few mins.

The 2nd and final act are disappointing, half of the blame goes to how high the film starts with, and other has to do with the writing, just gets little melodramatic and cliched than I would had preferred. Vanessa Kirby however with her performance keeps you interested till the end. She beautifully portrays the emotions of a broken mother, mostly through silence, all her reactions to how her family tries to keep in touch or her changing equation with her husband and her decision to let her dead baby's body been used for medical institution. She has 2 outbursts, one in court and other with her family at her Mom's place, enjoyed both specially the latter one. You can feel her pain every time she is walking and a family with a kid is around or in train. The only time she feels at peace is when she is trying to use apple seeds to try and grow apples, which is also the last scene where her daughter is climbing to get the apple suggesting maybe finally Martha has moved on and got over that painful loss. 

Shia LaBeauof on the other hand didn't quite work for me, maybe it was the cliched route his character takes in the 2nd act involving drugs, liquor and sleeping with Martha's cousin. He does have some moments where he is mourning at the loss, but he is more on Martha's mom side wanting the midwife o suffer. Ellen Burstyn plays a controlling mother and has one very good long monologue where she tries to make Martha know how she herself fighted her way out of a tough situation in her childhood. The cousin angle I felt was totally off-putting, infact the whole case against mid-wife wasn't required either, when it was clear that it was just one of rare mishaps and not something done intentionally. I would had rather preferred more of Martha coping with the emptiness and the void she was feeling post the loss. 

Construction of bridge is used as a good reference to show the time passed by, the initial scene has Sean jokingly saying that he wants the construction end by the time his daughter enters the world, and after some months when bridge is indeed complete, Sean and Martha have completely fallen apart.

Pieces of a Woman is more of a film that's dominated by its super tense filled starting 30 mins and Vanessa Kirby's brilliant performance. 

My Rating : 6/10 

Mini Review : Promising Young Woman

Directed by : Emerald Fennell

Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9620292/

Look how easy that was. I guess you just had to think about it in the right way. I guess it feels different when it's someone you love.

Spoilers ahead..

Cassandra Thomas (an excellent Carey Mulligan), a young woman and a medical school dropout works at a Coffee-Shop. Her life revolves around local bars and nightclubs she goes at night pretending to be drunk and vulnerable, but she is hunting men out who would want to take advantage of her. Soon we realize that she has had a bad past involving a school time best friend Nina, and she is out to get revenge for what happened to her. 

For some minutes, you do feel if Cassandra is some psycho or anti-men kind lady who is trying to dispose off the trash, or does she? Because we ain't shown what she does with them once guys realize she is very sober. There's this hilarious scene where she asks the  guy 'You still wanna fuck me?' and he replies back scared to death 'No, Thank you, madam.' 

The revenge angle begins when Ryan (Bo Burnham) who was in same medical school, meets Cassandra at coffee-shop as she learns the main culprit Al Monroe (Chris Lowell) is getting married, though it makes me wonder why would she wait to hear about him and others letting almost more than a decade pass by, rather going hunting them to take the revenge much sooner. Or did she never thought about it until learning how happy they are, which isn't right..

I like how the movie tries to draw a thin line about how to differentiate between good and bad men, because bad ones you know are direct, but then the good ones are hiding behind a mask and wanna be bad too. So, in a way the good men are further divided into two categories, one who are actually good and one who ain't. The very first scene shows exactly that, and later on we see same with Ryan, a very cool rom-com kind subplot only to later know how he was too involved in Nina's case. 

Enjoyed all the ways she choses to take revenge, whether its Madison (Alison Brie) or Dean Walker (Connie Britton), both of whom Cassandra gives a chance through conversation if they felt regret over these goneby years which they both didn't. 

Debutant director Emerald Fennell narrates the story in a dark comedy tone keeping a balance throughout. We see Cassandra getting a 'suitcase' by her parents for a wierd birthday gift, which she calls metaphor for being told to leave home. Or that funny and awkward dinner scene of Ryan at Cassandra's place with her parents. 

The use of songs is very well done too, whether its the 'Boys' (Droeloe remix) or the cool direct stare Cassandra gives to the dirty mouthed construction working men while walking on the road casually eating burger  and 'Its Raining Men' (DeathbyRomy) playing in background. Also, love the use of 'Toxic' and 'Angel of the Morning' right at the end. 

Carey Mulligan really excels in her performance, making this even better watch, love her body language, the two sides we see of her, one that hates trashy men, the kind responsible for Nina not to be around her, and other that loves men like Ryan because they appear sweet and just the kind she wants to be around with. Love when she kicks the trash can thinking Ryan is also another of the assholes. And then that final nurse/doctor act was wonderful to watch!

My only one complain was we never get to see any scenes of Nina with Cassandra, some flashbacks would have been nice, whether before that incident or after it, just to give more insight into what Nina meant for Cassandra, for which she had abandoned her life. 

The ending was very good, for a moment I felt maybe they were making a mistake of spoiling the whole film by letting Cassandra lose eventually and not get the justice for Nina, but the surprise at wedding, how Cassandra had PlanB if all went wrong was well executed, and I would say more real than it would had been if she succeeded directly. 

Promising Young Woman worked for me as a drama told in a darkish comedy tone with a revenge angle and a reminder about not to fall for fake good appearances. 

My Rating : 7.5/10 

Decade (2010-2019) : Top 100 Hindi Songs

2000-2009 was a time that belonged majorly to Sonu Nigam and Kay Kay, or Sunidhi Chauhan and Shreya Ghoshal. My personal favs out of them were ofcourse Kay Kay and Sunidhi Chauhan. Towards the end of the decade, Mohit Chauhan and Shilpa Rao looked like they would be here for long and also may become my new favourites.

Moving to 2010-2019 decade, and Mohit Chauhan lived upto the expectations, with his mindblowing singing in 'Rockstar', following up with tracks like 'Bezubaan' (Anybody Can Dance), 'Matargashti' (Tamasha), 'Haafiz Haafiz' (Laila Majnu), 'Saans' (Jab Tak Hai Jaan), etc.  He may have actually given many more great songs if not for the name 'Arijit Singh' who initially had hit tracks like 'Dua' (Shanghai), 'Raabta' (Agent Vinod) but shot to fame in 2013 with the unforgettable track 'Tum hi ho' (Aashiqui2) and never looked backed since. One may argue (like was in the case of Amit Trivedi) that we got overdose and repeititveness galore after few years, but I will slightly disagree because to every 5-6 such tracks he ends up with 1-2 songs that really makes you hit the Repeat button. 'Judaai' (Badlapur), 'Samjhawan' (Humpty Sharma ki Dulhania), 'Ae dil hai mushkil' (Ae Dil Hai Mushkil), 'Phir bhi tumko chahunga' (Half Girlfriend), 'Khairiyat' (Chicchhore), 'Kabhi jo baadal barse' (Jackpot), 'Khamoshiyaan' (Khamoshiyaan),  etc were some of my fav picks, many of whom made my top100 list. Clearly, the decade belonged to Arijit Singh.

Special Mention to Jubin Nautiyal, another singer that caught my attention with a song that probably very few would had heard or dismissed off at first go, the song is 'Tere liye' (Fitoor). There been numerous other songs of Jubin that I have fell in love with like 'Tujhe kitna aur chaahein' (Kabir Singh), 'Tum hi aana' (Marjaavan), 'Shayad' (Love Aaj Kal) etc. 

Among female singers, it was a variety of them that had great songs, Rekha Bharadwaj with 'Judaai' (Badlapur), 'Kabira' (Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani), 'So jaa' (Pari) etc. Sunidhi Chauhan with 'Just go to hell dil' (Dear Zindagi)',  'Tere Liye' (Fitoor), 'Yaaram' (Ek Thi Daayan), 'Kamli' (Dhoom3), etc. The decade however belonged to Nooran Sisters. They announced their arrival with the highly energetic superhit 'Patakha Guddi' (Highway), my personal favs though were 'Jee ve sohneya' (Jab Harry Met Sejal), 'Hota Hai '(Mirzya - Dare to Love), 'Tera noor' (Tiger Zinda Hai), 'Dum laga ke haisha title' and 'Tuk tuk' (Sultan), 

Special Mention to Palak Muchhal, who I always feel is a better version of Shreya Ghoshal. 'Kaun tujhe' (MS Dhoni - The Untold Story) and  'Meri aashiqui' (Aashiqui 2), were the standout tracks from her. Also, Jonita Gandhi with her songs 'Break up song' (Ae Dil Hai Mushkil), 'Gilehriyaan' (Dangal), 'Aahista' (Laila Majnu) was another of great new find of the decade. 

The list is entirely based on one factor - how many times could I listen the track on repeat. The order definately will vary person to person but if most of these songs feature in your top100 then I guess we are on the same wavelength. Also, do check out my Top Background themes right at the end.

Here's my Top 100 Hindi Songs (Decade - 2010 to 2019)

1. Saadda haq, Rockstar (2011) - listen at youtube

Singer : Mohit Chauhan

Composer : AR Rahman

Lyricist : Irshad Kamil 

You don't have any right to tell me how I must live! - an angst feeling against the world and society brilliantly portrayed in what has become a song to listen to whenever you feel been wronged. Love the way song starts that gradually builds towards the outburst in the 'O Ecofriendly' portion. Lovely use of guitar by Orianthi and the drums, and ofcourse the magical trio of Mohit-Irshad-Rahman who may never be able to outdo this track.

Fav line : 

O Ecofriendly nature ke rakshak, main bhi hoon nature. 

2. Aur ho, Rockstar (2011) - listen at youtube

Singers : Mohit Chauhan, Alma Ferovic

Composer : AR Rahman

Lyricist : Irshad Kamil

Oddly, this was a song that I didn't fell in love initially. And now its right up at no.2! Begins with Alma's vocals in Bosnian language setting the mood of desire and desperation/longing for love as Mohit takes over in another fantastic composition by Rahman. Its a song I can relate a lot to mainly for the part where the helplessness comes in because you just don't know how to get the peace with your feelings, the emptyness when nothing makes the mood get better. That complete vulnerable feels this song gives, just like the visuals with Imtiaz in top form.

Fav line : 

Main hasrat mein ek uljhi dor hua, suljhaa de.

3. Judaai, Badlapur (2015) - listen at youtube

Singers : Arijit Singh, Rekha Bhardwaj

Composers : Sachin-Jigar

Lyricists : Priya Saraiya, Dinesh Vijan

Rekha Bhardwaj and Arijit Singh's unusual pairing hits off completely here. Easily the best sad song that I heard in this last decade that tells about a guy who is struggling to cope with life after having lost the person he loved so much (in the film, wife and son both). What made this song really edge out many others of this genre is the fact that the lyrics don't try to overpower the composition which is usually the case, a song balanced in each and every department.

Fav line : 

Gair sa hua khud se bhi, na koi mera.. dard se karle chal yaari, dil yeh keh raha. 

4. Aitbaar, No One Killed Jessica (2010) - listen at youtube

Singers : Vishal Dadlani, Mame Khan, Robert Bob Omulo

Composer : Amit Trivedi

Lyricist : Amitabh Bhattacharya

Another angst track that talks about trust and how it feels when its broken down again and again by different people (specially from people who meant something to you). Vishal Dadlani is splendid throughout the track, specially the high pitched portions where the emphasis is on the state of mind with all the emotional turmoil. Love the english bit used in places with vocals by Mame Khan and Robert Omulo. Amit Trivedi and Amitabh Bhattacharya duo in top form as expected.

Fav line :

Jal bhun ke raakh hua aitbaar, ganda majaak hua aitbaar.. chidta hai, kudhta hai,sadhta hai raaton mein.

5. Tere liye, Fitoor (2016) - listen at youtube

Singers : Jubin Nautiyal, Sunidhi Chauhan 

Composer : Amit Trivedi

Lyricist : Swanand Kirkire

Jubin Nautiyal and Sunidhi Chauhan are terrific in this dreamy romantic melody. Its easily the most under-rated song of the album and my personal favourite. Love the lyrics and that moment of silence in final portion of the track, and also the slighest bit of variation in Jubin's voice when he sings the 'jo main kehta hoon' part right after it. Had a tough time to pick fav line, good work by Swanand Kirkire.

Fav line : 

Yaadon ka chehra, koi khawaab sunehra, main kya hoon bata de, tere liye.

6. Jo bhi main, Rockstar (2011) - listen at youtube

Singer : Mohit Chauhan

Composer : AR Rahman

Lyricist : Irshad Kamil

Lovely composition about discovering yourself in this world and feeling the words often end up miscommunicating about the thoughts you actually wanted to convey. Great use of crowd chorus at the end, and also love the 'oh yea yea' throughout the track. 

Fav line : 

Kabhi mujhe lage ke jaise saara hi yeh jahan hai jaadu, jo hai bhi aur nahi bhi hai yeh fiza ghata hawa bahaarein. 

7. Paani da rang, Vicky Donor (2012) - listen at youtube

Singer : Ayushmann Khurrana

Composers : Ayushmann Khurrana, Rochak Kohli

Lyricist : Ayushmann Khurrana

A punjabi romantic track that is very pleasant to the ears and the simplicity of the composition makes it stand out. Nice use of guitar and its the song that lead me to many more enjoyable tracks by Ayushmann Khurrana. Not a hardcore punjabi songs lover, but this song just kept growing on with time.

Fav line : 

Tere utte marda, pyaar tenu karda, milega tujhe na koi aur, tu bhi aa sabko chorhke.

8. Tum hi ho, Aashiqui (2013) - listen at youtube

Singer : Arijit Singh 

Composer : Mithoon 

Lyricist : Mithoon 

Sitting on bed casually flipping music channels on T.V when the teaser of this song came for 1st time, the melodius opening tune and then the vocals of Arijit Singh announcing himself with an immediate impact of 'oh this singer will become very famous' and the fact that I had heard him before in the 'Fame Gurukul' music show competition which he didn't win but was in top5 if I remember correctly. I know he has sung some better songs than this, but for some reason this one still remains my personal favourite, beautifully composed by Mithoon. 

Fav line :

Tera mera rishta hai kaisa, ek pal dur gawara nahi.. tere liye har roz hai jeete, tujhko diya mera waqt sabhi.

9. Humnava, Hamari Adhuri Kahaani (2015) - listen at youtube

Singer : Papon

Composer : Mithoon

Lyricist : Sayeed Quadri 

The song expresses how a guy feels his dull life became colourful after arrival of the girl he fell for. Sayeed Quadri's beautiful lyrics, Papon's brilliant vocals and Mithoon's sweet composition creates a very haunting kind effect. Can classify it as a sad track with minimal use of instruments, the light treatment enhances the song lot more. 

Fav line : 

Murjhaayi si shaakh pe dil ki, phool khilte hai kyun.. baat gulon ki zikr mehak ka achcha lagta hai kyun.

10. Ae dil hai mushkil, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016) - listen at youtube

Singer : Arijit Singh 

Composer : Pritam 

Lyricist : Amitabh Bhattacharya

Super duper composition by Pritam, a song that will be in playlist of all those who have gone through one-sided love. Amitabh Bhattacharya's lyrics beautifully puts focus on the guy who is stubborn in his feelings knowing he won't get loved back. Arijit Singh in top form again in his rendition, and I feel Ranbir Kapoor for the way he enacts the track with his expressions brings a lot more out of an already awesome song. 

Fav line : 

Tujhko main kitni shiddat se chaahun, chaahe toh rehna tu bekhabar, mohtaaz manzil ka toh nahi hai, yeh ek tarfa mera safar.

11. Yaaram, Ek Thi Daayan (2013) - listen at youtube

Singer : Sunidhi Chauhan, Clinton Cerejo

Composer : Vishal Bhardwaj

Lyricist : Gulzar

Sunidhi and Clinton rendition in this Vishal Bharadwaj composition is highly lovable, but what makes it special is Gulzar's lyrics that throughout the track gets the most attention where love is viewed through daily routine things like sunrise, morning tea, reading newspaper, files, diary, car keys etc so effectively. Also, love the change in tempo that happens with the 'Aur apna dil' phrase. 

Fav line : 

Sooraj se pehle jagayenge, aur akhbaar ki sab surkhiyaan hum gunganaayenge.. pesh karenge garam chai phir, koi khabar aayi na pasand toh end badal denge.

12. Ghum huye, David (2013) - listen at youtube

Singer : Siddharth Basrur

Music Director : Bramfatura

Lyricist : Ankur Tewari

May not have made on most of the lists, but I personally love this track that gives a feeling of lost when thinking of past fun good days and what changed it all around. Siddharth Basrur vocals compliments Bramfatura's brilliant composition, totally love the starting arrangement of the song. One of those tracks that I love, and is not easy to listen too often because it often leads to bad memories.

Fav line : 

Dhoondhein unhi raahon ko, raaste jahaan khoye the hum, ghum huye

13. Aao naa, Haider (2014) - listen at youtube

Singer : Vishal Dadlani

Music Director : Vishal Bhardwaj

Lyricist : Gulzar

An addictive track with great guitar hooks used by Vishal Bharadwaj in the composition and well Vishal Dadlani rarely fails in rendition of tracks that have a very rock-ish feel. Gulzar lyrics here wonderfully talks of eternal sleep, tired of coping up and living this life. Felt sad that this version wasn't used in the film, as it would had easily explored the more insane side of Haider (Shahid Kapur) and what fun it would had been.

Fav line :

Na shaam na savera, andhera hi andhera.. hai roohon ka basera, so jao

14. Dua, Shanghai (2012) - listen at youtube

Singer : Nandini Srikar, Arijit Singh, Shekhar Ravjiani

Music Director : Vishal-Shekhar

Lyricist : Kumaar

Nandini Srikar nails this song with lyrics from Kumaar in a very sad zone that talks about how the 'wish' often isn't fulfilled, another track about the harsh realities and difficulties that comes with this life. I certainly love Shekhar's part in the antara, only complaint is that the song would had been better with one more stanza.

Fav line : 

Yehi baar baar sochta hoon tanha main yahan, mere saath saath chal raha hai yaadon ka dhuan

15. Haafiz haafiz, Laila Majnu (2018) - listen at youtube

Singer : Mohit Chauhan

Music Director : Niladri Kumar

Lyricist : Irshad Kamil

Beautifully starts with the chorus of children singing the kashmiri traditional lines 'huku bukus' and then Mohit Chauhan takes over in what is another of his trademark song that gives a damn to the world. Little extra love for the 'jag mein jag sa hokar reh tu' portion that feels so heavenly to listen to. It would be a sin not to mention about the terrific Avinash Tiwary act in the visuals where he nails the literal 'mad' love angle. Would be among my top5 visually great tracks of last decade. In a way, Niladri Kumar pulls off almost a romantic version of 'Saadda Haq' in here. 

Fav line : 

Jag mein jag sa hokar reh tu, sunta reh bas kuch na keh tu... baatein, patthar, taane, tohmat, ho humsa hokar hass ke seh tu.

16. Jeena jeena, Badlapur (2015) - - listen at youtube

Singer : Atif Aslam

Music Director : Sachin-Jigar

Lyricist : Dinesh Vijan, Priya Saraiya

A sweet melody with Atif Aslam vocals in low pitch, the kind of tracks I have always wanted him to sing a lot more. Another relatable track that talks about someone who doesn't know how to live without the person he loves. Always end up thinking about Varun Dhawan's solo imaginary dance thinking about Yami, one of my very favourite scene. 

Fav line : 

Na seekha kabhi jeena jeena kaise jeena, na seekha jeena tere bina humdum 

17. Kaala rey, Gangs of Wasseypur II (2012) - - listen at youtube

Singer : Sneha Khanwalkar

Music Director : Sneha Khanwalkar

Lyricist : Varun Grover

Hauntingly beautiful composition from Sneha Khanwalkar with her own vocals and Varun Grover's lyrics that compares everything to black (dark/illegal/corrupt). Its picturisation in the movie was underwhelming, however I can't forget how well edited the trailer version of 'Kaala rey' was which unfortunately is nowhere available on youtube. Hope it gets uploaded someday, I love 'Chi cha ledar' version too but there's just something special about 'kaala rey' version. 

Fav line : 

Kaali agni, kaali garmi sooraj kaala, kaala beegha aur gaj kaala, kaala haathi haathi kaala kaala kaala kaala kaala.

18. Saajna, I, Me Aur Main (2013) - listen at youtube

Singer : Falak Shabir

Music Director : Falak Shabir

Lyricist : Kumaar

An emotional track that sounds routine sad but is lifted up through Falak Shabir's composition and rendition with nice lyrics from Kumaar making it quite a good touching song. I also enjoyed way its filmed on John, Prachi and Chitrangada.

Fav line : 

Tu haathon mein toh hai mere, hai kyun nahi lakeero mein.. Saajna, yeh kaisa tera ishq hai, Saajna.

19. Teri galliyan - female version, Ek Villain (2014) - listen at youtube

Singer : Ankit Tiwari, Shraddha Kapoor

Music Director : Ankit Tiwari

Lyricist : Manoj Muntashir

Shraddha Kapoor surprised me in this track as I didn't expect her to sound so good, and I will go on to add that I prefer her singing over Alia as long as she sings in selective songs only. The fact that this is an unplugged version with minimal music makes it even more praiseworthy. And I love how Ankit Tiwari's vocals are used in final part, somehow his solo version didn't work for me but in here it compliments the track completely. 

Fav line : 

Kaisa hai rishta tera mera, be-chehra phir bhi kitna gehra.

20. Tum ho, Rockstar (2011) - listen at youtube

Singer : Mohit Chauhan

Music Director : A R Rahman

Lyricist : Irshad Kamil

Mohit Chauhan goes in the 'Tumse hi' from Jab We Met zone here. I find this track little emotional though, either its because I know Jordan has lost Heer forever now, or maybe Irshad's lyrics just brings in that effect. Its a song that basically talks about love not giving a damn about the societies interferences.

Fav line : 

Tum yun jitna mehsoos karu tumko, utna hi paa bhi lun.

21. Qatl-e-aam, Raman Raghav2.0 (2016) - listen at youtube

Singer : Sona Mohapatra

Music Director : Ram Sampath

Lyricist : Varun Grover

A very different kind of ghazal with a hook phrase 'qatl-e, qatl-e' used to up the tempo throughout. Ram Sampath's composition that experiments delivers wonderfully and the choice of Sona Mahapatra as female singer makes the song a complete winner. Some brilliant lyrics by Varun Grover in there. If I had the personality of someone who likes to party or dance, then this track would always be there in my playlist.

Fav line : 

Sab sunaate hai ki humne, haq hi kyun tumko diya.. jaanejaan khud hi bataayein, yeh koi iljhaam hai

22. Tanha hua, Zero (2018) - listen at youtube

Singer : Jyoti Nooran, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan

Music Director : recreated by Tanishk Bagchi (Original by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan)

Lyricist : Khwaja Parvaiz, Irshad Kamil

Its a surprise that Tanishk Bagchi actually got a remake better than the original. Yes, I prefer this version over the Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan one. Always been an ardent admirer of Nooran Sisters, here its only Jyoti Nooran behind the vocals and how mesmerizing she is yet again. I like how Rahat is mostly used as a guest singer in here. The opening and final lines are too beautiful, surprisingly they are missing in the album version. The idea of track picturisation is pretty cool too, though not well executed because of a certain involved actor. 

Fav line : 

Zindagi rooth ke dur jaa baithi jo, rukh badalti hai kya.. paas aati hai kya.

23. Pashmina, Fitoor (2016) - listen at youtube

Singer : Amit Trivedi

Music Director : Amit Trivedi

Lyricist : Swanand Kirkire

Often I think how do Music Directors control themselves as to which songs they would sing and which they will let other singers do, there are few who are greedy and then likes of Amit Trivedi play more often right and Pashmina is one of those instances where he was right choice for the song. The song is about first love and all the various feelings you go through whether its dreamy or excitement, beautifully captured in the melodious composition and lyrics. There's that innocence vibe that this song has, about something you are experiencing for the very first time and how happy you are about it.

Fav line : 

Kacchi hawa, kaccha dhuaan ghul raha... kaccha sa dil lamhe naye chun raha.

24. Kun faaya kun, Rockstar (2011) - listen at youtube

Singer : A R Rahman, Javed Ali, Mohit Chauhan

Music Director : A R Rahman

Lyricist : Irshad Kamil

For a non-religious person, its a big achievement for this song making the top25. There's a lot going on in this composition and I still feel goosebumps the moment Mohit Chauhan vocals begins with 'sajra savera mere tann barse, kajra andhera teri jalti lau'. Also, Javed Ali gets to shine in many parts of the song specially the lines where Jordan feels the world didn't like him but God embraced him.

Fav line : 

Tune mujhko banaya, main toh jag ko naa bhaya, tune gale se lagaya.. haq tu hi hai khudaya, sach tu hi hai khudaya. 

25. Dangal, Dangal (2016) - listen at youtube

Singer : Daler Mehndi

Music Director : Pritam

Lyricist : Amitabh Bhattacharya

If the lyrics of Amitabh Bhattacharya aren't enough to motivate you, then Daler Mehndi's powerful vocals just ups the level of this song even more. I certainly prefer Chak De India despite all my love for Dangal movie, but when it comes to title track, I will choose Dangal over Chak De India everytime. Though one may argue that while the former lays emphasis on individual, the latter is totally about the country, both induce goosebumps in their own ways. Enough said, terrific track that completes Top25. 

Fav line :

Arre bhed ki hahakaar ke badle sher ki ek dahaad hai pyare... 

26. Kaun tujhe, MS Dhoni The Untold Story (2016)

27. Ek manzil, Soundtrack (2011)

28. Jee ve sohneya, Jab Harry Met Sejal (2017)

29. Apna time aayega, Gully Boy (2019)

30. Lost without you, Half Girlfriend (2017)

31. Beh chala, URI The Surgical Strike (2019)

32. Banjaara, Ek Villain (2014)

33. Bekhayali, Kabir Singh (2019)

34. Ka kha gha, Bombay Velvet (2015)

35. Badtameez dil, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013)

36. O mama, 7 Khoon Maaf (2011)

37. Ranjha ranjha, Raavan (2010)

38. Khairiyat, Chhichhore (2019)

39. Awari, Ek Villain (2014)

40. Barbaadi, Aurangzeb (2013)

41. Sun saathiya, AnyBodyCanDance2 (2015)

42. Bulleya (amit version), Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016)

43. Bezubaan, AnyBodyCanDance (2013)

44. Ji Huzoori, Ki&Ka (2016)

45. Kamli, Dhoom3 (2013)

46. Haminastu, Fitoor (2016)

47. Second hand jawaani, Cocktail (2012)

48. Hungama, Queen (2014)

49. Ranga re (english version), Fitoor (2016)

50. Main Sharabi, Cocktail (2012)

51. Kar har maidaan fateh, Sanju (2018)

52. Jiya re, Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012)

53. Daryaa, Manmarziyaan (2018)

54. Aahista, Laila Majnu (2018)

55. Naadaan parindey, Rockstar (2011)

56. Patakha guddi (male version), Highway (2014)

57. Ae khuda, Murder 2 (2011)

58. Da da dasse, Udta Punjab (2016)

59. Hasi (male version), Hamari Adhuri Kahani (2015)

60. Just go to hell dil, Dear Zindagi (2016)

61. Muskaane jhooti hai, Talaash (2012)

62. Mann marziyaan, Lootera (2013)

63. Haareya, Meri Pyaari Bindu (2017)

64. Azadi, Gully Boy (2019)

65. Phir bhi tumko chaahunga, Half Girlfriend (2017)

66. Samjhawan, Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania (2014)

67. Paintra (extended version), Mukkabaaz (2017)

68. Ghungroo, War (2019)

69. Raazi, Raazi (2018)

70. Salamat, Sarbjit (2016)

71. Bol do na zara, Azhar (2016)

72. Bhaag dk bose, Delhi Belly (2011)

73. Zinda, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013)

74. Darling, 7 Khoon Maaf (2011)

75. Three kills, David (2013)

76. Main kaun hoon, Secret Superstar (2017)

77. Jee karda, Badlapur (2015)

78. Le chal mujhe (reprise version), NH10 (2015)

79. Sau baras, Haunted (2011)

80. Mere naam tu, Zero (2018)

81. Chhil gaye naina, NH10 (2015)

82. Kheech meri photo, Sanam Teri Kasam (2016)

83. Afghan jalebi (film version), Phantom (2015)

84. Chi cha ledar, Gangs of Wasseypur II (2012)

85. Phurr (film version), Jab Harry Met Sejal (2017)

86. Tum hi aana, Marjaavaan (2019)

87. Laila, Notebook (2019)

88. Galti se mistake, Jagga Jasoos (2017)

89. Awaara, 7 Khoon Maaf (2011)

90. Kaise hua, Kabir Singh (2019)

91. Maahi ve, Highway (2014)

92. Duniyaa, Luka Chuppi (2019)

93. Phir mohabbat, Murder2 (2011)

94. Chandralekha, A Gentleman (2017)

95. Woh ladki, Andhadhun (2018)

96. Dua, No One Killed Jessica (2010)

97. Mallo malli, Mausam (2011)

98. Alvida, D-Day (2013)

99. Kyun re, Te3n (2016)

100. Dil ki toh lag gayi, Nautanki Saala (2013)

BACKGROUND THEMES : 

Since you may always have noticed how I always make it a habit of mentioning my fav themes or pieces used in a particular film. So, it would had been a sin if I didn't do a list on it... 

Here's my fav background themes of the decade -

Note - I am not 100%  sure at some of the names mentioned in the 'composed' and 'performed', let me know if you feel any corrections needed.

1. The dichotomy of fame, Rockstar (2011) - listen at youtube

Composed by : A R Rahman 

Performed by : Balesh (shehnai) and Kabuli (guitar)

Mix of shehnai and guitar that just creates a haunting feels music like someone is going through a bad phase or irritated with everything thats happening. I wonder what cue Rahman was given by Imtiaz, the visuals showed Jordan lost in his work but inside bursting with anger almost like a robot going through things, maybe a sense of lost interest in others because people just disappoint big time.

2. Udaan theme (2010) - listen at youtube

Composed by : Amit Trivedi

Performed by : Felix Hug (piano)

Additional vocals : Joi Barua, Neuman Pinto

Excellent use of piano and violin together in a theme thats soulful and deeply touching. I find the theme working two ways, sometimes it brings back some happy memories but then there are times it also reminds of people who are no longer around. Great work by Amit Trivedi, and was so close to being no.1.

3. Agent Vinod theme (2012) - listen at youtube

Composed by : Pritam Chakraborty

I have hit the repeat button a lot on this one. Very catchy 'James Bond' kind feels with a more massy touch. Even the track 'Govind bolo' using this theme was lovely to watch. Reminds of 'Tashan', which also had a very unforgettable theme but that film was tough to sit through too. 

 

4. My Name Is Khan theme (2010) - listen at youtube

Composed by : Shankar Ehsan Loy

A very emotional theme that many times brings a lump in my throat while listening to it even though I do not remember anymore how the theme was used in the movie (sorry srkians). It just touches you deeply somehow and has that 'innocent' feel in a not so kind world. 

5. Bombay Velvet theme (2015) - listen at youtube

Composed by : Amit Trivedi

Amit Trivedi with another excellent hard to forget theme, can't say the same for the movie though. What's enjoyable here is the slow teasing buildup towards that amazing guitar piece that is so exciting to listen that you just don't want it to end. To add to it, the finish is very grandish. Nothing to complain, and I think I will judge you if you don't like this theme!

6. Barfi theme (2012) - listen at youtube

Composed by : Pritam

Oh Pritam, the idea of releasing the trailer on this theme with no dialogues had me immediately hooked for the film and how much sweet this theme is (even if its not original, as often the case with Pritam), literally going by the title (Barfi is a mithai). Playful and very romantic, the theme specially captures Ranbir-Ileana initial meetings, the post 0:29 piece specially is my favourite. 

7. Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai theme (2010) - listen at youtube

Composed by : Sandeep Shirodkar

Was instantly addicted when heard this theme in the trailer, fitted both the characters of Emraan Hashmi and Ajay Devgan, as it has shades of power, lust, greed and retro. Only complaint is that its too short, I would had preferred another minute of it. 

8. Tiger's theme, Ek Tha Tiger (2012) - listen at youtube

Composed by : Julius Packiam

Julius Packiam has been one of the names that has registered a lot in this last decade when it comes to background music. I have seen some people call 'Tigers Theme' very routine-ish but I personally find enough moments where it shines specially everytime the signature tune/beats that represents Salman's character is played, great use of guitar and mandolin (the post 1:07 part) . Its particularly good spy based theme, not perfect but good enough for me to listen on repeat mode. 

9. Woh ladki theme, Andhadhun (2018) - listen at youtube

Composed by : Amit Trivedi

Performed by : Jarvis Menezes

More of a 'Woh Ladki' instrumental version where Jarvis as the pianist delivers a lovely theme that is so pleasant to the ears. I do prefer lyrics with it but its still fun to hear the theme standalone specially the mid portion that is really good and pacy. 

10. Overture theme, Dhoom3 (2013) - listen at youtube

Composed by : Julius Packiam

Starts with the slow emotional 'Bande hai hum uske' tune leading up to the very pacy trademark 'Dhoom Machale' theme, though little let down with the un-necessary 'Dhoom machale' chorus in the end but the beats throughout the theme makes up for those tiny problems. I do however still prefer the theme of 1st Dhoom movie, that one is just unbeatable. 

11. Kai Po Che theme (2013) - listen at youtube

Composed by : Amit Trivedi

Performed by : Hitesh Sonik

This theme very much gives out the feel of guilt and trying to get over it, which is the case in movie too. I don't remember if it was used anywhere else, did gave deep haunting feeling at the final scene when Omi gets out of jail and is all the time feeling sorry for what he had done like knowing he can never undo it. One of those themes that works lot better with the film than just plain audio.

12. Roohdar theme, Haider (2014) - listen at youtube

Composed by : Vishal Bhardwaj

This was used as the entry scene of Roohdar (Irrfan Khan), love the slow buildup that leads to the rock-ish 'Aao Na' tunes as Roohdar enters the frame. If I am right, the scene where Haider kills the Salman fanatics the very same theme is re-used. Another theme thats more delight to listen with the visuals.

13. Parade de la bastille, Tamasha (2015) - listen at youtube

Composed by : AR Rahman

Performed by : Tapas Roy (mandolin), Ishaan Chhabra (accordion), Kamalakar (flute), Naveen Kumar (uilleann pipe)

Almost get a spiritual feel with the start of this theme before it goes into fun european mode and then becomes more of a prelude to 'Matargashti'. This theme was the reason I started enjoying the track which oddly didn't work for me initially. 

14. I am trapped, Trapped (2017) - listen at youtube

Composed by : Alokananda Dasgupta

The expected kind of theme with use of water drops, pans hit against wall/door as it leads to the desperation of the character who is trying to find a way out been trapped in a house. The Netflix movie 'Platform' theme which is also based on survival reminded me of 'Trapped', there's a similarity in tune at places too, I however do prefer Platform version. 

15. Jire jire ji ji baji ji, Bajirao Mastani (2015) - listen at youtube

Composed by : Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Performed by : Sanchit Balhara

Totally enjoyed this part in the trailer and glad they had a short theme out of it. I love the 'jire jire' part (starts at 1:50) the most that is so full of energy with an attitude to achieve the impossible. And I totally enjoyed the very filmy way theme is used in the movie. 

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