Kumbalangi Nights

A warm hug of a film if ever there was one. This quiet stunner, directed by Madhu C. Narayanan, revolves around a family of four siblings living in the backwaters of a tiny village in Kerala. Saji (Soubin Shahir) and Bobby (Shane Nigam) never get along, and in the mix is the mute Bobby (Sreenath Bhasi) and the youngest Franky (Mathew Thomas). Gently flowing like the waters that surround these obstinate men, Kumbalangi Nights thoughtfully digs into the patriarchal network at play that has affected each one of them to some degree. The conflicts play out in the course of time. By the end, you feel as if you are part of the family and have known these brothers forever.

Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na

Where has the Bollywood rom-com gone? Nostalgia hits best when Aditi (Genelia D’Souza) says, “College ke paanch saal kahan nikal gaye, pataa hi nahin chala,” and Savitri Rathore (Ratna Pathak Shah) quips, “Phone pe beta, phone pe.” There’s so much to love and relate to in Abbas Tyrewala’s Jaane Tu...Ya Jaane Na that released more than a decade ago, but still lives in our hearts rent free. Perhaps this festive season is the best time to sit back and hang out with Jiggy, Shaleen, Bombs and Rotlu all over again.

The Blue Umbrella

The azure hues of the blue umbrella that descends like an angel from the sky is too infectious to ignore. Adapted from the cherished Ruskin Bond novel, Vishal Bhardwaj’s film hasn’t lost any of its charm or flight of fancy. As Biniya’s (Shreya Sharma) most recent possession, the blue umbrella becomes the toast of the quiet village of Banikhet in the mountains, especially that of the scheming shopkeeper Nandkishore Khatri (played deliciously by Pankaj Kapur), and conflicts arise. The real charm of The Blue Umbrella is how it is not just a children’s film, but arrives as a reminder of social acceptance with a soothing, candy-coloured delicacy.

Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne

A Satyajit Ray classic cannot go wrong for a festive rewatch. What is left to say about the charm and vibe of this immortal creation, of two troubadours Goopy and Bagha (Tapan Chatterjee and Rabi Ghosh) who receive three wishes from the King of Ghosts. Will they succeed in their task of preventing the battle between Halla and Shundi? Not a single note is false in Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne, whether in its ferocious attention to detail or in those delightful musical numbers. It is a film that has passed around generations and continues to do so, with equal charm. “Maharaja! Tomare selam!”

Masoom

This gem of a film revolves around a family whose foundations are shaken with the discovery of an illegitimate child. The real showstopper of Masoom is Jugal Hansraj who plays the child Rahul, and drives the core conflict of this tender, insightful film. As the parents, Naseeruddin Shah and Shabana Azmi are dependably great. Special mention for Azmi, who has never looked better, stunning as she was in those exquisite saris designed for the film.

Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year

Remember when Ranbir Kapoor wore a yellow turban and disappeared into the shoes of a young and confident salesman? Petition to bring him back! One of those underrated gems in Bollywood that never got its due, Shimit Amin’s Rocket Singh follows Kapoor as Harpreet Singh Bedi, who finds himself out of place with the sensibilities of his office job and decides to create his own startup with a five-member team. The rest is a rousing, thrilling tale, devoid of unnecessary song and dance, that makes for an immensely watchable film.

Paromitar Ekdin

Festivities can be a cruel reminder of the past if you have lost someone close. The question of celebration becomes futile if there is loss tinged with it. Paromitar Ekdin, directed by Aparna Sen at the height of her powers, understands this paradox well. Paromita (Rituparna Sengupta) is now an unwelcome guest at the house of her ex-husband, but there are so many memories attached with this house, especially with her mother-in-law Sanaka (Sen herself), who is now dead, that she cannot help but lose herself to the past for a while. There’s an unquestionable sensitivity in the way this film deals with female solidarity and pain, ultimately guiding its viewers towards hope and acceptance.

KD Engira Karuppudurai

At the heart of this modestly mounted Tamil film by Madhumita is a familiar tale about the reality of the aged. But this tale is wrapped humour and fun, as the titular character checks off items from his bucket list one after the other. By his side stands the smart little orphan named Kutty (Naga Vishal). Once you enter the world of KD Engira Karuppudurai, there’s no coming back untouched from its warmth and miraculous charm. It stays with you like a sweet aftertaste.