Gullak: A Treasure of Middle-Class Life
While technically a web series, Gullak's short, snackable episodes are perfect for bingeing. This show is a beautifully relatable and humorous look into the daily lives of the Mishra family. Each episode is a simple, standalone story—from squabbles over
a shared scooter to the politics of a leaky roof—that will have you smiling in recognition. It captures the everyday chaos, inside jokes, and unspoken love that define a typical middle-class Indian household. The performances from Jameel Khan and Geetanjali Kulkarni as the parents are pitch-perfect, making the Mishras feel less like characters and more like your own neighbours. It’s a show that finds warmth and humour in the mundane, proving that the biggest dramas are often found in the smallest moments.
Do Dooni Chaar: The Great Indian Dream
This charming film reunites the iconic pair of Rishi and Neetu Kapoor as the Duggals, a middle-class Delhi family. Santosh Duggal is a school teacher trying to make ends meet on his humble scooter, much to the chagrin of his teenage children who dream of a four-wheeled upgrade. The story revolves around their hilarious and often stressful quest to buy their first car. It's a simple premise that brilliantly explores the pressures of keeping up appearances, the generation gap, and the small sacrifices made for family happiness. The film’s strength lies in its honest and relatable portrayal of a family navigating financial struggles while trying to hold on to their dreams and their integrity.
English Vinglish: A Journey of Self-Respect
Sridevi's comeback film is a powerful and touching story about Shashi, a dedicated homemaker and small-time ladoo entrepreneur. She is often made to feel insecure by her husband and daughter because of her inability to speak English. When a family wedding takes her to New York, she secretly enrolls in an English-speaking class, embarking on a transformational journey of self-discovery. It’s a story about finding your voice and demanding respect, not just from the world, but from your own family. Directed by Gauri Shinde and inspired by her own mother's story, the film is a light-hearted yet deeply moving tribute to women everywhere who are often taken for granted.
Piku: The Art of Letting Go
This film masterfully captures the beautiful, messy, and often frustrating relationship between an ageing parent and their adult child. Deepika Padukone plays Piku, a successful architect whose life revolves around her eccentric, hypochondriac father, Bhaskor (Amitabh Bachchan), who is obsessed with his bowel movements. Their road trip from Delhi to Kolkata, with a reluctant taxi service owner (Irrfan Khan) in tow, becomes a journey of emotional and literal release. The film’s humour is rooted in its painfully real depiction of everyday arguments and the bittersweet reality of becoming a parent to your own parents. Piku is a story about roots, responsibility, and the constipation of unexpressed emotions, all handled with a delicate, heartwarming touch.
Kapoor & Sons: Perfectly Imperfect
This film digs deep into the messiness of a dysfunctional but loving family. Two estranged brothers, Rahul and Arjun, are forced to return to their childhood home when their 90-year-old grandfather suffers a heart attack. His final wish is to take one last family photograph. However, their reunion brings long-simmering resentments, secrets, and unresolved conflicts to the surface. Unlike many family dramas that present a glossy, idealised picture, Kapoor & Sons finds its heart in the imperfections. It acknowledges that families can be complicated and frustrating, but beneath the arguments and misunderstandings lies a powerful, unbreakable bond. It’s a modern, mature, and deeply moving take on what it means to be a family.
Bareilly Ki Barfi: Small-Town Charm
A delightful romantic comedy with a strong family core, Bareilly Ki Barfi is set in the small town of Bareilly. It follows Bitti (Kriti Sanon), a free-spirited young woman who feels misunderstood until she reads a novel whose protagonist seems to be her exact replica. Her quest to find the author leads her into a hilarious love triangle with the real writer, Chirag (Ayushmann Khurrana), and the man he convinces to pose as the author, Pritam (Rajkummar Rao). The film is elevated by Bitti's wonderfully progressive and supportive parents (Pankaj Tripathi and Seema Pahwa), especially her father, who shares a refreshingly modern and open bond with his daughter. It's a sweet, funny, and utterly charming watch.
