Top 14 movies of 2010

Going by the box office data available so far, these films are among the top ten. Not necessarily in the same order, though. How many have you watched and loved really? I will tell you mine against each film…

Dabangg: This would qualify as the biggest hit of 2010 that even beat the collections of 3 Idiots in some circuits. I found the film ‘paisa vasool’ but nothing impressive. It’s just good time pass, thanks to Salman Khan’s antics and body language.

Golmaal 3: This film by Rohit Shetty did quite well, though I found it to be no patch on Golmaal 1. This film was filled with slapstick and one-liners, but no good and engaging script like the way Priyadarshan’s films are. Particularly, Malamaal Weekly and the Hera Pheri series.

Raajneeti: Ranbir Kapoor was a revelation in this film. And so was the political film based loosely on the Gandhi family. I simply adore the film, and find this to be the first truly well made political film in Bollywood.

Housefull: This Sajid Khan film did well at the box office, but did not please me much. The film was below average and no patch on his directorial debut, Heyy Baby.

My Name Is Khan: This Shah Rukh Khan film directed by his best pal, Karan Johar, won hands down. I loved it. It had the sensibility and the star it required to take this film to greater heights. And SRK did justice to the role given to him.

Once Upon A Time In Mumbai: This film about the clash of ideals between underworld don Haji Mastan and his henchman-turned-don Dawood Ibrahim did raise eyeballs. Relevant for the times, it scored for me, too.

I Hate Luv Storys: Though the film did well, I wasn’t particularly impressed by it. If the film was watchable, it was only because of the fresh pairing of Sonam Kapoor and Imran Khan. But that isn’t everything to make a wholesome entertainer, is it?

Peepli [Live]: I found this film to be highly over-rated. There are better documentary films that only lacked an Aamir Khan as the producer and marketer.

Badmaash Company: This was another good film starring Anushka Sharma. That she has oomph was in full display here. The film worked for all the lead actors, including Shahid Kapoor, Vir Das and Meiyang Chang (also the winner of a TV singing contest). Parmeet Sethi’s debut as director was well worth the plaudits.

Band Baaja Baaraat: Anushka Sharma gets third time lucky with this film after Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi and Badmaash Company. The film scores for its freshness, both in terms of casting, but also in terms of pitching it in an unconventional profession – wedding planning.

Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge: Though this film did well at the turnstiles, Paresh Rawal was getting on my nerves with this film. All the time, I was only waiting for the film to end, so I can say how bad it was.

Ishqiya: Now this one was a film that had it all. A mata hari, a temptress in Vidya Balan. And two gullible thugs Naseeruddin Shah and Arshad Warsi. Styled in the Kill Bill manner, the film was a first in this woman-oriented film.

Love Sex Aur Dokha: The film did reasonably well despite its low budget. Guess, the title clicked. I am not sure what else did as I am yet to watch it.

Tere Bin Laden: This was a cleverly made film, though it could have been better. Nonetheless, the film was definitely fresh and the new faces only helped it even more, including Pakistani pop singer Ali Zafar and director-scriptwriter Abhishek Sharma.