6 Underrated Bollywood Movies That Deserved More Hype | Must-Watch Hidden Gems

They didn’t trend. They didn’t earn 100 crores. But they quietly touched hearts.

In a world obsessed with box office numbers and star power, some films go unnoticed — not because they weren’t good, but because they were too real, too raw, too honest for the noise around them. These underrated gems didn’t scream for attention, they spoke softly — and those who heard them were changed forever.

Here are 6 Bollywood films that didn’t get the hype, but totally deserved your time:

1. Tumbbad (2018)

Directed by: Rahi Anil Barve
Genre: Mythological Horror / Period Fantasy

Tumbbad isn’t just a movie — it’s an experience. Set in a rain-drenched, cursed village in colonial India, this visually rich tale dives deep into myth, greed, and generational obsession. The cinematography is nothing short of breathtaking — every frame oozes atmosphere, from the eerie silence of ancient caves to the golden glow of forbidden treasure.

But beyond the visuals, Tumbbad stands tall because it dares to be different. It blends Indian mythology with horror in a way that’s never been done before. There's no jump scare gimmickry here — just a slow, haunting descent into the darkest corners of human desire.

Sohum Shah delivers a chilling performance as a man consumed by greed, and the story unfolds like a dark fable — poetic, unsettling, unforgettable. This film deserved to be India’s pride on global platforms, yet was criminally underpromoted.

If you love cinema that makes you think, feel, and shiver — Tumbbad should be at the top of your list.

2. The Lunchbox (2013)

Directed by: Ritesh Batra
Genre: Romantic Drama / Slice of Life

The Lunchbox is not your typical Bollywood love story. There are no grand gestures, no dramatic monologues, no dance numbers under the rain — and that’s exactly what makes it so special. It’s a quiet, contemplative tale about two lonely souls — a widowed government employee on the brink of retirement (played masterfully by Irrfan Khan) and a neglected housewife (Nimrat Kaur) — who connect through handwritten notes accidentally exchanged in a lunchbox.

Set against the chaotic backdrop of Mumbai, the film unfolds like a soft whisper amid the city's daily roar. Every detail — the clatter of local trains, the smell of homemade food, the longing in unsent letters — speaks of a life half-lived and the human need for connection.

What makes The Lunchbox unforgettable is its restraint. It never forces emotion — it lets you feel it slowly. You don’t just watch these characters, you grow with them. You root for them. You ache with them.

It’s a film about missed connections, second chances, and the bittersweet beauty of ‘what if.’
Understated, elegant, and deeply moving — this cinematic gem proves that sometimes, the smallest gestures make the loudest impact.

3. October (2018)

Directed by: Shoojit Sircar
Genre: Romantic Drama / Philosophical Fiction

October is not a love story — it’s a story about love. The kind of love that asks for nothing in return, that transforms silently, and that lingers in the quietest corners of your soul.

Dan (Varun Dhawan, in his career-best performance) is an intern at a luxury hotel — immature, restless, and unbothered by life. But everything changes when his colleague Shiuli meets with a tragic accident, leaving her in a coma. What follows isn’t a dramatic rescue or romantic reunion — it’s Dan’s slow unraveling, as he finds himself drawn to her silence, her stillness, and the unanswered question: “Where is she?”

What makes October special is its poetic pace. The film doesn’t scream; it breathes. Each scene is bathed in stillness and soft hues — a visual metaphor for grief, healing, and transformation. It asks us to sit with discomfort, to feel the beauty in vulnerability, and to reimagine the meaning of love in a world obsessed with labels.

Shoojit Sircar strips away the noise to reveal raw, real emotions — and Shantanu Moitra’s haunting score is the perfect companion.

October is not for everyone — and that’s its strength. It chooses depth over drama, feeling over formula, and meaning over momentum. For those who’ve ever loved without a name, or cared without reason — this film will leave a mark.

4. Masaan (2015)

Directed by: Neeraj Ghaywan
Genre: Drama / Social Realism

Masaan doesn’t just tell stories — it unearths pain, shame, and resilience from the ashes of small-town India. Set along the ghats of Varanasi, this film intertwines two parallel narratives: a girl battling societal judgment after a tragic mistake, and a young boy from a lower caste experiencing the first flush of love.

It’s a film about guilt, grief, class, caste, and everything in between. But above all, it’s about trying to live with dignity in a world that doesn’t always offer it.

Richa Chadha’s performance is both powerful and heartbreakingly vulnerable, while Vicky Kaushal (in his debut role) brings warmth and raw sincerity to his character that instantly makes you root for him. The dialogues are minimal but impactful, and the silences often speak louder than words.

And then there’s Varun Grover’s writing — poetic, sharp, and painfully real. The background score and songs, especially "Tu Kisi Rail Si Guzarti Hai," hit like a memory you didn’t know you were holding onto.

Masaan reminds you that pain doesn't need to be loud to be real, and some of the most profound stories are the ones whispered along riverbanks, not shouted from rooftops.

5. Karwaan (2018)

Directed by: Akarsh Khurana
Genre: Road Drama / Slice of Life

Karwaan is one of those rare films that speaks to your inner stillness. It’s not about plot twists or high drama — it’s about the quiet detours life takes when you're not looking. The story follows Avinash (Dulquer Salmaan), a dissatisfied IT employee whose life takes an unexpected turn when his father’s body gets misplaced by the funeral service. What follows is a reluctant road trip through South India, accompanied by a rebellious teenager (Mithila Palkar) and a charmingly chaotic friend (Irrfan Khan, in peak form).

At its heart, Karwaan is a story about letting go — of resentment, of control, of what we think life should’ve been. It explores how grief can crack us open just enough to let new light in. The scenery is stunning, the music is soothing ("Chota Sa Fasana" is a gem), and the conversations are beautifully unfiltered.

But what truly elevates this film is its philosophy: that sometimes, the journey you never asked for becomes the one you needed most. Irrfan brings unmatched depth and humor, balancing the film’s melancholic undertone with his wit and wisdom.

If you’ve ever felt lost in your 20s, stuck between duty and desire, or simply unsure about what’s next — Karwaan might just feel like therapy on wheels.

6. Bhavesh Joshi Superhero (2018)

Directed by: Vikramaditya Motwane
Genre: Vigilante Action / Socio-political Drama

Long before #justice and #activism became hashtags, Bhavesh Joshi Superhero delivered a gritty, ground-level take on what real rebellion looks like — raw, idealistic, and lonely.

The film follows three friends who start a YouTube channel to expose corruption in Mumbai, wearing masks and questioning the system. But when one of them takes the fight too far, the line between “citizen” and “superhero” starts to blur. Harshvardhan Kapoor plays the unlikely vigilante — not a buff, cape-wearing icon, but a regular guy driven by loss, rage, and a desperate sense of purpose.

This isn’t a Marvel-style action flick — it’s grounded, grimy, and unapologetically real. It explores themes like civic decay, disillusionment, and how the system crushes idealism before it even takes root.

Despite its lukewarm box office run, Bhavesh Joshi has found cult status among Gen Z and millennial viewers — especially those craving real heroes who bleed, fail, and still fight. The cinematography is stylish, the action sequences are slick, and Amit Trivedi’s soundtrack (especially Qatl-e-Aam) hits hard.

It’s not just a superhero movie — it’s a wake-up call. And perhaps that’s why it felt too real for its time.

Now it's your turn —
Have you watched any of these?
Which underrated movie would you add to this list?
Drop your recommendations in the comments — let’s celebrate the hidden gems together.