20 Best Hindi Movies On Amazon Prime Right Now

Summary

Prime Video offers a diverse selection of Bollywood movies that blend traditional Indian elements with universal themes.
Films like “Thappad” and “Tumhari Sulu” tackle complex social issues with compelling storytelling and strong performances.
From heartwarming family dramas to thrilling action movies like “War,” Bollywood cinema on Prime Video offers something for everyone.

The best Hindi movies on Prime Video offer some of the most engaging international titles that show the scale of movies being produced outside of India. Bollywood has cemented India’s status as one of the world’s biggest voices in cinema and with streaming options making it easier for international movies to be seen outside of their native countries, the popularity of Indian cinema has only been growing over the years, as evidenced by the global success of the Oscar-winning RRR.

To continue the immersion into some of the best Hindi movies around, Prime Video has a wealth of great Bollywood movies which range from syrupy romances and historical biopics to feel-good family dramas. Prime Video’s extensive library ranges from heartwarming family dramas and epic historical biopics to enchanting romances, providing a rich tapestry for both newcomers to Bollywood and long-time aficionados. These films are celebrated not just for their elaborate narratives and all-star casts but also for their ability to merge traditional Indian elements with universal themes, making Bollywood a thrilling segment of world cinema to discover and enjoy.

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20 Shakuntala Devi (2020)

The Relationships Of A Famous Mathematician Are Examined

This 2020 movie out of India is a biographical drama that anyone with an interest in science and math will enjoy. Even those who don’t love math will marvel at the life of the “human computer,” the title character Shakuntala Devi.

The movie traces the woman’s origins as a young child who excels at complex math problems and begins to “put on shows” to entertain others with her abilities. Her father gets her on this track, which takes her well into her adult years as she appears on game shows and even proves a computer wrong on television.

While that is the side of the woman many of the audience members familiar with her story will already know, the movie also explores the complex relationships in her life as she struggles to maintain romantic relationships in favor of pursuing her work. She also struggles to connect with her child as she wants to bring them along on work trips with her instead of allowing them to live their own life.

19 Thappad (2020)

One Slap Changes A Woman’s Life

Thappad is a drama that sees a woman take power over her own life. Though she has been in a previously happy marriage, when her husband is told he isn’t getting a promised promotion, he gets into an argument with his boss at a party, and slaps her in front of everyone when she tries to intervene. The moment opens her eyes to the kind of man he’s been, and she decides to file for divorce, surprising everyone.

…no one checks in on her, but instead worries about the family’s reputation, not until she confronts everyone.

When she discovers she’s pregnant, the divorce proceedings also turn into a custody battle, complicating matters. What the movie points out repeatedly though is that if her husband respected her at all, he would never would have slapped her – and at the very least, would have apologized. In fact, as the proceedings continue, no one checks in on her, but instead worries about the family’s reputation, not until she confronts everyone.

The movie is fantastically presented while still providing social commentary on misogyny and relationships. It was nominated for 15 Filmfare Awards, winning seven of them, including Best Film.

18 Tumhari Sulu (2017)

A Housewife Becomes A Radio DJ

This Hindi movie examines the idea of whether women can successfully have careers and manage their households. The titular Sulu is a wife and mother who longs for more in life, but never completed high school, and finds herself looked down on by her older sisters and struggling to find her purpose. When she wins a contest at the local radio station, she decides to apply for a job as a DJ there.

She snags the job as a late night host for a radio advice show. As her career takes off, however, her husband struggles at work and her son begins acting out at school. She finds it difficult to balance her work and home life, but doesn’t want to give them up. Tumhari Sulu does present an interesting point for the conflict: her husband supports her work because he loves her. That’s not where the conflict comes from, and that’s refreshing.

Tumhari Sulu was nominated for a slew of awards following its release, including eight Filmfare Awards, with a win for Vidya Balan as Best Actress.

17 The Extraordinary Journey Of The Fakir (2019)

A Street Magician Takes A Strange Trip

The Extraordinary Journey Of The Fakir tells the story of a street magician from Mumbai who takes on a whole new stage when he travels to Europe. Aja is something of a trickster, able to convince people he really has magical abilities. After his mother dies, he decides to try to track down his father in Europe with whom he’s been estranged.

His journey across Europe involves fake money, new friends, stolen belongings, and a stay at a refugee camp. He tells his story to a group of kids who are in trouble with the law with considerable flair, leading them to wonder if the story is even true. While there might be some embellishments in Aja’s tale, the topics he tackles, like immigration, are timely, and done in an entertaining way.

While the movie didn’t snag awards in India, it did earn the Ray of Sunshine Award at the Norwegian International Film Festival.

16 Section 375 (2019)

A Thriller Heads Into The Courtroom

This Hindi movie takes its name from Section 375 of the Indian Penal Codes. This is specifically the part of Indian law that defines rape. Section 375 states rape is:

sexual intercourse with a woman against her will, without her consent, by coercion, misrepresentation or fraud or at a time when she has been intoxicated or duped, or is of unsound mental health and in any case if she is under 18 years of age.

The movie takes that legal definition and turns it into a dramatic story that plays out largely in an Indian courtroom. The story details a woman who accuses a famous Bollywood director of rape. Of course, because this is a fictional account and not inspired by real events, there is a twist to the story that the audience doesn’t see coming.

It’s an interesting take on following the letter of the law and just how perception and fact can differ.

15 War (2019)

A Soldier Must Hunt Down His Former Friend

The film’s success earned it a sequel which is expected in 2025.

Following the incredible international success of RRR, Prime Video users may be interested in checking out another Hindi movie that deals with a story of friends pitted against each other with wild action sequences.War follows a soldier looking for redemption who finds an opportunity when he is tasked with taking out his former mentor who has since gone rogue. It is one of the highest-grossing Indian movies of all time with critics praising its wild and over-the-top action and pure popcorn fun. The film’s success earned it a sequel which is expected in 2025.

In War, the thrilling dynamics between Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff elevate the film beyond standard action fare, making it a visual and emotional spectacle. Their on-screen chemistry is palpable, as they engage in a high-stakes cat-and-mouse game filled with breathtaking stunts and well-choreographed fight scenes that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Director Siddharth Anand masterfully blends style with substance, ensuring that the film’s glossy aesthetic complements its gripping narrative.

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14 Unpaused (2020)

The Lives Of People Affected By The Pandemic

Movies about the COVID-19 pandemic may not yet appeal to a lot of people as the event is still raw and emotional. However, it is interesting to see some of the international movies that deal with the subject and serve as a reminder of how the entire world was impacted by the same thing. Unpaused is an anthology film that looks at how different people coped with the pandemic and its effect on their lives. The movie is heartbreaking in its depiction of loneliness and relationship struggles while also carrying a beautiful optimistic tone.

In Unpaused, the anthology format uniquely captures the varied experiences of its characters, offering a mosaic of emotions and stories that resonate deeply with the viewer. Each segment, directed by different filmmakers, provides a distinct perspective on life during the pandemic, ranging from tales of survival and hope to deep personal introspection and the rekindling of relationships. The storytelling is nuanced and empathetic, adeptly balancing the inherent sadness of the pandemic’s effects with uplifting moments that underscore human resilience and adaptability.

13 Agent Sai Srinivasa Athreya (2019)

A Detective Investigates A Dead Body

The genre-blending Agent Sai Srinivasa Athreya is a funny and intriguing mystery comedy that continues to show the wide variety of titles among the best Hindi movies on Prime Video. The movie follows a detective who finds himself in danger when he begins looking into the sudden appearance of a dead body that cannot be identified. It is considered a fun and exciting homage to classic detective noir stories with an entertaining hero at the center. The witty dialogue and colorful characters also add a lot of fun humor to the movie, elevating it further among other genre entries.

Agent Sai Srinivasa Athreya stands out as a clever and engaging addition to the detective genre, infusing classic noir elements with a distinctly Indian flavor. The film’s protagonist, played brilliantly by Naveen Polishetty, embodies the quirky yet sharp-witted detective archetype, bringing both depth and levity to the role. Agent Sai Srinivasa Athreya not only pays tribute to traditional detective stories but does so with a unique comedic twist, making it a standout title for both laughs and a good mystery on Amazon Prime.

12 Dil Dhadakne Do (2015)

Dysfunction Family Comedy Set On A Cruise

Featuring the biggest Bollywood star to make it in Hollywood, Priyanka Chopra, in an ensemble cast with Ranveer Singh, Anil Kapoor, Farhan Akhtar, Shefali Shah and others, Dil Dhadakne Do charts the inner turmoils of a rich family in Delhi and Mumbai. While they possess the luxuries of life, their relationships leave more to be desired. Things come to a head when the Mehra family decides to take a luxury cruise with their closest friends, resulting in new love, the reopening of old wounds, and some laugh-out-loud comedy between the wealthy youngsters.

The entire movie focuses on missed connections and familial love and is narrated by the family dog, Pluto.

The entire movie focuses on missed connections and familial love and is narrated by the family dog, Pluto. This unique narrative perspective, voiced by Aamir Khan, adds a whimsical and insightful touch, offering commentary that ranges from humorous to heart-wrenching. Each character’s journey towards self-discovery and reconciliation is portrayed with nuance, making Dil Dhadakne Do more than just a family drama; it’s a reflection of personal and collective identity.

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11 The Illegal (2019)

An Immigrant Tries To Achieve His Dream

Hassan moves from India to America as a film student, hoping to achieve his dream of becoming a director. From the moment he arrives, however, the deck seems stacked against him as his relatives cannot afford to financially support him, living on the school campus is too expensive, and the only job he can find requires him to work full time.

As he struggles to adapt and chase his dreams, his father becomes ill back home and he comes into conflict with his boss as the Indian restaurant where he finds work. The movie chronicles how dreams can shift as circumstances change, but also, even as things become almost too difficult to manage, how people persevere.

Hassan’s story takes a lot of downturns, which isn’t uncommon for immigrants leaving their homes to follow a dream in another country. His life might not turn out exactly as he imagines, but the movie does seem to end on a hopeful note.

10 Aaja Nachle (2007)

A Village Puts On A Show To Save A Dance Studio

In the golden age of Hollywood movies, there was a trend of stories in which youngsters like Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland put on a show to save the local choir, school, dance troupe, or band. That style of movie is not exclusive to Hollywood as this Bollywood gem proves.

In Aaja Nachle, Dia lives and dances in New York. When she gets a call that her mentor back in India is dying, she drops everything, despite having cut ties with her hometown completely when she left to pursue her dream of being a dancer. When she gets home, not only does she find that her mentor has passed away, but that the Ajanta Theater where he worked is in disrepair.

Authorities want to shut the theater down completely, but Dia decides to revitalize it. She gets the entire town involved in putting on a show to save it, having to confront her past and fight the establishment to do so. The movie is vibrant and full of heart.

9 Raazi (2018)

A Spy Falls In Love

Since the Partition, tension between India and Pakistan has been thick. The two countries share a border and families, but have very different government systems. Raazi explores that tension between the two countries, inspired by the novel Calling Sehmat, which in turn, was inspired by a true story.

Raazi follows a young woman who works in research and analysis for the government who ends up being sent on an undercover mission. Her mission, however, makes her the wife of a Pakistani military officer through an arranged marriage, and involves her relaying information back to her superiors in India. The mission, of course, becomes complicated as she falls in love with the very person she’s meant to be spying on.

Raazi was nominated for 15 Filmfare Awards, winning five, including Best Picture and Best Actress for Alia Bhatt.

8 Dil Chahta Hai (2001)

Three Friends Deal With Adulthood

Lovers of coming-of-age films would enjoy Aamir Khan-starring Dil Chahta Hai, about fresh graduates Sid, Sameer, and Akash, whograpple with the realities of adulthood and life after college. Sid falls in love with an older woman, Sameer is pushed into pursuing an arranged marriage by his parents, and Akash is compelled to join a family business. However, a fateful night leads to the three falling out, and going on their own paths in different parts of the world. The movie follows these three young men and how they find happiness and each other while dealing with love and loss.

Dil Chahta Hai is filled with stellar performances and an original story within the coming-of-age genre. The backdrop of urban India, from the vibrant streets of Mumbai to the serene beaches of Goa, adds a visual depth to the emotional journeys of the characters. Dil Chahta Hai remains a beloved classic for its realistic depiction of friendships evolving with time, making it a poignant and enjoyable watch on Amazon Prime for those who cherish films about personal growth and emotional bonds.

7 Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003)

A Grieving Young Woman Finds Unexpected Romance

A romance movie perfect for new Bollywood viewers, Kal Ho Naa Ho incorporates family drama with two parallel love stories, following Naina, a young Indian woman living in New York with her family. Reeling from the loss of her father and the vitriol her grandmother spews at her mother and adoptive sister, Naina finds a ray of sunshine when she meets Aman. Love and bliss enter her life as Aman teaches her to enjoy every moment, but a tragic twist takes their love story in an entirely different direction. For fans of comfort movies and amazing music, this is it.

Sharp writing and direction earned the movie critics praise and it went on to become India’s top-grossing movie of 2003 (via Box Office India). Kal Ho Naa Ho is more than just a romance; it’s a celebration of life’s fleeting beauty, making it a poignant and uplifting choice for those exploring Bollywood cinema on Amazon Prime. Its blend of witty dialogue, stellar performances, and expert direction not only captivated audiences but also secured its place as a beloved classic in Indian cinema.

6 Padmaavat (2018)

A Ruthless Ambition To Rule The Delhi Sultanate

Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali is famed for his biopics, which feature stunning sets and visuals, as well as larger-than-life stories of kings and queens’ past. Padmaavat depicts Alauddin Khilji’s ruthless ambition to rule the Delhi Sultanate, and his obsession with Rani Padmavati, wife of Rajput King Ratan Singh. With a star-studded cast that includes Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, and Shahid Kapoor, the movie delivers both sublime acting and gorgeous music as Khilji orchestrates a whole battle to capture and win Rani Padmavati.

The movie also offers a look into the royal customs of the Khiljis and Rajput rulers, in which jauhar (mass self-immolation) plays a big role. Padmaavat not only captivates with its visual and emotional depth but also offers a poignant look into the tragic practice of jauhar, highlighting the extreme lengths to which honor was preserved in the face of invasion. This film is a must-watch on Amazon Prime for those who appreciate historical epics that combine rich storytelling with breathtaking aesthetics.

5 Chak De! India (2007)

Underdog Sports Story About A Female Hockey Team

Sports fans and first-time Bollywood viewers will love this high-stakes hockey drama, fueled by national pride and girl power. The Indian girls’ hockey team struggles to get recognition and even adequate funding as they go from strength to strength in international tournaments, despite having the famed Coach Kabir Khan at the helm. The team overcomes misogyny, religious hate, bigotry, and personal obstacles to reach the top of their game.

The movie is not just about sports; it’s a poignant commentary on overcoming prejudice and uniting for a common goal.

Chak De! India brilliantly portrays their journey from overlooked athletes to national champions, highlighted by intense training montages and exhilarating match sequences that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. The movie is not just about sports; it’s a poignant commentary on overcoming prejudice and uniting for a common goal. The powerful performances, particularly by Shah Rukh Khan, and motivational dialogues make this film a compelling watch, offering a blend of emotional depth and sports action on Amazon Prime.

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4 Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001)

A Young Man Reunites His Estranged Family

Easily one of Shah Rukh Khan’s best movies, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham or K3G is the perfect family film, replete with a gloriously happy family that falls into despair due to estrangement, who is reunited by the determined youngest brother as he journeys from India to London to meet his brother again. This movie is a delightful blend of romance between different couples, comedy by supporting characters, and time jumps which makes audiences crave more. Iconic characters and a sprawling story made sure that K3G was a cultural reset in Bollywood.

The film is renowned for its star-studded cast, including Kajol, Kareena Kapoor, and Amitabh Bachchan, each bringing depth to their roles with memorable performances. The interwoven romances, comedic interludes by supporting characters, and lush musical numbers add layers of entertainment and emotional resonance, making K3G a complete cinematic experience. Its portrayal of family values, coupled with opulent set pieces and costumes, captures the grandeur typical of Bollywood, making it a beloved classic that resonates with audiences worldwide.

3 Kapoor & Sons (2016)

A Family Comes Together To Say Goodbye To Their Grandfather

Set in the scenic Coonoor in South India, a dysfunctional family reunites from different corners of the world toattend to their ailing grandfather, who wants to take a family picture titled “Kapoor & Sons, since 1921” before he passes. Crossed wires, extramarital affairs, career ambitions, and hidden sexuality plague brothers Rahul and Arjun, and their parents too. When they fall for the same girl, tensions arise, leading to a death in the family and new twists. When everyone’s secrets come out, the family is left to pick up the pieces of their torn family and start again.

The movie’s relatable family drama and charming humor led to its international success. Its strength lies in its ability to blend lighthearted moments with serious, heartfelt drama, capturing the essence of a family that, despite its flaws and differences, strives for reconciliation and unity. The ensemble cast, including Rishi Kapoor as the mischievous grandfather, brings warmth and depth to their roles, making the characters relatable and the family’s journey towards healing genuine.

2 Gehraiyaan (2022)

An Affair Leads To Devastating Consequences For A Family

This noir movie has beautiful visuals of the ocean, and it offers a look into complicated human dynamics like infidelity, debt, mental health, perceived social status, and ambition. Alisha and Tia are cousins, but things get complicated when Al and Tia’s fiancé, Zain, start a relationship behind their partners’ backs. Secrets, malicious intentions, and truth bombs come out as they navigate the choppy waters of their love affair, as Zain tries to keep his company, funded by his fiancé, afloat amidst bankruptcy. The movie is distinguished by its noir aesthetic, which enhances the intense, brooding atmosphere.

The cinematography captures both the beauty and the menace of the sea, paralleling the characters’ emotional depths and the darkness lurking beneath their surface interactions. Gehraiyaan is lauded for its honest depiction of flawed individuals navigating the challenges of life and love, showcasing how their decisions lead to inevitable consequences. With its mix of psychological insight, dramatic twists, and compelling performances, Gehraiyaan offers a modern, mature take on relationships and personal demons.

1 Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)

An Epic & Globetrotting Romance

Watch Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge for pure romance, catchy earworms, and scenic shots of Switzerland, Zurich, Punjab, and London. A young Indian girl ventures out into the world for the first time and falls in love with a boy she meets on her trip — one whom she hated at first. What follows is the epic saga of Raj trying to win over Simran’s ultra-strict father through song, dance, and cajoling, across countries.

The two meet each other in secret as Simran gets set up with another man for marriage. The journey is punctuated by iconic musical numbers that have become anthems of love across generations. The scenic cinematography, from the cobblestone streets of Zurich to the iconic mustard fields of India, adds a fairy-tale quality to their romance. The enemies-turned-lovers romance movie genre is a well-known one, but this proves a worthy entry thanks to its charm and thrilling climax, making it the best Hindi film on Prime Video.