Quick Summary:
- Southern Spice was the topic of Bollywood in 2022. Did Bollywood lose the plot to Southern entertainers? Yes and No.
- Indian audience has been pampered by best of the global cinema in the last two years of Covid. The mediocrity is shunned. Template movie making is rejected.
- Bollywood was indeed outclassed by Southern movies in the big budget masala category – RRR is roaring across India and making an impact at Oscars. Kantara posters are in North India. KGF2 rules. Pre-Bahubali days, no South Indian movie would last beyond a week in North. Today, they are having a golden run. Southern movies have shown that audience will return to cinema – give them worthy content!
- Ponniyn Selvan 1, Yashoda, Sita Ramam and Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya He have continued the Southern supremacy. Radhe Shyam proved that audience is unforgiving.
- Bollywood’s Brahmastra to Southern challenge was a mixed success – did not live to expectations. The biggest Bollywood blockbuster was also a Southern remake – Drishyam 2.
- Remember 100 crore club? In 2019, 100 crore was passe, 200 crore was becoming common and 300 crore club was the new sign of success. In 2022, only a few movies hit the 100 crore club – Gangubai Kathiawadi, The Kashmir Files, Bhool Bhulaiya 2, Brahmastra and Drishyam 2. Clearly, audience is spending money wisely and Bollywood is bleeding with its self-inflicted wounds.
- Shamshera, Samrat Prithviraj, Raksha Bandhan, Lala Singh Chaddha, Liger, Ram Setu, Cirkus, Jayesbhai Jordaar – Perfect examples of big names and big banners producing duds.
- Bollywood did have amazing movies in 2022 as well – but they did not capture the headlines. The list is showcased below.
- Gujarati Film Industry came out of age and had a steady churn of interesting movies.
- Alia maintained her numero uno status with Gangubai. She was also a part of Brahmastra, Darlings and RRR. Shefali Shah rose with Salsa, Darlings and Dr G – not to forget Delhi Crime 2 and Humans.
Let’s look at the wonderful movies of 2022:
- Jalsa
- Monica O My Darling
- Chupp
- Love Hostel
- Gangubai Kathiawadi
- Jhund
- Badhaai Do
- Dobaara
- Blurr
- Thar
- Qala
- Action Hero
- RK / rKay
- Matto Ki Saikil
- Vikram Vedha
Notable Mentions: Uunchai, Gehraiyaan, Jaadugar, Drishyam 2
