The Annual Bollywood Review – 2023
The Quick Summary:
1. Bollywood Bounces Back: After Being Challenged By The Southern Spice, Bollywood Regained Its Chutzpah – On All Fronts. The Purple Patch Was Reflected In People Presence At Theatres, Single-Screen, Multiplex & Digital Screenings & Of Course, Profits. Bollywood Was In Conversation Throughout The Year – Pathan’s Deepika Bikini, Animal’s Jamaal Kudu, Misogyny & Violence, Jawan’s Impact, Gadar 2’s Success, Rocky Rani’s Kiss, 12th Fail’s Warmth.
2. Santa SRK Shines: Badshah SRK Set The Stage With The YRF Spyverse Actioner Pathan, Scaled Success With Southern Style Jawan & Balanced The Mega Run With Hirani’s Dunki. SRK’s Impeccable Market Sense Showed In His Reinvention As An Action Hero To Be Relevant To Today’s Audience. And His Twitter Rizz.
3. Entertainment With Progressive Messages: Karan Johar’s Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani, SRK’s Jawan Or Hirani’s Dunki – The Mainstream Bollywood Packaged Entertainment With Socially Relevant Themes & Messages. Ranveer’s Dance & Lingerie Shopping Act With Citizen Khan’s Voting Gyan & Farmer Suicide Angle In Jawan Resonated Impactfully. Make No Mistake – Karan Johar’s Rocky Rani’s Influence Will Show In Days To Come.
4. Sunshine Success: Everything Worked At Bollywood This Year.
Pathan Worked
Jawan Worked
Gadar 2 Worked
Animal Worked
The Kerala Story Worked
Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar Worked
OMG2 Worked
Tiger 3 Worked
Sequels Like Gadar 2, Dream Girl 2, Tiger 3 Worked. Original Work Like Jawan, Animal, Dunki Worked.
5. Cinematic Excellence Persists: Among The Business Boom & Cacophony Of Success, Gems Like 12th Fail, Pokhar, Bheed, Three Of Us Also Bloomed.
6. Beautiful Co-Existence: People Were Back In Theatres. Movies Like 12th Fail And Gadar 2 Continued For Months. Direct OTT Releases Became More Common & Certain Movies Found Their Ideal Audience In Digital Streaming. Everyone’s Happy With The Arrangement.
7. Southern Movies Are Becoming Mainstream: Jailer, Leo, Salaar & PS2 Showed There Is A Growing Audience For Southern Movies In The North As Well.
For Annual Bollywood Reviews Since 2012 & Movie Reviews – Refer To www.ashokkarania.com
The Top Movies Of 2023:
1. 12th Fail: The Power Of Dreams. Vikrant Massey’s Emotional & Earnest Showcase Of The Gruesome IPS Journey Won Hearts. A Sleeper Hit. One Of The Best Movies. The Strong Content, Excellent Screenplay & Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s Directorial Treatment Wins The Day. VVC Beats Protege Rajkumar Hirani (Dunki). Special Marks For Vikas Divyakriti’s Inclusion & Great Adaptation Of Anurag Pathak’s Book.
2. Jawan: SRK’s Massy Bollywood Masala Entertainer For The Political Bharat! Farmer Suicides To Medical System To Voting – Shining SRK Showcase It All. Deepika, Vijay Sethupathi, Nayanthara & Sania Shine In The Highest Grosser Of The Year.
3. Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahaani: The Karan Johar ‘Its About Loving Your Family’ Get A Socio-Liberal Makeover! Dharmendra & Songs Steal The Show Amidst An Ensemble Cast Of Bollywood’s Top Talent Including Alia & Ranveer.
4. Sirf EK Bandaa Kaafi Hai: A Manoj Bajpayee Masterclass Where Shiv Bhakt Leads From The Front. A Stellar Court Room Drama Based On The Real-Life Trial & Conviction Of Asaram Bapu!
5. Three Of Us: A Simple & Moving Tale Of A Dementia Patient’s Revisiting Of Childhood Places, People & Memories. Shefali Shah, Jaideep Ahlawat & Swanand Kirkere Are Terrific In A Tale Of Memory, Friendship & Love. The Gentle, Tranquil, Sensitive Film Is A Soul Sister Of Oscar Favorite Past Lives
6. Bheed: An Experiential Portrayal Of The Largest Migration Of Modern Time. All Shades Of Emotion In The Black And White Saga.
7. Dunki: Rajkumar Hirani’s Take On The Illegal Immigration Practice Spiced With Smart Humour & Humanity
8. 8 AM Metro: A Heart-Warming Tale Of Two Strangers Striking An Unique Relationship. Slow Burn Movie Of Honest Emotions.
9. Afwaah: A Political Thriller Of Modern Times – Showcasing The Impact Of Social Media On Gullible Public!
10. OMG2: Pankaj Tripathi Shines In A Movie On The Important Topic Of Sex Education.
Honorable Mentions:
1. Khufiya
2. Kathal
3. Jaane Jaan
4. Pathan
5. Pokhar Ke Dunu Paar
6. Ghoomer
7. Satya Prem Ki Katha
8. Gulmohar
9. Goldfish
10. Joram
The Commercial Success Stories Of 2023:
1. Jawan
2. Animal
3. Pathan
4. Gadar 2
5. Salaar
6. Jailer
7. Leo
8. Tiger 3
9. Rocky Rani Ki Prem Kahaani
10. PS2
The Forgetful Movies Of 2023:
1. Tejas – Kangana’s All Time Flops Continue….
2. Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan – Family Productions Of Salman Khan
3. AdiPurush – The Perfect Spoiler Of Ram On Celluloid
4. Ganapath
5. Selfiee
And Many Movies Were Neither Here Or There: U Turn, Gumraah, Kuttey, Bloody Daddy, Tiku Weds Sheru Etc.
Bollywood Persona Of 2023:
Alia Bhatt Is The Betaaj Badshah (Undisputed Queen) Of Bollywood & Clearly The Most Influential Achiever But The Person Who Moved The Needle & Transformed Identity To Catalyze & Energize Bollyoowd Was The King Khan – Shah Rukh Khan!
Lots of Web Series & Short Movies Are Also Enriching The Bollywood & Entertainment Space – But They Are Out Of Scope For This Current Review.
What’s Your Take? What You Loved? Hated?
