There’s something distilled about independent, non-commercial and underrated Bollywood movies. Like all things that do not tread the path of commercial acclaim as it’s primary motive, indie films too go on retaining their aesthetic essence. There have been movies, very products of our own Bollywood, headed over by equally proficient filmmakers that takes us on a trip of reeling pleasure, quite literally.
For movie lovers, missing out on such works is kin to a crime, so to make things easier and keep a track on how well acknowledged you are regarding this arena of Bollywood here goes a list of some personal favorite underrated bollywood movies 2020 that should be ticked off within this weekend itself, if not done already.
Here’s our take on top 30 underrated Bollywood movies
Tumbbad
A full-blown but not typical horror film which is masterfully designed and chillingly atmospheric. Great sound design and cinematography.
Parched
An acutely women centric plotline that talks of sexual liberation, female friendship, homosexuality, all in a very regional, next-door, rural perspective. Packed with articulate performances, this film holds over feminism with immense responsibility.
Aankhon Dekhi
Watch it for the Sanjay Mishra’s rural bauji avatar, and some irresistible chuckles.
Death in the Gunj
Oh no. I could go on and on and never be exhausted to talk about this film and how much emotionally investing it was. Revered actors, vintage cinematography, a doe-eyed Vikrant Massey himself separately, Konkona Sen’s honed sensibility into the direction cooks up an appetizing meal for every movie lover. Do you understand a must watch? Yes, please. That. Read our Death in the Gunj Movie Review.
Waiting
Some films are just meant to be good. I mean there’s Naseeruddin Shah and Kalki Koechlin in one frame throughout dealing with their respective heartbreaks. Need we say more?
Ribbon
There she goes again. This time with Sumeet Vyas. A young urban couple dealing with an unplanned conceive. Talks of troubled parenting even in the era of camera supervised nanny rooms and classrooms.
Any TVF fans? Go for it already. He wouldn’t disappoint. 
Suleimani Keeda
While you are not busy flooding the comment section of TVF’s YouTube videos asking them to release Pitchers’ second season, why don’t you indulge yourself with Naveen, as a struggling filmmaker, in this film?
Udaan
Once you are finished with it, you are gonna look for Rohan’s poem on YouTube and try to relive it all over again. No points for guessing Ronit Roy plays the angry father in the film.
Salaam Bombay
Nominated for the Academy Awards for the best foreign film and the BAFTA too.
Hmm.
Genius you say?
50 words for it would be a mock.
Life in a Metro
Let’s wait till Bollywood makes more films like this.
If not anything else, let’s watch it all over again for the soundtrack that once crooned our vulnerable, adolescent hearts trying to grapple with those monsoon first dates. Read our full Life in a Metro movie review.
The Monsoon Wedding
An all time personal favorite of mine, Mira Nair’s urban take on modern family dimensions is an absolute treat. Let’s not forget this is a movie from 2001, but doles out our very contemporary 2016 vibes. That’s coming of age for you.
Margarita with a straw
Two words.
Kalki, Kalki.
Lakshmi
If you are done watching Netflix documentaries on that side of the city of flesh trade and want a dauntingly unnerving fictional plotline, this is the right film. One film you won’t find in most lists of underrated bollywood movies.
Ship of Theseus
Anand Gandhi gives you a homework of an intellectual contemplation with this work of his. Dude if you haven’t watched this, we seriously can’t be friends. I hope you have already. Read our Ship of Theseus movie review.
Trapped
Yayay. Rajkumaar. Will make you grit your teeth tight for the entire one and half hour. Read our full Trapped movie review.
Dor
A scrap of Khaled Hosseini touch from his A Thousand Splendid Suns. Unabashedly women centric.
Phas Gaye Re Obama
Some planned, hysterical chuckles on the expense of the dreary terrorist. Pankaj Mishra. Duh. Any Dhamaal fans?
Iqbal
A guy, deaf and mute, dreams of being a part of the Indian Cricket team. A retired, seeks to reignite his dying vigor, through the former. Utterly engaging.
Mr. and Mrs. Iyer
Konkona is a gift man. Rahul Bose gets on the hang too. Both infuses some kind of unalloyed beauty to their respective characters. It’s one of those oddly satisfying movies.
Shahid
Rajkumar again. Yayay.
Gulaal
There’s Anurag Kashyap serving you out hus work right from his territory of expertise, of mud and blood and swearing and party and politics.
Lunchbox
Watch it at a leisurely, warm afternoon basking after a fulfilling lunch. This movie demands your undivided attention for its meticulously laid out vulnerable essence that carves out a rather unconventional relationship between two strangers.
Masaan
We all have heard about this movie if we haven’t watched it. If you are one of sadists who has put off this film for a long time now accounting to the busy schedule your life entraps you in, stop being one. The hype is all fulfilling and legit for this piece of art. Innocuously beautiful. Read our full Masaan movie review. The perfect fit for any list of underrated bollywood movies.
Dhanak
If you need some sibling emo stuff in life to not want to kill that arse who lives with you, take him/her and watch it together. You might even end up sharing chocolates with them. Pretty heavy stuff.
Ek Hasina Thi
Up for some blood curling avenge thriller?
A low Sriram Raghavan starring Urmila Mantodkar and Saif Ali Khan serves you exactly that.
Drishyam
This film hooks you to your seat, make you admire the shrewd Vijay Salgaonkar, let an immaculately uniform clad Tabu intimidate the wits out of you. A tale made up of perfectly curated lies and alibis. Sheer genius.
Pihu
Almost like Trapped. Minus the adult Rajkumar Rao. And add a more gory backstory. Will make you shift on your seat.
Kuch Bheege Alfaz
Is it love or the thought of love that appeases us? A wonderfully crafted tale on a modern relationship that speaks in verses and poetry.
Aligarh
You have had a lot of Rajkumar Rao in this article and I cannot help. Watch this film for Manoj Bajpayee and his methodic silences and sighs that grief on the society more firmly than his doled out dialogues. Read our full review.
Once Again
‘Once Again’ had me from its opening scene. The ethereal moonlit scene, Neeraj Kabi grazing attention in his crafty steps on the stage, a demure, doe-eyed, saree clad Shefali Shah oozing charm and grace like no other woman, an enveloping sound track conducive for a eye pleasing setup does more than enough to numb your senses. The plotline is kept mellow dealing with an unconventional, mature relationship between two people with respective grown up kids of their own. It keeps the timeline of events just like it should have been, low-key while primarily focussing on the pleasure points.
Dasvidaniya
Up for a regional The Bucket List? This Vinay Pathak starrer is an absolute delight.