2022 has been a momentous year for movies, especially for Indian movies with the global sensation of a Telugu movie – RRR, which still continues to captivate the audience across the western states as we speak. As a bonus, RRR has been nominated for a number of honorable academy awards, including the Golden Globe and Critics Choice Awards. However, other Indian movies aren’t an exception either, movies like Vikram, Kantara, The Kashmiri Files, and KGF-Chapter 2 have gained a lot of attention all over the country during the time of their release.
But here, it is not just about mainstream Indian movies in 2022, but we would also like to shed a light on the artistic independent Indian movies of 2022 which might not have reached the mass audience but have received critical acclaim from a lot of people who have watched them. Here’s the list of the 18 best Indian movies released in the year, 2022.
Best Indian Movies Of 2022:
K.G.F: Chapter 2
“If KGF was Mass, KGF chapter 2 is the BAAP of all mass action movies. It does not just satisfy the humongous expectations around it, but overwhelms you and takes BRAND ROCKY even higher. Be the goosebump-loaded hero elevation sequences, hyper-stylized extravagant action set pieces, expansive storyline, kickass punch lines, bigger interesting conflicts, high dramatic moments or strong emotions.it’s just pure mass euphoria.” – Michael James, Letterboxd.
The Kashmir Files
“The so-called self-proclaimed liberal-minded folks who cry for human rights, really wish to call this film propaganda and fantasy, solely because the victims, in this case, belong to a group which is in majority in rest of the India. The foul-cries of labeling this film a ‘propaganda’ were so strong that it even made me biased towards this film and I avoided seeing it for a long time, but to my utter surprise, I saw no hate being peddled against any community. My further readings in fact made me realize how well-researched this film is.” – Nisarg Khatri, Letterboxd.
RRR: Rise-Roar-Revolt
“RRR was a blast and also a quintessential “dudes rock” movie. It fires on all cylinders to deliver an adrenaline-fueled, emotional & action-packed adventure offset by some of the most bonkers, jaw-dropping setpieces which spectacularly blend history and mythology. This movie is further proof of why SS Rajamouli is one of world cinema’s most audacious & ambitious image-makers. The movie rests strongly on the shoulders of Jr NTR & Ram Charan, and SSR has balanced both characters smartly.” – Nakul, Letterboxd.
The film continues to impress every audience member across the globe and is regarded as the Best Indian Movie of 2022. In fact, it has been nominated for prestigious academy awards like the Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice.
“The film is a treat to the eyes and ears. There is no way you could stray away from the screen, not even momentarily. Kantara is a kinetic, cinematic experience as Rishab Shetty shows off his talents as a filmmaker, actor and storyteller, creating stunning visuals with the help of cinematographer Arvind Kashyap; no other film of this year could match its sheer intensity.” – Sudhakar Kumar, Letterboxd.
Kadaisi Vivasayi
“Kadaisi Vivasayi is a film with a whole heart, surfaced in the emotions, humor, energy and philosophy of life. The film doesn’t picturise farming as profitability. It breaks the stereotypical tropes of the genre and portrays farming as a way of life. Along with the life of a farmer, his love for the world’s essential job, the director Manikandan also weaves the simple and awesome lives of people and the benefits of a devoted heart. Director Manikandan is a gem of Tamil Cinema, a visionary who can only make this kind of films here. Kadaisi Vivasayi is a paen to a simple life and self-sufficiency.” – cinema_made, Letterboxd.
Ante Sundaraniki
“Vivek Athreya takes the learnings of his previous two films and delivers some of the most textured work in this now populated, quirk-a-minute Indian genre– which hasn’t been putting character above theme nearly enough anymore. Not only is this visually flawless in the simplest of ways, but also every screenwriting aspect and artist involved is in blind service of the characters being imagined. The feeling of seeing Pellichoopulu for the first time in 2016 was always going to be hard to find again in Tollywood’s streaming era. Happy to say this might’ve outdone it.” – Shritan, Letterboxd.
Vikram
“Blown away by Lokesh Kanagaraj’s VIKRAM. A well-written, brutal & energizing action thriller with impressively staged & well-executed action set pieces & a terrific soundtrack! Kamal Hassan once again, showing the kids how it’s done! VJS, Fahadh & Suriya… the entire cast made up exclusively of scene-stealers! Can’t remember the last time I saw an Indian action thriller this good.” – Nakul, Letterboxd.
Jana Gana Mana
“Jana Gana Mana does something incredible. Similar to Benoît Poelvoorde’s 1992 masterpiece Man Bites Dog, it puts the spotlight on you – the common man, you the spectator, you the viewer. It is about how easily you get swayed, how your emotions get controlled by the narrative planted by the media. Jana Gana Mana is a much more deep, complex work than what meets the eye. It asks uncomfortable questions. It dares you to look away. It is this truth the movie attempts to get to and like how the great philosophers have said before, the path to reach the truth is not rosy.” – HareeshRajaa, Letterboxd.
Rocketry: The Nambi Effect
‘A competent amalgamation of Drama, Science & Debate, ‘Rocketry’ exhibits an inspirational yet tragedy-filled journey of one genius mind, S. Nambi Narayanan, and his vital contributions in the field of Space engineering that are truly meritorious.Whatever the sacrifices he made, whatever the accomplishments he attained for this country, should have granted him a nicer fate!’ – Soumik Banerjee, Letterboxd.
Bheeshma Parvam
“Well, what should I say about Bheeshma Parvam? Amal Neerad give it’s freedom to one of the greatest Indian actors of all time and gives what audience want and delivers every single time. Bheeshma Parvam is a voyeur experience that will always cherish forever. Despite not being a perfect movie like the predictable storyline, it still makes you excites each and every Mammootty dialogue all along. A true fitting tribute for Mammootty and more so, a return to form as well.” – Moviememes.mp4, Letterboxd.
Major
“Patriotic films like this and shershah work very well because of the perfect balance of emotions and action. And patriotism isn’t forced throughout the film, all they wanted to do this is a proper tribute and yeah they managed to pull it.” – Jack, Letterboxd.
“The direction, cinematography, acting, and pacing are superb — however they are all let down by a pretty flimsy script filled with generic moments and dialogues.” – filmranked, Letterboxd.
Sita Ramam
“Sita Ramam is the testament that ‘films don’t necessarily require hundreds of crores to be good.’ ahem radhe-shyam ahem.” – Jayanth, Letterboxd.
“An epic period tale of love and war that’s executed in an emotionally effective and poetic manner. The drama initially takes its time to settle in, moves along at its own pace, and has a few logic shortcomings, but gets more curiously interesting pre-interval onwards with surprising well-placed twists and grippingly moving final hour filled with heart n humanity.” – Michael James, Letterboxd.
Ponniyin Selvan: Part One
“An epic in a true sense of the word, Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan adaptation is a true spectacle to watch. The performances were all amazing, Aishwarya Rai, Trisha, Vikram, and especially Karthi, who brings Vandiyathevan’s charisma and charm to life very well. A.R. Rahman’s score brings scenes to life very well, and the songs from the movie are all amazing. Ponni Nadhi and the Devaralan Attam were especially terrific. ” – chrisnolansim, Letterboxd.
777 Charlie
“There are films that are objectively appreciated based on the multiple layers it displayed in a single scene, a graceful performance or a strong script. But once in a while there comes a film that directly touches your heart , makes you cry and reminds you that at the end of the day you’re still a human with emotions. 777 Charlie successfully captures the essence of having a dog as a pet and for anyone who has ever had a dog or likes them in general will be taken through a rollercoaster of emotions by the journey of Charlie and her pet father Dharma.” – Vineet, Letterboxd.
Thiruchitrambalam
“I feel that the cinema of 2022 so far has taught and reinstated that the success of stories lies in simplicity and effectiveness rather than complicating narration. Mithran Jawahar’s “Thiruchitrambalam” chronicles the life of the titular character (Dhanush), his friendship, romance, heartbreaks, and his dysfunctional family. “Thiruchitrambalam” aims to be a simple and subtle slice-of-life drama and it does that perfectly.” – Adithiyan Curioser, Letterboxd.
Gargi
“The last time I was this disturbed by a film was during Mads Mikkelsen’s the hunt, Gargi was beyond what I expected. It’s so mature and intense for most of the parts, and surprisingly works well as a whodunit as well. The racy screenplay of Gargi is on point with applause-worthy dialogues and erratic comedy that feels organic. I don’t wanna exaggerate too much, just experience this gripping drama in the theaters.” – Jack, Letterboxd.
Love Today
“This is the product of a guy who knows how to captivate his audience and what makes them tick, he knows how to take an original concept and commercialize it. After watching this movie I can confidently say that comali is just the tip of the iceberg and there are many more gems to come out from this guy.” – Akshay Kannan, Letterboxd.
Mahaan
“Thankfully, this film has a distinctively auteur style to it whilst being a blockbuster. Karthik Subbaraj has been nicknamed the Tamil Tarantino deservedly. It’s well-written with a lot of layers that twist and contort. The themes within it are really salient in our current politically polarised climate; thus I appreciate how it shows perspectives. Plus, it’s depiction of alcoholism is quite authentic and poignant in current Tamil Nadu politics” – Aj Waran, Letterboxd.
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