Timeless Movies Honoring Indian Cinema

Aniket Raj

Do Bigha Zamin (1953)

Directed by Bimal Roy, this Balraj Sahni-starrer reflects on the trials and tribulations faced by farmers whose harvest feeds India.

Shree 420 (1955) 

Directed by and starring Raj Kapoor, along with Nargis, Nemo, Nadira, and Lalita Pawar, the film's title refers to Section 420 of the IPC, which pertains to fraud. The protagonist is ensnared in a scheme of deceitful designs and must find his best self to escape.

Pather Panchali (1955) 

Directed by Satyajit Ray, the film focuses on the plight of an impoverished family in the interiors of Bengal and their strategies to confront their challenges.

Mother India (1957)

Helmed by Mehboob Khan, this social drama stars Nargis, Sunil Dutt, and Rajendra Kumar. It depicts the struggles of a single mother in the mid-20th century juxtaposed with the dynamics of a newly-independent nation.

Mughal-e-Azam (1960)

K. Asif's grand portrayal of the court of Akbar features Dilip Kumar, Madhubala, and Prithviraj Kapoor. It embodies India's diverse cultures in its retelling of a man torn between his father and lover.

Elippathayam (1981)

Directed by Adoor Gopalakrishnan, the film follows the life of a man trapped within his own confines, unable to comprehend the changes unfolding around him.

Nayakan (1987)

Mani Ratnam directs this crime drama about an ambitious young man (Kamal Haasan) who turns to a life of crime out of necessity rather than choice.