20 Must-Watch Bollywood Films of the 2010s

In the annals of Bollywood, the 2010s shines with mature storytelling, echoing with strong social themes and powerful acting.

The Hindi film industry had begun to explore more daring themes in the 2000s.

That bravery seamlessly merged into the following decade.

The 2010s was rich with talented actors. The trio of Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, and Shah Rukh Khan was still going strong.

Meanwhile, fresher faces from the 2000s, including Hrithik Roshan and Ranbir Kapoor continued to make impacts at the box office.

Newcomers such as Ranveer Singh, Vicky Kaushal, and Sushant Singh Rajput were also leaving indelible imprints.

Meanwhile, filmmakers like Zoya Akhtar, Karan Johar, and Nitesh Tiwari dazzled with their amazing pictures.

From romances and action, brotherhood to biopics, this decade gave us all of it.

DESIblitz proudly presents 20 Bollywood movies from the 2010s that you must watch.

My Name Is Khan (2010)

Director: Karan Johar
Stars: Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol

The 2010s opened with a heart-wrenching masterpiece in the form of Karan Johar’s My Name Is Khan.

Starring celebrated onscreen couple, Shah Rukh Khan (Rizwan Khan) and Kajol (Mandira Khan), this film is an unforgettable gem.

Rizwan is an Indian Muslim, who has Asperger’s Syndrome. In San Francisco, he meets the beautiful Hindu hairdresser, Mandira.

Despite their religious differences, Mandira and Rizwan fall in love and marry.

But nobody can foresee the tragedy that will befall the family in the wake of the 9/11 attacks.

As a result, Rizwan has one mission: to tell the American President that his name is Khan and he is not a terrorist.

My Name Is Khan is famous for spreading the message of equality and humanity. Both the leads deliver fantastic performances.

This film swept the Filmfare Awards in 2011, winning major accolades.

Udaan (2010)

Director: Vikramaditya Motwane
Stars: Rajat Barmecha, Ronit Roy, Aayan Boradia

A historic father-son drama, Udaan is about Rohan Singh (Rajat Barmecha), who gets expelled from college.

Forced to return home, he begins living with his authoritarian father, Bhairav Singh (Ronit Roy).

Bhairav wants his son to abandon his dreams of writing and join the family’s steel factory.

A spanner is thrown in the works when Rohan finds out about his abused half-brother, Arjun Singh (Aayan Boradia).

Rohan becomes determined to break free from Bhairav’s shackles, protect Arjun, and live his own life.

Udaan was praised for its heartfelt emotion and the performances of the cast.

Reviewing the film, Kaveree Bamzal wrote: “Marvel at an extraordinary story told without veering into the maudlin.

“It’s a tightly controlled drama without any melodrama.”

Band Baaja Baaraat (2010)

Director: Maneesh Sharma
Stars: Ranveer Singh, Anushka Sharma

This romantic comedy marked the directorial debut of Maneesh Sharma and the acting debut of Ranveer Singh.

Band Baaja Baaraat introduces us to Bittoo Sharma (Ranveer Singh) and Shruti Kakkar (Anushka Sharma).

They are two ambitious young people from Delhi, who join forces to start a wedding-planning business.

Initially vowing to keep their relationship professional, attraction begins to surface between the pair.

This film explores whether it’s always a good idea to mix business with pleasure.

Band Baaja Baaraat gave Bollywood an energetic, popular actor in Ranveer Singh, who became the new face of the 2010s.

It also benefits from the superb chemistry between the two leads.

Rightfully so, the film received widespread acclaim.

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011)

Director: Zoya Akhtar
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, Abhay Deol, Farhan Akhtar, Katrina Kaif, Kalki Koechlin

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara was one of the first Bollywood films to focus on a road trip.

To celebrate Kabir Dewan’s (Abhay Deol) bachelor trip, he and friends Arjun Saluja (Hrithik Roshan) and Imran Qureshi (Farhan Akhtar) travel to Spain.

However, all three men have their own inner demons they must confront. Arjun is a workaholic, obsessed with money.

Meanwhile, Imran is wrestling with the identity of his true father.

Kabir himself must decide whether marrying his fiancee Natasha Arora (Kalki Koechlin) is what he really wants.

Arjun’s life changes when he meets the optimistic diving instructor, Laila (Katrina Kaif), in Spain.

Abhay Deol discusses the impact that the film had on the audience, from taking a break from work to getting a divorce.

The actor says: “It inspired people to follow their dreams, to take action, to accept who and where they are.”

Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012)

Director: Yash Chopra
Stars: Shah Rukh Khan, Katrina Kaif, Anushka Sharma

This romance is notable for being the swan song of the veteran director, Yash Chopra.

Jab Tak Hai Jaan centres on Major Samar Anand (Shah Rukh Khan), who is a fearless bomb-disposal expert.

When documentary filmmaker Akira Rai (Anushka Sharma) discovers his diary, she learns about Samar’s passionate romance with Meera Thapar (Katrina Kaif).

Although they were deeply in love, Meera ended their relationship when Samar had a serious accident.

When feelings from Akira come to the fore too, all three individuals must deal with unresolved feelings and conflict.

Jab Tak Hai Jaan is the quintessential Yash Chopra. It is romantic, beautiful, and has wonderful music.

The filmmaker sadly died shortly before the film was released.

But not before leaving behind a lasting legacy of evergreen cinema, aptly capped off with Jab Tak Hai Jaan.

Barfi (2012)

Director: Anurag Basu
Stars: Ranbir Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Ileana D’Cruz, Saurabh Shukla

Anurag Basu’s Barfi features Ranbir Kapoor as the titular loveable rogue.

Barfi is a deaf and mute young man who is street-smart and charming.

He falls in love with Shruti Ghosh Sengupta (Ileana D’Cruz), who – despite being engaged – reciprocates his feelings.

However, destiny keeps them apart and Barfi is reunited with his autistic friend, Jhilmil Chatterjee (Priyanka Chopra Jonas).

Both Ranbir and Priyanka completely meld into their characters, making Barfi one of the greatest Hindi films of the 2010s.

Expressions and gesticulations become the norm in this film, perfectly illustrating the uniqueness of disabled people.

To prepare for his role, Ranbir studied the works of Charlie Chaplin and his grandfather, Raj Kapoor.

For Barfi, he won a Filmfare Award for ‘Best Actor’ in 2013.

Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013)

Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Ranbir Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Aditya Roy Kapur, Kalki Koechlin, Kunaal Roy Kapur

Continuing with the great actor, Ranbir Kapoor’s work, we come to Ayan Mukerji’s blockbuster, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani.

The coming-of-age film is about four classmates who meet during a trekking expedition.

Ranbir stars as the carefree Kabir ‘Bunny’ Thapar, who dreams of having a television career.

However, to achieve his goals, Bunny must abandon his budding romance with Dr Naina Talwar (Deepika Padukone).

Years pass, and having fulfilled his ambitions, Bunny crosses paths with Naina again, but is it too late?

Speaking about Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, Ranbir says: “It’s a very warm film.

“Happiness is real only when it’s shared with someone and I think that’s what the movie talks about.”

Watch Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewaani to be not only entertained but also thoughtful.

Goliyon Ki Raasleela: Ram–Leela (2013)

Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Stars: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone

Based on William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, this romantic tragedy sees Sanjay Leela Bhansali return to opulence after a series of dark films.

Deepika Padukone stars as Leena Sanera, while Ranveer Singh portrays Ram Rajadi.

Despite their warring families, Ram and Leela fall deeply in love.

Much like in Juliet and Romeo, Leela and Ram are tested by family loyalties, betrayal, and escalating violence.

The characters ultimately get trapped between their love for one another and the hatred surrounding them.

This leads to a devastating conclusion.

Goliyon Ki Raasleela: Ram–Leela was praised for its cast performances and faithfulness to its subject material.

It also began a thrilling partnership among Sanjay, Deepika, and Ranveer, who subsequently teamed up for Bajirao Mastani (2015), and Padmaavat (2018).

Queen (2013)

Director: Vikas Bahl
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Rajkummar Rao, Lisa Haydon

Kangana Ranaut shines with an unmatched gleam as Rani Mehra in Queen.

Rani is a sheltered woman who is shattered when her fiancee Vijay Dhingra (Rajkummar Rao) dumps her just two days before their wedding.

She later resolves to go on her honeymoon alone, thus embarking on a profound journey of self-discovery.

Travelling solo to France and then Amsterdam, Rani learns that she does not need Vijay to make her happy.

Finding a friend in the vivacious Vijayalakshmi (Lisa Haydon), Rani shuts down Vijay’s attempts to reconcile.

Queen is an empowering movie that celebrates feminism and independence.

Kangana is tender, fierce, and strong, in all the right places.

Her performance as Rani won her the Filmfare Award for ‘Best Actress’ in 2015.

Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015)

Director: Kabir Khan
Stars: Salman Khan, Harshaali Malhotra, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui

Salman Khan’s crowd-pulling stardom arguably was at its peak during the 2010s.

One of his films in the decade is the magical Bajrangi Bhaijaan, which is another ode to equality despite communal upheaval.

Salman plays the Indian Pawan Kumar Chaturvedi, who stumbles upon a lost Pakistani girl named Shahida Aziz (Harshaali Malhotra).

Shahida is mute and so, she cannot tell Pawan her name. Therefore, he gives her the nickname, Munni.

As a deep bond develops between them, Pawan vows to reunite Munni with her mother in Pakistan.

Bajrangi Bhaijaan is terrifically rousing and compels one to ponder the adversary between two nations that have similar roots.

Anupama Chopra describes watching Bajrangi Bhaijaan as “the first time [she’s] cried in a Salman Khan film.”

However, the real winner of the film is Harshaali, who numbs eyes with her nuanced performance.

MS Dhoni: The Untold Story (2016)

Director: Neeraj Pandey
Stars: Sushant Singh Rajput, Disha Patani, Kiara Advani, Anupam Kher

MS Dhoni: The Untold Story stars Sushant Singh Rajput as the titular T20I cricket captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

This biopic explores Dhoni’s rise from a train ticket collector to an iconic cricketer.

Eventually, never letting the light of ambition extinguish, Dhoni wins the finals for India, when he hits a six.

The film won hearts across the globe, establishing the fresh-faced Sushant as an actor to watch out for.

Sadly, Sushant died in 2020, after taking his own life. But this is one movie that keeps his legacy alive in a memorable manner.

According to Amitabh Bachchan, Sushant watched the video of Dhoni hitting a six 100 times.

This was to refine his performance in the film.

And as a result, the screen lights up every time Sushant is up there.

Pink (2016)

Director: Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury
Stars: Taapsee Pannu, Kirti Kulhari, Andrea Tariang, Amitabh Bachchan, Angad Bedi

Few movies have left the audience in shock with thought and reflection like Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury’s Pink.

This courtroom drama tells the story of Minal Arora (Taapsee Pannu), Falak Ali (Kirti Kulhari), and Andrea Tariang (Andrea Tariang).

The women go to court regarding sexual assault that Minal suffered at the hands of Rajveer Singh (Angad Bedi).

With the system clearly tipped in male favour, it is up to the retired lawyer Deepak Sehgal (Amitabh Bachchan) to fight for justice for the women.

Amitabh delivers a heroic performance. As for the three actresses, they are sensitive and real.

At its core, Pink very much is about consent. In his rousing closing statement, Deepak says:

“No means no, whether the woman saying it is an acquaintance, a friend, a girlfriend, a sex worker, or even your own wife.”

Film critic Rajeev Masand said: “I left the cinema, my mouth dry at the end of Pink. It’s easily the best film this year.”

Dangal (2016)

Director: Nitesh Tiwari
Stars: Aamir Khan, Sakshi Tanwar, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Sanya Malhotra, Zaira Wasim, Suhani Bhatnagar

In the late 2000s and 2010s, Aamir Khan gained fame for setting new box office milestones with films, including Ghajini (2008), 3 Idiots (2009), Dhoom 3 (2013), and PK (2014).

His 2016 film, Dangal, broke yet another record. The film is set in a patriarchal Haryana and is based on the real-life story of Mahavir Singh Phogat and his daughters.

Enduring gossip of the townspeople and against all odds, Mahavir trained his daughters, Geeta and Babita, to become top wrestlers.

Aamir blends into the skin of Mahavir in Dangal. His commitment to the role is unmatched, whether that is gaining weight to play an older man or shedding the kilos to portray the younger version for just a few scenes.

Dangal is a story of sports, defeating misogyny, and unshakeable willpower.

The movie also finds worthy performers in newcomers, including Fatima Sana Shaikh, Sanya Malhotra, Zaira Wasim, and Suhani Bhatnagar, who play Mahavir’s daughters.

For the film, Aamir won his third Filmfare Award for ‘Best Actor’ in 2017.

The actor’s stardom in other countries, including China and Turkey also reached new heights.

Secret Superstar (2017)

Director: Advait Chandan
Stars: Zaira Wasim, Meher Vij, Raj Arjun, Aamir Khan

Continuing with Aamir Khan and the theme of female empowerment, we come to Advait Chandan’s directorial debut, Secret Superstar.

This film uniquely blends dreams with growing up. It centres on the 15-year-old Insia Malik (Zaira Wasim).

Insia dreams of becoming a singer and is a talented songwriter who plays the guitar.

Her mother, Najma Malik (Meher Vij) is suffering in an abusive marriage with Insia’s father, Farookh Malik (Raj Arjun).

To conceal her identity, Insia uploads videos of herself singing songs on YouTube while she dons a burqa.

She also works to free Najma from Farookh’s abuse, enlisting the help of the eccentric musician Shakti Kumar (Aamir Khan).

Zaira and Meher deliver performances rich with pent-up anger and depth. The film is full of mellifluous tunes and touching mother-daughter scenes.

Above all, Secret Superstar is an unforgettable ode to motherhood.

Hindi Medium (2017)

Director: Saket Chaudhary
Stars: Irrfan Khan, Saba Qamar, Dishita Sehgal, Deepak Dobriyal, Amrita Singh

Are you a fan of Irrfan Khan? The satire, Hindi Medium, presents him at his very best.

Based on true events, this film sees Irrfan as the successful clothing-shop owner, Raj Batra.

Raj and his wife, Mita Batra (Saba Qamar) dream of providing their daughter, Pia Batra (Dishita Sehgal), with the finest education.

However, their lower class and limited English prevent them from doing this.

Therefore, they disguise themselves as wealthier people and later, as economically struggling parents.

Combining contemporary issues with humour, Hindi Medium makes us question prejudice and inequality.

Admittedly, 2017 was an unsuccessful year for Bollywood, with many films failing to impress at the box office.

Hindi Medium is one of the films from that year which turned fortunes around. It is sure to stay with you long after the ending credits.

Sanju (2018)

Director: Rajkumar Hirani
Stars: Ranbir Kapoor, Paresh Rawal, Vicky Kaushal

Ace director Rajkumar Hirani returns with a biopic on the Bollywood actor, Sanjay Dutt.

As much as he is popular for his acting, Sanjay has also led a life full of controversy.

In his youth, he battled a drug addiction. And in 1993, he was arrested for the illegal possession of firearms.

The biopic, Sanju, primarily deals with these two events. It contains a resplendent performance by Ranbir Kapoor, who plays Sanjay.

Ranbir’s act is such that one honestly can’t differentiate between Sanjay Dutt and the actor playing him onscreen.

Ranbir nails every aspect of Sanjay’s character, including his laugh, walk, and talk.

Sanju also has great performances by Paresh Rawal (Sunil Dutt) and Vicky Kaushal (Kamlesh ‘Kamli’ Kanhaiyalal Kapasi).

For his performance, Ranbir won the 2019 Filmfare Award for ‘Best Actor’.

Badhaai Ho (2018)

Director: Ravindrenath Sharma
Stars: Ayushmann Khurrana, Neena Gupta, Gajraj Rao, Surekha Sikri, Sanya Malhotra

Amit Ravindrenath Sharma helms this comedy tackling social stigma and embarrassment towards middle-aged parents.

When his middle-aged mother falls pregnant, Nakul Kaushik (Ayushmann Khurrana) doesn’t have a clue how to deal with it.

None the wiser is his father. Nakul and his younger brother both struggle with the prospect of having a new sibling at their age.

Nakul’s embarrassment also tests his relationship with girlfriend Renee Sharma (Sanya Malhotra).

Will the family win against these insecurities and come together?

In a review of the film, Saibal Chatterjee wrote: “Badhaai Ho is relatable despite the fact that it deals with a situation that isn’t all that common, in real life or in cinema.”

This shows the bravery of the film and the team behind it to raise awareness of an undiscussed, taboo subject.

A spiritual successor, Badhaai Do, starring Rajkummar Rao, was released in 2022.

War (2019)

Director: Siddharth Anand
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff, Vaani Kapoor

In 2012, Yash Raj Films began its popular Spy Universe with Ek Tha Tiger, starring Salman Khan.

2019 saw Hrithik Roshan enter the franchise in Siddharth Anand’s War, as Major Kabir Dhaliwal.

Kabir is a rogue agent who comes to blows with his former student, Khalid Rahmani (Tiger Shroff).

Loyalties are tested and deadly secrets emerge as Kabir and Khalid face off in this hair-raising action thriller.

Kabir must also deal with past demons involving his partner, Naina Verma (Vaani Kapoor).

The superstar Hrithik does not overshadow the professionally junior Tiger, giving both characters a chance to make their marks.

War deservedly became the highest-grossing Bollywood film of 2019.

A sequel, War 2, was released in 2025, that saw Hrithik lock horns onscreen with NT Rama Rao Jr.

Kabir Singh (2019)

Director: Sandeep Reddy Vanga
Stars: Shahid Kapoor, Kiara Advani

With Kabir Singh, director Sandeep Reddy Vanga remakes his Telugu blockbuster, Arjun Reddy (2017) into Hindi.

In his Hindi adaptation, Sandeep extrapolates a terrific performance from Shahid Kapoor.

Kabir is a surgeon who is madly in love with Dr Preeti Sikka (Kiara Advani).

After the relationship falls on the rocks, Kabir goes into self-destruction, drinking and taking drugs.

His passion for Preeti is highlighted in Jubin Nautiyal’s song, ‘Tujhe Kitna Chaahe Aur Hum‘.

The veteran actress, Kamini Kaushal, also leaves a lasting impression as Kabir’s grandmother, Sadhna Kaur.

Upon release, Kabir Singh faced allegations for glorifying misogyny and substance abuse.

But it is a deeply moving love story. Part of your heart will break for Kabir as he stumbles deeper into an unforgiving abyss.

Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019)

Director: Aditya Dhar
Stars: Vicky Kaushal, Yami Gautam Dhar, Paresh Rawal, Kirti Kulhari, Mohit Raina

Aditya Dhar directs Uri: The Surgical Strike, a military-inspired action film.

It divulges the story of Major Vihaan Singh Shergill (Vicky Kaushal), who leaves service to care for his ailing mother.

Vihaan volunteers for a covert cross-border mission to retaliate against the militant groups responsible for a terrorist attack.

Across the Line of Control, Vihaan leads a surgical strike. But to do this, he must pass formidable obstacles and undertake personal sacrifices.

Uri: The Surgical Strike received acclaim for its direction, action sequences, and cinematography.

Divided into five chapters, the film takes the audience on an exhilarating ride through the journey of a brave and conflicted soldier.

In 2025, Vicky Kaushal said that Uri: The Surgical Strike changed his life.

It undoubtedly had a similar impact on the audience who resonated with Vihaan’s perilous experiences.

The 2010s was a decade in which fresher performers and social issues were the stars of the silver screen.

While experienced actors from previous years delivered histrionics, new faces also propelled great cinema.

The decade nailed all genres, while also tackling subjects many producers in previous times would not have even touched.

As the audience changes, so must cinema.

The 2010s embraced all the transformations before it. The result was a decade that was decorated with marvellous content.

So, if you haven’t already, buckle up and dive into the 2010s for a gripping experience at the movies!