The year 2015 stands out as a landmark period in Indian cinema, a year that masterfully balanced commercial blockbusters with critically acclaimed independent films. It was a time when major stars ventured into uncharted territories, and new directors emerged with powerful voices, creating a diverse cinematic landscape that is remembered fondly a decade later.
Blockbusters with a Heart and Conscience
Among the major commercial successes, two films have the easiest recall. Salman Khan's Bajrangi Bhaijaan, directed by Kabir Khan, became a cultural phenomenon. The film featured Khan as a devout Hanuman bhakt on a mission to reunite a lost mute girl from Pakistan with her family. Its release was particularly significant as it came during a period of high tensions between India and Pakistan. Despite the political climate, the film was made as a peacenik dream, a feat considered nearly impossible in today's geopolitical context.
Another significant mainstream release was Zoya Akhtar's Dil Dhadakne Do. This ensemble drama, focusing on the lives of a wealthy dysfunctional family on a cruise, featured an arresting cast including Anil Kapoor, Shefali Shah, Priyanka Chopra, Ranveer Singh, and Anushka Sharma. The film was noted for its sharp writing and a memorable, innovative one-take song sequence, solidifying Akhtar's skill with the 'poor-little-rich-people' genre before her move to more egalitarian stories.
Mainstream Stars Embrace Offbeat Roles
2015 was also the year when established stars took bold risks with offbeat projects, enriching the content of mainstream cinema. Anushka Sharma delivered a powerful performance in the gritty thriller NH10, playing an urban woman trapped in a dangerous situation in the heart of Jatland.
Similarly, Varun Dhawan shed his chocolate-boy image with a vengeful and intense role in Sriram Raghavan's neo-noir thriller, Badlapur. The presence of Deepika Padukone and Amitabh Bachchan lent a starry sheen to Shoojit Sircar's Piku, a film that was also a beautiful gift for the late Irrfan Khan. His performance in this constipated-Bengali-father-and-exasperated-daughter drama finally cemented his position in a coveted, beloved bracket among audiences.
However, not every offbeat attempt met with success. Ranbir Kapoor's ambitious Bombay Velvet, Anurag Kashyap's period saga, was a commercial bust. On the other hand, Yashraj Films found success by going small-town with Sharat Katariya's Dum Laga Ke Haisha. Set in Haridwar, the film featured a fresh pair, Ayushmann Khurrana and Bhumi Pednekar, and beautifully portrayed the development of a rocky relationship into a lifetime bond.
The Rise of Fiercely Independent Cinema
Perhaps the most enduring legacy of 2015 was the arrival of four fiercely independent films that, despite limited theatrical releases, have cemented their place in 'Best Of' lists. These films were distributed in the same circuit as mainstream movies and showcased a new wave of filmmaking talent.
Neeraj Ghaywan's debut feature, Masaan, working at the intersection of old and new India, provided a massive jump-start for both the director and his star, Vicky Kaushal. Anup Singh's pre-partition drama Qissa featured one of Irrfan's most haunting and powerful performances. Kanu Behl's Titli presented a singular, bleak, and pitiless vision of family dynamics that was impossible to look away from.
Together, these films from 2015—from the peace-making blockbuster Bajrangi Bhaijaan to the raw authenticity of Masaan—painted a vibrant picture of an industry confidently stretching its creative boundaries, a year that truly had something for every cinephile.
