The year 2022 proved to be another challenging period for Indian cinema, particularly for theatrical releases, mirroring the struggles of 2021. While big-budget star vehicles stumbled, a few cinematic gems and powerful digital series managed to capture the audience's imagination, defining the year's mixed bag of entertainment.
Big Screen Blues: High-Profile Stumbles
Aamir Khan's much-anticipated adaptation of Forrest Gump, Laal Singh Chaddha, turned out to be a monumental box office disaster. Critics panned Khan's portrayal of the simple-minded Laal as a one-dimensional character, marked by exaggerated expressions and stilted dialogue. The film failed to connect with audiences, resulting in one of the star's worst commercial performances.
Another major disappointment was Brahmastra Part One: Shiva. Directed by Ayan Mukerji and produced by Karan Johar, this fantasy epic starring Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt aimed to create a mythological superhero universe. Despite heavy visual effects and cameos by Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan, the film was criticized for its convoluted plot and lack of coherent storytelling. Its performance left the future of its planned trilogy uncertain.
Silver Linings: Theatrical and OTT Highlights
Amidst the disappointments, Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Gangubai Kathiawadi emerged as a critical and commercial success. Alia Bhatt's powerful performance as the famed brothel madam of Kamathipura overcame initial skepticism about her casting. The film, despite Bhansali's signature opulent style, was hailed for its compelling narrative.
On the streaming front, Alia Bhatt's second release of the year, Darlings on Netflix, was a bold take on domestic abuse and patriarchy. Co-starring Shefali Shah and Vijay Varma, the dark comedy was praised for its strong performances and daring subject matter.
Harshvardhan Kulkarni's Badhaai Do also broke new ground by centering its story on a lavender marriage between a gay man (Rajkummar Rao) and a lesbian woman (Bhumi Pednekar). The film was celebrated for its sensitive handling of LGBTQ+ themes and the stellar acts by its lead pair.
Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri's The Kashmir Files ignited nationwide debate. The film's depiction of the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits in the 1990s resonated strongly with audiences, leading to massive box office collections, but also sparked controversy for its polarizing narrative.
OTT Dominance: Web Series That Won the Year
The digital space truly shone in 2022. The clear standout was Rocket Boys, a beautifully crafted series on SonyLIV chronicling the lives of India's nuclear and space pioneers, Dr. Homi J. Bhabha and Dr. Vikram Sarabhai. Jim Sarbh and Ishwak Singh delivered phenomenal performances, making the series both educational and deeply engaging.
Another masterpiece was the Tamil thriller Suzhal: The Vortex on Amazon Prime Video. Created by Pushkar and Gayathri, the eight-episode series wove a gripping tale of crime, small-town secrets, and folklore, earning widespread critical acclaim.
Furthermore, The Family Man Season 2 returned with higher stakes. Manoj Bajpayee's Srikant Tiwari faced a formidable foe in Samantha Ruth Prabhu's portrayal of a fierce Sri Lankan rebel, Raji. The season was lauded for its tight scripting, action, and elevated performances, cementing the show's status as a top-tier Indian web series.
In conclusion, 2022 highlighted a shifting landscape for Indian entertainment. While traditional star power faltered on the big screen, content-driven narratives and powerful performances found their home and audience on OTT platforms, signaling a transformative phase for the industry.
