- June 28, 2021
Vidya Balan picks her Top 22 on Amazon Prime Video. What’s your Pick?
After a long week of navigating through the rocky terrain of the work-life balance, what says relaxation better than unwinding with your favourite shows and movies. Give yourself a much needed break, even a tigress rests when she’s not on the prowl! But do you know what more difficult than finding a Sherni in the forest? Its curating the perfect watch-list that suits your mood and transports you into the world of cinema.
Look no further, as the Sherni herself, brings to you a fondly curated watchlist of Vidya Balan’s top Recommendations of movies, shows and more! Make your binge time a fun fiesta from every genre, ranging from action to drama and comedy, from ages old and new!
- Bandish Bandits: A symphony of love and the congregation of contemporary and classical music. From the roots of royal Rajasthan, Bandish Bandits is a musical love story that brings to light the debate of discipline versus passion when it comes to the art of music.
- Sound of Metal: What happens when the fear of losing your passion sets in? Follow Ruben, a metal drummer, who believes in living life in the moment till his life is thrown into freefall when he realises his hearing is rapidly deteriorating. Will Ruben be able to embrace this new life?
3. Golmaal (1979): “Gol maal hai, bhai sab Gol maal hai”- A 70s Classic Bollywood Comedy Golmaal, stands true to its name. On securing a job with a fincky man, the simple Ramprasand’s life takes a topsy turvy turn as a white lie is escalated to a muddle of more lies. The hilarious comedy is a crescendo of laughter and has one thing to say- Kid’s, don’t lie.
4. This is us Series: A heart-warming series surrounding the lives of a couple and their triplets that coincidently share their birthday with their father, is portrayed beautifully through the various stages of their lives. Watch the complexity of each of the siblings and the struggles of their parents in This is Us only on Amazon prime video.
5. Newton: One of the first Amit Masurkar’s gift to Hindi cinema, before the roar of Sherni, Newton carries the badge of being a National Film Award Winner for Best Feature Film in Hindi. The film revolves around a government clerk who is entrusted to conduct a voting in the jungles of central India, with the looing fear of a guerrilla attack. It stars the cinema favourites- from Rajkumar Rao to Pankaj Tripathi, need we say more?
6. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel: Set in 1958, This is a journey of a Sherni in her own stride, the story of Mrs. Maisel, a homely, perfect housewife, takes a marvelous turn when she find out about her husband’s affair- a man she devoted her life to. In a moment of grief and rage, she realises her true inner calling of being a stand-up comic and thus begins her voyage of being liberated from the shackles of society and into the limelight.
7. The Family Man: When it comes to saving the nation or saving your family, what would you chose? Follow the life of Srikant Tiwari, a seemingly regular guy who works for the Nation Investigation Agency. Amidst the constant threat and the high pressure job, he must also protect his family. Follow the espionage thriller, as discover the black, the white and the grey, of being a Family Man.
8. Hichki: Hichki is a story of a woman who conquers her worst fears and turns them into her biggest strengths. Suffering from Tourette Syndrome, after a series of rejections, Naina Mathur finally lands her dream job as a full-time teacher in an elite school. She soon realises her class is filled with trouble makers and defiant children. After a series of “hiccups”, Naina is determined to make her students realise their full potential.
9. Saina: Illustrating the story of the number 1 badminton player Saina Nehwal, the biopic follows the strength, downfalls and rebounds in the star player’s career.
10. Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar: A unique perspective on the society’s stereotypical stands and norms, the movie brings together a man and a woman from the opposite spectrums of India. Sandeep, a high profile banker, is on the run for her life and meets Pinky, a Haryana police officer, who is now involved in her planned ambush. The two are united only by one thing- Their mistrust, suspicion, and hate for each other.
11. The Mauritanian: Based on the best-selling memoir of “Guantánamo Diary”, the film follows Mohamedou Ould Slahi’s fight for freedom after being detained and imprisoned without charge by the U.S. Government for years.
12. Panchayat: In search of a job, the urban-bred Abhishek moves to a village in Uttar Pradesh to join as a secretary in the Panchayat office. Dealing with the cultural shock, the comedy- drama series unfolds as he finds himself oscillating between motivation to study for CAT and adjust to the village life.
13. Gulabo Sitabo: Starring the who’s who of the Indian Film Industry, Gulabo Sitaabo is a fun and unique story about the individuals who inhabit an old Haveli. Their struggles, hardships and moments of joy are encapsulated against the serenity of lucknow. The two main leads- Mirza (Amitabh Bacchan) and Baankey (Ayushman Khuranna) , are engaged in a constant game of upmanship. Tune in to find out where this Tom and Jerry relationship leads.
14. Whiplash: A story of teacher and a student and the passion for music, Whiplash follows a promising nineteen year old drummer who enrolls at a cut-throat music conservatory where his dreams of greatness are mentored by an instructor who will stop at nothing to realize a student’s potential.
15. Pataal Lok: A critically acclaimed series, Paatal Lok navigates through the life of a down and out police officer who lands the case of an attempted assassination of a renowned journalist. As he four suspects are caught, his quest for the truth leads him to ‘Paatal Lok’.
16. Gone Girl: Based on Gillian Flynn’s bestseller of the same name, the story focuses on the disappearance of Nick Dunne’s wife which turns into an elaborate media circus. Soon, he is suspected for this unfortunate incident. Did he kill his wife?
- Shakuntala Devi: Another Vidya Balan super hit, the biopic pays a tribute to ‘The Human Computer’. The world renowned mathematician, Shakuntala Devi’s life story is depicted in a humanising form, looking at her from the lens of a mother and a her own woman.
18. Parineeta: One of Vidya’s personal favourites, this award winning Bollywood romance, is set in 1963, Circa, Calcutta the film is a drama of families interlaced with magical music. The story revolves around childhood sweethearts Lolita and Shekar who wish to get married but the hurdles increase with the entry of another man.
- Tumhari Sulu: A breath of fresh air, Tumhari Sulu is another attempt to shatter the conventional. The film revolves around a happy go lucky housewife who’s life turns around when she bags the job of a night RJ.
20. Ishqiya: Love has a way of blossoming in the most unsuspecting of places. Ishqiya is a tale of a man and a nephew on the run from goons when they find shelter with a kidnapper’s widow. Emotions creep into their lives in the most unexpected manner and the characters portray them in their own, unique way.
21. Bobby Jasoos: The Indian female Sherlock Bobby, comes from the old city of Hyderabad. Despite her familial constraints, she fights through the odds to follow her dreams. The plot gets interesting when Bobby finds herself in the thick if a tough case while dealing with a unanticipated marriage proposal on the side.
22. Sherni: We have saved the best for last! The Vidya Balan starrer Sherni has already roared across the country with audiences and critics raving about this Amit Masurkar directorial brilliance. Diving into the life of a Vidya Vincent, an upright Forest Officer, the tale unfolds as she tries to strike a balance between man and animal while also trying to find herself in a hostile environment. Catch the Sherni prowl and roar on only Amazon Prime Video.