Top 10 Anthology Films In India

An anthology is a book that contains a collection of stories or poems, typically on a single theme and written by different writers. An anthology film, on the other hand, is a subgenre of cinema that consists of a collection of short films based on a single theme, mostly directed by different filmmakers and featuring an ensemble cast. An anthology film is a feature film composed of many short films with a common theme that runs through them all. This is a genre that requires serious consideration because it is seldom watched and scarcely recognised. Here are ten more anthology films from India.

C/o Kancharapalem (2018)

It’s about as pure as a film can be. It’s almost as if the filmmaker’s sincerity shines through in every frame. The characters are convincing and seem to be grounded in reality. They’re the ordinary people we meet but never learn about because we never know their backstory. The casting is excellent and deserves a standing ovation. Starting with the earliest love tale, the cast and the time period are meticulously detailed. To be frank, it’s just another love storey (stories), so the ending isn’t surprising, but it’s the path these characters take and the circumstances they find themselves in that make this film truly beautiful. The women in all of the stories have been wonderfully depicted, as have the challenges they face. The film aptly captures the nature of faith in various ways, from a strong believer in God as a Hindu to a Christian teen to a non-believer or atheist in adulthood, and then back to a strong believer in humanity. The director masterfully depicts how a person comes to believe in deep human values rather than religious values. Perfectly narrated with four stages of love: boy, adolescent, mid-age and adult.

Paava Kadhaigal (2020 )

One of the most successful anthology films in recent memory. The concept of honour, pride, caste, and its effect on relationships, as well as all forms of violence against women, are all clearly shown in different ways. Non-Hindi speaking belts are producing incredible material. This is what cinema should be, and we see such brilliance on screen thanks to OTT platforms. Since it is an anthology, Netflix introduces it as a four-part web series. Despite the fact that the stories are not fresh, they will stay with you for a long time, and the care and acting will astound you. There was not a single boring moment when the plot thread threw you off. It’s wonderful to see Simran again after such a long time. Gautham Memon is also impressive. Prakash Raj’s legend will stay with you for a long time. Keep an eye on this one because it is not to be missed.

Sillu Karuppatti (2019)

All modes of love are beautifully narrated, combined with some excellent performances, a flawless script, and careful direction, making this film, without a doubt, the best film of the year 2019, eclipsing all rock stars. Actor Surya’s 2D Entertainment deserves credit for making the film and assisting in the discovery of incredible talent. 4 tales, 4 dimensions of love, 4 separate age group lead pairs, all tied together to form a beautiful anthology that is so special to our Tamil industry, and judging by the amount of applause, it was well-received. You have the satisfaction of having finished a decent series of short stories.

Vedam (2010)

The film deals with a very sensitive topic. There is still a ray of hope for mankind in this daunting world of problems, where everyone has their own issues and is selfishly trying to fix their own problems at the cost of others, in this world of hate, deceit, and betrayal. This film is a once-in-a-blue-moon kind of film that deviates from the commercial formula. It will instil HUMANITY in all souls, rich and poor, and will teach you how to live a meaningful life. It has a wide variety of songs, ranging from Western to Native Folk to Classical, all under one roof.

Three Daughters (1961)

Ray produced a documentary about Tagore, as well as this anthology, in the year of his centennial. The titular women are the central character of three Tagore short stories, for which he should have received another Nobel Prize, in my opinion. These stories are often shot in rural Bengal with wide-angle cameras, and the beauty of it is enhanced through the lens. Ray’s films would eventually have stronger supporting characters and an awesome cast, but this one should be remembered for having so many solid and popular non-lead characters.

Lust Stories (2018)

In its unsettling silence, Zoya Akhtar’s piece on social status and sex was terrifyingly beautiful… Karan Johar‘s piece managed to make a clear statement about a commonly held societal expectation of “happiness in marriage” while still being hilarious. I’m torn between admiring Manisha Koirala’s character for her ability to regulate her desires and being annoyed by the fact that she’s surrounded by men who can’t or won’t listen to what every expression on her face is screaming to say. As for Anurag Kashyap’s contribution.Radhika Apte’s vacillation between what she wants, how she feels about it, and how she thinks she should feel about it is exquisite in its madness. The bravado she attempts to project and the shame and uncertainty she tries to contend with as she tries to do what she feels she wants is something that almost any woman can possibly relate to.

Katha Sangama (2019)

This film is set in a coastal region and depicts Vini’s (Raj B Shetty) reckless lifestyle, which is not appreciated by his mother, played by Amrutha Nick. She’s on the lookout for a breakup. If offered a second chance, the director has carefully stitched together how he can handle the situation. This is the longest novel, and it takes us on a journey through the minds of two people, Jacob (Pramod Shetty) and Paramesh Rangaswamy (Balaji Manohar), who share a room but have opposing ideologies. Two excellent actors portray how the two debate life from various viewpoints in a conversational manner.

Kerala Cafe (2009)

One of the most underappreciated films in Malayalam cinema. The entire cast delivers outstanding performances. The plot, background score, cinematography, and, most importantly, brilliant direction from exceptional directors make this a fantastic film.

Unpaused (2020)

It’s a lovely mash-up of different socially important subjects. There are only a few Malayalam films that have taken this approach to expand on ideas through a sequence of stories. All of these things are related, but not in the way you would think. It’s up to the audience to see the correlation and make sense of it.

Chandamama Kathalu (2014)

The drama was strong, and the cast did a great job supporting it. There are two songs that stand out. The climax, on the other hand, did not appeal to me. The discovery scene in which he receives the money from the dead beggar completely transforms the film. It’s fine that he based his stories on true events. But doesn’t him receiving the money imply that he has been pursuing the beggar? Sarathi (the writer) is seen looking at a police officer who is searching the beggar’s bags for money.