2013 gave us some of the most entertaining and meaningful films in Bollywood. From intense thrillers to laugh-out-loud comedies and heart-touching dramas, here are the top 10 Bollywood movies of 2013 you must watch!
Top 10 Best Bollywood Movies of 2013
- Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
- Chennai Express
- Kai Po Che!
- The Lunchbox
- Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
- Madras Cafe
- Special 26
- Ram-Leela
- Raanjhanaa
- Shahid
Detailed Reviews – Top Bollywood Movies 2013
1. Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
- Release Date: 12-07-2013
- Genre: Biographical, Sports
- Director: Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra
- Lead Cast: Farhan Akhtar, Sonam Kapoor
- IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
- Box Office Collection: ₹164 crore (worldwide)
- Verdict: Super Hit
- Watch Now on OTT: Disney+ Hotstar
Review of Bhaag Milkha Bhaag 2013:
This movie gave me goosebumps. Farhan Akhtar nailed the role of Milkha Singh with his physical transformation and emotions. A powerful and inspiring story.
Behind‑the‑Scenes Insights:
Farhan trained for over a year like a real athlete. The story was based on Milkha Singh’s autobiography, “The Race of My Life”.
2. Chennai Express
- Release Date: 09-08-2013
- Genre: Action, Comedy
- Director: Rohit Shetty
- Lead Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone
- IMDb Rating: 6.0/10
- Box Office Collection: ₹423 crore (worldwide)
- Verdict: Blockbuster
- Watch Now on OTT: Netflix
Review of Chennai Express 2013:
This was a full-on entertainer. I laughed, enjoyed the action, and loved the chemistry between SRK and Deepika. A great mix of North and South Indian flavour!
Behind‑the‑Scenes Insights:
Deepika’s Tamil accent became very popular. The film had colourful sets and signature Rohit Shetty stunts.
3. Kai Po Che!
- Release Date: 22-02-2013
- Genre: Drama
- Director: Abhishek Kapoor
- Lead Cast: Sushant Singh Rajput, Rajkummar Rao, Amit Sadh
- IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
- Box Office Collection: ₹83 crore (worldwide)
- Verdict: Hit
- Watch Now on OTT: Netflix
Review of Kai Po Che! 2013:
Sushant Singh Rajput’s debut was emotional and real. The friendship and Gujarat riots backdrop made this film unforgettable.
Behind‑the‑Scenes Insights:
Based on Chetan Bhagat’s novel “The 3 Mistakes of My Life”. It was shot in real streets of Ahmedabad.
4. The Lunchbox
- Release Date: 20-09-2013
- Genre: Romance, Drama
- Director: Ritesh Batra
- Lead Cast: Irrfan Khan, Nimrat Kaur
- IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
- Box Office Collection: ₹100 crore (worldwide)
- Verdict: International Hit
- Watch Now on OTT: Netflix
Review of The Lunchbox 2013:
Such a simple yet heartwarming story. It’s about two strangers connecting through letters in a tiffin box. I felt every emotion.
Behind‑the‑Scenes Insights:
The movie got a standing ovation at Cannes. It was India’s entry for the Oscars.
5. Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
- Release Date: 31-05-2013
- Genre: Romance, Drama
- Director: Ayan Mukerji
- Lead Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Deepika Padukone
- IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
- Box Office Collection: ₹319 crore (worldwide)
- Verdict: Blockbuster
- Watch Now on OTT: Amazon Prime Video
Review of YJHD 2013:
It’s one of those movies you can watch again and again. Ranbir and Deepika’s chemistry, the songs, and travel vibes made it special.
Behind‑the‑Scenes Insights:
Filmed in Manali, Kashmir, and Paris. The soundtrack was a big hit that year.
6. Madras Cafe
- Release Date: 23-08-2013
- Genre: Political Thriller
- Director: Shoojit Sircar
- Lead Cast: John Abraham, Nargis Fakhri
- IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
- Box Office Collection: ₹66 crore (worldwide)
- Verdict: Hit
- Watch Now on OTT: Netflix
Review of Madras Cafe 2013:
A gripping film based on real events around Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination. It was serious, sharp, and very different from typical Bollywood.
Behind‑the‑Scenes Insights:
John trained like an army officer. It faced political controversies but was praised for realism.
7. Special 26
- Release Date: 08-02-2013
- Genre: Crime, Thriller
- Director: Neeraj Pandey
- Lead Cast: Akshay Kumar, Anupam Kher
- IMDb Rating: 8.0/10
- Box Office Collection: ₹103 crore (worldwide)
- Verdict: Hit
- Watch Now on OTT: Netflix
Review of Special 26 2013:
This con thriller was clever and full of twists. Akshay Kumar in a serious role was refreshing to watch.
Behind‑the‑Scenes Insights:
Based on real 1980s CBI impersonation heists. The film was mostly shot in Delhi and Mumbai.
8. Ram-Leela
- Release Date: 15-11-2013
- Genre: Romance, Drama
- Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
- Lead Cast: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone
- IMDb Rating: 6.4/10
- Box Office Collection: ₹202 crore (worldwide)
- Verdict: Hit
- Watch Now on OTT: JioCinema
Review of Ram-Leela 2013:
A stunning visual experience with deep emotions and powerful acting. It’s a modern take on Romeo & Juliet with Bhansali’s signature style.
Behind‑the‑Scenes Insights:
The sets, costumes, and songs became trendsetters. Ranveer and Deepika’s chemistry lit up the screen.
9. Raanjhanaa
- Release Date: 21-06-2013
- Genre: Romance, Drama
- Director: Aanand L. Rai
- Lead Cast: Dhanush, Sonam Kapoor
- IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
- Box Office Collection: ₹94 crore (India)
- Verdict: Hit
- Watch Now on OTT: Zee5
Review of Raanjhanaa 2013:
Dhanush’s Bollywood debut left a strong mark. His raw emotion and the tragic love story hit hard. The music by A.R. Rahman is unforgettable.
Behind‑the‑Scenes Insights:
Shot in Banaras. Dhanush learned Hindi just for this role and gave a powerful performance.
10. Shahid
- Release Date: 18-10-2013
- Genre: Biographical, Legal Drama
- Director: Hansal Mehta
- Lead Cast: Rajkummar Rao
- IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
- Box Office Collection: ₹3.5 crore (limited release)
- Verdict: Critically Acclaimed
- Watch Now on OTT: YouTube Movies
Review of Shahid 2013:
Rajkummar Rao was brilliant as a human rights lawyer who was assassinated. It’s emotional, real, and eye-opening.
Behind‑the‑Scenes Insights:
Based on the life of lawyer Shahid Azmi. The film won National Awards for Best Actor and Best Director.
Conclusion
2013 was a balanced year for Bollywood, giving us both meaningful cinema and blockbuster hits. From Bhaag Milkha Bhaag‘s energy to The Lunchbox‘s simplicity, every movie in this list left an impact. If you love Bollywood, these 10 gems are a must-watch even today!
FAQs – Top 10 Bollywood Movies of 2013
Q1. What is the best Bollywood movie of 2013?
A. Bhaag Milkha Bhaag and The Lunchbox are widely loved for their story and performances.
Q2. Which movie was the biggest hit in 2013?
A. Chennai Express was the highest-grossing Bollywood film of 2013.
Q3. Which 2013 film had the best acting?
A. Farhan Akhtar in Bhaag Milkha Bhaag and Rajkummar Rao in Shahid delivered powerful performances.
Q4. Which 2013 movie won National Awards?
A. Shahid won for Best Actor and Best Director.
Q5. Is The Lunchbox based on a true story?
A. No, but it’s inspired by Mumbai’s dabbawala system.
Q6. Which 2013 Bollywood movie is best for romance lovers?
A. Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani and Raanjhanaa are top picks for romance fans.
Q7. Did any debut actors shine in 2013?
A. Yes, Dhanush in Raanjhanaa and Sushant Singh Rajput in Kai Po Che! impressed everyone.
Q8. Are these 2013 movies available online?
A. Most are on Netflix, Prime Video, Hotstar, or Zee5.
Q9. Which movie had the best soundtrack in 2013?
A. Aashiqui 2 was hugely popular but from this list, Ram-Leela and Raanjhanaa stood out.
Q10. Which film showed social or political issues?
A. Madras Cafe and Shahid tackled serious real-life topics.