2021 may have been a challenging year for cinema, but Bollywood proved its resilience with stories that entertained, inspired, and left a lasting impression. From big-screen spectacles to heartwarming OTT releases, Hindi films in 2021 delivered a mix of drama, romance, action, and thought provoking narratives.
In this article, we take a look at the Top 10 Bollywood Movies of 2021 that captured audience attention, earned critical acclaim, and became the talking points of the year. Whether you’re a fan of high-energy entertainers or intense performances, this list covers the very best that Hindi cinema had to offer in 2021.
Top 10 Indian Films
- Shershaah
- Sooryavanshi
- Mimi
- Sardar Udham
- Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar
- Atrangi Re
- Ramprasad Ki Tehrvi
- Bell Bottom
- Dhamaka
- Haseen Dillruba
Reviews of Top 10 Movies of 2021
1. Shershaah
| Shershaah (2021) | Details |
|---|---|
| Genre | Biographical War Drama |
| Director | Vishnuvardhan |
| Cast | Sidharth Malhotra, Kiara Advani, Shiv Panditt, Pranay Pachauri, Nikitin Dheer |
| Release Date | 12 August 2021 (Amazon Prime Video) |
| Budget | ₹45–55 crore (estimated) |
| Box Office | Not applicable (OTT release) |
| OTT Platform | Amazon Prime Video |
| Overall Rating | 8.3/10 (IMDb) |
| Verdict | Hit |
Shershaah is a heartfelt tribute to Captain Vikram Batra, the Kargil War hero who made the ultimate sacrifice for India. Sidharth Malhotra delivers a powerful performance as Batra, showcasing his courage and dedication. The film also highlights his love story with Dimple Cheema, portrayed by Kiara Advani. Released directly on Amazon Prime Video, it became the most-watched Indian film on the platform, resonating deeply with audiences. With its gripping narrative and emotional depth, Shershaah stands as a testament to the bravery and spirit of Indian soldiers.
2. Sooryavanshi
| Sooryavanshi (2021) | Details |
|---|---|
| Genre | Action, Thriller, Drama |
| Director | Rohit Shetty |
| Cast | Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Ajay Devgn, Ranveer Singh, Jackie Shroff, Gulshan Grover |
| Release Date | 5 November 2021 |
| Budget | ₹150 crore (estimated) |
| Box Office | ₹294.91 crore worldwide |
| OTT Platform | Netflix |
| Overall Rating | 5.8/10 (IMDb) |
| Verdict | Hit |
Sooryavanshi is a full-on action entertainer directed by Rohit Shetty. Akshay Kumar plays the brave cop trying to stop terrorists, with Katrina Kaif as the leading lady. The film also brings in Ajay Devgn and Ranveer Singh in special appearances from the cop universe. It’s full of high-octane stunts, drama, and big Bollywood masala moments. Even if the story is simple, the energy and action make it worth a watch, especially if you love commercial Bollywood thrillers.
3. Mimi
| Mimi (2021) | Details |
|---|---|
| Genre | Comedy, Drama |
| Director | Laxman Utekar |
| Cast | Kriti Sanon, Pankaj Tripathi, Sai Tamhankar |
| Release Date | 26 July 2021 |
| Budget | ₹30 crore |
| Box Office | Not released in theatres |
| OTT Platform | JioCinema, Netflix |
| Overall Rating | 7.8/10 |
| Verdict | Hit |
Mimi is a touching comedy-drama about a young girl from a small town who agrees to be a surrogate mother for a foreign couple. What begins as a financial decision turns into a journey of emotions and life lessons. Kriti Sanon gives an outstanding performance, while Pankaj Tripathi adds humour and charm. The film balances laughs and heartfelt moments beautifully, making it an enjoyable watch for everyone.
4. Sardar Udham
| Sardar Udham (2021) | Details |
|---|---|
| Genre | Biographical, Historical Drama |
| Director | Shoojit Sircar |
| Cast | Vicky Kaushal, Shaun Scott, Banita Sandhu |
| Release Date | 16 October 2021 |
| Budget | ₹35 crore |
| Box Office | ₹40.9 crore worldwide |
| OTT Platform | Amazon Prime Video |
| Overall Rating | 8.8/10 (IMDb) |
| Verdict | Flop |
Sardar Udham is a powerful story about Udham Singh, a brave man who took revenge for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Vicky Kaushal gives an amazing performance as Udham, showing his courage and determination. The movie is serious and emotional, showing the struggles and sacrifice of Udham Singh. Even though it was loved by critics, it didn’t do very well at the box office. It is worth watching for its story and acting.
5. Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar
| Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar (2021) | Details |
|---|---|
| Genre | Black Comedy, Drama |
| Director | Dibakar Banerjee |
| Cast | Arjun Kapoor, Parineeti Chopra |
| Release Date | 19 March 2021 |
| Budget | ₹30 crore |
| Box Office | ₹0.35 crore (approx.) |
| OTT Platform | Amazon Prime Video |
| Overall Rating | 6.3/10 (IMDb) |
| Verdict | Flop |
Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar is a dark comedy-drama that follows the story of Sandeep, a bank executive, and Pinky, a suspended cop, who find themselves on the run after being marked for elimination. The film explores themes of identity, class, and power dynamics in contemporary India. Directed by Dibakar Banerjee, the movie received praise for its performances and storytelling but struggled at the box office, earning approximately ₹0.35 crore. Despite its limited theatrical success, the film found a wider audience upon its release on Amazon Prime Video.
6. Atrangi Re
| Atrangi Re (2021) | Details |
|---|---|
| Genre | Romantic fantasy, comedy, drama |
| Director | Aanand L. Rai |
| Cast | Dhanush, Sara Ali Khan, Akshay Kumar |
| Release Date | 24 December 2021 |
| Budget | ₹45 crore |
| Box Office | N/A (direct OTT) |
| OTT Platform | Disney+ Hotstar |
| Overall Rating | 6.8/10 (IMDb) |
| Verdict | Hit |
Atrangi Re is a desi-style love story with some fantasy touch. Dhanush and Sara act nicely, Akshay gives a cool surprise, and A.R. Rahman’s music feels sweet. It’s an easy, emotional watch for family time.
7. Ramprasad Ki Tehrvi
| Ramprasad Ki Tehrvi (2021) | Details |
|---|---|
| Genre | Family drama |
| Director | Seema Pahwa |
| Cast | Supriya Pathak, Naseeruddin Shah, Konkona Sen Sharma, Vikrant Massey |
| Release Date | 1 January 2021 |
| Budget | ₹10 crore |
| Box Office | ₹1.87 crore (worldwide) |
| OTT Platform | Netflix |
| Overall Rating | 7.4/10 (IMDb) |
| Verdict | Flop |
This film shows a big family coming together after Bauji’s death and all the small fights and emotions that come out. It feels real, simple, and relatable, with strong acting from everyone. Perfect if someone likes calm, slice‑of‑life stories about Indian families.
8. Bell Bottom
| Bell Bottom (2021) | Details |
|---|---|
| Genre | Action, thriller |
| Director | Ranjit M. Tewari |
| Cast | Akshay Kumar, Vaani Kapoor, Lara Dutta, Huma Qureshi |
| Release Date | 19 August 2021 |
| Budget | ₹150 crore |
| Box Office | ₹50.58 crore (worldwide) |
| OTT Platform | Amazon Prime Video |
| Overall Rating | 6.1/10 (IMDb) |
| Verdict | Flop |
A proper spy thriller set in the 80s—Akshay Kumar leads a slick rescue mission vibe. Good style and pace, but box office didn’t click much due to timing and mixed talk. Still a decent one-time watch for action lovers.
9. Dhamaka
| Dhamaka (2021) | Details |
|---|---|
| Genre | Thriller, crime, drama |
| Director | Ram Madhvani |
| Cast | Kartik Aaryan, Mrunal Thakur, Amruta Subhash |
| Release Date | 19 November 2021 |
| Budget | ₹35 crore |
| Box Office | N/A (direct OTT) |
| OTT Platform | Netflix |
| Overall Rating | 6.7/10 (IMDb) |
| Verdict | Average |
A tense newsroom drama where one phone call turns everything upside down. Kartik Aaryan is solid, the story is tight, and it’s a good one-sitting watch.
10. Haseen Dillruba
| Haseen Dillruba (2021) | Details |
|---|---|
| Genre | Romantic thriller, crime, drama |
| Director | Vinil Mathew |
| Cast | Taapsee Pannu, Vikrant Massey, Harshvardhan Rane |
| Release Date | 2 July 2021 |
| Budget | ₹15 crore |
| Box Office | N/A (direct OTT) |
| OTT Platform | Netflix |
| Overall Rating | 6.9/10 (IMDb) |
| Verdict | Hit |
This is a love and murder story with full drama. Taapsee and Vikrant act very well, and the twists keep the interest till the end. Time pass and engaging watch for one evening.
FAQs – Top 10 Hindi Movies of 2021
A. Sooryavanshi, starring Akshay Kumar, was the highest-grossing Bollywood movie of 2021 with ₹293 crore worldwide.
A. Sardar Udham, with an IMDb rating of 8.8/10, is the highest-rated Bollywood movie of 2021.
A. Yes, all movies listed are available on OTT platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ Hotstar.
A. Mimi is a great family watch with its mix of comedy, drama, and heartwarming moments.
A. Shershaah’s patriotic story, stellar performances by Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani, and emotional depth make it unmissable.
A. Sooryavanshi is perfect for action lovers with its high-octane stunts and Rohit Shetty’s signature style.
A. Yes, Sardar Udham is a biographical drama based on the life of revolutionary Udham Singh.
A. Dhamaka, with its gripping plot and Kartik Aaryan’s intense acting, is a top pick for thriller fans.
A. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, movies like Mimi, Sardar Udham, and Atrangi Re opted for OTT releases for wider reach.
A. Atrangi Re, with A.R. Rahman’s soulful tracks like “Chaka Chak” and “Rait Zara Si,” has a chart-topping soundtrack.
Also see:
Bollywood Box office collections