9 Underrated Indian Movies That Celebrate The Youth

"Zindagi jeene ke do hi tarike hote hain... ek jo ho raha hai hone do, bardaasht karte jao... ya phir zimmedari uthao usse badalne ki kyunki Zindagi na milegi dobara, senorita. Who cares ki kal kya hoga, aaj Pooja, kal koi dooja."

This pretty much sums up the young hearts navigating adulthood, relationships, life, ambition, friendships, choices, politics, and identity.

Here's a curated list of movies that best capture the depth behind those glazing, rebellious eyes and throbbing hearts.

Chhichhore

This coming-of-age drama directed by Nitesh Tiwari, starring Sushant Singh Rajput and Shraddha Kapoor alongside others, is an eye-opener and gives us a glimpse into the stress of the rat race that we are all running. The movie will leave you with tears and show you the importance of resilience, friendship, and remind you to "never say die."

If you are on the verge of throwing it all away, just watch this and let it sink in!

Chhalaang

Set in the small town of Haryana, this quirky, amusing movie directed by Hansal Mehta, starring Rajkummar Rao, Nushratt Bharuccha, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, and others, will leave you with a spark of passion. Rao plays the part of a disinterested PT teacher who does the bare minimum but finds himself inspired when his job and love life are threatened.

If you are a sports enthusiast, you really can't miss it!

Wake Up Sid

"It's never too late to pursue your passion."

If there is one movie that echoes these unabashedly, it has to be Wake Up Sid. As the name suggests, this movie, directed by Ayan Mukherji and starring the magical Konkana Sen alongside Ranbir Kapoor, will force you to wake up and see what has been in front of you, always.

If you are feeling lost, in love and life, just go to Netflix, get some popcorn and tissues, and sit back!

Dil Chahta Hai

The two adjectives to define this quintessential youth film are classic and cult. Directed by Farhan Akhtar, portraying three college friends played by Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan, and Akshaye Khanna, the movie resonates with youth across regions as they navigate life, relationships, career, and friendships after stepping into the real world.

Missing your friends? Watch this to miss them more! Get tissues and perspective, in order, for that's what you will be needing and getting.

Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani

One of the highest-grossing Bollywood films of all time, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani ticks all the boxes. Great actors, great songs, great costumes, and the greatest feels (yes, with a z). This coming-of-age drama directed by Ayan Mukherjee, starring Deepika Padukone, Ranbir Kapoor, Aditya Roy Kapoor, and Kalki Koechlin navigate growing up, making choices, and forming relationships - all in all, dealing with adulthood.

As Naina said, “Life mein jitna bhi try karo Bunny, kuch na kuch toh chootega hi…”

So, in this race of life, pause, take a breather and walk!

Rang De Basanti

Breaking all box office records and winning the hearts of critics, Rang De Basanti is a must-watch. Directed by Rakesh Omprakash Mehra, this passionate, patriotic movie isn't just about growing up, life, relationships, and friendship. It's about political, energetic youth ready to rebel and fight for freedom.

Agar tumhara bhi khoon khol raha hai, then go right away and binge this!

Kho Gaye Hum Kahan

Produced by Zoya Akhtar and starring Ananya Pandey, Siddhant Chaturvedi, and Adarsh Gourav, this movie brilliantly captures millennials and GenZ who are navigating life, relationships, ambitions while drowning in social media.

If you need new resolutions, watch this and find yourselves!

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara

Directed by Zoya Akhtar, this cathartic movie will leave you with an awakening that you only live once, no doubts about that. A story about three friends who take a trip to Spain and discover themselves and their evolving relationships by stepping out of their comfort zones and conquering their fears.

Senorita, zindagi na milegi dobara, so stop scrolling and watch it!

12th Fail

Youth isn't just about taking trips to Spain or Manali, chilling in Goa, or being a kranti; it’s sometimes about providing for your family and making them proud. 12th Fail, based on the real-life story of IPS Manoj Kumar Sharma, depicts his journey in doing what lakhs of students in India are trying - clearing UPSC and fulfilling his destiny while finding love along the way.

Whether you are a UPSC aspirant or not, you must still watch the brilliance of Vikrant Massey.