5 film gems to look out for in 2023

The year 2022 saw some amazing films coming from all over India, with films like 'Last Film Show' and 'RRR' reaching Oscars as shortlists to acclaimed films like 'Jalsa', 'Darlings' and 'Monica O My Darling' winning our hearts with intelligent storytelling and some impeccable acting carrying the story forward. Here is our pick for 2023: 

Sanaa is a social drama that follows a headstrong and ambitious girl who is raging an internal battle that is rooted in unhealed trauma. The film has Radhika Madan in the lead along with Pooja Bhatt, Sohum Shah and Shikha Talsania in pivotal roles. Sanaa had its world premiere at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival which is one of the biggest film festivals in Northern Europe. It was the only Indian film competing for The Grand Prix For Best Film in 2022 at the Festival. The film is directed by National Award Winning filmmaker Sudhanshu Saria. 
 

The Rapist is a hard-hitting social drama. The story revolves around a rape victim who gets pregnant and is fighting social prejudices. This heart-wrenching film premiered at the 26th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) and won the Kim Jiseok Award. The film is an emotional portrayal of human pain and a depiction of societal and cultural elements of terrible incidents of sexual assaults in India. Directed by Aparna Sen, the film stars Konkona Sen Sharma, Arjun Rampal and Tanmay Dhanania.
 

Anurag Kashyap and Amit Trivedi's latest Almost Pyaar With DJ Mohabbat is a romantic musical rooted in two different worlds. The movie stars Alaya F, and debutant Karan Mehta. The film was recently presented at Marrakech’s Jemaa El Fna Square. The film is touted to be Anurag Kashyap’s ode to modern love.

Akelli stars Nushrat Bharucha in the lead. Akelli is a story about a middle-class girl named Jyoti. The story revolves around how she manages to deal with her financial issues and how she tackles the obstacles in her daily life. The film is directed by Pranay Meshram who was an assistant director on 2013 film Queen.
 

Dive into the intriguing world of Guns & Gulaabs a black comedy thriller streaming on Netflix. Crafted by Raj & DK, this series stars Rajkummar Rao, Dulquer Salmaan, Gulshan Devaiah, Adarsh Gourav, and Rajatava Dutta. Set in the 90s, it blends nostalgia and crime with a dash of Guns N' Roses music. Premiered on August 18, 2023, this roller-coaster ride follows a mechanic, a chaotic officer, and a reluctant cartel heir as they navigate love, crime, and identity crises in a quiet town. With rival gangs, a mafia lord, and unexpected alliances, 'Guns & Gulaabs' is a must-watch that promises action, drama, and suspense.