India is home to a rich cultural and historical heritage, which has inspired filmmakers to make some excellent documentaries over the years.
These documentaries cover a wide range of subjects, from politics and society to art and culture, and provide a unique insight into India's diverse and complex reality. Here are some of the best Indian documentaries you should watch:
India Untouched: Directed by Stalin K., India Untouched is a documentary that exposes the deep-rooted caste system in India. The documentary showcases how caste-based discrimination is still prevalent in India, and how it affects the lives of millions of people.
Fireflies in the Abyss: Directed by Chandrasekhar Reddy, Fireflies in the Abyss is a documentary that tells the story of a 11-year-old boy named Suraj who works in a coal mine in the Jaintia Hills of Northeast India. The documentary shows the dangerous working conditions in the mines and how it affects the lives of the workers.
The World Before Her: Directed by Nisha Pahuja, The World Before Her is a documentary that explores the lives of two women in India - a beauty pageant contestant and a member of a Hindu fundamentalist group. The documentary provides an insight into the complex realities of modern India, where traditional values coexist with modern aspirations.
Katiyabaaz: Directed by Deepti Kakkar and Fahad Mustafa, Katiyabaaz is a documentary that tells the story of the electricity crisis in Kanpur, India. The documentary showcases how the people of Kanpur have learned to cope with the power cuts and how a local electrician named Loha Singh is fighting to provide electricity to the people.
Gulabi Gang: Directed by Nishtha Jain, Gulabi Gang is a documentary that tells the story of a group of women in rural India who have formed a vigilante group to fight against domestic violence and injustice. The documentary showcases how these women are breaking the traditional gender roles and empowering themselves and their communities.
An Insignificant Man: Directed by Khushboo Ranka and Vinay Shukla, An Insignificant Man is a documentary that follows the journey of the Aam Aadmi Party, a political party in India, from its inception to its first election campaign. The documentary provides an insight into the inner workings of Indian politics and how a grassroots movement can challenge the established political parties.
Supermen of Malegaon: Directed by Faiza Ahmad Khan, Supermen of Malegaon is a documentary that showcases the passion and creativity of a group of filmmakers in the small town of Malegaon, India. The documentary showcases how these filmmakers are making low-budget remakes of Bollywood movies and creating a unique identity for themselves.
