Over the years, many Bollywood films have taken inspiration from literature, delivering thrilling adaptations of books. Be it classic novels or modern works, here is a list of some Hindi movies based on books available to watch on Netflix. These films take up stories from different genres and explore beautiful narratives with quite interesting interpretations of their source material.
7 Hindi book-based movies on Netflix that deserve a place on your watchlist
1. Kai Po Che
– Cast: Sushant Singh Rajput, Rajkummar Rao, Amit Sadh
– IMDB Rating: 7.8/10
– Release Year: 2013
– Genre: Drama, Sports
Based on Chetan Bhagat’s novel The 3 Mistakes of My Life, Kai Po Che follows the lives of three friends, Ishaan, Omi and Govind, who plan to start a sports academy in Ahmedabad. The story depicts their friendship against the backdrop of events such as the Gujarat earthquake and the 2002 riots.
The film is true to Bhagat’s book, although some events have been dramatised for cinematic effect. Sushant Singh Rajput is brilliant as Ishaan, while Rajkummar and Amit have given commendable performances. If you liked Bhagat’s work, this adaptation will not disappoint you as it is largely faithful to the core of the story.
2. 7 Khoon Maaf
– Cast: Priyanka Chopra, Naseeruddin Shah, John Abraham
– IMDB Rating: 6.3/10
– Release Year: 2011
– Genre: Thriller, Comedy
Based on Ruskin Bond’s short story Susanna’s Seven Husbands, 7 Khoon Maaf follows the mysterious and dark life of a woman who marries seven times, and each of her husbands dies an untimely death. The film depicts Susanna’s psychological state and her search for love.
The film takes liberties with the source material, expanding Bond’s short story to create a darker narrative. The most horrifying scene is when Susanna discovers the true nature of her first husband, which leads her to take this extreme step. Watch this film for one of Priyanka Chopra’s finest performances.
3. Haider
– Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Tabu, Kay Kay Menon
– IMDB Rating: 8/10
– Release Year: 2014
– Genre: Crime, Thriller
An adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Haider is set against the backdrop of the Kashmir insurgency in the 1990s. The film follows the story of a young man named Haider, who returns to Kashmir to find his missing father and also unearth dark secrets about his family. Vishal Bhardwaj’s adaptation of Hamlet is widely regarded as one of the best literary adaptations in Bollywood.
Shahid Kapoor gives the best performance of his career as Haider, while Tabu and Kay Kay Menon give equally strong performances. This is the author’s personal recommendation.
4. Gangubai Kathiawadi
– Cast: Alia Bhatt, Shantanu Maheshwari, Vijay Raaz
– IMDB Rating: 7.8/10
– Release year: 2022
– Genre: Crime, Biopic
Based on Hussain Zaidi’s book Mafia Queens of Mumbai, Gangubai Kathiawadi is the story of a young girl who is sold into prostitution, who rises to power in Mumbai’s red light area Kamathipura. The film traces her journey from being a victim to becoming a powerful figure fighting for women’s rights.
The magnificence of director Sanjay Leela Bhansali is evident in every frame, with Alia Bhatt giving the best performance of her career.
5. 12th fail
– Artist: Vikrant Massey
– IMDB Rating: 8.9/10
– Release year: 2023
– Genre: Drama, Inspirational
Based on Anurag Pathak’s book 12th Fail, the film follows the journey of Manoj Kumar Sharma, a man from a simple background who strives to clear the UPSC exam. The story revolves around the challenges he faces, his failures and his eventual success. Vikrant Massey has done a brilliant job playing Manoj and the film too is largely faithful to the source material.
6. Bareilly Ki Barfi
– Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Kriti Sanon, Rajkummar Rao
– IMDB Rating: 7.5/10
– Release Year: 2017
– Genre: Romantic Comedy
Based on the French novel The Ingredients of Love, Bareilly Ki Barfi is set in a small town in India where Bitti, an independent-minded young woman, embarks on a journey to find the author of a book she connects with. What follows is a fascinating love triangle. The film takes the essence of the book but localises it to fit the Indian context. The acting and humour make it an enjoyable film.
7. The Girl on the Train
– Cast: Parineeti Chopra, Aditi Rao Hydari, Kirti Kulhari
– IMDB Rating: 6.5/10
– Release Year: 2021
– Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Based on Paula Hawkins’ bestselling novel The Girl on the Train, this Bollywood adaptation follows an alcoholic named Meera who becomes obsessed with a couple she sees during her daily commute. Her life takes a dark turn when she becomes embroiled in a murder mystery. While it’s not the strongest adaptation, the film provides an interesting take on Hawkins’ thriller.
Fans of the book may find the Indian twist in the story interesting, but it falls short of the suspenseful story of the original book. Still, this book is a recommended read.
From thrilling mysteries to inspirational dramas, there’s something for every kind of literary enthusiast on Netflix. Which of these movies do you like the most? Let us know @pinkvilla
Also read: 7 Hindi movies worth watching on Netflix that were way ahead of their time
