Top 10 Most Underrated Hindi Movies from the 80s In 2025

The 1980s in Indian cinema was a varied decade with poignant and relevant social issues-based storylines centered around high-quality works that succumbed to the mainstream callings. With a growing interest in subtler cinema highlighted by nuanced storytelling, we can understand where some underrated films fit into another age. Here is a short list of ten underrated films that readers should check out before too long:
1. Ardh Satya (1983)
Govind Nihalani’s hard-hitting drama astutely examines the psyche, and choices of an honest police officer (played by Om Puri), who struggles with what corrupt system he is part of as well as the moral burdens it places on the individual.
2. Kalyug (1981)
A modern version of the Mahabharata filmed by Shyam Benegal that forgets kingdoms, and instead tells stories of corporate rivalry. Kalyug starred Shashi Kapoor and Rekha in what was a metaphor for ancient and unyielding rivalries.
3. Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983)
Kundan Shah’s movie is now a cult classic. The satire has a multi-layered plot and satirical absurdity to poke fun at the political and social corruption in India. The reminiscences of the film through a few iconic scenes and absurd humor remain humorous many decades after their first viewing!
4. Sparsh (1980)
If any film created a feeling of constraint and cavity, it was a Sparsh in the understated love story of a blind man, played by Naseeruddin Shah, who experienced personal feelings and expressions of the world of disability and allowed for a feeling of awareness and sensitivity.
5. Chashme Buddoor (1981)
This simple and light-hearted comedy by Sai Paranjpye supports not only friendship, college life, and young romance, but also has a sense of natural humor. Chashme Buddoor will forever remain popular.
6. Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyun Aata Hai (1980)
An intense social drama anchored by Naseeruddin Shah, Albert Pinto… begins with a factory worker’s disillusionment with his working-class status and a system that is based on benefitting the more powerful. In some of his films, Shah looks as though he is beaten down; in this film, we can see that he retains a bio-political edge even when appearing beaten down.
7. Aakrosh (1980)
Govind Nihalani’s riveting film is grounded in works by renowned Marathi playwright Vijay Tendulkar. It confronts all but the most apathetic with brutal realities of caste-based oppression and existential indifference.
8. Khubsoorat (1980)
In this delightful family drama, with Rekha, as the spirited young woman challenging the confines of her family home and household mentally, Hrishikesh Mukherjee delivers another lovely film. Rekha’s performance is pleasingly memorable.
9. Pushpaka Vimana (1987)
Pushpaka Vimana is a silent/black comedy starring Kamal Haasan. The director has a creative way of portraying a darkly humorous tale through visuals alone before any dialogue. The result is an experience one relates to when initiated appropriately through the language of visuals.
10. Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro (1989)
This poignant film by Saeed Akhtar Mirza conveys a young Muslim man, entangled in criminality and social marginalization, dovetailing class consciousness with issues of identity and means of injustice in a fictive tone.
These films remain timeless and illustrate social commentary with originality and depth in storytelling that resonates today with renewed significance.