The best Bollywood movies are those that evoke emotions that go beyond a star rating. It’s the sigh of frustration when things are not going their way. Or the tear that escapes your eye when you see the protagonist finally overcome conflict.

Here are the five best Bollywood movies on Disney+ Hotstar that came out in five different years, each exploring the rich emotion that is Bollywood.

Waiting (2015)

Among all the intense hospital dramas out there, Waiting presents a sense of pause and hope. It’s uplifting and also debilitating all at once. As an indie Bollywood movie that delicately explores grief and desolation, it ticks all the boxes to be considered one of the best Bollywood movies on Disney+ Hotstar.

The story is about Professor Shiv (Naseeruddin Shah) and Tara (Kalki Koechlin), two individuals from very different walks of life who find common ground in a hospital waiting lounge. Shiv is there because of his comatose wife, Pankaja (Suhasini). Tara’s husband Rajat (Arjun Mathur) is on a ventilator after a car accident.

When Tara feels lonely, Shiv becomes her rock. When Shiv starts losing hope, Tara reminds him to find ways to cheer up so that he can keep going. Their unusual bond seems to work, not just for them as they grieve, but also for the viewers who see two helpless strangers going above and beyond for each other, even when their loved ones take a step back.

M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story (2016)

Cricket films based on real-world players have the heavy responsibility of maintaining the player’s legacy and representing their journey while also building a narrative that appeals to an audience looking for some conflict, drama, action, or romance.

gets it right with its clever usage of footage from pivotal cricket matches, such as the World Cup of 2011, which seamlessly coexists with the enthralling direction by Neeraj Pandey and the heart-wrenching performance of as M.S. Dhoni.

The movie is not just about the struggle of Dhoni, the cricketer. It’s about Dhoni, the person, and how his family, friends, and coach played a part in molding his character and helping him through life.

The love stories in this film with Sakshi (Kiara Advani) and Priyanka (Disha Patani) make it a fulfilling watch for romance lovers. The nuanced character growth and ability to overcome conflict are motivating, while the cricket aspect activates mass appeal, thus making it an all-rounder of Bollywood movie available on Disney+ Hotstar.

Irada (2017)

This movie rests on strong social messaging related to the ecological issues in our country. Based on a true story, this Bollywood movie on Disney+ Hotstar has an ensemble of veteran actors who never disappoint.

Naseeruddin Shah portrays the role of Parabjeet Walia, a former Army officer whose daughter falls ill under mysterious circumstances, and Maya (Sagarika Ghatge) is a reporter who is determined to uncover the people behind groundwater poisoning in the region after her boyfriend gets abducted. There’s also a mystery bomb blast in this film that may as well be one of Arshad Warsi’s (as NIA Officer Arjun Mishra) best performances.

The movie will educate you, move you, and also give you a reality check about power imbalances in bureaucratic circles. Handling a topic like eco-terrorism while also maintaining the intensity of a fast-paced thriller is tough, but Irada does the job well.

Angrezi Medium (2020)

Sending their child to study outside of India is the desi dream for many Indians. This movie explores the journey of one such family, with a resolute Champak (Irrfan Khan) determined to send his daughter Tarika (Radhika Madan) to London, no matter what.

This movie is a standalone sequel to Hindi Medium (2017), in which Raj () and Meeta (Saba Qamar) vowed to send their child to a prestigious English-medium school so that she can get a better education than they did.

Both these movies accurately portray the inherent fear and “no stone left unturned” attitude parents have towards their children’s education.

In , the goofy and supportive Champak is a character you will root for throughout, even when the plot seems to get away for a little bit. There’s deportation, cops, shady bags of cash, and so much more, and through it all, the emotions of “he’s just a dad trying to do the best for his daughter” will keep you engaged.

Kaun Pravin Tambe (2022)

If Shreyas Talpade’s character in Iqbal (2005) gave you dollops of motivation, Shreyas Talpade as Pravin Tambe, a real-life bowler who debuted at the sunset age (in terms of cricket) of 41 in the 2013 edition of the Indian Premier League will give you a truckful of determination.

could have fallen into the trap of over-sensationalising Pravin Tambe’s journey, which is nothing short of a miracle in itself. Still, it manages to convey the aching nature of consistent rejection without fatiguing the viewer. Talpade’s outstanding performance on screen mirrors that of Tambe on the field, and both, in their own way, show us the value of persistence that goes beyond one’s age.