MKVCinemacom A–Z: Bollywood Movies of 2021 2021 was a pivotal year for Bollywood — a bridge between pandemic disruptions and a cautious return to theatrical releases. Filmmakers experimented with hybrid releases, streaming platforms flourished, and a mix of small-budget gems and big-star pictures shaped the year. Below is an A–Z guide to notable Bollywood releases from 2021, organized alphabetically with short summaries, notable cast, release format, and why each film mattered. A — Atrangi Re
Cast: Sara Ali Khan, Akshay Kumar, Dhanush Release: Theatrical (India) and international; later on streaming Why it mattered: Director Anand L. Rai’s emotionally audacious drama combined romance, fantasy, and mental-health themes, anchored by Dhanush’s memorable performance and A.R. Rahman’s music.
B — Bell Bottom
Cast: Akshay Kumar, Vaani Kapoor, Huma Qureshi Release: Theatrical Why it mattered: A 1980s-set spy thriller inspired by real hijacking events; one of the early big-ticket theatrical attempts amid COVID-19. mkvcinemacom a to z bollywood movies 2021
C — Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui
Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Vaani Kapoor Release: Theatrical; later streaming Why it mattered: Tackled transgender identity and romantic acceptance with a mainstream star in the lead, sparking conversations about representation.
D — Dhamaka
Cast: Kartik Aaryan Release: Netflix (direct-to-digital) Why it mattered: A taut thriller about a crisis broadcaster, it marked the continued shift of mid-tier star projects to streaming.
E — Ekkis
Cast/Note: (Smaller film; indie) Release: Festival/streaming Why it mattered: Represented the indie spirit of 2021 — smaller productions gaining traction through digital platforms. MKVCinemacom A–Z: Bollywood Movies of 2021 2021 was
F — Fakir of Venice (re-release/retrospective interest)
Note: Though an earlier film, 2021 saw renewed interest in festival/streaming retrospectives showcasing niche cinema.