In the first half of 2026, Hindi cinema presented a mixed bag of films, with some box-office successes and critically acclaimed works, alongside a few duds that left audiences scratching their heads. The industry's notoriously high failure rate, with 90% of films not recouping their budgets, means that there are more misses than hits. Among these misses, some films are so perplexing that they make you question how they were even greenlit. Here's a ranking of the five films that most baffled and intrigued me this year, each for its own unique reasons.
Hai Jawani To Ishq Hona Hai: This film, directed by David Dhawan, is a nostalgic trip down memory lane, attempting to bring back the 90s with Varun Dhawan in the lead. However, it falls flat due to its dated humor, overused tropes, and an incohesive script. The result is a confusing blend of comedy, farce, and tragedy that even Kafka might struggle to make sense of. It's a shame, as the 90s were a golden era for Hindi cinema, and this film fails to capture the essence of that time.
The Kerala Story 2: This sequel is a prime example of how not to make a film. It takes an agenda and turns it into rhetoric, devoid of logic and finesse. The film's biggest flaw is its attempt to legitimize conspiracy theories and present them as facts, which is deeply troubling. It's a shame, as the original 'The Kerala Story' had some potential, but this sequel is a step too far, leaving audiences questioning its credibility.
** Ginny Wedss Sunny 2**: A mix of stereotypes, tired tropes, tone-deaf comedy, and chemistry-less romance, this film is a recipe for disaster. Even the talented Avinash Tiwary and Medha Shankr couldn't save it from its regressive humor and lack of character development. It's a yawnfest that leaves audiences wondering what could have been.
Rahu Ketu: This film, starring Varun Sharma and Pulkit Samrat, is a two-hour-long prank video that fails to live up to the success of 'Fukrey'. It has some fun moments and a scenic backdrop, but it relies too heavily on a template, lacking originality and heart. When a comedy makes you cringe more than laugh, it's time to walk out of the theater.
Aakhri Sawal: This film, based on a hagiography, is a tired mix of cliches, over-the-top lines, and questionable acting performances. The melodrama transforms the dialogue into a loud performance act, lacking subtlety. It's a shame, as the film could have been a fine piece of cinema, but it ends up being a mess.
These films are a testament to the fact that not all ideas are created equal, and sometimes, even with talented individuals involved, the result can be a perplexing and disappointing cinematic experience. It's a reminder that the film industry is a risky business, and sometimes, the line between a good idea and a greenlit disaster is thin.
