Aavesham: 7 must-watch Indian gangster comedy films

Malayalam superstar Fahadh Faasil returns to the silver screen with his latest release, Aavesham.

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Malayalam superstar Fahadh Faasil returns to the silver screen with his latest release, Aavesham. The Fafa gangster comedy is expected to achieve several box office milestones after garnering universe acclaim. The plot revolves around Malayali college students in Bangalore who seek the help of a local gangster to settle a dispute. If you love gangster or crime comedies such as Jil Jung Juk and Jigarthanda we have curated a list of must-watch Indian films from the genre.

Double Barrel - OTTplay Premium

Lijo Jose Pellissery has earned a reputation for being a polarising filmmaker over the years. Regardless of which side of the fence one may be regarding Pellissery’s filmmaking style, his dedication to his craft, unique style, and willingness to subvert genres is undeniable. His 2015 film, Double Barrel, is arguably one of his most unconventional films in recent decades. Siblings Prithviraj and Indrajith Sukumaran play the lead roles as two thugs who inadvertently ignite a gang war after stumbling onto a pair of diamonds. The film features intentional over-the-top action sequences, dark humour, and unconventional set pieces. Some commentators have even gone on to say that Double Barrel is a misunderstood classic. To find out if you agree with them or not, you need to give this one a watch.

Aadu - Disney+ Hotstar

The 2015 comedy Aadu is another film that did not enjoy a successful box office run. However, it has since become a massive hit on streaming platforms which has elevated it to a cult classic. The plot revolves around Shaji Pappan and his crew and their hilarious misadventures. After winning a local tug-of-war tournament they receive a goat named 'Pinky' as a prize. Their efforts to get rid of the goat inadvertently disrupt a group of smugglers and some individuals who seek a mysterious flower called the 'Neelakodiveli' which supposedly has mystical powers. The film garnered praise for its excellent humour and scintillating action. Directed by Midhun Manuel Thomas, it features an ensemble cast of Jayasurya, Vijay Babu, Sunny Wayne, Vinayakan, Saiju Kurup, and Dharmajan Bolgatty among others.

Delhi Belly - Netflix

Abhinay Deo’s 2011 film Delhi Belly set a new benchmark for crime comedies in Bollywood with its gripping crime narrative and raunchy comedy sequences. The film tells the story of three struggling roommates in Delhi who are caught in the crosshairs of gangsters in search of missing diamonds that had been smuggled. The film stars Imran Khan, Vir Das, Kunaal Roy Kapur, Poorna Jagannathan, Shenaz Treasurywala, and Vijay Raaz in prominent roles.

Angamaly Diaries - Netflix

Another Lijo Jose Pellissery film features in this list, and it is the 2017 film Angamaly Diaries. Unlike Double Barrel, the Angamaly Diaries was universally acclaimed when it was released in theatres in 2017. The plot is set in the the town of Angamaly near Kochi, and follows a young man named Pepe Vincent who aspires to become the leader of a local gang. However, he soon realises his enthusiasm to be embroiled in a life of crime has dire consequences. Antony Varghese, Anna Rajan, Tito Wilson, and Appani Sarath among others star in the film in pivotal roles.

Neram - OTTplay Premium

The hit 2013 film Neram, helmed by Premam director Alphonse Puthren is the next film on this list. Premam star Nivin Pauly plays the lead as an engineering graduate struggling to find employment. Despite his financial situation he decides to elope with his girlfriend. The couple’s dilemma is further complicated when they become the targets of a notorious loan shark. The film features memorable characters, iconic dialogues, and well-written dark humour. The film’s ensemble cast also includes Nazriya Nazim, Bobby Simha, Manoj K. Jayan, Shammi Thilakan, Lalu Alex, Joju George, and Willson Joseph.

Ludo - Netflix

The Netflix original film Ludo is a Bollywood crime comedy that released in 2020. Directed by Anurag Basu, it tells four stories that are inexplicably intertwined – a sex tape, a fake kidnapping, a desperate young wife’s dangerous mission, a bag full of cash, and an eccentric gangster. The film offers plenty of spills and thrills and features an ensemble cast of Abhishek Bachchan, Aditya Roy Kapur, Rajkummar Rao, Pankaj Tripathi, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Sanya Malhotra, Rohit Saraf, and Pearle Maaney.

Maaveeran - Prime Video

The final film on this list is the 2023 Tamil film,  Maaveeran. Following an accident, a timid cartoonist begins to hear the voice of a character from his comic. The voice guides him as he confronts a group of individuals who threaten his local neighbourhood. Sivakarthikeyan plays the lead role in this Madonne Ashwin directorial, while Aditi Shankar, Saritha, Mysskin, Monisha Blessy, Yogi Babu, and Sunil play supporting roles.

Well that's all we got for this episode, until the next one it's your host Nikhil signing out.

Aaj kya dekhoge OTTplay se poocho

Written by Ryan Gomez

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