Pathar Panchali to Lucia: 8 must-watch films which earned international recognition for India's rich cultural tapestry

Satyajit Ray’s Pather Panchali is a cornerstone of Indian cinema and a global masterpiece. It won the Best Human Document award at Cannes, and its neorealist approach inspired filmmakers around the world for decades.

Directed by Mira Nair, Salaam Bombay! portrayed the harsh realities of street children. It was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars and won the Camera d'Or at Cannes, gaining massive international acclaim.

Thiagarajan Kumararaja’s Tamil anthology film Super Deluxe wowed global audiences with its layered storytelling and genre-blending brilliance. It was screened at multiple international film festivals and praised for its bold, unfiltered narrative.

Another Mira Nair gem, Monsoon Wedding beautifully merged Indian family drama with global sensibilities. It won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, becoming a crossover success across continents.

Mahanati, a biopic on legendary actress Savitri, won international praise for its performances and period authenticity. It was screened at film festivals in the US and Japan, and was hailed for reviving interest in old-school Indian cinema.

Nagraj Manjule’s Marathi film Sairat became a global festival favourite. Its powerful story on caste and love broke language barriers, earning acclaim at the Berlin and Hong Kong International Film Festivals.

The Kannada-language psychological thriller Lucia was India’s first crowd-funded film and premiered at the London Indian Film Festival, where it won the Audience Choice Award, proving content truly is king.

Lijo Jose Pellissery’s Jallikattu was India’s official entry for the Oscars in 2021 and was celebrated globally for its raw energy, social commentary, and chaotic brilliance. A Malayalam marvel that put Indian arthouse cinema in the spotlight.