Laapataa Ladies is one of 2024’s freshest Hindi films, drawing immense praise for its uplifting characters and feminist satire. After premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2023, the movie got an official release this year and recently was made available on Netflix as well. Directed by Kiran Rao and produced by Aamir Khan, the social comedy revolves around two young brides who get lost on the same train journey. As they reclaim their identities in a patriarchal society and discover a newfound purpose in their life, Laapataa Ladies also turns into a slice-of-life drama.
If you loved Laapataa Ladies, here are a few other movies to watch that you can stream online right now.
Peepli Live
A dark comedy produced yet again by actor Aamir Khan, Peepli Live touches upon the issues of farmers’ suicides and rural poverty. When a farmer decides to end his life so that his family can avail some government compensation, Peepli Live lets loose a trail of misadventures that draws in power-hungry politicians and opportunistic journalists.
Dhobi Ghat
Before Laapataa Ladies, Kiran Rao marked her directorial debut with Dhobi Ghat. You should definitely watch this moving anthology drama if you like concepts like alienation in urban cities and love stories that transcend class divides. Rao’s ex-husband and producer Aamir Khan joins a talented ensemble that brings alive the many stories of Mumbai.
Nil Battey Sannata
Similar to Laapataa Ladies in its exploration of rural womens’ rights, Nil Battey Sannata stars Swara Bhaskar as a single mother committed to educating her daughter despite all odds. While getting its message on literacy and feminism straight to the point, the movie makes for a feel-good, family-friendly watch.
Parched
A thematically darker but equally important watch as Laapataa Ladies, Parched brought out career-defining performances from Radhika Apte, Suvreen Chawla and Tannishtha Chatterjee. The trio play women driven to margins of a patriarchal society as they counter social evils like dowry and child marriage.
Indoo Ki Jawani
With an entertaining lead act by Kiara Advani, Indoo Ki Jawaani deals with a woman who seeks to find her sexual and romantic freedom. The movie cheekily takes on taboos of conservative Indian families from a female-led perspective.
English Vinglish
Much like how the brides in Laapataa Ladies explore their new surroundings, the late Sridevi’s protagonist in English Vinglish gets a new lease on life in New York City. A middle-aged housewife who is often mocked for her illiteracy, Shashi Godbole starts afresh after she joins English-speaking classes. But it’s not just the new language that changes her; it’s also the freedom that she finds away from the daily monotony of her life.
Bhakshak
Another interesting feminist Netflix film to check out from 2024 is Bhakshak. Bhumi Pednekar gives a career-best performance as a small town journalist committed to uncover a network of child abuse in shelter homes.
Gangubai Kathiawadi
When it comes to powerful women-driven movies in modern Bollywood, you should definitely watch Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Gangubai Kathiawadi. Alia Bhatt stars as the titular figure, a real-life sex worker who became an influential politician and activist after being forced into slavery.
Dhanak
Hoping to catch Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan in a nearby village, a young girl and her brother set out to seek him in an arduous road journey across the deserts of Rajasthan. Dhanak carries the same sprawling environments and family-friendly dramas as Laapataa Ladies.
Three Of Us
Three Of Us is a Hindi-language Netflix original that finds a middle-aged woman revisiting her childhood home with her husband. What follows is a heartwarming journey of self-exploration that fans of Laapataa Ladies would definitely enjoy.
Below you can find all the information to stream Laapataa Ladies and similar movies in India.
