Moments in Hindi cinema 2024

Hindi commercial cinema has taken a backseat to the spectacles of Telugu, Tamil and Kannada film, and 2024 was no exception. Yet, there was plenty of interesting work in the indie, mid-budget and genre spaces.

These were our favourite moments in Hindi films this year, from editing choices, stunts and musical bribes to a tapestry of moths.

'AMAR SINGH CHAMKILA': PIECES OF A LIFE

All films are made during the edit, but rarely is this as evident as with Imtiaz Ali's Amar Singh Chamkila. Editor Aarti Bajaj's work is key is to its feverish energy, turning this biopic of Punjabi folk singer Chamkila (played by Diljit Dosanjh) into an incendiary collage. A musical montage around the halfway mark offers a thrilling cascade of images. A split-screen shows crowds at a Chamkila concert, one half archival footage, the other shot scenes. Then there's a diamond shape in the middle of the screen with an emcee on stage.

Two more split screens. An argument between Chamkila's wife and manager, quickened with two jump cuts. Still images of the group on stage. Animation of crowds surrounding Chamkila's car. Identical thumbnail videos of the duo performing, arranged in three rows. More animation, then a split screen with animation and live action. Blurry archival footage of the actual Chamkila on stage. All of this lasts just three minutes. The sequence ends with the intertitle "1984": a tumultuous year for Punjab. The jangled editing has already shown us a febrile, flustered world.

TURBULENCE IN 'YODHA'

Save for Stree 2, popular Hindi cinema in 2024 showed no sign of rediscovering the pulse of the people. In only one respect was there steady progress.