Revealed: The best and worst films of 2016

From Kapoor and Sons to Sanam Teri Kasam


Rida Lodhi December 21, 2016
PHOTO: TWITTER

2016 proved to be a tumultuous year for entertainment the world over with frayed Pakistan-India ties, the demise of iconic individuals and eagerly-awaited films turning out to be damp squibs.

While audiences lapped up some films, others left the public cringing. Here are some of the best and worst Hollywood, Bollywood and Lollywood films of 2016.

Best of 2016

Hollywood

Captain America

PHOTO: HUFFINGTON POST PHOTO: HUFFINGTON POST

A perfect blend of action and humour is what Captain America: Civil War essentially was. With Marvel bringing together Steve Rogers and Tony Stark, the film turned out to be exactly what the people had been hoping for. Sheer perfection we say.

Deadpool

PHOTO: BUSINESS INSIDER PHOTO: BUSINESS INSIDER

Wade Wilson is the latest addition to the Marvel Family as Deadpool, hence, the title. Deadpool was arguable one of the best movies of 2016. Ryan Reynolds proved to be the perfect choice for Deadpool, keeping in mind the wit and humour the character demands. Deadpool is a must watch. It has also been nominated for the Golden Globes Awards.

Bollywood

Kapoor and Sons

PHOTO: NDTV PHOTO: NDTV

Fawad Khan’s Bollywood hit Kapoor and Sons had everything one looks for in a good movie. From just the right amount of family drama, an interesting story and plenty of screen space for our very own Fawad, this one left no one complaining. To top it all off, the soundtrack of the film gave us some of the best dance numbers of the year.

Neerja

PHOTO: INDIAN EXPRESS PHOTO: INDIAN EXPRESS

Based on the life of heroic Pan Am flight air-hostess Neerja Bhanot, who saved numerous lives, this biopic was definitely a must watch. With Sonam Kapoor delivering what has been widely regarded as a career best performance, Neerja is bound to leave you teary-eyed.

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Lollywood

Ho Mann Jahaan

PHOTO: EXPRESS TRIBUNE PHOTO: EXPRESS TRIBUNE

We still can't let go of Ho Mann Jahaan.  The movie, which features Mahira Khan, Adeel Hussain and Sheheryar Munawwar in titular roles, has just the right amount of laughter, emotion and heartbreak. It wouldn't be an understatement to name it the best Pakistani film of 2016. Also, Shakar Wandaan Re. Enough said.

Actor in Law

PHOTO: EXPRESS TRIBUNE PHOTO: EXPRESS TRIBUNE

Fahad Mustafa’s debut film Actor in Law had an innovative story line and some noteworthy performances. The Fahd Mustafa-Mehwish Hayat romantic comedy also set the box office on fire. Also, how can we ever forget Atif Aslam's vocals in Dil Yeh Dancer Ho Gaya.

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Worst of 2016

Hollywood

Suicide Squad

PHOTO: FOX NEWS PHOTO: FOX NEWS

Suicide Squad was one of the most-awaited movies of 2016. As much as everyone was dying to see Jared Leto play Joker, only Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn proved to be the sole saving grace of the movie. Needless to say, the film turned out to be a major disappointment.

Now You See Me 2

PHOTO: VANITY FAIR PHOTO: VANITY FAIR

Markedly different from its prequel, Now You See Me 2 failed to keep the audience engaged. With a scattered story line, an imperfect plot and a cast that failed to deliver, this one was clearly not worth one's time.

Bollywood

Fitoor

PHOTO: INDIAN EXPRESS PHOTO: INDIAN EXPRESS

February 12th 2016

Talking about saving graces, Fitoor’s only saving grace was Tabu. With a towering performance as Begum, the noted actor seemed to be the only one who kept the audience engaged while an indecisive Firdaus (Katrina) struggled to make up her mind about Noor (Aditya Roy Kapur). Other than its songs, Fitoor made for a pretty painful watch.

Sanam Teri Kasam

PHOTO: INDIAN EXPRESS PHOTO: INDIAN EXPRESS

February 5th 2016

Sanam Teri Kasam turned out to be a primer on how not to make films. With the climax revealed at the outset, Pakistani sweetheart Mawra Hocane's Bollywood debut was doomed from the start. Even Mawra's effervescence could not save the film. This one is not even an one-time watch.

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Lollywood

Blind love

PHOTO: EXPRESS TRIBUNE PHOTO: EXPRESS TRIBUNE

If obscene item numbers and stars could save a forgettable film, Faisal Bukhari's Blind Love would have been one worth remembering. While the movie opened to decent business, the rest is history. This one is inarguably one of 2016's worst.

Jeewan Hathi

PHOTO: PUBLICITY PHOTO: PUBLICITY

November 4th 2016

Hina Dilpazeer’s debut film turned out to be dull and predictable. The film also underperformed at the box office despite featuring the likes of Naseeruddin Shah, Samiya Mumtaz, Saifee Hassan, Kiran Tabeer and Nimra Bucha.

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COMMENTS (1)

Amir | 7 years ago | Reply Fahad Mustafa debut film was Na maloom afraad
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