While Hollywood movies are sold in the name of directors, in India movies are sold invariably in the name of stars they feature. Therefore, if a Hindi movie did not have a star, chance of it getting noticed is feeble. In addition to or in the absence of big names a Hindi movie also depends heavily on great music apart and a tight story-line. Our list includes movies which did not feature any big names of the then Hindi cinema but made it big because of their melody and story.

Maachis – 1996

Gulzar, known for his soul-stirring lyrics wore the cap of a director and gave us a lyrical gift in the form of ‘Maachis‘. The movie had stunning music by Vishal Bhardwaj. The album finds a special place in the hearts of devotees of music. We recommend you to listen to the entire soundtrack of the movie or better, watch it.

Masoom – 1983

Shekhar Kapoor, acclaimed for his storytelling, debuted as a director with this movie. Adapted from ‘Man, Woman & Child’, the movie was about a happy family that goes through turbulent times because of a big mistake by one of the family members. The movie received a cult status with songs like ‘Tujhse Naraz Nahi Zindagi’, ‘Huzur Is Kadar Na’, ‘Lakdi Ki Kathi’ and more. Brilliant performances by Jugal Hansraj, Urmila Mantodkar (both as child artists), Naseeruddin Shah & Shabana Azmi left the audience spellbound. Watch it for any reason – music, story or even lyrics by Gulzar.

Sadma – 1983

A heart-touching movie that displays the struggles of a woman who regresses to her childhood after a head injury. The movie makes you cry and laugh with the innocence, vulnerability and helplessness of its protagonists. Illayaraja’s composition and Gulzar’s lyrics are icing on the cake. The song ‘Ae Zindagi Gale Laga Le’ still finds listeners awed by every syllable.

Roja – 1992

AR Rehman made his debut as a composer and took the nation by storm in the Mani Ratnam written and directed romantic thriller. SP Balasubramaniam and Chitra immortalized the song ‘Yeh Hansi Wadiyaan Ye Khula Aasma’ which continues to be a mass favourite. The soundtrack was included in ‘10 Best Soundtracks’ of all times by Times Magazine in 2005. Not just that, the movie was brilliantly shot by Santosh Sivan.

Zakhm – 1998

An intense drama woven around a son played by Ajay Devgn and his dying mother in a city engulfed in religious riots. The music and lyrics are emotionally charged and get etched in your mind, making you empathize with the characters. The brilliant score does absolute justice to the emotional drama and takes the movie a notch higher. Two of its gems ‘Gali Mein Aaj Chand Nikla’ and ‘Hum Yahan Tum’ stand a cut above the rest of its contemporaries. If you like soulful songs, this is what your ears must be yearning for.