7 Hindi Movies Based on Books Worth Watching on Netflix

Over the years, several Bollywood films have taken inspiration from literature and delivered thrilling adaptations of books at the same time. Be it classic novels or modern works, here is our list of some Hindi movies based on books that are available to watch on Netflix. These films adapt stories from different genres and explore beautiful stories with quite interesting interpretations of their source material.

7 Hindi Book-Based Movies on Netflix That Deserve a Spot on Your Watchlist

1. Kai Po-Che

– Cast: Sushant Singh Rajput, Rajkummar Rao, Amit Sadh

– IMDb rating: 7.8/10

– Year of publication: 2013

– Genre: Drama, Sports

Based on Chetan Bhagat’s novel The 3 Mistakes of My Life, Kai Po Che follows the lives of three friends, Ishaan, Omi and Govind, who plan to start a sports academy in Ahmedabad. The story explores their friendship against the backdrop of events such as the Gujarat earthquake and the 2002 riots.

The film stays true to Bhagat’s book, though some events are dramatized for cinematic effect. Sushant Singh Rajput shines in his role as Ishaan, while Rajkummar and Amit deliver commendable performances. If you loved Bhagat’s work, this film adaptation will not disappoint you, as it stays true to the core story to a large extent.

2. 7 Khoon Maaf

– Cast: Priyanka Chopra, Naseeruddin Shah, John Abraham

– IMDb rating: 6.3/10

– Year of publication: 2011

– Genre: Thriller, Comedy

Based on Ruskin Bond’s short story Susanna’s Seven Husbands, 7 Khoon Maaf follows the mysterious and dark life of a woman who marries seven times, each of her husbands meeting an untimely death. The film explores Susanna’s psychological state and her search for love.

The film takes liberties with the source material, expanding Bond’s short story to create a deeper narrative. The most haunting scene is when Susanna discovers the true nature of her first husband, prompting her to take the extreme step. Watch this one for one of Priyanka Chopra’s best performances.

3.Haider

– Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Tabu, Kay Kay Menon

– IMDb rating: 8/10

– Year of publication: 2014

– Genre: Crime, Thriller

Haider, an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, is set against the backdrop of the Kashmiri insurgency of the 1990s. The film follows Haider, a young man who returns to Kashmir to find his missing father while discovering dark secrets about his family. Vishal Bhardwaj’s adaptation of Hamlet is widely regarded as one of the best literary adaptations in Bollywood.

Shahid Kapoor delivers a career-best performance as Haider, while Tabu and Kay Kay Menon give equally powerful performances. This one comes with the author’s personal recommendation.

4. Gangubai Kathiawadi

– Cast: Alia Bhatt, Shantanu Maheshwari, Vijay Raaz

– IMDb rating: 7.8/10

– Release year: 2022

– Genre: Crime, Biopic

Based on Hussain Zaidi’s book Mafia Queens of Mumbai, Gangubai Kathiawadi tells the story of a young girl who is sold into prostitution and rises to power in Kamathipura, Mumbai’s red light district. The film chronicles her journey from victim to powerful figure fighting for women’s rights.

Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s greatness is evident in every frame as Alia Bhatt delivers her best performance ever.

5. 12th grade fail

– Cast: Vikrant Massey

– IMDb rating: 8.9/10

– Release year: 2023

– Genre: Drama, Inspirational

Based on Anurag Pathak’s book 12th Fail, the film follows the journey of Manoj Kumar Sharma, a man from a humble background, who tries to crack the UPSC exam. The story revolves around the challenges he faces, his failures and his eventual success. Vikrant Massey does an incredible job portraying Manoj and the film also stays true to the source material to a great extent.

6. Bareilly Ki-Barfi

– Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Kriti Sanon, Rajkummar Rao

– IMDb rating: 7.5/10

– Year of publication: 2017

– Genre: Romantic Comedy

Based on the French novel The Ingredients of Love, Bareilly Ki Barfi is set in a small town in India, where Bitti, a free-spirited young woman, sets out on a journey to find the author of a book she connects with. What follows is a charming love triangle. The film takes the essence of the book but localizes it to fit the Indian context. The performances and humor make this a delightful viewing experience.

7. The girl on the train

– Cast: Parineeti Chopra, Aditi Rao Hydari, Kirti Kulhari

– IMDb rating: 6.5/10

– Release year: 2021

– Genre: Mystery, Thriller

Based on Paula Hawkins’ best-selling novel The Girl on the Train, this Bollywood adaptation follows Mira, an alcoholic who becomes obsessed with a couple she sees on her daily commute. Her life takes a dark turn when she becomes entangled in a murder mystery. While not the strongest adaptation, the film offers an intriguing take on Hawkins’ thriller.

Fans of the book may find the Indian twist on the story interesting, but it doesn’t quite match the thrilling story of the original. Still, it’s a must-see.

From suspenseful mysteries to inspiring dramas, there’s something for every type of literary lover on Netflix. Which of these films do you like best? Tell us @pinkvilla

READ ALSO: 7 Hindi Movies to Watch on Netflix That Were Ahead of Their Time