If you don’t think that the 2022 Hindi-language psychological thriller Qala is one of the finest works in the world of Indian cinema put forward this year, then we ask you to reconsider and re-watch the heartbreaking movie all over again. If you believe in the same thing as we do, then you have found just the right spot to try out similar movies like the latest Netflix release that borders on toxic mentorship, jealousy, parenting style, the truth of the music industry and more.
Written and directed by Bulbbul’s Anvita Dutt, Qala is a film produced by Karnesh Sharma under Clean Slate Filmz. The movie stars Tripti Dimri as Qala Manjushree, Swastika Mukherjee as Urmila Manjushree, Babil Khan as Jagan, Varun Grover as Majrooh, and Avinash Raj Sharma as Dr. Goyenka amongst many others. It is set in the 1930s and chronicles the toxic and tumultuous relationship between an aspiring singer and her intimidating mother and mentor.
5 Movies Like Qala to Watch Right Away
Whiplash
There is no other movie but, Whiplash that will constantly keep ringing in the back of your head while you watch Qala. From the overlapping themes to the excellent acting, music and cinematography, both films stand out to be indigenous works in the world of cinema. The 2014 psychological drama is about an ambitious jazz music student drummer, who is pushed off the edge constantly by his abusive and domineering mentor at the Shaffer Conservatory in New York City. The film is written and directed by Damien Chazelle, and stars Miles Teller, J. K. Simmons, Paul Reiser and Melissa Benoist.
Black Swan
A parenting style gone wrong meets feeling constantly pressured to be the best in the lot at your craft and offers us the 2010 Oscar-winning film, Black Swan. A psychological horror film directed by Darren Aronofsky with a screenplay from Mark Heyman, John McLaughlin, and Andres Heinz and based on a story by Heinz. It stars Natalie Portman, Vincent Cassel, Mila Kunis, Barbara Hershey, and Winona Ryder.
The Disciple
Written, directed and edited by Chaitanya Tamhane, The Disciple is the closest thing to Qala in the arena of Indian cinema. A Marathi language movie about an aspiring Indian classical music vocalist, who is diligent with the traditions and discipline of his guru, and his father but with time starts to wonder if the excellence he is striving for is worth it. The cast includes Aditya Modak as Sharad Nerulkar, Arun Dravid as Guruji along with Deepika Bhide Bhagwat, Kiran Yadnyopavit and various others. Watch it, here.
Udaan
A coming-of-age movie with toxic parenting at its core to teach some much-needed lessons to the viewers, Udaan marks the directorial debut of Vikramaditya Motwane. Rajat Barmecha, Ronit Roy, Aayan Boradia, Ram Kapoor, Manjot Singh and Anand Tiwari star in this movie that tells the story of a teenage boy whose life with his oppressive father gives him the flight to fight for freedom. The film is available on Netflix.
The Red Shoes
If the name of the movie reminds you of the 1845 eponymous fairytale by Hans Christian Andersen, well it just ought to as the 1948 film is based on the same. With an artist’s dilemma at the core, The Red Shoes is written, directed, and produced by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. It tells us the story of a ballerina whose dedication and career are tested when she has to choose between her art and her romantic interest. The main cast of the film includes Moira Shearer, Anton Walbrook and Marius Goring.