5 off-beat films everyone's talking about and you need to watch in 2014

New Delhi: You might have heard about these films, but there is a possibility that you haven't watched them yet since they didn't get wide releases as some of their contemporary Bollywood counterparts. Two of these five films are still awaiting their release.

I have liked these films for various reasons, not just because they are independent ventures. Check them out in 2014 if you get the chance.

Mumbai Cha Raja: Directed by Manjeet Singh, 'Mumbai Cha Raja' doesn't deal in semantics and syntactics, and prefers to present things in totality. It has two happy-sad boys at the helm of affairs who just don't know what to do with the world. The film explores the hidden layers of a Mumbai slum in such a way which helps the audience in deconstructing the life with sympathy and vision. The camera remains at a distance from its lovable and psychologically depressed characters and opens a whole new world trapped behind the sever lines to the viewers. It's not in your face but very effective in providing a jolt to your thought process.

Qissa: There is a lot of buzz about the bold content of 'Qissa', but let me tell you that it's just one small part of a film, which is super rich on metaphors. Anup Singh's knowledge of character placement on the frame is a treat to watch, and the subtlety with which he brings out the nuances of the backdrop is a lesson in filmmaking.

Gattu: Though it's been a year of Rajan Khosa's film, but it still holds the potential of making you feel good about life in general. It revolves around a boy who sneaks into a school in order to be the most accomplished kite flyer of the area. The film talks about the values of education in a light way.

Lucia: Don't go on the reviews as the critics have really diverse opinion about this film. 'Lucia' is a fine example of a crowd-sourced experimental film. Pawan Kumar claims to be inspired by some Hollywood directors, but he also tries to amalgamate Indian values to the story. 'Lucia' has got a distinct feel and style, and that makes it a must watch film.

Fire in the Blood: Dylan Mohan Gray's film has an India connection, which is not only relevant but also has a very important placement in our lives. This hard hitting documentary is about the monopoly of pharmaceutical companies on life saving drugs, and how these companies lobby to bend the rules to seek benefits.####