From the 1983 Naseeruddin Shah starrer Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro to last year’s Ayushmann Khurrana starrer An Action Hero, Bollywood has given us some serious dark comedy gems over the years. Most of these films were smash hits, and the ones that didn’t make a big splash at the box office gained a cult following over the years. However, one thing that’s common among all these films, is that they’re all dead funny!

From murder mysteries to social satire, if you have a taste for twisted humour and enjoy the fusion of laughter and morbidity, here’s a list of seven movies that you can watch (with your black glasses on).

ANDHADHUN

Can you watch a blind person (pun intended) continuously dodge his own murder and still laugh at the proceedings? Andhadhun (directed by Sriram Raghavan) is a dark comedy masterpiece starring Ayushmann Khurrana, Tabu, and Radhika Apte. The film follows the journey of a visually impaired pianist who finds himself caught in a web of deceit and murder. Khurrana’s performance as the protagonist is both funny and heart-stopping (almost literally, considering the number of times he escapes death). Full of unexpected plot twists that will keep you hooked till the end and brilliantly executed gallows humour, Andhadhun is the perfect blend of laughter and suspense.

Available on Netflix

JAANE BHI DO YAARO

Prepare for a riotous journey into the absurd and satirical world of Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, where Naseeruddin Shah, Ravi Baswani, and Om Puri shine with their impeccable comic timing. This cult classic brilliantly exposes the hypocrisy and corruption rampant in Indian society, all while keeping audiences in stitches. As two photographers unwittingly become embroiled in a murder conspiracy, the film expertly weaves in surreal situations, slapstick and physical comedy, making Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro a timeless comedic gem.

Available on Prime Video

DELHI BELLY

Delhi Belly showcases the chaos of urban life in Delhi with an edgy and gritty aesthetic that adds to its offbeat charm, binding it together with a tomfoolery-filled plot. Starring Imran Khan, Vir Das (who’s actually proud of this film, unlike Mastizaade), and Kunaal Roy Kapur, this irreverent and audacious comedy takes audiences on a wild ride through the Mad-Max streets of New Delhi. The trio of typically messy bachelors find themselves entangled in a series of misadventures involving a mix-up with a stool sample and a notorious gangster. Heavy on toilet humour and clever one-liners, Delhi Belly is a one-of-its-kind film. 

Available on Netflix

PEEPLI LIVE

Peepli Live infuses dark humour with biting social satire, as Omkar Das and Panchayat fame Raghubir Yadav shine in their roles. The film sheds light on the media circus surrounding farmer suicides in rural India. As two impoverished farmers, Natha and Budhia, unwittingly become media sensations, the film cleverly uses parody and irony to expose the dark underbelly of media sensationalism. With its grim premise, absurd do-or-die situations, and sharp commentary on societal norms, Peepli Live makes you think as much as it makes you laugh.

Available on Netflix

AN ACTION HERO

An Action Hero, featuring Ayushmann Khurrana, takes a satirical jab at the larger-than-life action genre prevalent in Bollywood. Khurrana portrays a struggling actor (Maanav) with big dreams of becoming a superstar. However, his life takes a dark turn when he unwittingly becomes embroiled in a real-life crime. With his impeccable comic timing and ability to effortlessly switch between intense and comedic moments, Khurrana brings his unique charm and wit to the role of the unlikely action hero. Alongside him, Paatal Lok’s Jaideep Ahlawat portrays the role of a notorious politician (Bhoora Singh) exceedingly well. Through its clever writing, An Action Hero delivers not only laughs but also a profound critique of our obsession with heroism, and the blurred lines between the reel and real lives of film stars.

Available on Netlfix

GO GOA GONE

Saif Ali Khan, Kunal Khemu, and Vir Das lead the cast in Go Goa Gone, a zombie-comedy that combines humour, horror, and adventure in equal measure. This gory comedy follows three friends who find themselves stranded on a secluded island in Goa that turns out to be infested with zombies. Khan’s deadpan delivery (and the iconic “Dilli se hoon bh*nch*d” dialogue), Khemu’s comic timing, and Das’s village-idiot persona keep the laughs coming amidst the undead chaos. This Raj & DK film is a laughter-filled joyride that introduced the zombie-comedy genre in Bollywood.

Available on JioCinema, Zee5

99

Featuring Kunal Khemu, Boman Irani, and Cyrus Broacha, 99 takes audiences on a twisted comic journey through the world of cricket match-fixing. 99 revolves around the lives of two small-time crooks, Sachin (played by Kunal Khemu) and Zaramud (played by Cyrus Broacha), who find themselves caught up in a web of deception and chaos. Boman Irani (Rahul) adds to the absurdity of this movie as he waits for the ‘signals’ that help him win his bets. But will they help him when it comes to the biggest bet of his life? As the characters navigate high-stakes games, the film seamlessly weaves comedy with the thrill of the sport. An unpredictable plot and the moral dilemmas that the characters have to go through make 99 a fun watch.

Available on YouTube