India, July 8 -- The year 2026 has been a good one for Hindi cinema. There have been blockbusters at the box office, indie films that have won over the audiences, hard-hitting cinema that has forced viewers to think, and even the odd underdog surprising pundits with its earnings. In an industry where a 10% success rate is considered good, dozens of films arrive every month, but only a few manage to strike a chord with the viewers. As the first half of 2026 ends, HT ranks the best five Hindi films of the year so far, and the biggest hits - Dhurandhar 2 and Border 2 - fail to make the cut.

This independently produced niche film was not perfect. But Nukkad Naatak deserves a mention here just for its ambition, sincerity, and journey. Written...