Top 10 Must-Watch Laxman Utekar Movies That Redefined Indian Cinema

Laxman Utekar is known for movies with heart-wrenching stories. If you like watching such movies, then you will definitely like Laxman Utekar movies. Utekar has made a name for himself in Indian film, first as a cinematographer and then as a famous director. 

Whether Hindi or Marathi, his films have a blend of cultural authenticity, realism, and heart. If you like important films, then this is a great movie for you. We are listing below the top ten Laxman Utekar movies that have made a lasting impact on Indian cinema.

Top 10 Must-Watch Laxman Utekar Movies

Laxman Utekar movies is a treasure trove waiting to be explored. Be it Mimi or Luka Chuppi, his work spans across multiple genres and languages. Below, we have listed the top 10 Laxman Utekar films you must watch, which have left an indelible mark on Indian cinema.

1. Chhaava

One of Utekar’s latest projects, Chhava, is based on a historical event based on the novel by Chhatrapati Shivaji Sawant. The film promises to be a visual and historical narrative masterpiece. The movie was released on 14 February 2025.

• Release Date: 14 February 2025
• Director: Laxman Utekar
• Writers: Laxman Utekar, Rishi Virmani, Kaustubh Savarkar
• Production company: Maddock Films
• Stars: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Rashmika Mandanna
• IMDb Rating: 8.1/10

2. Zara Hatke Zara Bachke

Zara Hatke Zara Bachke is a romantic comedy movie by Utekar. Zara Hatke Zara Bachke is a movie based on love and the turmoil of relationships, starring Vicky Kaushal and Sara Ali Khan in the lead roles.

• Release Date: 2 June 2023
• Director: Laxman Utekar
• Writers: Maitrey Bajpai, Ramiz Ilham Khan
• Production company: Jio Studios, Maddock Films
• Stars: Vicky Kaushal, Sara Ali Khan, Inaamulhaq
• IMDb Rating: 6.0/10

3. Mimi

Mimi is arguably one of Laxman Utekar’s most acclaimed movies to date. This heartwarming drama revolves around surrogacy, motherhood, and social judgments. Kriti Sanon gave a brilliant performance in this movie. who is a young woman who later becomes a surrogate mother.

• Release Date: July 26, 2021
• Director: Laxman Utekar
• Writers: Rohan Shankar, Laxman Utekar
• Production Company: Dinesh Vijan, Jio Studios
• Stars: Kriti Sanon, Pankaj Tripathi, Sai Tamhankar
• IMDb Rating: 7.8/10

4. Luka Chuppi

Luka Chuppi is a lighthearted romantic comedy based on the story of live-in relationships in small towns of India. Starring Kartik Aaryan and Kriti Sanon, the film was a box office hit and grossed over ₹128 crores. Utekar has very intelligently tried to mix humor with social commentary.

• Release Date: March 1, 2019
• Director: Laxman Utekar
• Writers: Rohan Shankar
• Production Company: Maddock Films, Jio Studios
• Stars: Kartik Aaryan, Kriti Sanon, Pankaj Tripathi
• IMDb Rating: 6.4/10

5. Tapaal

Tapaal movie was Laxman Utekar’s directorial debut in Marathi cinema. The film is the story of a postman who delivers letters to a remote village, and touches people’s lives in unexpected ways. Screened at the Busan International Film Festival, Tapaal showcased Utekar’s ability to tell simple but powerful stories.

• Release Date: 2014  
• Director: Laxman Utekar  
• Writers: Laxman Utekar  
• Production Company: Not widely documented  
• Stars: Vijay Patkar, Suhasini Deshpande 
• IMDb Rating: 8.1/10

6. Lalbaugchi Rani

This Marathi drama film revolves around a mentally challenged girl living in Mumbai. Lalbaugchi Rani is a testament to Utekar’s ability to handle sensitive subjects with empathy and nuance. The film stars Parth Bhalerao, Nandita Dhuri and Subrat Dutta in lead roles.

• Release Date: 2016  
• Director: Laxman Utekar  
• Writers: Laxman Utekar  
• Production Company: Not widely documented  
• Stars: Priya Bapat, Siddharth Chandekar
• IMDb Rating: 8.2/10

7. English Vinglish

Though Utekar has served as the cinematographer for this film, his contribution to its visual narrative cannot be overlooked. Directed by Gauri Shinde, English Vinglish is a heartwarming tale of self-discovery and empowerment.

• Release Date: October 5, 2012  
• Director: Gauri Shinde  
• Writers: Gauri Shinde  
• Production Company: Hope Productions, Eros International  
• Stars: Sridevi, Adil Hussain, Mehdi Nebbou  
• Note: Laxman Utekar served as the cinematographer.  
• IMDb Rating: 7.8/10

8. Dear Zindagi

Utekar has done cinematography for another film, Dear Zindagi, which is a story of mental health and self-love. The film stars Alia Bhatt and Shah Rukh Khan in the lead roles. The visual aesthetics of the film play an important role in its storytelling.

• Release Date: November 23, 2016  
• Director: Gauri Shinde  
• Writers: Gauri Shinde  
• Production Company: Red Chillies Entertainment, Dharma Productions  
• Stars: Alia Bhatt, Shah Rukh Khan  
• Note: Laxman Utekar served as the cinematographer.  
• IMDb Rating: 7.4/10

9. Hindi Medium

Laxman Utekar‘s cinematography in Hindi Medium movie takes a deep, satirical look at India’s education system. The success of the film made Utekar famous as a great storyteller.

• Release Date: May 19, 2017  
• Director: Saket Chaudhary  
• Writers: Zeenat Lakhani, Saket Chaudhary  
• Production Company: T-Series, Maddock Films  
• Stars: Irrfan Khan, Saba Qamar  
• Note: Laxman Utekar served as the cinematographer.  
• IMDb Rating: 7.8/10

10. Khanna & Iyer

Utekar’s first film as a cinematographer, Khanna & Iyer, is a quirky comedy about two friends with very different personalities. Classmates Aryan Khanna and Nandini Iyer fall in love with each other and want to get married, however, their parents, rich builder P.K. Khanna and equally rich MLA Ramanna Iyer, want them to marry into Punjabi and Madrasi families respectively, with Nandini’s marriage already fixed with Shekhar Iyer, who lives in the US.

• Release Date: 2007  
• Director: Arun Kumar  
• Writers: Arun Kumar  
• Production Company: Not widely documented  
• Stars: Rajat Kapoor, Ranvir Shorey  
• Note: Laxman Utekar served as the cinematographer.  
• IMDb Rating: 5.3/10

Laxman Utekar’s Top Films at a Glance

Movie Title	Year	Genre	Key Highlights
Mimi	2021	Drama	Kriti Sanon’s award-worthy performance
Luka Chuppi	2019	Romantic Comedy	Box office hit, modern relationships
Tapaal	2014	Drama	Directorial debut, Busan Film Festival
Lalbaugchi Rani	2016	Drama	Sensitive portrayal of mental challenges
Zara Hatke Zara Bachke	2023	Romantic Comedy	Latest release, quirky love story
Chhaava	2025	Historical Drama	Highly anticipated, based on Shivaji Sawant

Themes in Laxman Utekar Films

Laxman Utekar movies often explore issues of family, social traditions and personal hardships. His stories touch the hearts of the audience, whether it is the emotional journey of surrogacy in Mimi or the intricacies of contemporary relationships in Luka Chuppi.

Laxman Utekar’s Cinematography Work  

Utekar first worked as a cameraman before becoming a director. His ability to express emotions through images can be seen in his work in films such as Dear Zindagi and English Vinglish.

Conclusion 

Laxman Utekar’s filmography is a testament to his versatility and storytelling prowess. Whether as a cinematographer or director, his films leave a lasting impact. From the emotional depth of Mimi to the lighthearted charm of Luka Chuppi, Utekar’s work is a must-watch for any cinema lover.  

So, grab some popcorn, settle in, and dive into the world of Laxman Utekar’s cinema. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed!

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