17 Indian movies based on books that are actually worth your time

Directed by Sujoy Ghosh, Jaane Jaan reworks Higashino’s bestselling Japanese thriller into a moody, snow-drenched mystery set in Kalimpong, West Bengal. Kareena Kapoor Khan plays Maya, a single mother drawn into a murder cover-up with the help of her reclusive, genius neighbour (Jaideep Ahlawat). Unlike many Bollywood thrillers, Jaane Jaan slows down, doubling down on quiet obsession, buried emotions and ethical ambiguity, all while staying true to the twists of the original novel.

16. Aisha (Hindi, 2010)

Based on: Emma by Jane Austen

In this Delhi-set update of Jane Austen’s Emma, Sonam Kapoor plays a privileged, well-meaning meddler whose matchmaking schemes create more chaos than romance. With its designer wardrobes, art direction, and light social satire, Aisha is less about literary fidelity than aesthetic world-building. Still, it brings Austen’s themes of self-discovery and class consciousness into a new context, offering a fizzy, contemporary take on a classic heroine.

17. Bride and Prejudice (English/Hindi, 2004)

Based on: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen