A multi-hyphenate artist, Varun Grover has lent his talents to a wondrously diverse array of creative mediums. In addition to his stand-up comedy shows, which are celebrated for their sharp political satire, Grover has achieved immense popularity as a writer and lyricist, known for works such as Masaan (2015) and the series Sacred Game (2018). For his poetic sensibility as well as his distinctive wit, Grover has won a host of prestigious awards, including Best Lyrics at the 63rd National Film Awards. With his brilliant directorial debut All India Rank (2023) now arriving in cinemas, we asked Grover to pick his favorites from our cinematic vault. Here, his curatorial reasoning behind his selection is as ruminative and sensitive as the collection itself:

“Each passing year deepens the realization that we know so little about our own self and the world. Every year serves a reminder that even a lifetime is not enough for us to grasp the meaning of existence. Scientists and philosophers devote their lives and yet claim that they have barely scratched the surface. So I often wonder that in the face of this overwhelming enormity of “not knowing”, how can we possibly expect young souls to know who they are and what they want from life? The joy, sorrow, and self-discovery of that age, somehow only makes sense after several years, upon reflection. My affinity for coming-of-age stories stems from this very juncture of introspection and retrospection, and it is in this deeply personal space I found the story that became my debut film All India Rank. I’m thrilled to present a handpicked selection of some of my favorite films that take you through the uncertainties of childhood and young adulthood. In these films, you too may stumble upon a labyrinth of dreams and doubts, where fleeting moments of clarity and love ease the burden of expectations and longing."