If you want to talk of #ParallelCinema - first understand what it means.

It is known for serious content, realism and naturalism, symbolic elements with a keen eye on the sociopolitical climate of the times.

Let's begin the journey then

1936 - Achhut Kanya.

Brahmin boy loves Untouchable girl. They can't get married due to caste differences. Both marry other people in their own castes. Later aur dies while trying to save his life.

1948 - Vidya
A zamindar girl loved a Cobbler's son. Helps him to get educated. Her father opposes the match on caste basis. Later they both establish several schools in and around the area.

1954 - Boot Polish - Story of two street children who are determined to rise above begging. They see polishing shoes as a better and more respectable life.

1950 - Nirala - An England returned doctor gives up his father's wealth and goes to a village to sarve as a doctor. The girl he loves rejects him and marries a rich man. Later he's called to treat her when she falls prey to depression.

Do Aankhen Barah Haath - Rehabilitation of convicts through social acceptance and teaching them dignity of labor

Do Bigha Zameen - Effect of drought on a poor farmer's family. He's forced to turn into a rickshaw puller after losing his land.

Dharamputra - 1961 - a Muslim boy raised by Hindu parents gets radicalised by Right wingers and hates all Muslims till he learns his true identity.

Kaagaz Ke Phool - Life of a successful director who wants to rebel against the established studio system and make realistic movies, but ultimately dies a pauper's death.

Pyaasa - a poet who struggles to find recognition. Ultimately the news of his death makes his poetry popular but by this time he's disgusted by the sycophantic world and turns his back on fame to hide in oblivion.

Garam Hawa - A muslim family that decides to stay in India struggles in the turmoil of Partition. They lose everything - marriage alliances are broken, they lose their home and business and the son unable to find a job chooses to join the border of Migrants as the father watches.

Lot many more movies - they prepared the ground and created the audience for what cane to ve known as #ParallelCinema and Experimental movies in the 60s and 70s.