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Dhurandhar 2 to Choked: Indian films that brought demonetisation to the screen

Updated On: 19 March, 2026 01:34 PM IST | Athulya Nambiar

With Dhurandhar 2 touching upon India’s demonetisation era as part of its geopolitical narrative, the 2016 currency ban continues to find resonance in Indian cinema. Over the years, several filmmakers across languages have explored demonetisation — either as the central theme or as a crucial backdrop — reflecting its social, political and economic impact

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With Dhurandhar 2 touching upon India’s demonetisation era as part of its geopolitical narrative, the 2016 currency ban continues to find resonance in Indian cinema. Over the years, several filmmakers across languages have explored demonetisation — either as the central theme or as a crucial backdrop — reflecting its social, political and economic impact

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With Dhurandhar 2 touching upon India’s demonetisation era as part of its geopolitical narrative, the 2016 currency ban continues to find resonance in Indian cinema. Over the years, several filmmakers across languages have explored demonetisation — either as the central theme or as a crucial backdrop — reflecting its social, political and economic impact
<p><strong data-start="548" data-end="578">Shunyota (Bengali, 2016)</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;One of the early regional films depicting the effects of demonetisation on ordinary people</p>

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Shunyota (Bengali, 2016)

 One of the early regional films depicting the effects of demonetisation on ordinary people

<p><strong>1888 (2017, Tamil)</strong></p> <p>A thriller that uses demonetisation as a key plot device, exploring how sudden currency changes impact criminal activities</p>

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1888 (2017, Tamil)

A thriller that uses demonetisation as a key plot device, exploring how sudden currency changes impact criminal activities

<p>It is a "guerrilla-style" investigative thriller following three unlikely characters&mdash;an actress-turned-politician, an insurance agent, and a mysterious stranger&mdash;who cross paths over a bag of cash during the first week of the currency ban</p>

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It is a "guerrilla-style" investigative thriller following three unlikely characters—an actress-turned-politician, an insurance agent, and a mysterious stranger—who cross paths over a bag of cash during the first week of the currency ban

<p><strong>Puthan Panam (2017, Malayalam)</strong></p> <p>Starring Mammootty, this crime drama integrates demonetisation into its narrative about black money, gang networks and financial upheaval</p>

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Puthan Panam (2017, Malayalam)

Starring Mammootty, this crime drama integrates demonetisation into its narrative about black money, gang networks and financial upheaval

<p>The story kicks off on the night of&nbsp;<span class="Yjhzub">November 8, 2016</span>, when the Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes were banned. Shenoy finds himself stuck with a massive amount of "black money" (old currency) and gets entangled with a young boy who accidentally comes into possession of a gun belonging to the gang</p>

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The story kicks off on the night of November 8, 2016, when the Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes were banned. Shenoy finds himself stuck with a massive amount of "black money" (old currency) and gets entangled with a young boy who accidentally comes into possession of a gun belonging to the gang

<p><strong>Thatrom Thookrom (2020, Tamil)</strong></p> <p>This Tamil film includes demonetisation themes within its broader socio-political storyline</p>

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Thatrom Thookrom (2020, Tamil)

This Tamil film includes demonetisation themes within its broader socio-political storyline

<p>&nbsp;The story follows three young orphans who get caught up in a high-stakes heist involving a massive amount of "black money" belonging to a powerful politician, right as the currency ban is announced</p>

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 The story follows three young orphans who get caught up in a high-stakes heist involving a massive amount of "black money" belonging to a powerful politician, right as the currency ban is announced

<p><strong>Choked: Paisa Bolta Hai (2020, Hindi)</strong></p> <p>Directed by Anurag Kashyap, the Netflix film revolves around a bank cashier whose life takes a dramatic turn during the 2016 demonetisation. The currency ban forms the core conflict of the story</p>

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Choked: Paisa Bolta Hai (2020, Hindi)

Directed by Anurag Kashyap, the Netflix film revolves around a bank cashier whose life takes a dramatic turn during the 2016 demonetisation. The currency ban forms the core conflict of the story

<p>Sarita Pillai (played by Saiyami Kher) is a hard-working bank teller and the sole breadwinner for her family in a cramped Mumbai apartment. Her life changes when she discovers wads of cash mysteriously bubbling up through her clogged kitchen sink every night</p>

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Sarita Pillai (played by Saiyami Kher) is a hard-working bank teller and the sole breadwinner for her family in a cramped Mumbai apartment. Her life changes when she discovers wads of cash mysteriously bubbling up through her clogged kitchen sink every night

<p><strong>Dhurandhar 2 (2026, Hindi)&nbsp;</strong></p> <p>The newly released film, a sequel to Dhurandhar, touches upon demonetisation and hails it as a masterstroke</p>

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Dhurandhar 2 (2026, Hindi) 

The newly released film, a sequel to Dhurandhar, touches upon demonetisation and hails it as a masterstroke

<p><span class="hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline"><span class="whitespace-normal">The Ranveer Singh-starrer </span></span>uses India&rsquo;s demonetisation move as a crucial narrative layer, linking the currency ban to covert operations and financial crackdowns within its spy thriller plot. The policy shift becomes more than background context, driving key conflicts and adding geopolitical realism to the high-stakes storyline</p>

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The Ranveer Singh-starrer uses India’s demonetisation move as a crucial narrative layer, linking the currency ban to covert operations and financial crackdowns within its spy thriller plot. The policy shift becomes more than background context, driving key conflicts and adding geopolitical realism to the high-stakes storyline

<p><strong>Commando 2: The Black Money Trail (2017, Hindi)</strong></p> <p>While primarily an action thriller starring Vidyut Jammwal, the film references black money and demonetisation in its larger narrative</p>

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Commando 2: The Black Money Trail (2017, Hindi)

While primarily an action thriller starring Vidyut Jammwal, the film references black money and demonetisation in its larger narrative

<p><strong>Cashless India (2019, Hindi)</strong></p> <p>As the title suggests, the film directly addresses the aftermath of demonetisation and its effect on common citizens</p>

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Cashless India (2019, Hindi)

As the title suggests, the film directly addresses the aftermath of demonetisation and its effect on common citizens

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