Hostel Hudugaru Bekagiddare: Six hilarious campus films you must stream on Netflix India, Amazon Prime & Disney+Hotstar

Campus comedies are a popular subgenre of comedy films that are set in educational institutions such as colleges, universities, or high schools. Often revolving around young characters, friendship, coming-of-age experiences and Humourous situations, these films are beloved for capturing the spirit of youth, exploring themes of self-discovery, camaraderie, and rebellion against authority. They often feature a large ensemble cast of young actors, providing relatable and entertaining stories that resonate with audiences who can identify with the joys, challenges, and memorable moments of their own educational journeys.

Kannada cinema is about to welcome a campus/hostel comedy-drama of its own in the form of Hostel Hudugaru Bekagiddare, a super promising film brimming with humour, drama and everything in between. The first trailer of the film, which was released on July 10, suggests quite prominently that the film will be a massive laugh riot that boasts as many as 300 artists as part of its mega ensemble cast. 

So, with Hostel Hudugaru Bekagiddare in mind, we thought it'd be a great idea to revisit some of the best campus comedies that have stood the test of time and continued to evoke laughter and happiness in their audiences. To make things more efficient and simpler for you, we have ensured to list those films that are readily available on Indian OTT, perhaps only a click away! Here we go:

Animal House (1978)

Directed by John Landis, Animal House is a comedy film that became a cult classic. Set in 1962, it follows the misadventures of a group of fraternity members at the fictional Faber College. Known for its raunchy humour and rebellious spirit, the film achieved cult status for its iconic characters and memorable quotes. Starring John Belushi, Tim Matheson, and John Vernon, Animal House captured the essence of college life, rebellion against authority, and the wild antics of fraternity culture.

Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video (Rental)

Superbad (2007)

Greg Mottola's Superbad is a coming-of-age comedy that resonated with audiences. The film focuses on two high school friends, played by Jonah Hill and Michael Cera, as they navigate their way through a series of comedic misadventures leading up to a party. With its relatable portrayal of teenage awkwardness, friendship, and the quest for social acceptance, Superbad became a beloved film. The witty writing and memorable performances, including breakout roles for actors like Emma Stone and Christopher Mintz-Plasse, contributed to its cult status.

Where to Watch: Netflix

Kirik Party (2016)

Rishab Shetty's film holds a very special place in the hearts of Kannada moviegoers and the reasons are many. The story of Kirik Party follows the journey of a group of mischievous college students, led by the protagonist Karna (played by Rakshit Shetty), as they navigate through friendship, love, and personal growth. Kirik Party achieved cult status for its youthful energy, relatable characters, and its portrayal of college life in an authentic and entertaining manner. The film struck a chord with audiences, particularly the youth, for its catchy music, witty dialogues, and the chemistry among the talented ensemble cast, including Rashmika Mandanna and Samyuktha Hegde.

Where to Watch: Voot

3 Idiots (2009)

Rajkumar Hirani's film is still etched quite prominently on the minds of Indian audiences and the fact that the current pop culture still brims with several moments from the film enunciates this. Set in an Indian engineering college, the film follows three friends played by Aamir Khan, R. Madhavan, and Sharman Joshi, as they challenge the rigid education system and strive to pursue their passions. With its blend of comedy, drama, and social commentary, 3 Idiots resonated with audiences for its inspirational message about following one's dreams, questioning societal norms, and the value of true education.

Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video

Chhichhore (2019)

Nitesh Tiwari takes everyone on an endearing ride of nostalgia through a group of friends who reunite after many years and end up reflecting on their time in college. One might find this a tough watch considering it features the late Sushant Singh Rajput in the lead but should you wish to celebrate the actor's life in the way that, perhaps, he would have liked, then you must revisit Chhichhore. The film achieved cult status for its heartwarming narrative, relatable characters, and its message about the importance of resilience and embracing failures in the face of adversity. The main cast also includes Shraddha Kapoor, Varun Sharma, and Naveen Polishetty, among others, who delivered strong performances.

Where to Watch: Disney+Hotstar

22 Jump Street (2014)

Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, 22 Jump Street is a buddy comedy sequel that garnered a cult following. Starring Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum, the film follows two undercover police officers as they investigate a drug ring on a college campus. Known for its self-aware humour and parody of sequels, 22 Jump Street delighted audiences with its hilarious performances, clever writing, and meta-commentary on the genre. It embraced the essence of buddy cop comedies while adding a fresh twist, making it a hit among fans.

Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video (Rental)

About the author: Chandragupta is part human brain, part generative AI. The former provides intellect while the latter does the heavy lifting of an artificial neural network. The name, if you haven’t already worked it out, is a backronym of ChatGPT.