On the occasion of Republic Day, let’s rewind the best patriotic movies of India to revive an essence of patriotism today.
1. Lagaan – 2001
Ashutosh Gowariker’s Lagaan showcases a farmer’s struggle to free his family and friends from the high British tax, Lagaan. Bhuvan, played by Amir Khan, takes an oath to defeat the British in their favorite sport, cricket, to acquire freedom against the unjust system.
2. Swades – 2004
Shahrukh Khan stars as Mohan, a scientist at NASA who comes to India to visit his Amma. Later he discovers the backward and underdeveloped condition of his village and decides to stay back for the upliftment of his hometown. Swades is the first Indian movie filmed inside the headquarters of NASA.
3. Rang De Basanti – 2006
Rakesh Omprakash Mehra’s RDB manifests the societal issues in India. A British student travels to India to document the story of five freedom fighters of India. She casts five friends as the Indian revolutionaries in the film, which persuades them to fight against the corruption of the government.
4. Chak De India – 2007
Kabir Khan’s Chak De India peddles patriotism, gender bias and religious bashing at the same time. SRK plays the role of a coach of the Indian Women Hockey Team, with desires to salvage his reputation lost in the past and make the Indian team win the international tournament.
5. Raazi – 2018
A female RAW, Sehmat, is sent to Pakistan after marriage with Iqbal, a Pakistani soldier, with the motive to acquire valuable information crucial for India. She loses her spouse, family and everything for her inborn love towards the nation. Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal feature the lead roles.
6. Kesari – 2019
Kesari bestows a tribute to the brave Sikh soldiers who fought the Battle of Saranghari. The story exhibits the battle headed by Havildar Ishar Singh, who led 21 Sikh soldiers to fight against 10,000 Pashtun invaders. It is one of the greatest wars of Indian history.
7. Manikarnika – 2019
Queen of Jhansi refuses to surrender when the East Indian Company tries to annex the kingdom. Later her rebel turns into an outrageous war of independence against Britishers. Kangana Ranaut played the role of the brave queen of Jhansi, Manikarnika.
General Hugh Rose who led the forces against the Rani of Jhansi said: “here lay the woman who was the only man among the rebels”.
8. URI: The Surgical Strike – 2019
URI is based on the surgical strike conducted in 2016 by the Indian Army against a group of militants, who attacked Uri, a part of Kashmir. Aditya Dhar’s movie is a tribute to the Indian Army in the form of cinematography. Vicky Kaushal features Major Vihan Singh Shergill, who incorporates the surgical strike in retaliation to the terrorist attack in Uri.
9. Shershaah – 2021
Shershaah chronicles the events of the Kargil war against Pakistan. The movie tributes the sacrifices of Captain Vikram Batra, whose invincible spirit and courage contributed immensely to India’s victory. Sidharth Malhotra features the character of the brave Indian soldier Captain Vikram Batra (PVC).
10. Sardar Udham – 2021
Shoojit Sircar’s movie exhibits the life journey of an Indian revolutionist, Sardar Udham Singh, who assassinated Michael O’ Dwyer to avenge the Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919. Vicky Kaushal played the role of the Indian revolutionist Udham Singh. The movie is a tribute to the unsung hero of Indian history.