Happy Independence Day, guys! So what if most of us are done with our school lives? There are more ways to celebrate this important day than wearing our crisp white uniforms and singing patriotic songs in school. Considering we’re a nation that thrives on Bollywood (apart from cricket, of course), why don’t we cherish this day by catching some of those films that makes us feel proud of our Indian roots? To make it easier for you, we dish out a list of 10 such movies. Scroll away and pick one that you MUST watch today!
1. Rang De Basanti
Just like it had promised to, Rang De Basanti had managed to awaken an entire generation. It struck a chord with the youth and inspired them to do something substantial for their country rather than just cribbing about the loopholes in our system. AR Rahman’s soul-stirring songs and some really power-packed performances by Aamir Khan, Sharman Joshi, Kunal Kapoor, Siddharth, Atul Kulkarni, Soha Ali Khan and Kirron Kher almost left us numb when the film ended. This is easily a movie that’s going to be etched in our memories forever.
2. Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
The latest movie that made us extremely proud of our Indianness definitely has to be Farhan Akhtar’s Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. And the fact that it’s a true story and not just another fiction makes this film all the more special. The flick traces the life of Indian sports star Milkha Singh and how he became a sensation after representing India at the Olympics. The sequences where young Milkha witnesses the Jallianwala Bagh massacre or the partition of India and Pakistan will bring you into tears. But there are also ample of scenes that will make you smile with pride too!
3. Swades
It’s not everyday when we see someone who has the fortitude to let go of a luxurious life and a handsomely paying job at NASA in exchange of a simple life in a small Indian village. Even if it’s just an on-screen character, Mohan played by our own Shah Rukh Khan, inspires us and how! It’s okay if you have plans and cannot watch an entire film today but if possible, do listen to the Swades title track. It’s bound to give you goosebumps!
4. Lakshya
Completely contradictory to SRK’s character in Swades, Hrithik Roshan plays an aimless young collegian who doesn’t know what to do with his life. But his world falls apart when his ladylove (played by Preity Zinta) rejects his marriage proposal because he has no goal. That’s when he joins the Indian army in a battalion under Amitabh Bachchan and then finally discovers his ultimate ambition – to live and die for his country.
5. Lagaan
Like I’ve already mentioned, ours is a nation that thrives on two things, Bollywood and cricket. Naturally, when Ashutosh Gowariker made a Bollywood film based on cricket, it ruled the box-office and also everyone’s hearts across the country. More so, when it got nominated at the prestigious Oscars. Based on the pre-independence era, Aamir Khan’s Lagaan also showcases India’s fight for freedom in a new light and oozes patriotism.
6. Chak De! India
SRK’s dialogue from the movie, “Pehli baar kisi gore ko India ka tiranga leharate hue dekh raha hoon” can never cease to fill every Indian’s heart with pride. This isn’t a typical patriotic saga but seeing a bunch of girls playing our national sport Hockey definitely leaves an impact on us. So if you aren’t in a mood to watch a tear-jerking patriotic drama, you can totally give this one a dekko with your friends and some popcorn!
7. 1942: A Love Story
A cult love story starring Anil Kapoor and Manisha Koirala weaved majorly around the year when India finally found freedom, this one’s a much-watch for every Bollywood buff. The film was highly acclaimed for its magical cinematography. Plus, Manisha made a sight for sore eyes in this movie. A celebration of desi romance during British raj! Now, isn’t that super interesting?
8. Shaheed
Though a numerous number of movies have been made on the life of legendary freedom fighter Bhagat Singh, Shaheed is the most cherished of them all. Ace actor Manoj Kumar wasn’t called Bharat Kumar for no reason. Each of his patriotic films left a mark on the hearts and minds of the audience and Shaheed is definitely the most memorable flick from the veteran star’s filmography.
9. Mother India
Mother India is an epic melodrama and undoubtedly a film that Indian cinema will always proudly boast of. It showcases the life of an Indian mother and how she struggles to raise her sons in extreme conditions that life throws at her. For its real appeal, the movie was loved by all and therefore, it still ranks among the all-time Indian box-office hits.
10. Haqeeqat
Our current generation is quite well-versed with the Kargil war that took place between India and Pakistan as most of us have witnessed its happenings through news channels in real time. Plus, films like Border, LOC: Kargil, Lakshya (mentioned above) have given us a fair glimpse of it. But a very few of us have witnessed or happen to remember or know much about the India-China war. Watch Haqeeqat and pay homage to those brave Army men who lost their lives for us.
Jai Hind!
Which are the films that reawaken the Indian in you? Do drop a comment below.