On this auspisious day, we honor the brave hearts by bringing you patriotic Bollywood movies on the life of Indian legends who sacrificed for this auspicious day.
For some people, mainly young ones, it’s just another government holiday (sad but true), but for those who know some history; it is the day to pay tribute to those who lost their lives just to see their people breathe freely.
Every one appreciates independence, but only a few have the courage to bear the cost it demands.
And today’s post is a tribute to those few who had the courage to stand and smile on the gallows with a rope surrounding their necks, who had the courage to stare right in the eyes of the enemy and make them shiver.
If not for those brave souls we’d still be paying heavy taxes to the British just for growing food in our own farms.
So, with gratefulness and love, let’s start…
Shaheed Bhagat Singh
Bhagat Singh – A man known for his bravery, grit, and unabashed love for his country. Shaheed Bhagat Singh gave his life for the freedom of our country when he was only 23 years old. He played a crucial most role in planting the seed of fear in the heart of the enemy; British Govt.
Bhagat singh’s hunger strike in Miawala Jail which lasted 112 days was one of the longest hunger strike of the world at that time.
“They (British) may kill me, but not my ideas. They may crush my body, but will not be able to crush my spirit”
Shaheed Bhagat Singh.
Shaheed Bhagat Singh is a sensation among Indian Youth, considered as the symbol of Bravery and Loyalty.
Here’s the list of Movie you can watch to know about Bhagat’s life closely:
The Legend of Bhagat Singh
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Sushant Singh, D. Santosh
Director: Rajkumar Santoshi
Release Date: 07th June 2002
The role of Bhagat Singh is beautifully played by Ajay Devgan. It also served as a career-defining role for Ajay. This Movie was being presented before the public in 2002. Despite not being successful commercially, it won numerous national awards for its beautiful portrayal of the struggle for independence.
Shaheed (1965)
Starring: Manoj Kumar, Kamini Kaushal, Nirupa Roy, Anand Kumar, Prem Chopra
Director: S. Ram Sharma
Release Date: 01st January 1965
An all-time classic with the power of Manoj Kumar which brings the character into reality, Winner of National award for the Best Feature film of 1965, this movie shows everything from the struggle and charisma of the legend to the sad day of 23 March 1931.
Mahatma Gandhi
The whole world knows him as the messiah of peace, the man behind Indian independence, and the father of India.
Here’s a lesser known fact about Gandhi: Mahatma Gandhi was Time Magazine’s Man of the Year in 1930 and he was nominated for world peace prize for 5 times.
Gandhi is widely known in the world for his thoughts and philosophy on Nonviolence and truthfulness. His numerous books are still being read by millions of people.
So without ado let’s present you the movies which are based on life of Gandhi:
Gandhi (1982)
British got so fascinated by the life of Gandhi that they made a biopic on him back in 1982.
“Weighing in at more than three hours, this amazing biopic is a must-see for families with an interest in history or civil rights”
Liz Perle, Common Sense Media.
This movie shows the life of Gandhi right from the beginning when he was just a lawyer who moved back to Indian from England to him leading the nation to the Independence.
Gandhi, My father
This film presents Gandhiji with a different point of view; his son Harilal’s. Harilal Gandhi tells how it was being under the shadow of a prominent personality as his father and how he found it difficult to live on the truthful pave his father had set.
The movie shares the behind the scene story of Gandhi’s insanely famous movement campaigns.
Mangal Pandey
An Indian soldier who goes against the Colonial Empire when he finds out the wrong practices and deeds of East India Company.
Mangal Pandey was the first man to shackle the chains of the British Empire. His attack on British Empire on 1857 was first attack on the colonial empire ever, and a British soldier William Gordon was the first British Man to fight Against British Govt.
“Aaj tak apne hamari wafadari dekhi, Aaj hamara krodh dekhiye…”
Mangal Pandey to British Government.
Amir Khan dedicated a film on Mangal Pandey’s life. This film was successful all around, commercially and emotionally.
In the film, he was deported in Afghanistan with William Gordon whom he became friends with. But when EIC started to supply gun with Cartridges which are objectionable in Indian culture, Mangal Pandey began protesting against it. He became a rebel and rest is history.
Subhash Chandra Bose
A leader of Indian National Congress which helped India in being victorious. Known for his advocacy to the other leader and his socialist thoughts and policies. People also call him “Netaji”. Bose helped India to get rid of Colonial Empire during world war II. He took alliance of Germany and Imperial Japan.
Bose was the first man to ever raise an Army to fight against the British Empire. While he was in exile he joined hand with Japanese army to fight with him.
“Tum Mujhe Khoon Do, Main Tumhe Azadi Dunge”
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose
Here’s the movies and web series dedicated to his life:
Bose: Dead/Alive
This is a miniseries by Alt Balaji based on the book “India’s Biggest Cover-up” by Anuj Dhar. This miniseries shows the dramatic death or portrayed the death of Netaji which some political leader doesn’t want to people to know about.
Netaji’s character is played by Rajkumar Rao.
Bose the Forgotten Hero
This movie is based on the event when Bose resigns from the post of President of Indian National Congress and joins hands with outer powers like Germany to make Indian Independent.
Rani Lakshmi Bai
“Khoob Ladi Mardani Wo to Jhansi wali Rani Thi…”
Subhadra Kumari Chauhan
One of the great rebel of 1857 during the period of resistance to British Empire, famous, then, by her original name Manikarnika Tambe, she was the fearless queen of the Jhansi province of India.
Rani Lakshmi Bai kept British Army stopped for number of days during the mutiny of 1857-58 and didn’t surrender even though her army was overwhelmed and tired.
Coming to the biopic, surprisingly there is only one on the great warrior.
Manikarnka: The Queen of Jhansi
The film is Kangana Ranaut starter and is a success all around. The critics also praised the cast and the flow of the story.
“The film is Kangana Ranaut all the way. Her belief in her ability to carry a historical saga of this scale on her shoulders is touching, even admirable”
Saibal Chatterjee, NDTV
Sardar VallabhBhai Patel
The pride of Gujrat Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was a great admirer and companion of Gandhi. He was born in a rich family but after listening to Gandhi and his vision of Independent India, He got so much involved with the same vision that he left all the fortune and started to follow the path paved by Gandhi.
Sardar Integrated 562 states into one state in just a matter of weeks using his influence.
Here is a movie which you should watch to have a closer insight of Sardar’s struggle:
Sardar (1993)
Biographical Drama of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in which the lead character is played by Paresh Raval. The film is written by the duo of Hriday Lani and Vijay Tendulkar and the role of Gandhi is played by Annu Kapoor.
Savarkar
Savarkar was the leading man in Hindu Mahasabha. Famously known for his Hindu Nationalistic views and for his foundation of Hindutva philosophy. Some people call him the controversial freedom fighter yet his role in independence is undeniable.
Savarkar was sentenced for 50 years in Andaman Jail, referred as Kala Pani in some places, but was soon released. After his released he went on to abolish Untouchability in Ratnagiri completely.
Here’s a movie dedicated on his life:
Veer Savarkar
This movie shows the life story of Savarkar when he goes to Britain to pursue his higher studies and his return to the home country due to mass injustice happening in India.
Surya Sen
A school teacher, known as Master Da, turned into an Independence revolutionary.
Surya Sen led the Chittagong Armoury Raid in 1930 during the anti-British Revolution. Surya Sen got martyred on 12 January 1934.
“A dedicated band of youth must show the path of organized armed struggle in place of individual terrorism. Most of us will have to die in the process but our sacrifice for such a noble cause will not go in vain.”
Surya Sen
There are two films which bring us the action and narrative of the Chittagong raid:
Chittagong
In this film the story of the Chittagong raid is being presented from the perspective of 14 years old boy, trying to fight for the place where he belongs, who took part in the raid. The film was not a commercial success but the facts and the story presented in the film were spot on.
Khelenge hum jee jaan se
Carrying on the same story of the Chittagong raid, this movie is a bit different and a bit fresh in terms of perspective. This is the story of 64 Fearless warriors led by Surya Sen to start a revolution against the British Empire.
Lal Bahadur Shastri
“Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan”
Shri Lal Bahadur Shashtri
The man behind the White Revolution in India, the reason we have Amul in India, and our second Prime Minister; Lal Bahadur Shastri.
Lal Bahadur Shastri went to jail when he was 17 for taking part in Gandhi’s Non-Corporation movement.
His sudden death had kept India in shock for months though the reason behind the death is unknown. Some people call is a natural death while others call it an assassination. We’ve got a film based on the same topic:
Tashkent files
Tashkent is a place in Uzbekistan where the Prime Minister went to pay a visit but never made it alive to his home country. Tashkent files is a take on the same accident showing whether the death is natural or it was a silent assassination.
Shaheed Udham Singh
Udham Singh, the indian revolutionary was one of the founding members of the group called Ghadar which was formed for only one purpose; to kill General Michael O’Dwyer.
When he was asked about his name in the custody of the murder trial, he said he name is “Ram Mohammed Singh Azaad”. The first three words of the name is implying all the religions and the last word implies freedom.
“I don’t mind my sentence, ten, twenty or fifty years or to be hanged. I have done my duty.”
Udham Singh
Film on Shaheed-e-azam:
Shaheed Udham Singh (2002)
This film shows the revenge Udham Singh takes from the culprits who were involved in the Massacre of Jallianwala Bagh. He goes to the UK just to kill his enemies.
Dr. Bheem Rao Ambedkar
The reason we have law and order, a constitution, a government system, and the reason the Dalits and oppressed people are growing is this man; Babasaheb Ambedkar.
Dr. Ambedkar gave the backwards and oppressed people their rights and freedom to live freely being the equally important citizen of India.
Dr. Ambedkar was declared as No. 1 Scholar of India by the university of Columbia.
“if I find the constitution being misused, I shall be the first to burn it.”
Babasaheb Ambedkar
Film on his life:
Dr. BabaSaheb Ambedkar (2000)
A Story about How an Indian Jurist who dreamt an independent India writes the most important piece of document of his own country whilst giving low class and being considered untouchable people equal rights as of a high-class people.
Bal Gangadhar Tilak
Bal Gangadhar Tilak was one of the Lal Bal Pal trio of Indian Freedom Revolution. He was a teacher, a Nationalist, and a freedom activist.
He was the first man ever to lead the Independent India movement, as the British empire called him “the father of the Indian Unrest”.
“Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it.”
Bal Gangadhar Tilak
Movie on his life:
Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak
Based on the real life struggle on the revolutionary freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak from being a normal Marathi boy to one of the most important people during the anti-colonial sprint.
Final Good Words
I thank you guys for taking out time from your busy schedule and reading this article out as a tribute to the legends who fought for the free air we are breathing right now. I hope you’ve found the movie you’re looking for to watch this Independence day.
