Independence Day has always been a pride, a celebration, as well as a memory day amongst the Indians all over the world. It is a day of a nation and the moment that celebrates the achievement of freedom through the sacrifices of the heroes, which can hardly be encompassed. Of course, there is Bollywood that has always helped to extend the memory of this historic day in the form of a movie.
Though the impetus to show patriotism on the sleeves with large-scale warfare of the battles and speechifying has been a deep rooted incident in many films, there have been several Bollywood films that have delved into being unorthodox, portraying unheralded characters and tones to commemorate the end of British rule and independence in a different and most heartfelt manner. The films do not merely wave the tricolor, but they make us think, touch our hearts, and remind us that patriotism can be strong even in its most silent tone.
This is what some Bollywood movies have contributed in giving us a fresh angle of thinking on patriotism and freedom, particularly on Independence Day.
1. Rang De Basanti (2006)
Director: Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra
Hands down, Rang De Basanti is the one film that brought the youth to reconsider patriotism in the 2000s. It is a line of a story of a group of carefree college kids who gradually evolve into revolutionaries they initially play in a documentary on the lives of the freedom fighters in India. The difference with the film is that we as the audience are soured of the thin line between the past and the present, which proves that the battle between justice and integrity is something that was never over in 1947.
Instead of valorizing war zones, the film poses a question on corruption, inaction of politicians, and individual accountability. The viewers are still hearing its anthem, i.e., Luka Chuppi, as a call to action.
What makes it special: It translates the anger of present-day India to the resistance against colonial rule and asks the current young people to rise and get people to change.
2. Swades (2004)
Directed by: Ashutosh Gowariker
The film presents the viewer with one of the least-trumpeted and yet strongest characters played by Shah Rukh Khan, that of a scientist who used to work at NASA, Mohan Bhargava, who came back to his home in rural India, in search of his roots. It unfolds as a poignantly moving tale of self-discovery as Mohan comes to the realisation that you have to start at home to make a difference.
There aren’t war scenes and nationalistic slogans in Swades. No, not really, but it is quietly demonstrating how you can serve your country by serving your village, bringing them better education and making the lives of your people better.
What makes it special? No wonder the story is characterized by reference to patriotism with compassion, service, and grassroots action seen as patriotism, which makes the film one of the most realistic portrayals of love for the country.
3. Lakshya (2004)
Director: Farhan Akhtar
War films prior to Lakshya tended to be viewed through the spectacles of machismo and over the top. However, the coming-of-age film based on the military drama by Farhan Akhtar provided something new, and that is the individual experience of a young, confused lad, Karan Shergill, who finds meaning in life by taking up a job with the Indian Army.
The climax of the movie is the Kargil war, but the battle is within. The fact that Karan changes his way of thinking and becomes a serious officer demonstrates that patriotism exists in self-development, valor, and commitment.
What is special about it: It talks about the individual transformation of a soldier in a way that serving the country can start with having a goal in life, his/her lakshya.
4. Tales of Bhagat Singh (2002)
Director: Rajkumar Santoshi
The account of Bhagat Singh is not a new one, which is why it is commendable to note that this one is emotional, accurate, and has the fierceness of performance of the actor Ajay Devgn. The movie explores the ideology, the motivating factors of the revolutionary and his everlasting love towards a free India, not only in a political context but social and economic also.
Instead of glorifying violence, it goes on to show the philosophic element of Bhagat Singh and his vision of India in which education, equality, and justice will be a formality.
Why it stands out: It adds depth to patriotism, as it does not simply present Bhagat Singh as a martyr, but it demonstrates that he was a thinker who knew what freedom was about, the freedom of mind, the freedom of soul.
5. Chak De! India (2007)
Director: Shimit Amin
Not all the stories about national pride should be on a war background. Chak De! India demonstrates that the best way of doing so is by narrating a story through a failed hockey player and how he turns his life around and manages to take the Indian women’s national team to the top. This movie is about how there should be unity in diversity and how prejudice should be overcome, and how love for the nation can be expressed through discipline, mentorship, and the belief in the collective power.
The thought-provoking speech by Shah Rukh Khan titled the Sattar Minute continues to stir chills because the actor reminds us that we are being patriotic every time we put our best in everything we do.
What makes it special: It associates nationalism with sports, gender equality, and personal redemption, a new turn away from battlefield heroism.
6. Raazi (2018)
Directed By: Meghna Gulzar
It is a powerful espionage and thriller, which recounts the tale of a young Indian woman who gets married off to an army family in Pakistan, spying on behalf of India throughout the time of the war of 1971. Raazi is out on a true story that addresses the silent kind of courage of an unaccounted hero that Alia Bhatt carries magnificently.
The film does not idealize violence or revenge as done in other typical spy thrillers. Rather, it will concentrate on the emotional burden of being able to go to your country in preference to all other things, including family and friends.
The reason it is unique: It depicts patriotism not as a mass act, but as a very private and solitary act.
7. Shaheed (1965)
Directed by S. Ram Sharma
Being one of the first and most heart-rending biopics of Bhagat Singh, Shaheed is a classic to date. Released in a time when politics was very volatile in Indian history, the film set the nation ablaze with national pride and made people wake up to realize how much sacrifice had been made by fighters in their era.
Manoj Kumar is great playing Bhagat Singh, and the soundtrack and above all the song, Mera Rang De Basanti chola has been considered an icon even of patriotism.
What makes it special: It was among the very first films that not only combined art and activism but also employed the medium of cinematography in doing so.
8. Manthan (1976)
Directors: Shyam Benegal
Manthan may not be the first film that comes to mind when it comes to Independence Day, but it is a powerful film about India’s White Revolution, which won a National Award as perhaps the most potent example of self-reliance and people empowerment.
Manthan is an initiative that is funded by 500,000 farmers, and the story narrated is the transformation of rural India through dairy cooperatives. The film is so unique because it highlights nationalism in terms of economic freedom, self-help, and development by the community.
What makes it special: It honors the moment of being free of poverty and needing someone, and it shows that being independent is not to be alone, but to free yourself.
The Last Word: There Are a Lot of Faces to Freedom
It has been decades now that Bollywood has made it very clear that patriotic bravado not only roars, but sometimes it also whispers. War films and somehow the patriotic symbols, the national anthem will always be a factor of Independence Day celebrations, but the truth of the matter is that it is so moving to see stories that depict the use of power every day bravery, social change, and moral courage.
These movies remind us that the freedom struggle of India is not just a thing that happened in history -it is an ongoing process, in which every one of us can contribute to it.
This Independence Day, then perhaps you can get over the old war movies and look into these only-in-the-movies sort of movies. Not only will they make you laugh, but also think, do, and love your country even more.
Also Read: Mahavatar Narsimha Sets New Benchmark: ₹100 Crore+ in 11 Days