Border, Airlift, Swades and Dangal: Films that you must watch this Republic Day

When it comes to the feeling of ‘Patriotism,’ often the diverse storylines of B-Town films stand out and end up giving out a few classics. There are many such times when our country made us proud, and these movies helped us to relive such memorable moments. 

Apart from directing movies about wars and freedom fighters, filmmakers have picked rather unconventional stories to show patriotism and have succeeded in leaving us with goosebumps and making us feel proud of our country.

On the occasion of 69th Republic day, we have compiled our all-time favourite patriotic films.

1. Border (1997): 

Border was based on the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971. The film was directed by JP Dutta and starred Sunny Deol, Sunil Shetty, Akshaye Khanna, Jackie Shroff, Tabu and Pooja Bhatt among others. The movie won millions of hearts for its beautiful musical score and humane characters.

2. Lagaan (2001):

Ashutosh Gowariker’s Lagaan was full of drama, romance and of course cricket. The film was set during the British Raj and hit the theatres in 2001.The plot revolved around the villagers who were oppressed due to high taxes levied by their rulers and how they defeated them in a cricket match to win their village. Aamir Khan and Gracy Singh received a lot of adulation for their terrific performance in the movie. 

3. Gadar: Ek Prem Katha (2001):

Director Anil Sharma’s record-shattering blockbuster was a love story set against the backdrop of Indian Partition. Sunny Deol and Ameesha Patel did a stupendous job in the movie and received a lot of appreciation for their mind-boggling performances. 

4. Swades (2004):

When a NASA scientist (played by Shah Rukh Khan) travels to his hometown to meet his nanny, he is disheartened by the miserable condition of an Indian village. His journey is etched with some sweet as well as not-so sweet moments finally making him realise that his country needs him. Swades in some way urges the youth to do their bit for the nation.

5. Lakshya (2004):

Directed by Farhan Akhtar, the film was set against the backdrop of the 1999 Kargil conflict and dealt with the war that ensued with the Pakistani troops. The plot revolved around a simple story of a young boy (played by Hrithik Roshan) who finally decides to join the armed forces and fight for his country. Lakshya is definitely a wakeup call for GenNext!

6. Rang De Basanti (2006):

Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s cult classic, aptly released on Republic Day, would probably rank as one of the most influential films of the decade. The story of a British filmmaker shooting a documentary on Indian freedom fighters along with five young aimless men, who discover their own selves in the process, is now, a classic. The movie starred Aamir Khan, Siddharth, Kunal Kapoor, Sharman Joshi, Atul Kulkarni, Alice Patten and Soha Ali Khan and R Madhavan in lead roles.

7. Chak De! India (2007):

Chak De! India starring Shah Rukh Khan in the lead role released on August 10, 2007. It was about field hockey in India especially emphasising on the state of women hockey players. It takes the viewers through the journey of how an ex-hockey player (Shah Rukh Khan) brings the rowdy players together and makes them win the World Championship. This is one movie which not just makes you feel proud of the country but also brings tears to your eyes.

8. Bajrangi Bhaaijaan (2016): 

Bajrangi Bhaaijaan revolved around a Hindu simpleton Pawan aka Bajrangi (Salman) who helped a mute Pakistani girl Munni (Harshali) to reunite with her parents across the border. The film dealt with the issue of religion and partition with utmost delicacy. 

9. Airlift (2016):

The film scripted a new definition of patriotism. Based on the true-life story of Ranjit Katyal (essayed by Akshay), the film covered the largest human evacuation in the history of mankind - in 1990 from Kuwait. The struggle of making it to the end, reaching one's nation safely, valuing its importance in their lives - Airlift was a job well executed. The movie also starred Nimrat Kaur in the lead role.

10. Dangal (2016):

Based on the real-life story of Mahavir Phogat and his two wrestler daughters - Geeta and Babita Phogat, Aamir Khan's Dangal broke all the records on the ticket window and was loved by the masses. In the film, when Fatima (essaying Geeta's role) wins the final match, National Anthem - Jana Gana Mana - is played. What can be a bigger proof, in real life, the audiences stood in the theatres to pay their respects! This speaks volumes about what we, as Indians, feel about our country and the power our National Anthem has.