Republic Day 2019: Newton to Rang De Basanti, Bollywood films that show a mirror to our country's flaws

26 January is fast approaching, and there will be the National Parade, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech at the capital of the country New Delhi, and patriotism will be one feeling that we all will echo. More than 60 years ago, our freedom fighters laid the foundation of an independent India. There are many tales and stories written about the valour of Indian freedom fighters. Bollywood film-makers have also documented films on the struggles that India had to go through in the way of seeking freedom from the clutches of Britishers. But, then some film-makers also showed how are we still battling with issues of politics, corruption, electricity shortage, the procedure of elections and many other things that our country is still battling with. We are living in a democratic country, but then there are films that question the very ideology behind democracy. 

On this Republic Day, we are giving you some films that show a mirror to our country's flaw and you would want to do something to amend all the issues.

A Wednesday 

Twelve years since its release and this Naseeruddin Shah’s movie is still relevant. The star cast boasts of actors who have time and again proved their calibre. A Wednesday had no songs but still had an everlasting impact. The movie questions the injustice to the common man and wants answers from the concerned authorities for not taking terrorism that seriously. ‘Aapke ghar mein cockroach aata hai toh aap kya karte hai Rathore Sahab? Aap usko paalte nahi maarte hai’ - these lines in the film still resonates with each one of us. A Wednesday proves the fact that good content doesn’t need the fancy package to deliver their message as it screams loud even without that. 

Rang De Basanti 

Probably, RDB is one of the films that we all watched a lot of times. This film stars Aamir Khan, R Madhavan, Siddharth, Kunal Kapoor, Soha Ali Khan, Sharman Joshi, Atul Kulkarni and Alice Patten. Well, the movie focuses on how as youth we need to fight back the political scams in our country that are affecting our lives on a daily basis. RDB questions the idea of the functioning of our political system in the country. It targets the political ‘Rajas’ of our country, straight and strong. What do you have to say about this film? Do let us know if you think the same. 

Bhavesh Joshi 

There are some films that don’t really have the mass appeal but have a lot to convey and Bhavesh Joshi is one of those movies. Despite being a Vikramaditya Motwane film with a powerful plot, Bhavesh Joshi Superhero fell flat at the box office. When it released on online streaming channels, it was appreciated for its message. The film deals with the issue of water shortage and the corruption around it. Yes, it had vigilante in it, and homegrown heroes do take time to make a mark. 

Mulk and Pink 

Rishi Kapoor’s Mulk and Amitabh Bachchan’s Pink battled with misconceptions. Mulk asked some hard-hitting questions about how Muslims are being looked up to and how they are treated. The movie revolves around a Muslim joint family based in a Hindu-dominated locality of Varanasi. Life goes downhill when a family member is involved in some terrorist activities and the whole family is been looked down upon. The film shows the struggles that the family has to go through to gain the same level of respect.

Talking about Pink, the film screams loudly how women shouldn’t be treated merely as pieces of flesh. It’s a courtroom drama and Big B becomes the voice of all the women and challenges the notion that’s seeped into the roots of our conservative society. 

Batti Gul Meter Chalu

Shahid Kapoor’s Batti Gul Meter Chalu is about how a whole corruption scandal is run through the electricity. How a common man has to even think of committing suicide because he can not pay the heavy bills. The movie questions the system and showcased all the facts for us to see on the big screen. 

Newton

Rajkummar Rao’s Newton revolves around a government clerk who tries to conduct fair voting on an election day amidst the fear of guerrilla attacks and apathy of security forces. If you have seen the film, you would agree that Newton forces us to rethink about our electoral procedures. Are you planning to watch Newton this Republic Day? Tell us in the comments section below!

Swades

Even though Ashutosh Gowariker's Swades could not do wonders at the box office, this movie is arguably one of the best cinematic pieces. The movie will teach you the real meaning of patriotism and also the joy of working on all the flaws of your country. Mohan aka Shah Rukh Khan does an amazing job of developing his village and helping the villagers to be aware of their own social rights. 

On this note, we wish you a Happy Republic Day!