India’s 78th Independence Day 2024 celebrated on August 15th, is a day of pride and reflection. One of the best ways to celebrate this spirit is by watching movies that capture the essence of India’s struggle for freedom, patriotism, and the nation’s rich cultural heritage.
Here’s a list of the top 10 movies that are perfect for watching on Independence Day.
1. Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (2001)
Cast: Aamir Khan, Gracy Singh
Director: Ashutosh Gowariker
In Lagaan, set in 1893 during the British Raj, a little town challenges the tyrannical British overlords to a cricket match to evade paying heavy taxes. The themes of optimism, resistance, and unity are expertly woven throughout this epic sports drama. The film is a perennial Independence Day movie because of its portrayal of ordinary villagers standing up against injustice.
Streaming on: Netflix and YouTube
2. Rang De Basanti (2006)
Cast: Aamir Khan, Siddharth, Atul Kulkarni, Sharman Joshi, Soha Ali Khan, Kunal Kapoor, Alice Patten
Director: Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra
Rang De Basanti is a modern-day patriotic drama that connects the past and present. The film centers on a group of young Indians who are motivated to speak out against modern injustice and corruption after participating in a documentary about independence heroes. The film is a must-watch because of its compelling story and moving performances.
Streaming on: Amazon Prime Video, Netflix
3. Gandhi (1982)
Cast: Ben Kingsley, Rohini Hattangadi, Roshan Seth
Director: Richard Attenborough
This Oscar-winning biographical film pays homage to the father of the Indian nation, Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi is a biography that focuses on Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi’s nonviolent philosophies and his contribution to the Indian freedom cause. Ben Kingsley’s portrayal of Gandhi is so powerful and motivational that it’s a must-see on Independence Day 2024.
Streaming on: YouTube
4. Shaheed (1965)
Cast: Manoj Kumar, Prem Chopra, Anant Purushottam
Director: S. Ram Sharma
The biography of Bhagat Singh, one of India’s most respected independence fighters. The spirit of revolution and the sacrifices made by Singh and his allies in their struggle against British authority are depicted in the movie. This film is considered a classic of the patriot genre because of Manoj Kumar’s dramatic and tragic depiction of Bhagat Singh.
Streaming on: YouTube
5. Border (1997)
Cast: Sunny Deol, Suniel Shetty, Jackie Shroff, Akshaye Khanna, Puneet Issar, Sudesh Berry
Director: J.P. Dutta
The epic war movie Border, which is based on the Battle of Longewala in the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War, honors the valor and sacrifice of Indian soldiers. The movie is a favorite on Independence Day 2024 because it highlights the power of the Indian Armed Forces through its portrayal of bravery, unity, and patriotism.
Streaming on: YouTube and Amazon Prime Video
6. Swades (2004)
Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Gayatri Joshi
Director: Ashutosh Gowariker
Swades is the story of an Indian expatriate working at NASA who returns to India to find his roots. As he reconnects with his homeland, he becomes aware of the social issues plaguing rural India and takes it upon himself to make a change. The film is a powerful narrative of self-realization and the responsibility of every Indian to contribute to the nation’s progress.
Streaming on: Netflix
7. The Legend of Bhagat Singh (2002)
Cast: Ajay Devgan, Sushant Singh, D.Santosh, Amrita Rao
Director: Rajkumar Santoshi
The Legend of Bhagat Singh, another film that pays homage to the revolutionary, explores the revolutionary’s life in great detail, emphasizing his beliefs, motives, and the circumstances leading up to his martyrdom. Ajay Devgn was honored with a National Award for his portrayal of Bhagat Singh, and the movie serves as a powerful reminder of what freedom really costs.
8. Chak De India (2007)
Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Vidya Malvade
Director: Shimit Amin
Chak De India is a strong statement on unity and national identity in addition to being a sports drama. The movie centers on a disgraced former hockey player who wins a world championship while coaching the Indian women’s team. It’s an uplifting film to watch on Independence Day 2024 since it tells the tale of forgiveness, cooperation, and the unwavering spirit of Indian women.
Streaming on: Amazon Prime Video
9. Mangal Pandey: The Rising (2005)
Cast: Aamir Khan, Toby Stephens, Rani Mukerji
Director: Ketan Mehta
The narrative of Mangal Pandey, a soldier in the British East India Company who was instrumental in the 1857 uprising often regarded as the first struggle for Indian independence is told in the historical biographical movie Mangal Pandey: The Rising. The movie depicts the earliest stirrings of a rebellion against British authority and emphasizes how vital bravery and conviction are to the struggle for liberation.
Streaming on: Jio Cinema
10. Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019)
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Yami Gautam
Director: Aditya Dhar
A military action movie called Uri: The Surgical Strike is based on actual surgical strikes that the Indian Army conducted in reaction to the 2016 Uri incident. The film is thrilling to watch because of its intense action scenes and nationalistic enthusiasm. Vicky Kaushal’s renowned performance as Major Vihaan Singh Shergill is largely due to the impactful dialogue, “How’s the josh?”
