From Mangal Pandey to Bhagat Singh: 7 films based on Indian freedom fighters

Many freedom fighters risked their lives to free the country. Some accepted death with joy, while others risked their families to protect the country. India gained independence with great difficulty and attempts have been made to showcase this struggle through various Indian films. India will celebrate its 78th Independence Day on August 15. So let us take a look at the top 7 films made on the lives of freedom fighters that made Indian cinema great.

1. Gandhi (1982)

The movie ‘Gandhi’ was released in 1982. It shows the story of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and what Mahatma Gandhi did to liberate the country. This movie was directed and produced by Richard Attenborough. Ben Kingsley played the role of Mahatma Gandhi in this movie.

2. Sardar (1993)

The movie ‘Sardar’ was based on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. This movie was directed by Ketan Mehta. Paresh Rawal played the role of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in the movie Sardar. The movie showed how Sardar got involved in the freedom movement and gave his incredible contribution to India’s longest struggle.

3. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar (2000)

Biopic starring Mammootty on BR Ambedkar, who is known primarily for his contributions to the emancipation of India’s oppressed and underprivileged classes and the shaping of the Indian Constitution. The film remains one of the most underrated films based on freedom fighters.

4. The Legend of Bhagat Singh (2002)

In the year 2002, three films on Sardar Bhagat Singh were released simultaneously at the box office. The names of these films and the actors playing the characters may have been different, but all three films depict Sardar Bhagat Singh’s struggle to win the war of independence. The names of these films are ‘The Legend of Bhagat Singh’, ‘Shaheed’ and ‘Shaheed-e-Azam’. These three films were released simultaneously, but people liked Ajay Devgan’s film ‘The Legend of Bhagat Singh’ more.

5. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Unsung Hero (2004)

In the year 2005, a film was made on freedom fighter Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. In this film, it was shown how Netaji formed the ‘Azad Hind Fauj’ and fought for independence. This film was directed by Shyam Benegal and in it Sachin Khedekar played the role of Netaji.

6. Mangal Pandey (2005)

Aamir KhanThe 2005 film ‘Mangal Pandey: The Rising Star’ was based on freedom fighter Mangal Pandey. This film was released in the year 2005. This film was directed by Ketan Mehta. There was a lot of hype regarding the release of this film. This film received a mixed response at the box office.

7. Sardar Udham (2021)

The horrific Jallianwala Bagh massacre left the country terrified and damaged forever. One of them was a young man named Sardar Udham, who came to London in 1933-34 after escaping the massacre through the Afghan mountains. He spent about five years rekindling the movement. For twenty-one years, he carried the open wound of the tragedy. In retaliation for the killings, he killed Michael O’Dwyer in London in 1940. He was promptly arrested, convicted of murder and executed by hanging later that year. Shaheed-i-Azam Sardar Udham Singh, which translates to “the great martyr”, is the name given to him. Director Shoojit Sircar’s magnificent film, which won a National Award, masterfully captures the spirit, masterfully played by the talented Vicky Kaushal, who plays the lead role.

Read also: KBC 16: Do you know the answer to this Rs 25 lakh question related to Mahabharat?