Top 10 Indian patriotic movies that evoke national pride: ‘Rang De Basanti’, ‘Swade to Shershah’

Bollywood has a lot of movies that are perfect for when the patriotic mood is on the rise. Over the years, filmmakers have weaved stories that help us understand the heartbeat of this country. When it comes to stirring up some good old patriotism, Bollywood has no shortage of fascinating stories. So, if you are in the mood to watch a movie filled with pride, here is a list of the best Indian patriotic movies that will strike a chord with almost everyone. Keep reading.

10 proud Indian patriotic movies

1. Border (1997)

• Execution time: 2 hours 56 minutes
• IMDB rating: 7.9/10
• Movie genre: war/action
• Movie star cast: Sunny Deol, Sunil Shetty, Akshaye Khanna, Jackie Shroff, Pooja Bhatt
• director: JP Dutta
• Release year: 1997
• Where to watch / OTT platforms: amazon prime

The blockbuster film Border delves into the 1971 India-Pakistan war and provides a cinematic depiction of real-life events that took place during that conflict. The film has an all-star cast including Sunny Deol, Suniel Shetty, Akshaye Khanna, and Jackie Shroff. Definitely one of the best Indian military movies!

2. Sways (2004)

• Execution time: 3 hours 9 minutes
• IMDB rating: 8.2/10
• Movie genre: Drama
• Movie star cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Gayatri Oberoi
• director: Ashutosh Gowariker
• Release year: 2004
• Where to watch / OTT platforms: Netflix

Sways, starring Shah Rukh Khan, is undoubtedly one of the best films in the list of best patriotic films. It revolves around the life of an Indian working at NASA. During a short visit to India, he was deeply moved by the plight of the people of his homeland. Due to his sense of responsibility, he decides to dedicate his life to the development of the region.

3. Rang De Basanti (2006)

• Execution time: 2 hours 37 minutes
• IMDB rating: 8.1/10
• Movie genre: drama, documentary
• Movie star cast: Aamir Kher, R. Madhavan, Kunal Kapoor, Sharman Joshi, Anupam Khan, Soha Ali Khan, Waheeda Rehman, Siddharth
• director: Rakesh Omprakash Mehra
• Writer: Prasson Joshi, Rencil D’Silva
• Story author: Kamlesh Pandey
• Release year: 2006
• Where to watch / OTT platforms: Netflix

Rang De Basanti is about a British documentary filmmaker who travels to India to select young actors for his next project about Indian freedom fighters. Through its story, the film sheds light on disturbing social issues that seem to be an integral part of India’s complex fabric.

4. Sardar Udham (2021)

• Execution time: 2 hours 42 minutes
• IMDB rating: 8.2/10
• Movie genre: drama, crime
• Movie star cast: Vicky Kaushal, Vanita Sanduamol Parashar, Manisha Koirala
• director: Shoojit Sircar
• Writer: Shubendu Bhattacharya, Ritesh Shah
• Release year: 2021
• Where to watch / OTT platforms: amazon prime

The 2021 film Sardar Udham, directed by Shoojit Sircar, delves into the story of Indian revolutionary Udham Singh. Seeking revenge for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, Singh turns to Michael O’Dwyer, Lieutenant Governor of Punjab. The film follows Singh’s determined mission to assassinate O’Dwyer in retaliation for a tragic incident orchestrated by the British military.

5. Chakde! India (2007)

• Execution time: 2 hours 33 minutes
• IMDB rating: 8.1/10
• Movie genre: sports, drama
• Movie star cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Sagrika Ghatge, Vidya Malvad, Shilpa Shukla
• director: Simit Amin
• Writer: Sergio Cassi, Chunghyun Lee
• Release year: 2007
• Where to watch / OTT platforms: amazon prime

Chakde! India teaches valuable lessons about patriotism and fosters a deep love for the country, especially through hockey, India’s national sport. Starring the king of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan, the film is a moving story that emphasizes the importance of national pride and unity.

6. Raj (2018)

• Execution time: 2 hours 20 minutes
• IMDB rating: 7.7/10
• Movie genre: thriller
• Movie star cast: Alia Bhatt, Vicky Kaushal, Jaideep Ahlawat, Soni Razdan, Amruta Khanvilkar, Shishir Sharma
• director: Meghna Gulzar
• Writer: Meghna Gulzar, Bhavani Iyer
• Release year: 2018
• Where to watch / OTT platforms: amazon prime

Raazi is one of India’s best patriotic films, starring Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal. The film is an intricate story of an Indian girl who marries a Pakistani military official and becomes a spy. This fascinating story depicts the courage and dedication of a young spy driven by a deep determination to protect his country from outside threats.

6. Ghazi Attack (2017)

• Execution time: 2 hours 3 minutes
• IMDB rating: 7.5/10
• Movie genre: war, action
• Movie star cast: Kay Kay Menon, Rana Daggubati, Taapsee Pannu, Atul Agnihotri, Om Puri, Rahul Singh
• director: Sankalp Reddy
• Writer: Gangaraju Gunnam, Azad Alam
• Release year: 2017
• Where to watch / OTT platforms: amazon prime

Ghazi Attack is an exemplary addition to India’s patriotic cinema. The film is a complex depiction of a high-stakes standoff between the navies of India and Pakistan on the brink of war. The story unfolds with fascinating intensity, emphasizing themes of patriotism and strategic warfare, providing audiences with a compelling cinematic experience.

7. Lagaan (2001)

• Execution time: 3 hours 44 minutes
• IMDB rating: 8.1/10
• Movie genre: drama, sports
• Movie star cast: Aamir Khan, Gracy Singh, Yashpal Sharma, Kulbhushan Kharbanda
• director: Ashutosh Gowarikar
• Release year: 2001
• Where to watch / OTT platforms: Netflix

Directed by Ashutosh Gowariker, Lagaan is a great addition to our list of patriotic films and centers around a unique battle that unfolds on a cricket field. The film is set in pre-independence India and follows Indian villagers as they challenge their colonizers at a game they have yet to master. Nominated for an Academy Award, Lagaan is a stunning depiction of the triumph of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

8. Wednesday (2008)

• Execution time: 1 hour 44 minutes
• IMDB rating: 8.1/10
• Movie genre: thriller, crime
• Movie star cast: Naseeruddin Shah, Anupam Kher, Jimmy Shergill, Aamir Bashir, Gaurav Kapoor
• director: Neeraj Pandey
• Writer: Neeraj Pandey
• Release year: 2008
• Where to watch / OTT platforms: Netflix

Speaking of India’s top 10 patriotic films, Neeraj Pandey’s ‘Wednesday’ tells the story of a fed up common man fighting corruption. Although fictional, the script was inspired by his July 11, 2006 Mumbai train bombings and shows the protagonist’s determination to stand up against a flawed system.

9. Raksha (2004)

• Execution time: 3 hours 6 minutes
• IMDB rating: 7.8/10
• Movie genre: war, action
• Movie star cast: Hrithik Roshan, Preity Zinta, Amitabh Bachchan, Boman Irani, Om Puri
• director: Farhan Akhtar
• Release year: 2004
• Where to watch / OTT platforms: Netflix / Amazon Prime

One of the top contenders in the list of Indian military films, Raksha started out as a modest box office success, but over time, it gained cult status. Hrithik Roshan’s great performance supports this coming-of-age story about a carefree young man who discovers his purpose by joining the army.

10. Shersher (1997)

• Execution time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• IMDB rating: 8.1/10
• Movie genre: war, action
• Movie star cast: Siddharth Malhotra, Kiara Advani, Shiv Pandit, Nikitin Dia
• director: vishnuvardhan
• Writer: Sandeep Shrivastava
• Release year: 2021
• Where to watch / OTT platforms: amazon prime

Shershah is an Indian Army film that depicts the heroic story of Captain Vikram Batra during the Kargil War. Featuring Siddharth Malhotra, the film truly captures Batra’s courage and sacrifice. With gripping war scenes and emotional resonance, the film is a powerful tribute to the courage of our nation’s military. No list of Indian military movies would be complete without Shershaah.