Films of freedom: Bring out the patriot in you with these 5 films of freedom that will inspire you this Independence Day
From the 1982 epic historical film Gandhi that channels the life of the Father of our Nation, to the period drama, The Viceroy's House based on the last Viceroy of India Lord Mountbatten, YSWeekender brings you films to watch this Independence Day
It has been 73 years since the Indian nation first attained Independence from tyrannical colonial rule and an unjust administrative system, and the journey was not an easy one.
Our forefathers and freedom fighters, many of whom sacrificed their own lives, all believed that their children’s children and future generations all had the right to attain ‘Poorna Swaraj’ or complete Independence.
The battles they fought required immense courage, struggle, grit, and perseverance in the name of justice, equality and most importantly freedom.
From Mangal Pandey a sepoy in the 34th Bengal Native Infantry (BNI) regiment of the British East India company who sowed the first seeds of the Independence movement, to Mahatma Gandhi, The Father of the Nation, who took the movement a notch higher, and ignited the flames of the first Azad Hind Fauj (Indian National Army) we wouldn’t be where we are today if not for these heroes and many others who joined hands in the quest for a free India.
So, this Independence Day, let us take a moment to honour the freedom fighters and martyrs of our country, by celebrating them and watching inspiring films that showcase their profound and heart-wrenching efforts.
YS Weekender brings you 5 films to watch this Independence Day, which take you back in time to the pre-independence era, makes you honour the forefathers of our nation, and brings out the patriot in you.
Gandhi
A 1982 film directed by Richard Attenborough; Gandhi is a stellar depiction of the Indian Independence movement, with Ben Kingsley in a leading role.
It tells the story of India’s struggle to achieve freedom through the eyes of the father of our nation, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi.
From the time he returned from South Africa as a successful practising lawyer to the time he assumed leadership as part of the Indian National Congress, he fought to overthrow the corrupt regimens of the British Raj and East India company through non-violent means, till his ultimate murder and assassination at the hands of Nathuram Godse.
(Image Credit: Gandhi Theatrical Release Poster)
Through the film we see campaigns by the freedom fighter, to ease poverty, abolish untouchability, fight for women’s rights, reduce land tax, and above all achieve his ultimate vision ‘Poorna Swaraj’ or ‘Self Rule.’
His strong relationship with fellow comrade and visionary Jawaharlal Nehru (portrayed by Roshan Seth) his wife Kasturba Gandhi (Rohini Hattangadi) and rift with Muhammed Ali Jinnah (Alyque Padamsee) are all clearly highlighted.
Famous depictions from history such as the ‘Dandi March’ (Salt March), Quit India Movement, Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, and ultimate Partition, are all beautifully depicted through this film, in a completely authentic and unbiased manner.
This is a film that is sure to make you feel proud of our nation, evoke patriotism, and leave you with an immense feeling of respect and gratitude to our forefathers, for attaining our nation's Independence in 1947, Gandhi is a film you should definitely consider watching this Independence Day.
It was nominated at the Academy Awards, in eleven categories, winning eight of them including ‘Best Picture’ and Best Director for Attenborough.
Lagaan: Once upon a time in India
A 2001 Hindi language sports film directed by Ashutosh Gowariker, ‘Lagaan: Once upon a time in India’ has Aamir Khan, Paul Blackthorne, Rachel Shelley and Gracy Singh in leading roles.
The film is set amidst colonial rule by the British Raj in India and tells the story of village inhabitants in Gujarat who are heavily burdened by tax, plagued by ongoing drought and struggling to make ends meet.
They are offered a solution by Captain Andrew Russell (portrayed by Paul Blackthorne) of the British army, who agrees to waive the villager’s tax, if they agree to a challenge.
They must play a game of cricket and win against the English, thereby clearing all debts.
Bhuvan Latha (Aamir Khan) one of the villagers, agrees to the task at hand, and assembles a team of other members in his village, much to their disapproval.
He believes that they will win and goes against all odds to make this happen.
Through regular training sessions and help from Captain Andrew’s younger sister Elizabeth who takes pity on the farmers, Bhuvan does not give up.
The day of the match arrives, and the British soldiers tell Captain Andrew that if the Indian team wins, he will have to clear their debts from his own pocket, and that the Raj will not be accountable.
Do Bhuvan and his team of farmers from Gujarat win, or does the British team win the challenge? You will have to watch this film to find out.
Packed with soulful musical numbers, brilliant costume design and strong protagonists, Lagaan is sure to take you back in time to India’s pre-independence era.
Lagaan received immense praise, and International awards and was even nominated for the Academy Awards, in the category of Best Foreign Language Film after Mother India and Salaam Bombay.
The Rising: Ballad of Mangal Pandey
A 2005 historical film directed by Ketan Mehta based on the life of Indian soldier and martyr, Mangal Pandey, this film is sure to inspire you.
It was during 1857 that the first seeds of the Independence movement were sown, with Indian sepoy Mangal Pandey at the forefront, who is known to have led the First War of Indian Independence.
This film depicts his struggles, ambitions and his ultimate quest for an India free from colonial rule.
(Image Credit: Mangal Pandey; The Rising official theatrical release poster)
Mangal Pandey (played by Aamir Khan) is enraged when a new Enfield Rifle is introduced to the British army, as the paper cartridges holding the powder and ball for the rifle are rumoured to contain the grease of cow and pig fat, animals sacred to the Hindus and Muslims of India respectively.
The soldiers are to bite the paper of the cartridge before loading the rifle, and the Indian soldiers are strongly against it and angered at their fellow British troops for not honouring their religious sentiments.
Besides this, the East India Company plans to divide and rule creating a rift between countrymen.
When Mangal steps forward to bite the paper off the greased cartridges he comes to realise that the rumours were indeed true, and rebels against this.
Confronting the system, the Indian sepoys come together in a mass 300,000 soldier uprising to overrule the unjust system and discrimination faced at the hands of the British regiment.
A film encompassing themes of friendship, love, betrayal and strength, Mangal Pandey is a film for those individuals who wish to go back in time and witness the spark that created the Indian rebellion of 1857, and what motivated countrymen to continue on the road to complete Independence.
Netaji Subash Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero
A 2004 Indian biographical war film ‘Netaji Subash Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero’ directed by Shyam Benegal depicts the life of Indian Independence leader Subhash Chandra Bose in Nazi Germany and the events that led to the formation of ‘Ajad Hind Fauj’ (Indian National Army.)
Subhash Chandra Bose had a different approach to freedom and was against civil disobedience and non-violence methods adopted by Mahatma Gandhi.
He believed that the development of a strong army was the way to overthrow the Raj, and hence parted ways with the Indian National Congress, and escaped to Germany where he planned to gather troops in his attempt to free India from colonial rule.
The film takes us on a journey of the protagonist, the challenges he faced, and the strong ideologies he built for himself and his supporters.
The film stars Sachin Khedekar in a leading role and won accolades at the BFI London Film Festival and National Film award for Best Feature Film on National Integration.
The film was screened on August 14th, 2016 at the Independence Day Film Festival jointly presented by the Indian Directorate of Film Festivals and the Ministry of Defense commemorating the 70th Indian Independence Day.
The Viceroy’s House
The Viceroy’s House is a 2017 British Indian historical drama film directed by Gurinder Chadha that stars, Hugh Bonneville, Gillian Anderson, Manish Dayal, and Huma Qureshi in leading roles.
The film tells the story of the final viceroy of India Lord Mountbatten, who arrives in India in 1947 and is in charge of overseeing the dissolution of the British Raj and the establishment of an Independent Indian nation.
Through the film we see how Lord Mountbatten attempts to mediate a disagreement between the two major Indian political leaders, Jawaharlal Nehru who wants India to remain intact as one nation after Independence, and Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who wishes to establish a separate Muslim state of Pakistan.
(Image Credit: The Viceroy's House (2017 Film) Official Facebook Page)
With intensifying riots across India and a growing divide amongst Indians and Muslims as a result of divide and rule, Mountbatten who was previously in favour of a one state solution, reluctantly accepts the partition of India.
With the help of English lawyer, Cyril Radcliffe they plan to carve out a separate state from the existing territory.
We see how Mountbatten faces a number of challenges in order to achieve a free Indian nation, and the betrayal he faces from his Chief of Staff, Lord Ismay, who has been secretly working to carve out the boundaries of Pakistan to create a buffer state between the Indian subcontinent and Soviet Union.
Realising that Ismay has used him as a pawn, Lord Mountbatten thinks about the consequences resulting in the displacement of a number of refugees and comes up with a solution.
He decides to stay on in India with his wife Edwina Mountbatten and daughter Pamela and help out in the best way that he can for the Indian people.
Edited by Asha Chowdary
