Biographies have always attracted me as they not just provide a real story, but it also shares some real ideas and situations that we never know about. Films on biographies might not do well commercially as audiences are more interested in some entertainment rather than taking a peek into the history. You can call me names, but for me every movie is a learning experience and I gather some information in my mind that I can use or apply somewhere. I love watching international biographies about great leaders and influential people that made their name in various fields. I believe when you watch biopic films you not just get to see the character of that individual, but the culture of that country and the time and era in which that individual struggled to be what he or she has become.
Let me share with you some interesting biopic films in India about Indians that will help you to discover more about India. I have attached the real life pictures along with movie posters to make the post more interesting. I give the credit of this idea to my wife Sarah who came up with the idea that real life pictures would make a great impact on the readers.
Sardar
iMDB Rating – 7.8/10
This movie is the reason why I am so passionate about biopic films. I watched it on TV when I was in the last year of my school and the impact has been tremendous. Directed by Ketan Mehta and performed exceptionally by veteran actor Paresh Rawal, Sardar is a biopic on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, one of India’s greatest freedom fighter also popularly known in India as the Iron Man of India. The movie focuses on his relationship with Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru without taking any cinematic liberties and fictional concepts keeping it as real and true to real incidents and his vision of one independent nation called India.
Bandit Queen
iMDB Rating – 7.5/10
Truth is stranger than fiction and Bandit Queen certainly stands true to its story. The movie is based on the life of Phoolan Devi, a dacoit who later turned to politics. Directed by Shekhar Kapur and starring Seema Biswas in the title role, Bandit Queen is not for the faint hearted. It highlights shocking facts of child marriage, child abuse, sexual abuse, caste discrimination, molestation and gruesome murders. This rape and revenge saga from the deep pockets of India has also won some international recognition in the year 1994.
The Legend of Bhagat Singh
iMDB Rating – 8/10
There are countless movies made on Bhagat Singh, but this movie is certainly one step ahead in terms of production values and story-telling concept. Biographies can turn boring if not made properly, but this movie keeps you connected throughout. No wonder, it has such high rating on iMDB. The Legend of Bhagat Singh highlights the story of Bhagat Singh, a freedom fighter who was a Gandhi follower during his childhood days, but later develops a different vision and his struggle for Indian Independence. The story also highlights why his views differ from that of Gandhi’s later on, how his growing popularity affected Gandhi and how he sacrificed his life for the freedom of independent India. Directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, this will remain Ajay Devgan’s most spectacular performances onscreen. This one is for all those who want to explore more on Indian independence struggle and people involved in it.
Gandhi, My Father
iMDB Rating – 7.4/10
Gandhi being the key figure in Indian freedom struggle has attracted lot of attention from producers and directors globally and locally. However, Gandhi My Father explores a theme that has never been seen before on Indian celluloid. Directed by Feroz Abbas Khan and produced by veteran actor Anil Kapoor, this movie stars Darshan Jariwala as M.K. Gandhi and Akshaye Khanna as Harilal Gandhi, eldest son of M.K. Gandhi. This movie is slow and complex and should I say it’s not exactly entertaining, because it focuses on intricate and strained relationship between M.K. Gandhi and his eldest son Harilal Gandhi. It highlights Harilal’s dreams who wants to become a barrister like his father and would hope to go to London for further Western education, but his hopes are shattered by his father who believes that Western education is not going to serve any good and that his son should stay in India and fight for his ideals and causes. It also focuses on Harilal’s point of view who feels that his father who is also called the Father of the Nation has disappointingly failed in his duty towards his own son and renouncing his family ties in 1911. A must watch movie for all Gandhi fans. (I couldn't find a suitable picture of Harilal Gandhi on the internet).
Harishachandrachi Factory
iMDB Rating – 7.8/10
Indian cinema also known as Bollywood is among the largest centers of film production in the world with US$1.86 billion (93 billion in Indian Rupees) in revenues in 2010. However, it all started with a vision of one man, Dadasaheb Phalke, who is known as the Father of Indian cinema. Harishchandrachi Factory is a Marathi language movie that aptly focuses on the struggles of how he managed to make his first ever feature film Raja Harishchandra in 1913. Directed by Prakash Mokashi, this movie was India’s official entry to Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Language Film category. Although, it depicts the hardships, dedication and struggles of one man on a mission and with a vision to make a feature film it is sprinkled with the right amount of witty humor and scenes. If you believe biographies are boring, you must watch Harishchandrachi Factory and I am sure you will have a change of heart by the end of the movie. When the movie was released in 2010, I wrote a review on it. For detailed review click here.
Paan Singh Tomar
iMDB Rating – 8.3/10
There is a term which Indians usually speak, “It happens only in India”. Directed by Tigmanshu Dhulia, Paan Singh Tomar tells an exceptional tale of athlete Paan Singh Tomar who serves as a soldier in the Indian Army, wins gold medal at the Indian National Games in the steeplechase event seven years in a row, but circumstances turn upside down forcing him to become a notorious bandit in his region. Superbly performed by Irrfan Khan, this movie is critically acclaimed for the facts and the true story of a young man who respects and serves the law, but how he is forced to turn against the law. The movie also won the National Award for Best Feature Film and Best Actor along with other critics’ awards.
Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
iMDB Rating – 8.5/10
If you are down and out and weary of your life, take a seat and watch this film and probably you will find inspiration pumped into your veins miraculously. Directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag takes us through the ups and downs of the life of Milkha Singh, an Indian athlete who has remained a national champion runner and an Olympian with humble beginnings as he is orphaned and displaced during the Partition of India. The story focuses on his recruitment in the Indian Army and his training in cross-country run that finally inspired him to become an athlete.
Shahid
iMDB Rating – 8/10
While I wanted to write just seven biography films, I just could not ignore this one for its sheer story line and truthfulness. Shahid is a 2013 movie directed by Hansal Mehta based on the life of lawyer and human rights activist Shahid Azmi who was assassinated in 2010 in Mumbai. The story explores his early adulthood life where Shahid witnesses violence during Bombay Riots which angers him and he decides to run away to Pakistan Administered Kashmir to militant training camp. However, he realizes that being a terrorist and revenge is not an answer to the solution. He returns to Mumbai, but is arrested, and he manages to complete his law degree while in jail. He starts his own career fighting cases for defending those who are wrongly accused in the cases of terrorism, but instead becomes a target for some sections of the society that accuses him as a traitor helping terrorists to go scot-free.
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