Rang De Basanti

No list on patriotic films is complete without this Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra classic. This coming of age film started a trend of sorts for the numerous peaceful protests at India Gate that took place after the film was released. A story of five carefree youngsters who are jolted to reality after a friend’s death redefined the way we youngsters perceived patriotism. Starring Aamir Khan, Kunal Kapoor, Sharman Joshi, Sidharth and Soha Ali Khan, the film dealt with issues like corruption and other loopholes in the society.

A Wednesday

Set in the aftermath of the 7/11 attack in Mumbai, which crippled the city due to bomb blasts in the locals, the film showed the other side of the Indian. The film showcased that India was no longer willing to be at the mercy of a hapless government. Starring Naseeruddin Shah and Anupam Kher, the film was written and directed by debutant filmmaker Neeraj Pandey.

Kahaani

Yes it was a thriller and story of a pregnant Vidya Balan looking for her lost husband in the streets of Kolkata. But the film had an underlying theme of patriotism where a woman is specially trained by the intelligence to eradicate a dreaded terrorist from the face of earth.

Chak De! India

Shah Rukh Khan played a fallen hockey hero who makes a comeback to coach the Indian women’s hockey team. The film also established the fact that when it came to protecting the honour of one’s country religion took a backseat. The film had a muslim hero, accused to giving away a winning match to Pakistan, resurrecting his career and the nation’s honour.

Lakshya

Hrithik Roshan played a reluctant soldier who was initially clueless about his life and how his inclusion in the Indian army and Kargil war changes his perception about life and his country.

Dus

Intelligence agents never looked so hot. Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Zayed Khan and Shilpa Shetty played officers of the Anti Terrorist Squad who put their country before their family. The plot revolved around ATS officers flying to Toronto to arrest a dreaded terrorist Jamwal who no one has seen before and who had plans to assassinate the Indian Prime Minster who was there on a visit. A high octane thriller, the film was popular for its music and stellar performance the star cast.

Sarfarosh

One usually doesn’t go wrong when there is Aamir Khan and Naseruddin Shah in a film together. John Mathew Mathan’s film on cross border terrorism had Shah playing a ghazal singer who was also a secret ISI agent. Aamir played ACP Rathod who is a righteous cop whose family goes through trials after his brother is killed by a terrorist group. The film dealt with the strain relationship that India and Pakistan shares but the entire issue was dealt in the most realistic manner. There was no chest thumping screaming jargons about mother land, there was no bashing of the neighbouring country and yet the emotions of righteous police officer out to nail the dreaded spy was portrayed subtly yet beautifully.

Mission Kashmir

Kashmir, the pristine valley and the outlawed youth were beautifully captured in this Vidhu Vinod Chopra film. Chopra, who spent his childhood in Kashmir, showcased the story of the locals and how terrorism had tarnished the image of an otherwise peaceful state. The film captured the patriotic Army officer’s (Sanjay Dutt) desperate attempt to get back his outlawed son (Hrithik Roshan) home and the inner conflict that he has to go through – to choose between his country and his family.

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