10 must-watch patriotic movies to celebrate Independence Day
From epic battles to quiet acts of heroism, several cinematic masterpieces redefine patriotism on screen. Take a look at some of the films that capture India’s spirit, that is perfect to watch this Independence Day.
Lakshya (2004) Lakshya revolves around Karan Shergill, played by Hrithik Roshan, a lost soul who enlists with the Indian Army and finds his purpose in the Kargil War. Farhan Akhtar directed the movie which was about a man’s life journey of going from purposelessness to courage. The movie had stunning war scenes and Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy's inspiring score. Lakshya is not just a war movie, but a journey towards one's calling and overcoming adversity.
2/10
Lagaan (2001) Based on the colonial India era, Lagaan revolves around villagers who challenge British officials to play cricket to escape the burden of oppressive taxation. Led by Bhuvan (Aamir Khan), the underdog team trains assiduously, merging along the lines of caste and creed. With its compelling narrative, indelible characters, and Oscar nomination, Lagaan is a timeless reminder of courage and unity.
3/10
Rang De Basanti (2006) This contemporary classic shows the past and present, the tale of carefree college friends whose lives change after playing roles in a documentary about India's freedom fighters. As their consciousness matures, they go on the war path against corruption, reflecting the martyrdom of great heroes such as Bhagat Singh. The film stars Aamir Khan, R. Madhavan, Siddharth, Kunal Kapoor and Soha Ali Khan in the lead.
4/10
Border (1997) Based on the true events of the Battle of Longewala during the 1971 Indo-Pak war, Border showcases the bravery of a small group of Indian soldiers holding their post against overwhelming odds. Directed by J.P. Dutta and featuring Sunny Deol, Suniel Shetty, and Jackie Shroff, the film combines emotional depth with gripping action sequences.
Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019) Incorporating real-life events, Uri reimagines India's surgical strike against terror camps in 2016. Vicky Kaushal is excellent as Major Vihaan Singh Shergill, guiding his men with accuracy, guts, and grit. Full of high-energy battle scenes and now a classic line, "How's the Josh? ", the movie is an ode to the defence forces. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the film also stars Yami Gautam, Paresh Rawal, Kirti Kulhari and Mohit Raina in the key roles.
6/10
Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh This courtroom drama traces C. Sankaran Nair (Akshay Kumar), an Indian lawyer who takes on the British Empire following the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Inspired by The Case That Shook the Empire, the film recounts Nair's legal fight for justice, retrieving hidden evidence, defying media manipulation, and fueling rebellion through truth.
7/10
Raazi (2018) Set in 1971, Raazi explores the story of Sehmat Khan (Alia Bhatt), a young Indian female spy who gets married into a Pakistani army family as part of her mission of an undercover agent. From Harinder Sikka's novel Calling Sehmat, the movie skillfully interweaves espionage, emotional turmoil, and patriotism. Directed by Meghna Gulzar, Raazi is a tribute to lesser-known heroes, reminding us that patriotism is often about personal loss and ethical conflicts.
8/10
Kesari (2019) Kesari stages the epic Battle of Saragarhi, when 21 Sikh soldiers of the British Indian Army fought bravely against a horde of Afghan invaders in 1897. Akshay Kumar gives a stirring performance as Havildar Ishar Singh. Anurag Singh's directed film combines stirring battle scenes, emotional depth, and scintillating visuals.
Kesari (2019) Kesari stages the epic Battle of Saragarhi, when 21 Sikh soldiers of the British Indian Army fought bravely against a horde of Afghan invaders in 1897. Akshay Kumar gives a stirring performance as Havildar Ishar Singh. Anurag Singh's directed film combines stirring battle scenes, emotional depth, and scintillating visuals.
10/10
Shershaah (2021) This film explores the real-life story of Vikram Batra, a young man, dreams of becoming a soldier and falls in love with Dimple. Vikram climbs the military ranks and contributes to India's victory in the Kargil war soon after his training. This biography of Captain Vikram Batra, who was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military honour, leaves viewers in tears with the emotional scene.
![Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019) Incorporating real-life events, Uri reimagines India's surgical strike against terror camps in 2016. Vicky Kaushal is excellent as Major Vihaan Singh Shergill, guiding his men with accuracy, guts, and grit. Full of high-energy battle scenes and now a classic line, "How's the Josh? ", the movie is an ode to the defence forces. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the film also stars Yami Gautam, Paresh Rawal, Kirti Kulhari and Mohit Raina in the key roles.](https://images.moneycontrol.com/static-mcnews/2025/08/20250814045642_uri.jpg "Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019) Incorporating real-life events, Uri reimagines India's surgical strike against terror camps in 2016. Vicky Kaushal is excellent as Major Vihaan Singh Shergill, guiding his men with accuracy, guts, and grit. Full of high-energy battle scenes and now a classic line, "How's the Josh? ", the movie is an ode to the defence forces. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the film also stars Yami Gautam, Paresh Rawal, Kirti Kulhari and Mohit Raina in the key roles.")
