Movies for Thinking about Indian History
My purpose here is to create a list of movies that would help to give a gist of some Indian history. I do not recommend that you rely on these movies for absolute accuracy, though some are better than others. (Gandhi for instance, is much more closely documented than Ashoka the Great, which is a song and dance extravaganza that loosely relates to the life of the subject).
I do believe that these movies are useful for introductory purposes. Before accepting anything in these sorts of movies as fact, I recommend doing some background checking. But these movies might motivate you (as over the years they have motivated me) to care enough to do some serious research and reading.
I do believe that these movies are useful for introductory purposes. Before accepting anything in these sorts of movies as fact, I recommend doing some background checking. But these movies might motivate you (as over the years they have motivated me) to care enough to do some serious research and reading.
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1.
“ A grand scale epic movie about one of India's early great emperors. Historical accuracy was not one of the movie-makers prime concerns (and many details are not available). But it works as an introduction to the broad outlines of the story. ” - RRHowell41
2.
Jodhaa Akbar
(2008)
A sixteenth century love story about a marriage of alliance that gave birth to true love between a great Mughal emperor, Akbar, and a Rajput princess, Jodha. (213 mins.)
Director: Ashutosh Gowariker
“ There are problems with historicity on this one, but the broad outlines that there was this guy named Akbar who cared about religious tolerance at some level are valid. ” - RRHowell41
3.
Mughal-E-Azam
(1960)
Inspired by true events, a 16th century prince falls in love with a court dancer and battles with his emperor father. (197 mins.)
Director: K. Asif
“ Romance of one of the early Mughal emperors. ” - RRHowell41
4.
Tulsidas
(1954)
Sage Tulsidas faces challenges when he attempts to translate the Holy Ramayan.
Director: Harsukh Bhatt, Balchandra
“ This is an old black and white movie that tells the story of Tulsidas, who wrote the Awadhi (accessible to Hindi speakers) version of the Ramayana. ” - RRHowell41
5.
The Rising: Ballad of Mangal Pandey
(2005)
Based on the life and times of Mangal Pandey, 1857: The Rising is a film about the leader of the 1857 mutiny and his fight against the British rule. (150 mins.)
Director: Ketan Mehta
“ Very nice epic historical romance. ” - RRHowell41
6.
Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey
(2010)
Deprived of playing football by oppressive British, children decide to join a group of freedom fighters. (168 mins.)
Director: Ashutosh Gowariker
“ About the Chitagong Rebellion in 1930. A patriotic look at a violent part of the Indian struggle for independence. A well-done and thoughtful movie, though it was a box office flop. ” - RRHowell41
7.
The Legend of Bhagat Singh
(2002)
The story of a young revolutionary who raised an armed resistance against the British rule in India. (155 mins.)
Director: Rajkumar Santoshi
“ Of the three recent movies that deal with this, this one is the best. ” - RRHowell41
8.
Gandhi
(1982)
Gandhi's character is fully explained as a man of nonviolence. Through his patience, he is able to drive the British out of the subcontinent. And the stubborn nature of Jinnah and his commitment towards Pakistan is portrayed. (191 mins.)
Director: Richard Attenborough
“ This one is obvious. If you will only watch one movie on Indian history, this is the one to see. ” - RRHowell41
9.
Water
(2005)
The film examines the plight of a group of widows forced into poverty at a temple in the holy city of Varanasi. It focuses on a relationship between one of the widows, who wants to escape the social restrictions imposed on widows, and a man who is from the highest caste and a follower of Mahatma Gandhi. (117 mins.)
Director: Deepa Mehta
“ Widows in Varanasi during the time of Gandhi. ” - RRHowell41
10.
Sardar
(1993)
An account of Vallbhbhai Patel's political life while India was taking first steps as an independent country. (175 mins.)
Director: Ketan Mehta
“ Sardar Patel, focusing on 1945-1950. ” - RRHowell41
11.
Gandhi, My Father
(2007)
The account of troubled relationship between Mahatma Gandhi and his eldest son. (136 mins.)
Director: Feroz Abbas Khan
“ About Gandhi's oldest son. ” - RRHowell41
12.
Earth
(1998)
It's 1947 and the borderlines between India and Pakistan are being drawn. A young girl bears witnesses to tragedy as her ayah is caught between the love of two men and the rising tide of political and religious violence. (110 mins.)
Director: Deepa Mehta
“ Set in Lahore at the time of Partition. ” - RRHowell41
13.
Pinjar
(2003)
In the days leading up to Partition, a Hindu woman is abducted by a Muslim man. Soon, she finds herself not only forced into marriage, but living in a new country as the borders between India and Pakistan are drawn. (188 mins.)
Director: Dr. Chandra Prakash Dwivedi
“ A movie about partition, but particularly about the women who got trapped on one side or the other of the border and the difficulties and issues of repatriation. ” - RRHowell41
14.
Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa
(1998)
Dibyanath Chatterji, his bank-employed wife, Sujata, and only child, a son, Brati, live a middle-class existence in Calcutta... (186 mins.)
Director: Govind Nihalani
“ A mother learns about her son's involvement with the Naxalites. ” - RRHowell41
15.
Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi
(2003)
Geeta Rao has two admirers - one is Siddharth Tyabji and the other is Vikram Malhotra circa 1969 West... (120 mins.)
Director: Sudhir Mishra
“ Powerful story set against political activism (including Naxalites) of the 1970's. ” - RRHowell41
16.
“ A college-aged girl returns to India, where she was born, to reconnect with her roots. In the process, she learns history about Delhi that she never knew. (The Sikh Massacres) ” - RRHowell41
17.
Firaaq
(2008)
Chronicles the devastating impact on vulnerable Muslims in Gujarat after riots. (101 mins.)
Director: Nandita Das
“ Focuses on the aftermath of the Gujarati Riots. ” - RRHowell41