Though Manoj Kumar is the official Mr Bharat of Hindi Cinema, there have been actors before and after him who have done more than one patriotic film. Here’s looking at a few of them:
DILIP KUMAR:
Dilip Kumar in 'Shaheed' |
Shaheed – This 1948 film was one of the few films conceived in free India. It was about a young freedom fighter’s life and the opposition he faces from his own father. First patriotic film by the legendary actor.
Leader – A film little before its time, this 1964 flick spoke about the Indian government’s policy of taking over the princely states and the opposition it faced. “apni azaadi ko hum hargij meeta sakte nahin…” was a popular song.
Kranti – 1981 film by Manoj Kumar was almost a come back film for Dilip Kumar. It featured Manoj Kumar and Dilip Kumar in freedom fighter’s roles.
Karma – 1984 Subhash Ghai film featured the legend as a patriotic jailor of a prison who sets to recapture a terrorist who escapes his jail and kills all the other inmates while doing so.
SUNNY DEOL:
Sunny Deol in 'Border' |
Border – This 1997 film based on Indo-Pak war, was the first in a series of patriotic films that the Deol did.
Gadar Ek Prem Katha – This 2001 film was based on partition and its outcome. The patriotic sikh portrayed by Deol is still remembered.
Indian – Story of an honest police officer who kills his dishonest father-in-law to save the country from bomb attacks planned by terrorists was released in 2001 as well.
Ma Tujhe Salaam – Deol played an upright army officer posted in Kashmir who manages to subvert a ploy of PoK terrorists to take over a village in Kashmir with help of a villager in 2002 film.
Hero, The Spy Story – This 2003 launch film of Priyanka Chopra was based on adventures of an Indian spy who topples all plans of ISI to create nuclear weapons.
AKSHAY KUMAR:
Akshay Kumar in 'Holiday, A Soldier is Never Off Duty' |
Holiday, A Soldier is Never Off Duty – This 2014 film was the beginning of Kumar’s series of patriotic films.
Baby – This 2015 spy story was a spin on the Indian spies and their adventures and how they are uncelebrated heroes.
Airlift – True life story based on life of a Indian businessman who helped evacuate Indians during Iraq invasion of Kuwait released in 2016.
Toilet Ek Prem Katha – 2017 saw this film based on PM Modi’s agenda of toilets in every house click at the box office.
Padman – Based on the man who developed sanitary pad making machine for a minimal price and took efforts to take the sanitary pad to remotest village of India, was released in 2018.
Gold – Kumar’s portrayal of the man obsessed of winning the first gold medal in hockey at the Olympics for the free India in this 2018 film was acclaimed by critics.
Mission Mangal – This 2019 film was based on the Mars mission by ISRO.
Bell Bottom– This film based on true life story of a RAW agent and series of hijacks in the 1970s was released on OTT in 2021.
AJAY DEVGN:
Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior | File image
Hindustan Ki Kasam - 1999 saw Devgn as an army officer for the first time.
Shaheed Bhagat Singh - Out if two films made with the same name in 2002, Devgn starred in one.
Zameen - This 2003 film showed Devgn again as a honest army officer.
Tanhaji - This 2020 blockbuster was about the unsung swarajya fighter from Shivaji Maharaj's troupe.
Bhuj - Devgn played an airforce officer in this film that premiered on OTT in 2020
RRR - Devgn plays a cameo in this 2022 blockbuster about freedom struggle.
