Bollywood movies that you should watch if you are a fan of history

Bollywood has tried to time and again portray the rich historical aspects of our country. There have been numerous movies that have showcased history from the Independence period to even further back in history. But there have been instances where historical events have been dramatised for films. Here are the best five Bollywood movies to watch if you love history.

1. Lagaan (2001)

The Aamir Khan starrer tops the list when one thinks of mainstream Bollywood movies based on history. The film was not based on the events of the past but drew a lot of inspirations from the tension during colonial times. The film was also nominated for the  Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. The film won numerous accolades including eight National Awards.

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2. Mangal Pandey: The Rising (2005)

The Aamir Khan starrer was a biographical film based on rebellion lead by Mangal Pandey during The First War of Indian Independence. He is famous for helping to spark the Indian rebellion of 1857. The film went on to become the highest-grossing film of 2005 and was also screened at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival.

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3. Jodhaa Akbar (2008)

Ashutosh Gowariker, who also directed Lagaan, directed this historical romance film starring Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. The film is based on the love story between the Mughal Emperor Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar and the Rajput Princess Jodhaa Bai. Even though the film had certain inaccuracies, the lavish costumes and larger than life sets made it a visual treat for history buffs.

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4. Indu Sarkar (2017)

Indu Sarkar was set in the emergency period from 1975-1977 where a state of emergency was declared by the Indira Gandhi government. The film received mixed reviews from the critics and audience. What makes the film a must-watch is that the entire emergency period is one of the least talked about but also one of the biggest influential factors of modern-day India.

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5. Padmaavat (2018)

Deepika Padukone starred in the epic period drama as a Rajput queen, Rani Padmavati. The film was directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. There were a lot of controversies around the film including protests by several Rajput caste organisations. The film was an enormous success at the box office and even won three National Awards.

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