Here’s a list of 5 films you must watch on Republic Day:


1.Border - This film, directed by J.P Dutta, is and has been a Republic Day/Independence Day staple since 1997. The plot of this film is based on the Battle of Longewala, fought in Rajasthan, during the 1971 Indo-Pak war. The setting of the film, the characters, the dialogues – everything about this film is deeply patriotic, often bordering on jingoist, but finds itself coming back to reason and rationale. Even though the characters portrayed in the film and the events were highly exaggerated, the Indian audience can find a real emotional connect. The stand out factor in this film is the relationship between Kulbhushan Kharbanda and Puneet Issar. A must watch this Republic Day.

2.Gadar: Ek Prem Katha - If you’re in the mood for some romance thrown into the mix of patriotism and pride, you shouldn’t skip watching this film! Sunny Deol plays the role of a village simpleton from India who falls in love with a convent educated Pakistani girl played by Amisha Patel. This story starts with the massacre that was the Indo-Pak partition, a short wedding and a baby later, Amisha Patel heads to Pakistan and is held hostage by her father played by Amrish Puri. She is rescued by Sunny Deol and amidst the chaos there are several action sequences, red tapism and a heavy dose of patriotic fervor. For all you romantics out there, here’s a prem katha you must watch!

3.Purab Aur Paschim – This film is a classic! Directed by Manoj Kumar, the plot of the film doesn’t really have to do with an active state of war or action but it is an absolute patriotic delight. Saira Banu is a delight to watch and Manoj Kumar is charming. This film was so popular that the recent film, Namaste London, was heavily inspired from it. However, we earnestly suggest that you watch the original.

4.Rang De Basanti – Aamir Khan and his motley crew steal your heart in this Rakesh OmPrakash Mehra film. This coming of age film is a must watch for all those young adults who think that there is no tangible way in which they can contribute to the betterment of this nation, who think a trip to the glitzy United States of America is the solution to all their problems, who think that the muck of corruption can’t touch them and their dear ones. The music of A.R Rahman and the beauty of this film will move you to tears, but not before it engrains a message in your heart.

5.Swades: This film has an extremely apt tagline – We, the people. Directed by Ashutosh Gowariker, this film focuses on what really matters. Poverty, gender discrimination, illiteracy, child labour and even brain drain is beautifully dealt with in this film. The reason this film made it to this list isn’t because it was the most patriotic film we could scour, it made it because it showed us, in plain light, what is wrong with us and what we could do to make a difference. This is a film you must watch!