Non-Contemporary Patriotism!

Comments [ 5 ] By Hershi J. | 15 August 2013 | 9:45pm

When the thought of patriotism comes to mind, one often thinks of the military as perfect examples. But have you ever thought what patriotism means beyond that? Today, on Independence Day, BollyCurry brings to you a list of movies that are patriotic, beyond the typical war front, military focused films!

First on the list we have Shah Rukh Khan's movie, Chak De India. In the movie, Shah Rukh Khan plays a Muslim field hockey player, playing for the Indian team. His character is accused of having taken money from Pakistan to ensure that India loses due to his religion. Many years later, he is back on the field again to prove his loyalty and patriotism by coaching an Indian girls' field hockey team. As expected, the patriotism and the faith they had in each other, won them the medal!

Lagaan was another lovely patriotic movie which is about a group of villagers who, to cancel the British tax or lagaan on their crops, challenge the British regiment to a game of cricket. Not knowing anything about the game and facing criticism from the villagers, this group battles all odds with the help of a British lady who loves Bhuvan (played by Aamir Khan) and proves once and for all that when you have your mind set to it, nothing is impossible. They not only win the game, but they drive the British cantonment out of their village freeing themselves.

While this next movie may be indirectly about the army, it is more about the families and coming to terms with what being part of the military means. Featuring a multi-star cast, the film, Heroes depicts the story of a soldier's family and the situations they are forced to face while their loved one is out on the war front, looking death in the face. Salman Khan, Bobby Deol, and Dino Morea played brave soldiers in different regiments in different areas who had died and had left letters for their families. As Sameer (Sohail Khan) and Ali (Vatsal Sheth) travel around India delivering these letters they understand what being in the army means.

When you think of patriotic movies, Mr. India may not strike you as one, but we believe it is! Arun (played by Anil Kapoor) represents the common man with his problems, his family, and his life. When he comes upon a gadget made by his late father that enemies want, he ends up becoming a hero as he not only attempts to save his life, his family, and his world, but also the whole country. Fighting the super-villain Mugambo (played by Amrish Puri) he transforms from the common man to a fighter and then back to the common man in the end yet having done so much for his country!

Next up is Iqbal, a 2005-movie which was the debut movie of Shreyas Talpade. Representing the youth of India, Iqbal (played by Shreyas Talpade) is a huge cricket fan and wants to become a cricketer. However, he faces many problems. He's deaf and dumb, has an un-supportive father, and also comes from a backward village. He goes on to find a coach, Mohit (played by Naseeruddin Shah), who not only gets him to the selection committee but teaches him very important lessons about life along the way.

Finally, we bring to you Gadar - Ek Prem Katha, a story about a Hindustani and a Pakistani falling in love during the time of the Partition. Tara Singh (played by Sunny Deol) falls in love with Sakina (played by Ameesha Patel) and the two soon end up getting married. They have a blissful married life with a young boy until one day Sakina finds that her father is alive. She travels back to Pakistan to meet him and then the divide begins. Sakina's parents do not allow her to meet her husband and child. Finally, true love prevails and Sakina's parents, particularly her father, bow to her wishes.

These movies may not be your contemporary patriotic movies, but we can say that they inspire that same patriotic feeling in you that any of the war related movies would.

So while this BollyCurry author goes off to celebrate Independence Day, she lets you sit back and decide whether these movies are patriotic or not.

Copyright BollyCurry

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