Movies Based On Tragedies and War

Over the years Bollywood has been making a conscious effort to make more films that focus tragedies and war so that they can highlight some horrific incidents that have happened in the real world. Today, BollyCurry takes this opportunity to take you through a rather unique journey of movies that are based on real life scenarios of tragedies and war.

Directed by Karan Johar, this 2010 socio-political drama narrates the story of Rizwan Khan (Shah Rukh Khan), a Muslim man who leaves his country for a better life in the USA. Next, Rizwan meets a single Hindu mother, Mandira Rathore (Kajol Devgn) whom he immediately falls in love with. Rizwan and Mandira get married as per Hindu traditions and soon after, Mandira changes her name, adding Khan to it. After the September 11 attacks, Mandira's son gets into a school fight where he dies on the spot after being a target of religious discrimination. Mandira holds Riwan responsible for her son's death and assumes that he only died because "his name was Khan." She then decides that she doesn't want to live with him anymore, but he says he is willing to do anything for her. At this point she sarcastically tells him to go tell the people of the country, and perhaps the President too, that his name is Khan, and he is not a terrorist. Rizwan takes Madira's words seriously and sets out on a journey to tell the people of the USA that his name is Khan, and that he is not a terrorist. He goes from state to state chanting the phrase "My Name Is Khan, and I am not a Terrorist" which attracts nationwide attention. Mandira hears of Rizwan's successful campaign after years and sets out to meet him, only to see him get shot. The curtains close on the film with Rizwan and Mandira meeting the President.

New York

New York is a 2009 film by Aditya Chopra staring John Abraham (Samir), Katrina Kaif (Maya), Neil Nitin Mukesh (Omar) and Irrfan Khan (FBI Agent Roshan) in lead roles. The film starts off with Omar being arrested by Roshan to spy on his friend Samir, whom he hasn't met in years as Roshan believes Samir is a terrorist. Omar subsequently finds out Samir married Maya, the woman he once loved, and he also finds out that they have a son together. Omar is then taken down memory lane of how close the trio were. He then decides to help Roshan, just to prove that he and Sam are innocent. He reunites with his friends and finds out that Maya is a civil rights activist, who is helping Sam's employee Zilgai. With suspicious feelings, Omar digs deeper and finds out Samir's intention, which is a plan of taking revenge for himself since he was a victim of the terrorist suspect arrest post the 9/11 attack. The climax takes us to a point were Maya, Omar and Roshan stop Samir from partaking yet another act of terrorism. Unfortunately, he is brutally shot to death and in the act of saving him, Maya dies as well. The film ends with Omar adopting Samir & Maya's son.

Fanaa

Directed by Kunal Kohli, Fanaa is a 2006 romantic-crime drama with Aamir Khan and Kajol Devgn as leads. The story revolves around Zooni Ali Beg, a blind Kashmiri girl touring Delhi with her friends. Rehan Khan, a tour guide, falls in love with Zooni's beauty despite her blindness. Zooni goes through a successful surgery to bring back her vision. However she never gets to see Rehan as he is reported dead owing to a terrorist attack. Later on, it is revealed that Rehan planted the bomb himself and faked his own death. Years after, Rehan is on another mission, which leads to a shootout causing him to be severely injured and lands at Zooni's doorstep. Zooni and her father help Rehan get better and in the process, he learns Zooni is the mother of his child (also named Rehan). Zooni finds out that Rehan is the man she loved, and she does not allow him to leave her. Soon after they get married, her father learns about the truth and so does Zooni. She decides to take a stand for her country, even if that meant losing the love of her life. The climax shows Rehan leaving with the bomb trigger, under the false assumption that Zooni's love for him was too weak for her to able to stop him. At the end, Rehan dies in Zooni's arms from a bullet shot by her.

Dil Se

This 1998 blockbuster stars Shah Rukh Khan, Manisha Koirala and debutante Preity Zinta in a supporting role. Based on a terrorism backdrop, Dil Se tells the story of Aman, an ordinary radio program executive. Aman falls in love at first sight with Meghna and follows her home to confess his feeling for her only to get beaten up by her brothers. After a few more meetings, she takes advantage of his love for her and lures him into her trap. It is revealed that she is suffering from rape trauma syndrome and is also a part of the extremist group who is planning a suicide attack in New Delhi. Aman returns home and decides to move on. Meanwhile, Meghna arrives at his house so, she can avoid being questioned by the CBI. After being followed by Aman repeatedly, Meghna reveals to him that she is a rape victim and that her soul seeks liberation. She says she plans to seek liberation through her suicide attack on Republic day. The CBI then suspects Aman of being a part of the terrorist group. Aman escapes from the CBI and stops Meghna who is about to commit suicide and confesses all his feelings for her. The film comes to end with the bomb being triggered.