Rang De Basanti And 6 Other Powerful Movies That Defined The 21st Century So Far
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Every once in a while a movie comes along that changes your whole mindset towards life and alters your perception a little bit. While these movies may not be as common as one might want them to be, when we do get to watch them, they truly are a delight to witness. Some of these movies altered our mindsets with their emotional storylines, while others gave us the grim glimpse of reality we needed. Whether it was an emotional, heartstring tugging movie like Taare Zameen Par or a powerful war cry of a film like Rang De Basanti, these films have left an impact on our generation like no other. Here is a list of eleven powerful films that left us at the edge of our seats:
1. Rang De Basanti
Rang De Basanti was a genre-defining film that was directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and released in the year 2006. The film follows the story of a British film student who decides to travel to India to document the tale of Indian revolutionary freedom fighters who drove the Britishers away. On her journey, she befriends five young men and watches how they are inspired to eventually fight the corruption in their own current government through the lens of the freedom fighters. The film performed so well that it was chosen to represent India in the foreign film category at the Academy Awards. The film was also nominated for a BAFTA for best film in foreign category. Till date, if you speak to any Indian about Rang De Basanti, they will feel shivers go up their spine.
2. Swades
Swades was a film that has now achieved cult status in Indian cinema. The film features Shah Rukh Khan in the leading role and was directed by Ashutosh Gowarikar. The story follows the story of an NRI who returns to his hometown in Uttar Pradesh and tries to help fix things around his village. It delves into the complexities of one’s relationship with their homeland. The film is one of Shah Rukh Khan’s most critically acclaimed films and the score was rendered by none other than AR Rahman himself.
3. 3 Idiots
3 Idiots is a satirical coming-of-age movie that follows the unlikely friendship of three engineering students and details their lives and experiences. It is based on the book, Five Point Someone, by Chetan Bhagat and stars Aamir Khan, R Madhavan, Sharman Joshi, Boman Irani, and Kareena Kapoor in leading roles. The film dealt with topics like student suicide, exam stress, parental pressure, and much more. It also showcases the immense pressure students pursuing engineering face in a country that churns out engineers like butter. The film was such a success that it even spawned a Mexican remake in 2017.
4. Lakshya
Lakshya is the story of an aimless young man who eventually joins the army to defend the country. It is a coming-of-age story directed by Farhan Akhtar and starred Hrithik Roshan, Priety Zinta, and Boman Irani in leading roles. Beautifully written, the story captures the youthful love blossoming between Hrithik’s Karan and Priety’s Romi. The pair goes through the trials and tribulations of love set against the backdrop of a war. We see how Karan transforms from a lazy kid who’s extremely unsure of himself to a confident young soldier.
5. Taare Zameen Par
Taare Zameen Par is the story of an eight year old boy who struggles to cope with his dyslexia. The story showcases how regular Indian schools can be a task to wade through for students who suffer from learning disabilities. He eventually finds support and solace in an art teacher in his school and overcomes his issues. The film features Aamir Khan in the leading role and child star, Darsheel Safary.
6. Article 15
Article 15 is a crime drama and thriller that stars Ayushmann Khurrana, Manoj Pahwa, Kumud Mishra, Sayani Gupta, and Isha Talwar in leading roles. It is loosely based around a real life case and deals with the assault and murder of two dalit women. The movie showcases the immensely corrupt nature of the Indian judicial system and how the lead characters fight to bring the young victims justice.
7. Chak De! India
Chak De! India is a sports film that follows the story of a “disgraced” hockey captain and his journey coaching a team of 16 rowdy women. The story is a fictional tale based around the Indian women’s hockey team and deals with intense topics like feminism, social discrimination on the basis of religion, and many other. The girls featured in the film were collectively referred to as the “Chak De” girls and were even given a 2008 Screen Award for Best Supporting Actress.
These are just a few of the numerous powerful films that our industry has produced in the 21st century so far. While we may look at mainstream films and feel disappointed at the state of Bollywood, there is no denying that we do get to watch certain incredible movies sometimes. Do let us know which of these movies were your favorite in the comment section down below!
