As the ongoing situation between India and Pakistan worsens, many people across the country are dubious and scared of war. While no one supports a war, the brave Indian Army is always there to save the land and its people. History has seen how the Indian Army has triumphed over evil over time, and one of the best ways to revisit this glorious history is through movies and web shows about it.
Indian filmmakers have created phenomenal works chronicling the courageous acts of the Indian Army when they fought against attacking nations and terrorism. In this hour of staying strong and believing in our Army, we have brought 10 Bollywood Movies and TV series in which the Indian Army gloriously defeated the evils. Though fictionalisation shapes the narrative, the following movies and web shows are primarily based on real-life incidents and events.
10 Times Bollywood Showcased the Indian Army’s Unbreakable Spirit
The Forgotten Army (Amazon Prime Video)
This Bollywood web series is based on the Indian National Army(INA) formed by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose during the fight for independence. The Army consisted of all Indian prisoners of war who had fought in World War 2 but were later imprisoned. The Army, with the help of the Japanese Army, planned to march to Delhi and free India of British Rule.
Directed by Kabir Khan, the show fantastically portrays how the soldiers were freed and trained for just one motive: to free their motherland. Interestingly, the show focused impressively on forming the Rani Lakshmi Regiment of the INA. This show is a must-watch to unravel some intriguing mysteries during the War of Independence.
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Fighter (Netflix)
Released when almost every film promoted national sentiments, Fighter stood out due to its compelling storyline and its status as more than a regular film, featuring action sequences and punchlines. Exploring the lives of Air Force officers, Fighter starring Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone deals with intricate characters and heroic battles fought against terrorism.
Directed by Siddharth Anand, Fighter is a fictionalised retelling of the 2019 Pulwama strikes. Supported by stars like Anil Kapoor, Karan Singh Grover, and Rishabh Sawhney, Fighter will not only be interesting but also ride you emotionally.
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The Test Case (JioHotstar)
This web series about the Indian Army deftly tells the story of a female army officer employed as a test case to determine whether women fit in the Army. With Nimrat Kaur as the main character, this drama centres on a female officer’s difficulties in proving her love for her country.
As Captain Shikha Sharma, Nimrat Kaur gave a remarkable performance. She overcame all challenges to join the special forces. The show becomes a must-see since it presents a novel and captivating interpretation of the Indian Army.
Kesari (Amazon Prime Video)
Without Kesari, a list of Bollywood films on the Indian Army would fall short. Drawing on the hidden narrative of the Battle of Saragarhi, Kesari tells the account of twenty-one Sikh warriors against an army of 10,000 Pashtun tribesmen. Filmed brilliantly by director Anurag Singh, Set in pre-independent India, the Sikh warriors forming the 36th regiment of the Army battled one of the bravest conflicts of history.
Kesari gained popularity for its courageous events and its fantastic soundtrack by B Praak, which almost sends shivers every time. Kesari is a must-watch to see the brave Indian Army in action, with Akshay Kumar leading.
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1962: The War in the Hills (JioHotstar)
1962: The War in the Hills is inspired by the Sino-Indian War of 1962. Though most of it is fictitious, the show attempts to depict the events of the battle through the eyes of Major Suraj Singh and his battalion of 125 soldiers as they fight the Chinese Army.
Starring Abhay Deol and featuring Sumeet Vyas, Akash Thosar, and others, 1962: The War in the Hills is an intriguing watch, portraying the courage, sacrifices, and personal emotions of those safeguarding the nation.
Border (Amazon Prime Video)
Among the best Indian Army Movies produced in Bollywood ever! Under J.P. Dutta, Border is based on the conflict of 1971 and mostly features the Longewala combat. Apart from inspiring a strong feeling of patriotism, Border masterfully captures the emotional aspects of the army personnel by featuring different personalities from many backgrounds.
With notable actors like Sunny Deol, Jackie Shroff, Akshaye Khanna, and Sunil Shetty, giving their best performances, this film has been no less than a classic. Border will indeed always hold special meaning for us because of its complex and gripping story.
But one of the best things about this film has to be Sandeshe Aate Hai, a song that perfectly describes the lives of soldiers fighting in a war and yearning for a peaceful life at home with their families.
Avrodh: The Siege Within (Sony Liv)
Featuring Amit Saadh in the lead, this web series on the Indian Army encapsulates the Uri attack of 2016 and the Indian Army’s revenge. Though most of us know of the film URI, this web series deals with the events right from their inception to the end, with the air strike.
Avrodh is directed by Raj Acharya and is based on the book India’s Most Fearless by Rahul Singh and Shiv Aroo. With an engaging narrative and fantastic performance, Avrodh: The Siege Within is a perfect watch for all Indians!
Shershah (Amazon Prime Video)
Based on the life of martyr Captain Vikram Batra, Shershah captures his acts of bravery and sacrifices as he guided the Indian Army to conquer the Pakistani forces during the Kargil War. One of the bravest warriors in our country, Vikram Batra’s lens-based exploration of the Kargil War was a worthy endeavour by filmmaker Vishnuvardhan.
Delivering one of his best performances ever alongside Kiara Advani and the supporting actors, actor Siddharth Malhotra was a perfect fit for the captain’s post! Moreover, the breathtaking photography improved the whole effect of the movie.
Special Ops (JioHostar)
Though this show cannot strictly be said to be about the Indian Army, it portrays the challenges of the unsung heroes of our national security. This thriller revolves around the undercover agents who fight brilliantly against the terror attacks.
Directed by Neeraj Pandey, the show features five undercover agents led by Kay Kay Menon as they thwart terror attacks and find the mastermind behind. Based on the 2001 Parliament attack, the show is indeed a compelling watch for some of its intense and intriguing moments.
Lakshya (Netflix)
Revolving around an India-Pakistan battle at the LoC, Lakshya is based on a carefree guy, Karan, whose life completely transforms as he joins the Army and becomes an integral part of the war. Played by Hrithik Roshan, this Indian Army movie, besides showing his personal development, portrays the hardships soldiers face as they fight a war against their enemies.
Lakshya additionally devotes close attention to personal interactions among several supporting actors, including Priety Zinta and Amitabh Bachchan. Though not precisely grounded, Lakshya is grounded in Operation Vijay of 1999, sometimes known as the Kargil War. Under Farhan Akhtar’s direction, this Bollywood film on the Indian Army is a fantastic viewing experience that will ignite your patriotism.
URI: The Surgical Strike (Zee5)
Directed by Aditya Dhar, this is one of the most phenomenal Bollywood movies on the Indian Army. As the name suggests, this film is an adaptation of the Uri Surgical strike of 2016. Revolving around the life of Major Vihaan Singh Shergill, URI captures the high spirit of the soldiers as they strategically plan an attack and simultaneously deal with their personal grievances.
With a superb casting of Vicky Kaushal, Yami Gautam, Paresh Rawal and Kirti Kulkarni and some thrilling action sequences backed by a great background score, URI: The Surgical Strike is the best way to celebrate the bravery and glory of our Indian Army.
In the comments below, let us know your favourite Indian Army movie or web series, and Stay Strong and Jai Hind!
