In the realm of Indian cinema, Bollywood holds a special place in the hearts of millions. It is a world where dreams come to life, where larger-than-life characters dance to melodious tunes, and where love stories unfold against breathtaking backdrops. Yet, amidst the glitz and glamour, there is another facet of Bollywood that captivates audiences with its authenticity and the power of real-life narratives – movies based on true events. So in this blog we will give you an overview of 10 bollywood movies based on true stories
Top 10 Bollywood Movies Based on True Stories
- 10] Kagaaz
- 9] Sarbjit
- 8] Gold
- 7] Daddy
- 6] Sherdil: The Pilibhit Saga
- 5] Padman
- 4] Shershaah
- 3] 83
- 2] Super 30
- 1] Uri: The Surgical Strike
10] Kaagaz
Kaagaz is a biographical drama film from India released in 2021. Directed by Satish Kaushik and produced by Salman Khan and Nishant Kaushik, the movie features Pankaj Tripathi, Monal Gajjar, and Amar Upadhyay in prominent roles. It is based on the true story of Lal Bihari, a farmer residing in a small village in Uttar Pradesh, India. In a shocking turn of events, Lal Bihari is wrongly declared dead on official documents by a corrupt government official. This declaration leads to a series of difficulties as Lal Bihari loses access to his own property and faces various challenges in his daily life.
The film follows the journey of Bharat Lal, portrayed by Pankaj Tripathi, as he discovers his official death and the subsequent consequences it brings. Determined to prove his existence, Bharat Lal embarks on a 19-year-long battle against the corrupt system. The movie delves into the struggles and hardships faced by Bharat Lal and his family during this arduous period. It sheds light on the injustices he encounters and the obstacles he must overcome in order to reclaim his identity and rightful place in society.
Through its compelling narrative, the film showcases the resilience and unwavering spirit of an individual fighting against an unjust system, making it a notable addition to the genre of Bollywood movies based on true stories.
Must Read: Top 10 Best Actors in India
9] Sarbjit
Sarbjit, a Bollywood movie released in 2016, is a captivating Indian biographical drama directed by Omung Kumar. This remarkable film is based on the true story of Sarabjit Singh, an Indian farmer, and stands as one of the notable Bollywood movies based on true stories. Randeep Hooda delivers a compelling portrayal of Sarbjit Singh, while Aishwarya Rai Bachchan shines as his determined sister Dalbir Kaur, and Richa Chadha portrays his loving wife Sukhpreet Kaur.
The film delves into the gripping narrative of Sarbjit Singh, who inadvertently crosses the Indo-Pak border and becomes apprehended by the Pakistani police. Falsely accused of espionage and terrorism, he is sentenced to death. Dalbir Kaur, unwavering in her belief of her brother’s innocence, embarks on a relentless 23-year-long fight for his release. Sarbjit showcases the struggles faced by Sarbjit’s family as they strive to prove his innocence and secure his freedom, making it an exceptional addition to the realm of Bollywood movies based on true stories.
Must Read: Top 10 Famous Hair Stylist in India
8] Gold
Gold is a movie made in 2018 about a true story from India’s past. It is a Hindi-language film that tells the story of India’s first Olympic gold medal win as an independent country in 1948. The movie is set in a time when India was not yet independent from British rule. The main character is Tapan Das, a young assistant manager in 1936 who loves hockey and dreams of playing for India as an independent nation.
When India finally gains independence, Tapan Das becomes a coach and is given the important job of forming a hockey team to compete in the 1948 Summer Olympics in London. The team faces many problems, like not having enough money, interference from politicians, and personal conflicts. But despite all the difficulties, the team manages to overcome them and win the gold medal, which is a big achievement for India.
7] Daddy
“Bollywood movies based on true stories” offer a unique blend of reality and entertainment. One such film is “Daddy,” a compelling 2017 Indian biographical crime drama helmed by Ashim Ahluwalia. Arjun Rampal portrays the central character, Arun Gawli, in this captivating tale. Gawli’s life journey takes center stage as he transitions from being a gangster to a prominent politician in Mumbai.
Set in the backdrop of the 1970s and 1980s, “Daddy” delves into the true story of Arun Gawli, a notorious underworld figure. The film chronicles Gawli’s rise to power in the Mumbai crime syndicate and his subsequent foray into politics. Audiences witness the extraordinary transformation of a regular man into a formidable gangster, and eventually, a respected political leader.
Amidst the exhilarating narrative, “Daddy” also explores the intricate facets of Gawli’s personal life. The film delves into his relationships, offering glimpses of his dynamic bond with his wife and children.
Must Read: Top 10 Choreographers in India
6] Sherdil: The Pilibhit Saga
Sherdil: The Pilibhit Saga is an Indian film in the Hindi language, helmed by director Srijit Mukherji and produced by Bhushan Kumar and Reliance Entertainment. Pankaj Tripathi, Neeraj Kabi, and Sayani Gupta take on the lead roles in this captivating movie.
Set within the enchanting forests of Pilibhit, the story unravels around a formidable man-eating tiger and the dire financial circumstances of the village. To alleviate the village’s economic hardships, one of its inhabitants, portrayed by Pankaj Tripathi, devises a daring plan. He intends to sacrifice himself to the tiger, aiming to secure compensation from the government. With this compensation, he aims to uplift the village by distributing the funds among its residents. Thus, the movie delves into the intricacies of this enthralling scenario, holding audiences spellbound.
5] Padman
“Padman.” Released in 2018, this Hindi-language cinematic gem directed by R. Balki and produced by Twinkle Khanna, Gauri Shinde, and Prernaa Arora, tells a powerful tale inspired by real events.
“Padman” draws inspiration from the remarkable life of Arunachalam Muruganantham, a social activist hailing from Tamil Nadu, India. Arunachalam Muruganantham brought about a revolution in menstrual hygiene by ingeniously inventing affordable sanitary pads.
In this captivating film, Akshay Kumar takes the lead role, brilliantly portraying the character of Lakshmi, a fictional representation of Arunachalam Muruganantham. Alongside him, Radhika Apte and Sonam Kapoor deliver outstanding performances in supporting roles.
The storyline revolves around Lakshmi, who becomes acutely aware of the unhygienic practices surrounding menstruation and the lack of accessible sanitary pads in rural areas. Fueled by a burning desire to effect change, Lakshmi embarks on an inspiring journey to create cost-effective sanitary pads using locally available materials. Padman stands as a remarkable one of the best Bollywood movies based on true stories
Must Read: Top 10 Podcasts in India
4] Shershaah
“Shershaah” is a biographical war film in Hindi that was released in 2021. It centers around the life of Captain Vikram Batra, an officer in the Indian Army who was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest military honor, for his bravery during the 1999 Kargil War between India and Pakistan.
The lead role of Captain Vikram Batra is portrayed by Siddharth Malhotra, while Kiara Advani plays his love interest. The film depicts Captain Batra’s journey from civilian life to joining the Indian Army, highlighting his courageous actions during the Kargil War. It showcases his bravery, leadership, and ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
“Shershaah” received critical acclaim for its authentic portrayal of war and the emotional journey of its characters. Siddharth Malhotra’s performance and the captivating narrative were highly praised. The film also explores Captain Vikram Batra’s personal life, showcasing his relationships with family, friends, and fellow soldiers. Without a doubt, “Shershaah” is considered one of the finest Bollywood movies based on true stories.
3] 83
“83” is a Bollywood movie directed by Kabir Khan and released in 2021. The movie is based on the true story of the Indian cricket team’s victory in the 1983 Cricket World Cup. The movie stars Ranveer Singh as Kapil Dev, the captain of the Indian cricket team, and Deepika Padukone as his wife, Romi Dev.
The movie begins with the appointment of Kapil Dev as the captain of the Indian cricket team and follows the team’s journey to the 1983 Cricket World Cup. The team faces many challenges along the way, including a lack of support from the cricket board and a lack of confidence in their own abilities.
Despite these challenges, the team manages to make it to the final of the World Cup, where they face the West Indies, who were considered unbeatable at the time. The Indian team puts up a strong fight and manages to defeat the West Indies, winning the World Cup for the first time in their history.
Must Read: Top 10 Rappers in India [2023]
2] Super 30
“Super 30” is a Bollywood movie released in 2019 that tells the inspiring story of mathematician Anand Kumar and his educational program known as “Super 30.” Directed by Vikas Bahl and featuring Hrithik Roshan in the lead role, the film explores the life of Anand Kumar and his mission to provide free coaching and support to underprivileged students preparing for the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) entrance examination.
Anand Kumar, portrayed by Hrithik Roshan, hails from Bihar, India. Motivated by the desire to uplift economically disadvantaged students, he establishes the Super 30 program. Each year, Anand handpicks 30 talented individuals who lack financial means but possess exceptional potential. These students are offered free coaching, accommodation, and necessary resources to help them prepare for the rigorous IIT entrance exam.
As one of the best Bollywood movies based on true Stories, In “Super 30″audiences witness the remarkable journey of Anand Kumar and his students as they conquer a multitude of challenges. The film delves into the captivating tale of their lives, shining a spotlight on the hurdles they face, ranging from financial constraints and societal pressures to skepticism from the education system.
1] URI: The Surgical Strike
“URI: The Surgical Strike” is an Indian Hindi-language military action film released on January 11, 2019. It was directed and written by Aditya Dhar and produced by Ronnie Screwvala. The movie stars Vicky Kaushal, Paresh Rawal, Mohit Raina, and Yami Gautam in prominent roles.
The film is inspired by true events and depicts the 2016 surgical strike conducted by the Indian Army against militant launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The surgical strike was a response to a terrorist attack on an Indian Army base in Uri, Jammu & Kashmir. It was aimed at dismantling terrorist organizations operating in the region.
“URI: The Surgical Strike” received critical acclaim and was a commercial success at the box office. The film was lauded for its patriotic theme, realistic portrayal of military operations, and impressive performances by the cast. Vicky Kaushal’s portrayal of Major Vihaan Singh Shergill, the lead character, was particularly praised.
Must Read: Top 10 Best Indian Army Movies.
