From the silver screen to the nation’s heart, Bollywood has long been a powerful voice for patriotism. Actors like Manoj Kumar, Sunny Deol, Akshay Kumar, and Vicky Kaushal have donned roles that not only entertained but inspired millions to embrace national pride. These films captured the essence of India’s freedom struggle, military valor, and unwavering spirit against adversity.
Manoj Kumar, fondly remembered as ‘Bharat Kumar,’ pioneered the patriotic genre in the 1960s and 70s. His debut in this realm came with ‘Shaheed’ in 1965, where he portrayed the revolutionary Bhagat Singh, bringing to life the fiery determination of India’s independence fighters. Directing and starring in ‘Upkar,’ he highlighted rural India’s sacrifices, earning the film a National Award. ‘Purab Aur Paschim’ contrasted Western influences with Indian values, while ‘Roti Kapda Aur Makaan’ wove social issues with nationalistic fervor. His magnum opus ‘Kranti’ depicted revolutionary zeal that resonated deeply.
Sunny Deol’s thunderous dialogue delivery and action-packed heroism made him a patriot icon. His role as Major Kuldeep Singh Sandhu in JP Dutta’s 1997 epic ‘Border’ immortalized the 1971 Indo-Pak war. The film’s raw portrayal of soldiers’ bravery at Longewala became legendary. Deol reprised his intensity in ‘Gadar: Ek Prem Katha’ as Tara Singh, a Sikh hero during Partition, leading to the blockbuster sequel ‘Gadar 2.’ His latest, ‘Border 2,’ continues this legacy.
Akshay Kumar has redefined modern patriotism with nuanced performances. In ‘Holiday,’ he played Captain Virat Bakshi, a soldier thwarting internal threats. ‘Airlift’ saw him as Ranjit Katyal, orchestrating the evacuation of Indians from Kuwait. ‘Kesari’ showcased Havildar Ishar Singh’s stand at Saragarhi, and ‘Rustom’ brought naval officer Rustom Pavri’s courtroom drama to life.
Ajay Devgn’s portrayals carry gravitas. As Bhagat Singh in ‘The Legend of Bhagat Singh,’ he captured the martyr’s ideology. In ‘LOC Kargil,’ he embodied Major Padmapani Acharya, honoring real-life heroes.
Aamir Khan’s selective roles pack punch: Bhuvan in ‘Lagaan’ uniting villagers against colonial oppression; DJ in ‘Rang De Basanti’ sparking youth activism; and the principled officer in ‘Sarfarosh.’
Shah Rukh Khan infused patriotism with emotion in ‘Swades,’ returning an NRI engineer to uplift his village, and ‘Chak De! India,’ coaching a women’s hockey team to glory.
Sidharth Malhotra shone as Captain Vikram Batra in ‘Shershaah,’ reliving Kargil’s heroism. Vicky Kaushal dominated with Major Vihaan Shergill in ‘Uri: The Surgical Strike,’ Sardar Udham Singh’s vengeance, and Sam Manekshaw in ‘Sam Bahadur.’
These stars have etched patriotism into Bollywood’s DNA, reminding audiences of India’s resilient soul.
