Bollywood actors who managed to fully capture the essence of India’s greatest patriots

Portraying real life people and their stories on screen is never an easy task. The task becomes all the more challenging when the lives in question are of some of the greatest heroes the country has witnessed, who laid down their lives for the future of India and its people. But nonetheless Bollywood has made more than a few attempts at the same, resulting in some of the most faithful and powerful performances in Indian cinema, which managed to make our beloved heroes come alive on screen.

This Independence Day, as we remember our heroes who fought for our liberty, let’s take a look at some of Bollywood’s best portrayals that gave tribute to the martyrs.

1. Ajay Devgn as Bhagat Singh

Movie: The Legend Of Bhagat Singh (2002)

Bhagat Singh is arguably one of the most well-known revolutionaries of the Indian independence movement, who has gone down in history for his lion-like courage and defiance in the face of a fascist government. To portray such a legend on screen is no easy task, even for the most seasoned of actors. But Ajay Devgn proved to be up to the task, giving one of the most career-defining performances as the young folk hero. Devgn has called his role, critically acclaimed and described as one of the highlights of the movie The Legend Of Bhagat Singh, as ‘the most challenging assignment’.

2. Aamir Khan as Mangal Pandey

Movie : Mangal Pandey: The Rising (2005)

There might be very few Indians who are unfamiliar with Mangal Pandey - the Indian sepoy in the British East India Company regiment whose tenacity lit the spark of resistance among the country’s infantrymen, which led to the first War for India’s Independence in 1857. To fill the shoes of such a key player in the Indian freedom movement, albeit on screen, takes guts. And Aamir Khan not only proved himself to be brave enough to tackle the role, he did so with the dedication and intensity he displays for all his roles. Khan’s performance became a fan favourite, after the viewers missed his performances when he took a brief hiatus from acting.

3. Rajit Kapoor as Mahatma Gandhi

Movie: The Making of the Mahatma (1996)

Although most Indians may be familiar with the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi in earning India her freedom, not all of them might know where the Mahatma’s impassioned sense of justice started from - South Africa. The Making of the Mahatma attempts to tell this story, starring Rajit Kapoor as the father of the nation. Kapoor’s riveting performance as a young Gandhi, who is spurred into action when he becomes witness to atrocities in the nation, is something every cinephile should witness. His portrayal oozes conviction, making it one of the highlights of the film.

4. Kangana Ranaut as Rani Lakshmi Bai

Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi (2019)

Among the women leaders who gave it their all in the Indian freedom struggle, Rani Lakshmi Bai’s name takes prominence. The Martyr Queen’s courage as she took on the British army in the 1857 rebellion is not an easy role to portray. But Kangana Ranaut managed to emulate the Queen’s ferocity and valor that won her the admiration of fans and critics alike. Ranaut’s performance as the fearless queen also earned her a National Film Award.

5. Manoj Bajpayee as Surya sen

Movie: Chittagong (2012)

The story of Surya Sen, although not as well known, just goes to show how the sentiment of patriotism was one which bound together all Indian citizens, no matter who they were. The soul and spirit of the school teacher from colonial East Bengal, who dared to defy the British regime is authentically portrayed by Manoj Bajpayee in the movie Chittagong. His fleshing out of the character, called Masterda as a mark of respect, elevates the movie which already features a compelling storyline.

6. Sachin Khedekar as Subhas Chandra Bose

Movie: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero (2004)

Following the last five years of the leader’s life the movie Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero sparked controversy in its storytelling. But the controversy aside, portraying Subhas Chandra Bose, one of the most well known and notable figures in the Indian Independence movement, is a mammoth task, to say the least. But Sachin Khedekar manages to hit it out of the park, delivering an absorbing and plucky performance as the Indian nationalist. His performance in the film was regarded as one of its highlights.