Stream these Hindi war movies and series that highlight troubled history of India and Pakistan

Following the horrific Pahalgam terror attack, Operation Sindoor was launched by the Indian Armed Forces to destroy terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The tensions between the two nations keep rising by the day. Amid this, we look back at the troubled history of the two nations through the following movies and series on OTT! 

Hindi war movies and series based on real-life wars between India and Pakistan

1947- 48: Post-partition conflict

Train to Pakistan - Prime Video

It highlights the 1947 Partition of India, where Sikhs and Muslims lived in harmony until the arrival of a train filled with dead bodies from Pakistan. The film stars Nirmal Pandey, Smriti Mishra, and others. Train to Pakistan explores themes of love, loyalty, and the impact of political divisions on ordinary people.

1947 Earth - JioHotstar

The film tells the story of a young Parsi girl, Lenny, and her friends in Lahore during the tumultuous and disturbing years leading up to the 1947 partition of India. The story takes place in Lahore, which is now a city in Pakistan, during the period when India and Pakistan were being formed.

1965: Second India-Pakistan war

Mukhbir - The Story of a Spy - ZEE5 (OTTplay Premium)

The series is set in the aftermath of the Sino-Indian War and centers on a spy who infiltrates Pakistan to gather intelligence and prevent an attack on India. The main cast includes Zain Khan Durrani, Prakash Raj, Adil Hussain, Barkha Bisht, Harsh Chhaya, Satyadeep Mishra, and Zoya Afroz.

1971: Bangladesh liberation war

Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo - ZEE5 (OTTplay Premium)

The film touches on the historical tensions between India and Pakistan and the impact of terrorism on both countries. It covers the 1971 Bangladesh liberation war event. The film stars Amitabh Bachchan, Bobby Deol, Akshay Kumar, and others. 

Kashmir insurgency - 1989, 90s

Haider - ZEE5 (OTTplay Premium)

Shahid Kapoor's film is set against the 1990s insurgency in Kashmir. It follows Haider, who returns to Kashmir after his father's disappearance, uncovering a web of betrayal and violence. The cast also includes Shraddha Kapoor, Tabu, Irrfan Khan, Kay Kay Menon, and others. 

The Kashmir Files - ZEE5 (OTTplay Premium)

It tells the story of Kashmiri Hindu College student Krishna Pandit, who, after the death of his grandfather, tries to uncover the truth about the deaths of his parents during the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits in 1990. The film stars Anupam Kher, Mithun Chakraborty, Darshan Kumar, Pallavi Joshi, and others. 

1999: Kargil War

Lakshya - Prime Video

Inspired by stories of Kargil War veterans and officers, the film tells the story of an aimless man, Karan Shergill (Hrithik Roshan), who joins the Indian Army and transforms into a battlefield hero during the Kargil War. It also stars Preity Zinta in a key role. 

Shershaah - Prime Video

This biographical war film is about Captain Vikram Batra, an Indian soldier who died in the Kargil War, highlighting his bravery and dedication towards his nation. Sidharth Malhotra starred as Captain Batra and also played his twin brother, Vishal Batra. On the other hand, Kiara Advani played Dimple Cheema.

2001-02: Indian Parliament attack

Special OPS - JioHotstar

The series revolves around Himmat Singh, a RAW agent, who tries to catch a single mastermind behind multiple terrorist attacks, and for this, he forms a team of five agents and begins his multi-layered investigation. The cast includes Kay Kay Menon as Himmat Singh, Vinay Pathak, Karan Tacker, and others. 

Attack: Part 1 - ZEE5 (OTTplay Premium)

The John Abraham-starrer film explores the development of the first Indian super soldier, Arjun, who is transformed into a cyborg through a scientific program to fight terrorism and future artificial intelligence-driven wars. Jacqueline Fernandez, Rakul Preet Singh, Rakul Preet Singh, Ratna Pathak Shah, and others played pivotal roles. 

2008: Mumbai attacks

Hotel Mumbai - ZEE5 (OTTplay Premium)

It is based on the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks and focuses on the heroism of hotel staff during the siege of the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. The movie depicts the bravery of a chef and a waiter who risk their lives to protect guests, as well as a desperate couple trying to save their newborn child. It stars Anupam Kher, Dev Patel, and others. 

State of Siege: 26/11 - ZEE5 (OTTplay Premium)

The series depicts the events of the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks through the lens of the National Security Guard (NSG). It closely focuses on their role in Operation Black Tornado. The series features Arjan Bajwa, Arjun Bijlani, Vivek Dahiya, and others. 

2016: Surgical strikes

Uri: The Surgical Strike - ZEE5 (OTTplay Premium)

It is based on the 2016 Indian Army's surgical strikes against terrorist launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The story follows the story of a special forces commando, Major Vihan Shergill (Vicky Kaushal), who leads an operation to avenge the terrorist attack that killed his brother-in-law and other soldiers at the Uri military camp. 

2019: Balakot airstrike

Ranneeti: Balakot and Beyond - JioHotstar

This war series is the story of an R&AW agent and his team who retaliate against Pakistan after the Pulwama attacks. The series focuses on the agents' efforts to bring back a captured pilot, exposing Pakistan's lies to the world media. The cast includes Jimmy Sheirgill, Ashutosh Rana, Lara Dutta, Ashish Vidyarthi, and Prasanna.

Fighter - Netflix

The film is inspired by the 2019 Balakot airstrike and other events between India and Pakistan. The story revolves around the pilots of the Indian Air Force (IAF), particularly Squadron Leader Shamsher Pathania (played by Hrithik Roshan), and their experiences before and after the Balakot incident. The film also stars Deepika Padukone and Anil Kapoor.