New Delhi: It runs in our blood, the spirit of being an Indian. Indian cinema has from time to time paid its tribute to Mother India. Some movies arouse patriotic spirit, love and pride for the nation, while others represent the freedom struggle of India and its freedom fighters. As India turns 66, we bring to you some of the best movies from the genre of patriotic cinema to rekindle your love and respect for your nation and for martyrs who gave their lives for your safe and happy future. 1. Rang De Basanti: Aamir Khan starrer, Rang De Basanti is undoubtedly the best patriotic movie of the current Indian youth. A story of five carefree youngsters who are jolted to reality after a friend's death redefined the way we youngsters perceived patriotism. This directorial venture by Rakeysh Omprakesh Mehra transformed the meaning of patriotism for the youth of young India. 2. Border:This one is a must watch for any patriotic Indian. This JP Dutta's classic throws light on the 1971 Indo-Pak war, where a small battalion of soldiers who have been deployed to handle the Longewala post take on the enemy ten times their size, forms the crux of the story. The climax when India wins the war and Sunny Deol sees the dead bodies of soldiers from both sides and feels sad surely made every Indian proud of their soldiers. 3. The Legends Of Bhagat Singh: The story of a young revolutionary who raised an armed resistance against the British rule in India. Bhagat Singh was famously played by Ajay Devgn, for which he received unprecedented accolades from critics and audience alike. 4. Chak De India: The movie starred Shah Rukh Khan in an unconventional role of a Hockey player turned coach, who avenges the humiliation he had wrongly faced as a player, by directing the Indian women's team to the World Championship Victory. 5. Kranti: Manoj Kumar starrer Kranti is said to be the best movie of his career. Manoj Kumar potrayed the real Bharat is this movie of independence struggle. 6. Shaheed: The movie is based on the story of Bhagat Singh. It displays the essence of the legendary martyr's sacrifice and how he fought with the help from likes of Chandrashekhar Azad, Rajguru, Sukhdev and many other patriots to free our nation from the British clutches. The music is also legendary with songs such as Aye Vatan Aye Vatan, Mera Rang De Basanti which have created a niche for themselves as immortal melodies. 7. Sarfarosh: John Mathew Mathan's film on cross border terrorism had Naseeruddin Shah playing a ghazal singer who was also a secret ISI agent. Aamir played ACP Rathod who is a righteous cop whose family goes through trials after his brother is killed by a terrorist group. The film dealt with the strain relationship that India and Pakistan shares but the entire issue was dealt in the most realistic manner. There was no chest thumping screaming jargons about mother land, there was no bashing of the neighbouring country and yet the emotions of righteous police officer out to nail the dreaded spy was portrayed subtly yet beautifully. 8. Swades: This Shah Rukh Khan starrer failed to garner the expected result inspite of being high on performance and story. A well to do NRI comes to India in search of his Nanny and ultimately finds it difficult to break the bond of attachment to his homeland. It was reported that many NRI's saw the movie, got inspired and permanently returned back to India. This is regarded as SRK's best performance till date, except Chak De India. 9. Puram Paschim: This movie was produced and directed by the veteran, Manoj Kumar. By this time he was regarded as India's sole patriotic hero and had carved a niche for himself in this genre. Also starring Saira Bano in the lead, this movie discovers the beauty of being an Indian. 10. Lagaan: Any list on patriotism would be incomplete without this Aamir Khan starrer, Lagaan, which was also India's official entry for Oscar. It's a story about people of a small village in Victorian India who stake their future on a game of cricket against their ruthless British rulers.
