5 FILMS THAT SHOULD BE ON YOUR WATCH-LIST THIS INDEPENDENCE DAY

"Aazadi toh Meri Dulhan Hai"

Dulhan hai toh thoda pyaar dikhao, aur azaadi ki ye films dekho!

1. Shaheed (1948) 

The first remains the first and thus Shaheed starring Dilip Kumar, Kamini Kaushal, is one of the finest works of Indian Cinema and yes, it was the first revolutionary film made post Independence. Directed by Ramesh Rehgal, it was a film about the Indian Independence Movement. This was one of many nationalist films that depicted the struggle for aazaadi. The film was appreciated back then by the audiences and it still will give rise to the same emotions.

2. Border (1997) 

JP Dutta's Border ruled our hearts and the box office the year it got released. The film is an adaptation of real life events that happened during the Battle of Longewala fought in Rajasthan during the Indo-Pak War of 1971 and Bangladesh Liberation War. It is about a band of 120 soldiers of the Punjab regiment, headed by Major Kuldip Singh Chandpuri, who successfully defended their post all night against a whole Tank regiment of the Pakistani Army, until assistance came from the Indian Air Force the next morning. Starring Sunny Deol, Sunil Shetty, Jackie Shroff, Pooja Bhatt and Tabu, the story interlaced with underlying stories of love and family and had everyone glued to their seats across the nation.

3. Lagaan (2001) 

This is a film that needs no introduction. Nominated for an Oscar, it was set during the British Raj. Lagaan took one of India's most loved sports, cricket, as a premise to fight against the oppression that was being faced by citizens during the British rule. This was a turning point for Aamir Khan, who played the lead, and it is after this film that he got the title of "Mr Perfect" in Bollywood.

4. Rang De Basanti (2006) 

The very first youth-oriented nationalistic film was an eye-opener for everyone. A young idealistic English filmmaker, Sue, arrives in India to make a film on Indian revolutionaries Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad and their contemporaries during the freedom struggle. The film seamlessly intertwines present day incidents with that of the fight for freedom during the British Raj and by the end, you legit have goosebumps. Directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and Starring Aamir Khan, Soha Ali Khan, Madhavan, Kunal Kapoor, Siddharth Narayan, Sharman Joshi, Atul Kulkarni and Alice Patten, this film is a must watch if you are looking for entertainment coupled with a modern  idea of patriotism. This is perhaps one of the finest works in Bollywood.

5. Chak De India (2007) 

Yash Raj's Chak De India, starring Shah Rukh Khan in lead won the award for the "Film of the year" in 2007. Having completed 10 years this month, it is just as fresh in our minds today. Taking hockey as a premise, the film explores the deeper questions of patriotism, unity, commitment, loyalty, and sexism. Women's sports in India are not given as much importance as those played by men, thus making it difficult for women to come forward in this field. The Shimit Amin directorial gives the audience a subtle but strong message without going overboard anywhere. This is one masterpiece which you surely can't afford to miss!

Well, there are numerous other well made films, but we decided to choose just five. Do let us know which films according to you should've made the cut.