Independence Day 2026: 7 Bollywood Stars Who Played Real-Life Freedom Fighters On Screen
The Legend of Bhagat Singh: Ajay Devgn’s portrayal of freedom fighter Bhagat Singh is one of his finest performances to date. Bhagat Singh was one of India’s most fearless freedom fighters, who fought against the injustice of the British and ultimately made the ultimate sacrifice for the nation he deeply loved. Ajay Devgn’s portrayal of Bhagat Singh won him the prestigious National Film Award for Best Actor.
Mangal Pandey: The Rising: Centered around the 1857 revolt, the biographical drama chronicled the life of Mangal Pandey. Mangal Pandey was an Indian soldier in the British East India Company’s army who became one of the early figures associated with the 1857 uprising against British rule.
Sardar Udham: Vicky Kaushal played the titular role in Shoojit Sircar’s 2021 film Sardar Udham. The movie explored the country’s real hero’s connection to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and his pursuit of O’Dwyer. Sardar Udham Singh was an Indian revolutionary who is best known for assassinating Michael O’Dwyer, the former Lieutenant Governor of Punjab, in London in 1940.
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi: Kangana Ranaut portrayed Rani Lakshmibai in Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi (2019). The movie was directed and produced by the actress herself, and her exceptional performance earned her the prestigious National Award.
Let’s play, we know: Ashutosh Gowariker’s 2010 historical drama featured Abhishek Bachchan as Surjya Sen, better known as Masterda. A teacher who became a revolutionary, Sen played a key role in planning the 1930 Chittagong Armoury Raid and inspired a group of young revolutionaries to challenge British rule. Bachchan’s portrayal received critical appreciation.
Ae Watan Mere Watan: The 2024 historical drama Ae Watan Mere Watan, released on Amazon Prime Video, draws inspiration from the life of Usha Mehta, a young freedom fighter who secretly operated the underground Congress Radio during the Quit India Movement in 1942. Sara Ali Khan portrays Usha Mehta, bringing her courageous story of resistance against British rule to the screen.
Sardar: The 1993 biographical drama chronicled the life and journey of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, a key figure in India’s freedom struggle. Paresh Rawal essayed the iconic leader, delivering a performance that was lauded by both critics and audiences for its realism and conviction.
