Top 10 Historical Bollywood Movies

Top 10 Historical Bollywood Movies

Welcome to our definitive guide to the Top 10 Historical Bollywood Movies that are essential viewing for everyone! Delving into the rich tapestry of India’s past, these films offer a captivating glimpse into significant historical events, figures, and moments that have shaped the nation’s identity. From epic tales of valor and sacrifice to poignant stories of revolution and resilience, each movie on this list brings history to life with stunning visuals, powerful performances, and compelling narratives. Whether you’re a history buff or simply curious about India’s heritage, these films are bound to leave a lasting impression. So, get ready to immerse yourself in the captivating world of historical Bollywood cinema and discover the stories that have shaped a nation!

Top 10 Historical Bollywood Movies

Bawaal

• Running Time: 2 hours 17 min
• IMDB Rating:  7.5/10
• Movie Genre: Comedy, Romance, Action, Drama
• Movie Star Cast: Varun Dhawan, Janhvi Kapoor
• Director:  Nitesh Tiwari
• Writer: Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari
• Year of release: 2023

Some parts of the film are set in an imaginary sequence during World War 2

 Lagaan

Release Year: 2001

Cast: Aamir Khan, Gracy Singh, Rachel Shelley, Yashpal Sharma, Paul Blackthorne

India’s only Academy Award-nominated movie of this century, Lagaan, is a fictional sports drama set during the British Raj. Lagaan follows a group of oppressed villagers who agree to a game of cricket with a cruel British army officer as a wager to quash their taxes.

Lagaan was well-received by critics and is partly responsible for elevating Aamir Khan to worldwide stardom. The film also introduced global audiences to a new generation of Indian cinema. It’s a work of fiction, yes, but one that every Indian should watch at least once in their lives.

Mangal Pandey: The Rising

Release Year: 2005

Cast: Aamir Khan, Rani Mukerji, Toby Stephens, Kirron Kher, Ameesha Patel

Mangal Pandey was an infantryman in the British East India Company, who is largely responsible for igniting the revolt of 1857.

Pandey, along with several other sepoys, protested the draconian rule of the company and the cow-fat-greased cartridges of their rifles. This led to a mutiny, which eventually turned into a widespread rebellion across the country.

Mangal Pandey: The Rising brilliantly portrayed the life of the titular hero and his heroic actions that almost overthrew the British Raj. Mangal Pandey: The Rising  received positive reviews and is one of the few Indian movies to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival.

Bajirao Mastani

Release Year: 2015

Cast: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra, Milind Soman, Mahesh Manjrekar

Bajirao Mastani is an epic historical romance film directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The film centers on Peshwa Bajirao of the Maratha Empire and his love story with Mastani, the daughter of a Hindu ruler and a Muslim queen.

The pair are widely ostracised in the community, but like they say, love knows no bounds. Bajirao Mastani is a tale of tragic love that, although is scant on history, is high on heart.

Kesari

Release Year: 2019

Cast: Akshay Kumar, Parineeti Chopra, Mir Sarwar, Vikram Kochhar

Kesari is a historical war drama based on the Battle of Saragarhi of 1897. It was more of a last stand than a battle involving 21 Sikh soldiers defending Fort Saragarhi against more than 10,000 Afghan invaders.

Kesari superbly portrays this heroic event and, like all good Bollywood films, is heavy on music and melodrama as well.

The Legend of Bhagat Singh

Release Year: 2002

Cast: Ajay Devgn, Amrita Rao, Sushant Singh, Akhilendra Mishra, Raj Babbar

The Legend of Bhagat Singh is based on the Indian revolutionary and folk hero Bhagat Singh. He is known for the symbolic bombing of the Central Legislative Assembly in Delhi, for which he was arrested and executed.

Bhagat Singh and his associates, Rajguru and Chandra Shekhar Azad, were also complicit in the murder of a British police officer. The trio’s actions received both praise and condemnation. However, Bhagat Singh has since become a symbol of resistance against the British.

Directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, The Legend of Bhagat Singh also accurately portrays the life and deeds of its titular hero. The film also won two National Film Awards.

 Jodhaa Akbar

Release Year: 2008

Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai, Sonu Sood, Kulbhushan Kharbanda

Ashutosh Gowariker’s Jodhaa Akbar is an epic historical romance film inspired by the Mughal Emperor Akbar and his wife Jodhaa Bai. Boasting a lengthy runtime, spectacular visuals and costumes, and amazing performances, Jodhaa Akbar is epic in every way.

The film also accurately portrays several historical events, so it’s a must-watch for all the history buffs out there.

Asoka

Release Year: 2001

Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Ajith Kumar, Danny Denzongpa

Emperor Ashoka of the Maurya dynasty ruled over most of the Indian subcontinent in the 3rd century BC. His exploits are legendary, but Ashoka is perhaps best known for renouncing war and embracing Buddhism.

After witnessing the large-scale destruction of Kalinga, Ashoka gave up arms and devoted his life to Buddhism and spreading its teachings. Santosh Sivan’s Asoka is a fantastic dramatisation of the Mauryan Emperor’s life.

Asoka takes some artistic liberties, but it was well received by critics and audiences alike for its epic scale, musical sequences, and lead performance by Shahrukh Khan.

 Mohenjo Daro

Release Year: 2016

Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Pooja Hegde, Kabir Bedi, Arunoday Singh

Mohenjo Daro is another Ashutosh Gowariker film on this list. After depicting the British Raj and the Mughal era, Gowariker stepped foot into the Harappan era with Mohenjo Daro.

The film is set in 2016 BC and is basically a love story between a farmer and a high-status girl in the Indus Valley Civilization. There are very few movies set in that era, and though Mohenjo Daro was a box office failure, it is still a must-watch for any history buff.

Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran

• Running Time: 2 hours 9 min
• IMDB Rating:  7.6/10
• Movie Genre: Thriller / Action
• Movie Star Cast: John Abraham, Diana Penty, Boman Irani
• Director:  Abhishek Sharma
• Writer: Saiwyn Quadras, Abhishek Sharma, Sanyukhta Chawla, Shaikh
• Year of release: 2018

 Padmaavat 

• Running Time: 2 hours 44 min
• IMDB Rating:  7/10
• Movie Genre: Romance / Action
• Movie Star Cast: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, Jim Sarbh
• Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
• Year of release: 2018

Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior

• Running Time: 2 hours 15 min
• IMDB Rating: 7.5/10
• Movie Genre: War / Action
• Movie Star Cast: Ajay Devgn, Kajol, Saif Ali Khan, Neha Sharma
• Director: Om Raut
• Writer: Prakash Kapadia
• Year of release: 2020

Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi

• Running Time: 2 hours 30 min
• IMDB Rating: 7.0/10
• Movie Genre: Historical Action Drama
• Movie Star Cast: Kangana Ranaut
• Director: Krish Jagarlamudi
• Writer: V. Vijayendra Prasad
• Year of release: 2019

In conclusion, these Top 10 Historical Bollywood Movies stand as timeless gems, not only for their cinematic brilliance but also for their portrayal of rich cultural narratives and historical events. From epic sagas of valor and sacrifice to intimate tales of love and revolution, each film encapsulates a piece of India’s vibrant past, inviting audiences to immerse themselves in the beauty and complexity of history. As we delve into these cinematic masterpieces, we not only entertain ourselves but also gain a deeper appreciation for the tapestry of stories that have shaped our collective identity. Whether revisiting classic favorites or discovering new cinematic treasures, these historical films continue to leave an indelible mark on both Indian cinema and our hearts.

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