Bollywood
has
seen
many
unforgettable
patriotic
films
like
Lagaan,
Swades,
URI
and
powerful
characters
played
by
Akshay
Kumar,
John
Abraham
and
more.
However,
the
majority
have
been
male
leaders
influencing
the
country
as
they
fight
for
the
nation
while
on
the
frontlines,
behind
desks
or
on
fields.
Fortunately,
in
recent
years,
we
have
also
gotten
a
chance
to
see
female
actors
take
on
these
roles
inspired
by
real
life
'sheroes'.
Over
the
years,
Bollywood
has
presented
few
but
powerful
portrayals
of
patriotic
women
on
the
big
screen.
This
Independence
day
we
salute
the
fictional
and
real
women
who
have
influenced
generations
to
uphold
the
country's
pride,
and
fight
for
its
honour.
Gunjan
Saxena:
The
Kargil
War
The
Netflix
film
is
based
on
Gunjan
Saxena,
India's
first-ever
woman
IAF
pilot
in
combat.
She
was
honoured
with
the
Shaurya
Vir
award
for
displaying
courage
and
grit
during
the
Kargil
War
in
1999,
when
she
rescued
soldiers
along
with
Flight
Lieutenant
Srividya
Rajan.
The
film
will
follow
Gunjan's
journey
from
childhood
as
she
becomes
a
pilot
with
her
family's
support
and
hard
work,
only
to
face
discrimination
at
the
Srinagar
Air
Field
after
joining
IAF.
Saand
Ki
Aankh
Starring
Taapsee
Pannu
and
Bhumi
Pednekar,
Saand
Ki
Aankh
was
away
from
the
frontlines
and
yet
they
proved
to
be
a
part
of
the
fight
just
as
much.
The
film
follows
Chandro
and
Prakashi,
who
live
in
a
patriarchal
society
and
are
in
their
60s.
As
they
discover
their
shooting
skills,
the
duo
go
on
to
become
the
face
of
India's
fierce women
on
the
national
and
international
stage,
in
a
male-dominated
society.
Manikarnika:
The
Queen
of
Jhansi
The
Kangana
Ranaut-starrer
showcased
the
empowering
story
of
a
female
warrior,
Manikarnika,
the
wife
of
the
King
of
Jhansi,
who
refused
to
bow
down
when
the
East
India
Company
tried
to
annex
the
kingdom.
The
rebellion
started
by
her
soon
turned
into
a
fiery
revolution
against
the
British
Raj
in
India.
Known
as
Rani
Laxmi
Bai
and
Jhansi
Ki
Rani,
she
became
a
symbol
of
resistance
and
the
Indian
Rebellion
of
1857.
Raazi
Raazi
is
another
film
that
proved
women's
ability
to
serve
their
nation
and
how
they
too
would
go
to
any
extent
to
do
it.
The
film
is
a
real
and
untold
story
of
a
Muslim
girl
Sehmat,
who
married
into
a
Pakistan
family
as
an
Indian
female
spy
during
the
Indo-Pak
war
of
1971.
Sehmat
herself
is
an
exemplary
example
of
how
a
woman
can
become
a
contributor
to
the
country,
and
possess
the
same
patriotic
zeal
and
dedication
as
men
in
the
army.
Neerja
Directed
by
Ram
Madhvani,
the
film
is
a
biopic
on
the
Indian
air
hostess
and
model,
Neerja
Bhanot.
Neerja
had
sacrificed
her
life
while
saving
359
passengers
in
her
Pan
Am
flight
73,
which
was
hijacked
by
terrorists
in
1986.
The
film
shocked
the
audience
through
its
heartbreaking
story,
realistic
descriptions
and
its
message
of
patriotism
and
bravery.
Chak
de!
India
Another
film
away
from
the
war
that
rose
viewers'
patriotic
feelings
was
Chak
de!
India.
The
film
is
a
fictitious
representation
of
the
Indian
women's
hockey
team
that
wins
the
world
cup.
The
film
follows
a
former
hockey
player
who
becomes
the
coach
of
a
hockey
team
of
11
women
and
trains
them
well
into
a
team
of
champions.
The
sports
drama
with
women
players
heightened
the
feeling
of
patriotism,
nationalism
and
women
empowerment
in
the
audience.
Bollywood
has
also
presented
more
patriotic
women
in
other
genres
like
Priyanka
Chopra
in
Mary
Kom,
Taapsee
Pannu
in
Mulk,
Kangana
Ranaut
in
Panga.
Meanwhile,
Parineeti
Chopra
has
also
been
gearing
up
to
play
Saina
Nehwal
in
her
biopic.