Best Indian history movies

Sam Bahadur (2023)

Based on the life of Sam Manekshaw, who was the Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian Army during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, and the first Indian Army officer to be promoted to the rank of Field Marshal.

Border (1997)

It's 1971, and 2000 members of the Pakistani Army—armed with tanks—are at war with just 120 men in a battalion of Indian soldiers based in the Longewala region of Rajasthan in India.

Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy (2019)

Gwalior Fort, during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. In a moment of despair, Lakshmibai, Rani of Jhansi, encourages her men by telling them the heroic story of Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy, a brave Telugu chieftain who took up arms in 1846 to protest against the numerous arbitrariness and crimes perpetrated by the leaders and military forces of the East India Company.

Sky Force (2025)

In the 1965 Indo-Pak War, India faces a devastating surprise attack. Wing Commander Ahuja leads a retaliatory strike, but Squadron Leader Vijaya goes missing after a heroic solo engagement against a superior enemy jet. Ahuja spends 23 years seeking the truth and uncovering a cover-up.

Rangoon (2017)

Julia travels to the Indo-Burma border to perform for the troops during the World War II, on the insistence of Billimoria, her lover. She finds herself in love with Jemadar Malik, a soldier there.

Panipat (2019)

During 18th century India, the Marathas emerged as the most powerful empire in the nation until the Afghan King Ahmad Shah Abdali plans to take over India. Sadashiv Rao Bhau is brought in to save the empire from the king which then leads to the third battle of Panipat.

Bhuj: The Pride of India (2021)

Set in the backdrop of the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War, the film tells the story of the IAF Squadron Leader Vijay Karnik, and his bravery, patriotism and determination.

Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea (2021)

‘Marakkar Lion of the Arabian Sea’ portrays the courageous life-events of a rebellious naval chief, Kunjali Marakkar the fourth, who fought against the Portuguese in the ancient times. He was the fourth naval chief of the Calicut Zamorin. The film revolves around him who was also the first Indian Naval Commander and Indian freedom fighter for the war against the Portuguese. He is said to have won 16 such battles with his impeccable strategies and fighting skills.

Mission Mangal (2019)

A team of Indian scientists at ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) take on the extraordinary task of successfully sending a satellite into the orbit of planet Mars in a country's maiden attempt.

LOC: Kargil (2003)

This film dramatizes events that occurred as the hostility between India and Pakistan over Kashmir came to a head in 1999, when more than 1,000 men crossed the "Line of Control" that separates the two locations. Taliban and Pakistani soldiers took over the area, blocking the main road that linked the regions. Standing their ground, Indian soldier drove them away, but not without losing more than 400 of their own men first.

Emergency (2025)

Based on true events that unfolded in 1975, the film chronicles incidents that took place under the leadership of Indira Gandhi, one of the most powerful women in Indian history.

Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja (2009)

Set in the backdrop of the seventeenth century, the royal family of Kottayam is ruled by Pazhassi. The British government begins to impose heavy taxes on the locals in the Thalassery region of Kerala.

Gold (2018)

Set in 1948, the historic story of India's first Olympic medal post their independence.

Maharaj (2024)

Based on a real-life historic court case, a bold journalist questions a revered leader's immoral behavior.

Pawankhind (2022)

The historical rearguard last stand that took place on 13 July 1660 at a mountain pass in the vicinity of fort Vishalgad, near the city of Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India between the Maratha Warrior Baji Prabhu Deshpande and Siddi Masud of Adilshah Sultanate, known as Battle of Pavan Khind.

Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi (2019)

Story of Rani Lakshmibai, one of the leading figures of the Indian Rebellion of 1857 and her resistance to the British Rule.

Mission Majnu (2023)

Set in the 1970s, an undercover Indian spy takes on a deadly mission to expose a covert nuclear weapons program in the heart of Pakistan.

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Bharat (2019)

At the cusp of India's birth as an Independent nation, a family makes an arduous journey to freedom at a cost. A young boy Bharat, makes a promise to his Father that he will keep his family together no matter what.

Sarsenapati Hambirrao (2022)

Based on the Maratha warrior Hansaji Mohite who was later given the title of Sarnobat Hambirrao, the film portrays his life as the Commander in Chief of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's army.

The Tashkent Files (2019)

The Tashkent Files is a thriller that revolves around the mysterious death of India's 2nd Prime Minister Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri and attempts to uncover if he had actually died a natural death, or, as alleged, was assassinated.

Gadar: Ek Prem Katha (2001)

Amongst the communal riots that erupt in the city, Tara shelters a wayward Sakina from a crazed mob and a bond that blossoms into love is created. The two eventually get married and have a son. The happy family, now living in Amritsar, gets the shock of their lives when Sakina learns that her father (Amrish Puri), whom she previously believed died in the riots back in Amritsar, is still alive after seeing his picture in a tattered, old newspaper. Upon contacting him, Sakina's father, now the mayor of Lahore in Pakistan, arranges for his daughter to arrive in Lahore to see him. Sakina leaves for Lahore minus Tara and her son, and upon reaching the city, learns of her father's plans for her - plans that include forcing Sakina to forget about her family and start life anew in Pakistan. Then begins an extraordinary journey which will lead Tara to cross the border into Pakistan to find his love Sakina

Mamangam (2019)

Based on the medieval fair called Mamankam, which was celebrated every 12 years between 800 AD and 1755 AD, the story of the film is supposedly about a brave warrior of Malabar and his loyal soldiers.

Bawaal (2023)

Ajay Dixit, an ordinary history teacher in a high school, enjoys mini celebrityhood in his town courtesy of the fake image he has built. He shares a strained relationship with his newly-wed wife. Circumstances force him to take a trip to Europe for the World War II trail accompanied by his wife. Will his relationship with his wife survive this trip? Will he manage to win the war within?

Zubeidaa (2001)

Zubeidaa, an aspiring Muslim actress, marries a Hindu prince to become his second wife. Her tumultuous relationship with her husband, and her inner demons lead her to a decision which has fatal consequences for them all.

Har Har Mahadev (2022)

The young Shivaji Shahaji Bhosale is building the foundation of Hindavi Swarajya. This is the beginning of a memorable journey for the man who will go on to be known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. But to turn this dream of Swarajya into reality, he must unite the Watandars.

Annamayya (1997)

A cinematic version of the life of famous Indian saint-poet, Annamayya (born May 1408), follows the spiritual awakening of the mystic composer Annamayya, who's first motivated to write a song of praise after visiting a temple. His devotion is put to the test when he vows to fast until he comes face to face with God, an act of faith for which he's rewarded with a blessed meal of prasad. As his fame as a singer spreads, Annamayya eventually becomes a real personification of the holy Nandaka Sword.

Yaathisai (2023)

Set in the 7th century, Kodhi, an young hot-blooded warrior from the Einar clan, believes that his birth is destined to free his fellows from the nomadic life that they lead and goes on an impossible mission, to revolt against and defeat the Pandiyan king Ranadheeran.

Dharmarakshak Mahaveer Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj: Part 1 (2024)

Follows the life of Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.

Kya Dilli Kya Lahore (2014)

In 1948, a cross-fire erupts at an isolated stretch of Indo-Pak border, leaving only two soldiers alive. One is an Indian soldier of Pakistani origin while the other happens to be a Pakistani soldier of Indian origin. An ironic story of pride and survival begins when - in an attempt to evade danger, they bump into each other. And amidst continuous exchange of bullets, altercations and murkier situations, it evolves into a journey of human connection with an unforeseeable end.