Top Bollywood films...2

Out of many films released in a year, a few of them are based on true events or inspired from the life of an individual or sort of biography. Here, I've attempted to write the list of five bollywood films which were made on the true incidents or events or on the life of an individual. They are all well known films and have performed well on box office. 

1. Manjhi - The mountain man

The film is based on the life of Dashrath Manjhi. He lived in Gehlore - a small village in Bihar. Gehlore was surrounded by mammoth hillocks of mountains. One day his wife was on her way to deliver lunch to Manjhi, and while crossing the peak of mountain her leg twisted and she slipped off from the top which took her breaths forever. Helpless Manjhi could not save his wife by providing emergency medical help due to the area was amidst mountains and there were no medical facilities in the village. He had to shift her to Wajirgunj which was on the other side of mountain and time consuming. He could not bear the loss of his beloved wife. Out of sheer rage, he decided to dismantle the mountains to make the road connecting Gehlore to Wajirgunj. Manjhi's hate and anger for mountains were so severe that he started breaking mountains with his hammer and chisel. He wanted to reduce the distance from Gehlore to Wajirgunj where adequate medical facilities could be made available. His wish to break the mountains and make the road was the subject matter of mockery for the villagers. Even they made fun out of him and addressed him as mad and lunatic. The Power of Perseverance wins, after a long 22 years of his painstaking efforts, he made the road connecting Gehlore to Wajirgunj which made the life easier for people of Gehlore. After her wife's death, his only goal of life was to make the road and he did. I've learnt one lesson from this film, The Power of Perseverance. If you believe in yourself and stick to your goal, you can make the wonders. MUST WATCH FILM

2. Aligarh

The film is based on the life of The Aligarh Muslim University professor who was suspended from his job due to his sexual preference. The professor of Marathi language and Head of Linguistic Department, his fault was that he was a homosexual. The sting operation was carried on him by his colleagues to oust him from the AMU. They removed professor from the AMU on the ground of immoral character. Later, he was forced to vacant his staff accommodation as well.

The young journalist who had sympathy for the professor brought the matter to the foray. He decided to bring justice to the professor.

Well, the film throws light on the Section 377 of The Indian Penal Code. This section criminalizes sexual activities "against the order of nature" including homosexual activities. Section 377 had become the news headline during mid 2009. In July 2009, The Delhi High Court had de-criminalized homosexuality. It was the landmark judgement any court has ever passed. The Delhi High Court declared portion of Section 377 as unconstitutional. On this premise, Professor's litigation was filed to The Allahabad High Court to return the Professor his job and accommodation. Being homosexual was not crime. It was the breach of privacy too. The judgement was passed in favor of professor but it was too late for him.

If you like off beat films and on subtle subject, then you will definitely like this film.

3. Pan Singh Tomar

This film is based on the life of Paan Singh Tomar, an Indian army man and National Level athlete. His circumstances forced him to become Baghee (dacoit or bandit). He was a victim of injustice made to him by his relative, and to some extent District Collector and Police.

He started his career as an army man. His talent as runner came to light during his period with army. He had no any special attraction towards sports, he joined the sports as he was told that there was no limit for food. He was sent to participate in 5000 meters race, but was dropped to 3000 meters steeplechase by his coach. He mastered in steeplechase and won gold medal at Indian National Games seven years in a row. He participated in International Military Games too and won gold medal in steeplechase.

He was refused to participate in a war on the premise that sports persons were not allowed to be sent to war. After his retirement in force, he was offered job of a coach but he refused and decided to stay with family back in his home town. His relative, Bhanwar Singh acquired his land illegally. Paan Singh tried to settle land dispute with Bhanwar Singh but in vain. He asked District collector and Police to intervene and pleaded to help him get his land back. They did not help. In absence of Paan Singh at home, Bhanwar Singh attacked his family. His son was brutally beaten and mother was killed by Bhanwar Singh and his goons. Paan Singh decided to avenge of the injustice made to him.

He was an ordinary man but turned into a monster due to his circumstances. He was into kidnapping of wealthy businessmen and extorted money to run his gang. He created a havoc in Chambal Valley. At one point in time, multiple states police were searching for him. If you get a chance, you must watch this film.

4. Gandhi my father
                                                       

This film is based on the life of Harilal Mohandas Gandhi, the eldest son of Mahatma Gandhi. The film has narrated the troubled relationship between father-son duo. Harilal Gandhi had a dream of going abroad to become a barrister like his father, while his father Mahatma Gandhi had different plans for him. He wanted Harilal to join him and fight for the truth, follow his ideals and live for the noble causes. It was a major set back for Harilal Gandhi when Mahatma didn't give him opportunity go abroad to pursue his dream. Harilal was devastated, he was destroyed from inside which led their relationship further soured. He did not want to live in Mahatma Gandhi's shadow anymore, so he left the home.

After that whatever he did, he miserably failed. He studied diploma but could not managed to pass. He tried his hands on various business plans but failed. He tried his best to meet two ends but his luck never favored him. His family lived in a poverty. Sick of his continuous wrong decisions, his wife left him and moved with her parents with their children. Later, she died.

He turned alcoholic. He always blamed Mahatma Gandhi for his failures and situation. With many turns and twist, at the end of the film you will be pity for Harilal Gandhi, and at the same time you will blame him only for his failures, not Mahatma Gandhi. Before their relations could be reconciled, Mahatama Gandhi was assassinated.

5. Madras Cafe

This film is based on the real life incidents of assassination of Indian ex-prime minister, Rajiv Gandhi and Indian Intervention in the war between Sri Lankan Government and LTTE. There was a long battle between Sri Lankan Sinhalese and Tamilians. In the civil war, thousands of Tamils lost their lives. LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Ealam)  chief Velupillai Prabhakaran encouraged his people to join him in his battle to fight against injustice to Tamils in Sri Lanka.  The issue could be resolved with political solution. India wanted peace in the island. It was a serious issue in Sri Lanka because LTTE chief was not in a mood to maintain peace accord. High profile officers from Indian Government and intelligence agencies were finding out the solution.

A talented officer Major Vikram Singh was appointed to find out the solution and was sent to Jaffna. The film is full of twist and turns. It is a roller coaster journey of real life incidents. The film is full of content. The brutality of killing people, the master plan of killing Indian ex- Prime Minister and importantly officers' failure to save him from the assassination is depicted quite thrillingly.

So that was a small list.There are lot more watchable bollywood films, I will watch and write on them in my upcoming blogs.

Thank you for reading...Jai Hind