Bollywood has been churning out some of the best biopic movies of bollywood. These biopics not only entertain but also educate the audience about the life of these heroes and women.
These movies can inspire you to become a better person. They show that even the toughest of people can achieve their dreams if they put in a lot of hard work.
Here is a list of the best Bollywood biopic movies:
1. Mrs. Chatterjee vs. Norway
The story of an Indian woman’s battle with Norway to regain custody of her children has been a topic of interest ever since the movie was released in theaters.
Based on the life of Sagarika Chakraborty, the film is inspired by her autobiography and tells the tale of Debika Chatterjee (Rani Mukerji), an NRI who battles against Norwegian child protection services (Barnevernet) to reclaim her kids.
The film is a hard one to watch. It’s packed with drama, schmaltzy dialogues, and stereotypes. It’s also replete with unsaid exchanges that help convey larger messages about relationships, emotions, and inner turmoil.
2. Dangal
If you are a fan of biopic movies, then this movie is definitely on your must-watch list. Dangal, based on the life of pehlwani wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat, is a riveting story that inspires one to fight for glory and pride.
It’s also a film that retells the inspiring journey of Geeta and Babita Phogat, Mahavir’s daughters, who went on to become India’s first elite female wrestlers. It’s a heartwarming story that shatters patriarchal stereotypes and promotes sportsmanship in a revolutionary way.
Aamir Khan’s towering performance as the ardent father of Geeta and Babita is one of his best. It’s an extremely powerful film that will stay etched in your mind long after the screening has ended.
3.Gangubai Kathiawadi
Sanjay Leela Bhansali has delivered a barnstorming gangland epic whose sweep and brio are akin to Martin Scorsese’s great works. Loosely inspired by a real figure and elements of Hussain Zaidi’s 2011 novel Mafia Queens of Mumbai, Bhansali charts the rags to riches, degradation to Mother Courage rise of his title character.
The movie is peppered with aural and visual treats for Hindi cinephiles. A curated selection of much-loved films (including Pakeezah, Mughal-e-Azam, Pyaasa, and Jahazi Lootera), theaters, film posters, calendars, and even star publicity photographs, all add to the cinematic experience.
4. Sardar Udham
Sardar Udham is one of the best biopic movies in Bollywood. Director Shoojit Sircar’s film follows the life of a revolutionary freedom fighter from Punjab, who assassinated Michael O’Dwyer to avenge the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
The movie is based on true events, and the research conducted by directors Shoojit Sircar, Shubhendu Bhattacharya, and Ritesh Shah makes it one of the most meticulously researched films in Indian cinema. It also features an impressive cast, including Vicky Kaushal and Shaun Scott.
The film climaxes in a heart-breaking scene, depicting the massacre at Jallianwala Bagh. This is a rare depiction of human misery, and it leaves you with a lump in your throat long after the credits have rolled.
5. Super 30
Based on the life of Anand Kumar, Super 30 tells the story of a selfless man who strived to bring education to the poorest of the poor. It has been directed by Vikas Bahl and stars Hrithik Roshan in the lead role.
The film is set in Bihar and revolves around Anand Kumar, a mathematician who runs the Super 30 coaching program that provides free coaching to underprivileged students aspiring to get into the IIT entrance exam. It was started by Kumar in 1996 and has since helped thousands of students make it to the top universities worldwide.
6. Sanju
Ranbir Kapoor’s transformation as Sanjay Dutt is just phenomenal and the rest of the cast also did well. However, the film suffers from several flaws including a slow pace and too much high-end emotional drama which does not add much to the story.
Ultimately, it’s a shame the film fails to capture a sense of the actor’s real-world morality or motivations. Despite his own repeated screw-ups, Sanjay Dutt is portrayed as beyond reproach in this biopic.
The film opens with Sanjay on the verge of serving a prison term for violating the Arms Act in 2013, flashing back to his debut movie role as a child actor, and his subsequent struggles with drug addiction. He’s a charismatic and self-deprecating character in this first half but is never contextualized as a hero.
7. M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story
Bollywood is known for making biopics on many people. They are a great way to learn about famous personalities and their lives. These movies can inspire you to live your life to the fullest.
One of the best biopics in Bollywood is S. Dhoni: The Untold Story, which tells the story of Indian cricketer and captain MS Dhoni. The movie was a huge hit and was well-received by the audience.
The film centers on MS Dhoni’s journey from his humble beginnings to becoming a successful Indian cricketer. It also explores his struggles with mental health and how he overcame them.
8. Neerja
Ram Madhvani’s heartfelt biopic, Neerja, is a tribute to the bravery of flight attendant Neerja Bhanot. Her unwavering courage helped save 359 passengers when her Pan Am 73 plane was hijacked in 1986 by terrorists in Karachi.
The film begins with Neerja (Sonam Kapoor) at her cozy family home in Mumbai, accompanied by her loving parents and siblings. She’s a young woman who has overcome a difficult marriage and returned to the family fold.
But when her life takes a turn for the worse, Neerja transforms into a heroine of her own. She comforts a mother whose son is plucked out of the crowd and executed, conceals the passports of American passengers on board to stop them from being used as bargaining chips, and ultimately sacrifices herself to protect children from gunfire.
9. Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
Biopic movies are a recent trend in Bollywood and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag is the perfect example of this. Starring Farhan Akhtar, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag tells the story of India’s first individual track and field champion Milkha Singh.
The movie opens with the 1960 Rome Olympics, in which Milkha Singh (Farhan Akhtar) places fourth in his 400-meter race. It then flashes back to Singh’s childhood and adolescence, where he is tormented by memories of the 1947 Partition of India.
Director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra assembles a fine cast, with sensitive performances from Divya Dutta (Milkha’s devoted elder sister), Sonam Kapoor, and Pawan Malhotra. The music is equally impressive, with Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy delivering an inspiring score.
10. Paan Singh Tomar
Paan Singh Tomar was a national-level athlete who became one of the most feared dacoits in Chambal Valley after retiring. His story inspired director Tigmanshu Dhulia who has adapted it from the book ‘Paan Singh Tomar: A Remarkable Life’.
The first half of the film is a real treat with its rustic atmosphere and realistic performances by the lead actors. Irrfan Khan does a superb job as Tomar and Mahie Gill and Zakir Hussain provide good support.
The director has made a masterstroke by casting Irrfan Khan as Tomar. The actor has never been able to disappoint and here again, he shows why. His performance has a certain understated elegance that is hard to match in other movies and it does help to make the film feel authentic.
