Happy Indian Independence Day!  I’m going to try a theme this year, and limit it to just things directly related to the Independence movement.  Next year I’ll do something else like, I don’t know, patriotic songs that involve color coordinated clothing or something.  The point is, there are so many patriotic options in Indian film!  Way more than in American.  At least, American post-WWII.  And if I missed your favorite Independence movement set scene or song, just mention it in the comments!

1.1. This movie doesn’t get mentioned much any more, but I really love it.  Okay, so Anil Kapoor may not be the typical image of a fiery young revolutionary, but Manisha Koirala is just radiant, and Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s directing is masterful, and the story is powerful.  And Danny Denzongpa makes me cry every time.

2.2. Speaking of things that make me cry, Rang De Basanti!

3.3. I don’t actually like The Legend of Bhagat Singh that much.  But I think the first few minutes are genius, giving you the whole story in just a few quick flashes, and being legitimately beautiful at the same time.

4.4. Okay, Mangal Panday isn’t my favorite movie either.  But this one bit is very nicely done.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4NLqFQpWb0

5.5. And to end on something a little lighter, I bet you thought I forgot about Veer.  I did not!  Speaking just for myself, I kind of like it better than The Legend of Bhagat Singh and Mangal Panday.  It’s actually got a really clear explanation of Macaulayism buried in it, which is a big part of this scene, as a variety of colonial students who are being forced to lean the “British way”, show the British that their art forms have value as well.