- Updated on December 20, 2025
India is one of the most diverse countries in the world, and this diversity extends to its history and culture. These aspects are beautifully reflected in Bollywood movies, especially those in the historical genre.
With that in mind, we present a list of 10 must-watch Bollywood historical films.
Join us on a cinematic journey through India’s rich history as we explore some of the best Bollywood movies that depict historical events.
Top 10 historical movies in India:
Mangal Pandey: The Rising
- Cast: Aamir Khan, Toby Stephens, Rani Mukerji, Kirron Kher, Ameesha Patel
- Director: Ketan Mehta
- Year of release: 2005
This movie is based on Mangal Pandey, a soldier in the army of the British East India Company. He played a crucial role in igniting the ‘Revolt of 1857,’ also known as the ‘Sepoy Mutiny of 1857,’ which eventually evolved into a widespread rebellion against British rule across the country.
Mangal Pandey: The Rising effectively portrays the life of the titular hero and his rebellious actions.
The film received praise from both audiences and critics alike. Notably, it is one of the few Bollywood films to have premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.
Jodhaa Akbar
- Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai, Sonu Sood, Kulbhushan Kharbanda
- Director: Asutosh Gowariker
- Year of release: 2008
Jodhaa Akbar is an epic historical movie that tells the story of the Mughal Emperor Akbar and his wife, Jodhaa Bai.
Although the movie has a lengthy runtime of 3 hours and 33 minutes, it provides spectacular visuals and costumes, as well as fantastic performances by the cast.
This movie truly is epic in every way. Additionally, it vividly depicts various historical events of that era, making it a must-watch for history enthusiasts.
Ashoka
- Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Ajith Kumar, Danny Denzongpa
- Director: Santosh Sivan
- Year of release: 2001
Ashoka was an Emperor of the Maurya dynasty in the 3rd century BCE. This legendary ruler is best known for renouncing war and embracing Buddhism, after winning and witnessing the large-scale destruction due to the Battle of Kalinga.
Though the movie takes some artistic liberties, the dramatization of the Mauryan Emperor’s life is excellent. This film was well received by critics and audiences alike for its presentation, action sequences of battle, and performances by the cast.
Lagaan
- Cast: Aamir Khan, Gracy Singh, Rachel Shelley, Paul Blackthorne, Yashpal Sharma
- Director: Asutosh Gowariker
- Year of release: 2001
The story of Lagaan revolves around the ordinary people of British India who challenge the British to a cricket match to nullify their lagaan (taxes). While the movie is fictional, the struggles faced by the characters reflect the reality of that time.
In this movie, Aamir Khan plays the captain of a team comprised of individuals who know nothing about cricket. Despite their lack of experience, they manage to secure an unexpected victory against the British with a last-ball win.
This movie is well-received by critics not only in India but also worldwide. Lagaan is Bollywood’s only Oscar-nominated movie of this century.
The Legend of Bhagat Singh
- Cast: Ajay Devgn, Amrita Rao, Sushant Singh, Akhilendra Mishra, Raj Babbar
- Director: Rajkumar Santoshi
- Year of release: 2002
The Legend of Bhagat Singh is a film based on the life of the Indian revolutionary Bhagat Singh, who is famous for his bombing of the Central Legislative Assembly in Delhi during the British colonial period. Along with his fellow revolutionaries Rajguru and Chandra Shekhar Azad, he was involved in the assassination of a British police officer. For their acts of defiance, they were arrested and ultimately executed.
There are many movies and television series about Bhagat Singh, but The Legend of Bhagat Singh is considered to be the most accurate portrayal of this freedom fighter’s life and deeds. The film has garnered praise from both audiences and critics alike, winning two National Film Awards.
Kesari
- Cast: Akshay Kumar, Parineeti Chopra, Mir Sarwar, Vikram Kochhar
- Director: Anuraj Singh
- Year of release: 2019
Kesari is a war drama based on the Battle of Saragarhi, which took place in 1897.
In this movie, the main character, Ishar Singh, fights for the British, in contrast to figures like Mangal Pandey and Bhagat Singh, who resisted British rule.
The conflict presented in the movie is more of a last stand than a traditional battle. It portrays how 21 Sikh soldiers defended the Saragarhi Fort against over 10,000 Afghan invaders.
Parmanu : The Story of Pokhran
- Cast: John Abraham, Diana Penty, Boman Irani
- Director: Abhishek Sharma
- Year of release: 2018
This movie effectively depicts the covert and successful nuclear tests conducted by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s administration in 1998. It explores the challenges faced during the secret execution of India’s nuclear tests while evading detection by the American intelligence agency.
Overall, it stands out as one of the best Bollywood films based on historical events.
LOC: Kargil
- Cast: Sanjay Dutt, Ajay Devgn, Nagarjuna, Saif Ali Khan, Abhishek Bachchan
- Director: J. P. Dutta
- Year of release: 2003
This movie is based on the Kargil War of 1999. In the film, Indian soldiers discover that Pakistani troops are crossing the Line of Control (LOC) in Kargil, which leads to a fierce battle between the two nations.
While there are many Bollywood movies that explore the conflicts between India and Pakistan, LOC: Kargil stands out as one of the most notable among them.
Airlift
- Cast: Akshay Kumar, Nimrat Kaur, Kumud Mishra, Prakash Belawadi
- Director: Raja Menon
- Year of release: 2016
Airlift is based on the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990.
In this movie, when Iraq invades Kuwait, a callous Indian businessman transforms into a savior for the stranded Indians. Ultimately, he plays a crucial role in the evacuation of over 170,000 Indians who are left stranded.
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero
- Cast: Sachin Khedekar, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Rajit Kapur, Arif Zakaria, and Divya Dutta
- Director: Shyam Benegal
- Year of release: 2004
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero is a biographical war film written and directed by Shyam Benegal.
The movie illustrates the life of Indian independence leader Subhas Chandra Bose during his time in Nazi Germany from 1941 to 1943 and in Japanese-occupied Asia from 1943 to 1945.
It also covers the events leading to the formation of the Azad Hind Fauj.
