This list showcases top 10 historical bollywood movies. We are aware, Gandhi is not Bollywood movie but best so far and omission of Asoka and Mangal pandey is willful due to amount of Deviations they had. Rest of the list is honest to heart and makes it greatest Bollywood historical flicks ever. |
| Bahubali The Begining... |
1. Gandhi (1982)
PG | 191 min | Biography, Drama, History
Gandhi's character is fully explained as a man of nonviolence. Through his patience, he is able to drive the British out of the subcontinent. And the stubborn nature of Jinnah and his commitment towards Pakistan is portrayed.
Director: Richard Attenborough | Stars: Ben Kingsley, John Gielgud, Candice Bergen, Edward Fox
Votes: 197,912 | Gross: $52.77M
What a portrayal of one of the greatest historical characters of India ever. Gandhi is so far best historical movie made ever on india. unfortunately, none of the indian director could cut it so large and do justice to this great person. This movie places itself into top position in list though its not Bollywood flick.
2. Jodhaa Akbar (2008)
Not Rated | 213 min | Action, Adventure, Biography
A sixteenth century love story about a marriage of alliance that gave birth to true love between a great Mughal emperor, Akbar, and a Rajput princess, Jodha.
Director: Ashutosh Gowariker | Stars: Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Sonu Sood, Poonam Sinha
Votes: 24,698 | Gross: $3.44M
I thought Hrithik and Aishwarya both are bit misfit as Akbar and Jodha in this movie.. As I always imagined Akbar as bit fat, may be due to my impressions from Mughal E Azam. Apart from those irregs, movie is very well made and done at grand level, where Akbar was. Never a dull moment in 3.5 hours long movie.
3. Black Friday (2004)
Not Rated | 143 min | Action, Crime, Drama
Black Friday is a film about the investigations following the 1993 serial Bombay bomb blasts, told through the different stories of the people involved --police, conspirators, victims, middlemen.
Director: Anurag Kashyap | Stars: Kay Kay Menon, Pavan Malhotra, Aditya Srivastava, Dibyendu Bhattacharya
Votes: 14,286 | Gross: $0.03M
Excellent and very well made movie about Bombay bombing in 1993.
It is not historical as in old times sake, though I placed it here in this due to very accurate depiction of events and story behind it unfolds in very engrossing way. Music by "Indian Ocean" and crisp editing "Aarti Bajaj" , great direction by Anurag Kashyap made it worth watch it. Don't miss out on this movie, although you may think it is bit documentary style movie.
4. Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (2001)
PG | 224 min | Adventure, Drama, Musical
The people of a small village in Victorian India stake their future on a game of cricket against their ruthless British rulers.
Director: Ashutosh Gowariker | Stars: Aamir Khan, Raghuvir Yadav, Gracy Singh, Rachel Shelley
Votes: 86,724 | Gross: $0.07M
Not really a historical movie, as it probably never happened in india.
But this movie, is closest depiction what could be british rule in older india and how they would have dealt with "lagaan". Nice drama of emotion, music, action, sports, and survival. it made instant super hit in 2001 due to all of it.
5. Mughal-E-Azam (1960)
Not Rated | 197 min | Drama, Romance, War
A 16th century prince falls in love with a court dancer and battles with his emperor father.
Director: K. Asif | Stars: Prithviraj Kapoor, Madhubala, Dilip Kumar, Durga Khote
Votes: 5,152 | Gross: $0.16M
First Epic Level movie of Bollywood made by K. Asif. 12 years in making, some of the stars died while making. Songs and story made it super hit at the times in 60s. it re released in color later in Bollywood due to high retro value.
6. The Legend of Bhagat Singh (2002)
Not Rated | 155 min | Biography, Drama, History
The story of a young revolutionary who raised an armed resistance against the British rule in India.
Director: Rajkumar Santoshi | Stars: Ajay Devgn, Sushant Singh, D. Santosh, Akhilendra Mishra
Votes: 11,649
7. Jhansi Ki Rani (1953)
Not Rated | 97 min | Biography, Drama, History
Rajguru (Sohrab Modi) decides that Jhansi should get its proper recognition in history. He comes across a young girl Manu (the young Rani Lakshmibai) played by Baby Shikha.
Director: Sohrab Modi | Stars: Mehtab, Sohrab Modi, Mubarak, Ulhas
Votes: 62
8. Sardar (1993)
175 min | Biography, Drama, History
An account of Vallbhbhai Patel's political life while India was taking first steps as an independent country.
Director: Ketan Mehta | Stars: Paresh Rawal, Tom Alter, Riju Bajaj, Elisa D'Souza
Votes: 545
9. Amrapali (1966)
U | 119 min | Musical, Fantasy
His hunger for conquest not satiated, even after repeated victories, Samrat Ajaatshatru of Magadh would like to continue on his winning spree.
Director: Lekh Tandon | Stars: Vyjayanthimala, Sunil Dutt, Prem Nath, Bipin Gupta
Votes: 128
10. Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey (2010)
168 min | Action, Drama, History
Children who are not allowed by the oppressive British colonists to play football decide to join a group of freedom fighters.
Director: Ashutosh Gowariker | Stars: Abhishek Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Sikander Kher, Maninder Singh
Votes: 1,062
