Freedom was in the hands of a foreign organisation, and independence had been a dream lost years earlier. However, as we battled to free ourselves from tyranny, faith was once more rekindled in the hearts of Indians with the rise of leaders. Here we are, saluting the national flag 68 years later, remembering the events that altered the course of the nation’s history. Not just us, but Indian cinema also celebrates August 15 as a lucky day. The past has been depicted in film with documentation. Filmmakers have always drawn inspiration from the struggle our nation’s leaders underwent to set us free from tyrannical injustice. We present to you Tamil films that inspired patriotism in all as we salute the national flag today.
1. ROJA
Roja, a critically acclaimed romantic-thriller from Mani Ratnam released in 1992, is still regarded as one of the best films about national integration. A R Rahman composed the soundtrack, which featured Arvind Swamy and Madhoo. When Rishi is kidnapped by a terrorist organisation with the goal of severing Kashmir from India and releasing their leader who has been captured by Indian forces, the world of newlyweds Roja and Rishi is turned upside down, and the movie makes you cry. What was portrayed as Kashmir in the movie was actually Ooty, Manali, and Himachal Pradesh, which is one of the things the audience was unaware of. Ratnam was forced to make compromises because Kashmir experienced severe terrorism during the period of filming.However, Ratnam’s exquisite depiction of Kashmir and the conflict-torn region sparked a desire to put an end to all terrorism and restore domestic peace.
2.BOMBAY
Bombay, the second installment in a trilogy about human relationships torn apart by political disagreements, was directed by Mani Ratnam and came before Dil Se (1998) and Roja (1992). The plot of the 1995 film, which focused on the struggles of a couple with opposing religious beliefs and how the political repercussions brought about a significant change in their lives, was centred on these issues. The Babri Masjid demolition and how it led to racial riots and murders were the main themes of the movie, which starred Arvind Swamy as Shekhar and Manisha Koirala as Shaila Banu. Much against the wishes of their parents, Shekhar, a Hindu orthodox, marries Shaila, a Muslim schoolgirl, after falling in love.They enjoy a wonderful life with their two Muslim and Hindu-raised children. However, when the Bombay riots start and their family is split up, all hell breaks loose. The film is beautifully shot and intensifies the difficulties that racial difference brings to a relationship.
3.HEY RAM
Ulaganayakan Kamal Haasan created, produced, and directed Hey Ram, another outstanding film in which he also acted. The movie’s controversial plot, which painted Mahatma Gandhi in a poor light, received harsh criticism. Despite all the contentious allegations, the movie continued to receive positive reviews. Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukherjee played supporting roles in the film. Hey Ram highlighted the difficulties faced by the average person in the context of the social imbalance and how people tend to lose their bearings in risky situations. The film’s central theme revolves around the cruelty experienced by common people, which causes them to make poor decisions in order to exact revenge.The film’s main concept revolves around the cruelty experienced by common people, which causes them to make poor decisions in order to exact revenge for the deaths of their loved ones. The movie was also chosen by India for its 2000 Oscar submission, but it did not receive a nomination. Although Kamal worked on a semi-fictional plot for the movie, it had a patriotic undertone.
4.UNNAIPOL ORUVAN
Unnaipol Oruvan, a Tamil version of the Hindi film A Wednesday, won praise for its story from critics. The movie, which starred Kamal Haasan and Mohan Lal in the lead roles, served as a wake-up call to the ruling elite regarding how the political unrest is causing problems for ordinary people. Mohan Lal played the role of the Inspector General, Raghava Maraar, who receives a call from the common man, played by Kamal Haasan, warning him of bombs he has planted that will simultaneously detonate if his demands are not met. He only asks that the four terrorists who were apprehended for carrying out a number of terror attacks across India be released by the authorities. The safety of the city is at risk, so the IG releases the terrorists after failing to find the caller’s location. Mohan Lal is perplexed when Kamal kills three of the four terrorists by placing a bomb in their car, while one of them is taken back by the officers and later killed by Mohan Lal. Mohan Lal believes Kamal to be an operative for a terrorist organisation. The film skilfully illustrates the suffering experienced by the average person in the face of racial and social injustice.
5.INDIAN
In the Shankar-directed movie Indian, which also features Manisha Koirala, Urmila Matondkar, Sukanya, and Goundamani in significant roles, Kamal Haasan plays two roles. The movie went on to become a smash hit and received positive reviews for its story. A 70-year-old vigilante who is on a killing spree is the focus of the film. The country’s growing corruption infuriates 70-year-old Kamal Haasan, who decides to use it as motivation to assassinate all the corrupt officials and restore law and order. With this goal in mind, he begins assassinating Indian, a corrupt official. Chandru, who is also played by Kamal, is his son and works as a part-time bribe-taker outside a Regional Transport Office.The situation of the common man is shown in the movie, along with how the higher ups take advantage of him. An angry former soldier makes the decision to change this custom and restore peace. The rest of the story involves a vigilante and a cop playing cat and mouse over the cop’s desire to kill his son for being one of the corrupt officials.
6.THUPPAKKI
Ilayathalapathy Vijay and Kajal Agarwal played the leads in AR Murugadoss’s 2012 hit movie Thuppakki, with Vidyut Jamwal playing the antagonist. At the box office, the movie got a lot of good reviews. But once more, the characterization of a Muslim as a terrorist infuriated many of the communities and led to a number of boycott demonstrations. The movie’s plot centres on an Indian army intelligence officer who is sent on a mission to find and destroy a terrorist organisation as well as to deactivate the sleeper cells that are run by it. The movie gained popularity at the box office and was remade in several different languages as a result of its success thanks to its strong star cast and excellent script.The most important message of the film was that an army man is always on duty and has a lot of responsibilities, which he fulfils out of love for his country.
7.MUDHALVAN
S Shankar’s critically acclaimed film Mudhalvan featured the late Raghuvaran, Manisha Koirala, and Arjun Sarja in the lead roles. The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (Raghuvaran) challenges a TV Journalist, who is played by Arjun Sarja, and things turn out in his favour because of the amazing work Arjun does each day as a CM. As a result, he must deal with the anger of the first Chief Minister Raghuvaran, who has a grudge against Arjun for degrading him in front of the public and wants to exact revenge. Despite all the challenges encountered after his first day as CM, Arjun still manages to triumph over the situation.The film, which had a successful run in the South, was remade in Hindi as Nayak, starring Anil Kapoor.
8.BHARATHI
Mahakavi Subramaniya Bharathiyaar’s life was the subject of the biographical movie Bharathi. The movie went on to be a hit at the box office and was also given the 2000 National Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil. Sayaji Shinde, Devyani, and Nizhalgal Ravi are the film’s stars. The movie told the story of eminent poet Subramaniya Bharathi’s life and times and his mission to inspire people to fight for their rights. The audience also praised Devyani’s performance as Chellamma, Bharathiyaar’s wife. According to a report on Thehindu.com, Sayaji Shinde, who plays the title character in the film, was the ideal choice for the part of Bharathiyaar. His performance was outstanding and dripped with rage, defiance, and passion. This movie depicted all of the problems the nation was experiencing as a result of the British Raj and how Bharathiyaar inspired everyone to seek freedom through his writing.
9.VEERAPANDIYA KATTABOMMAN
Sivaji Ganesan, Gemini Ganesan, Padmini, S. Varalakshmi, and Ragini played the lead roles in the historical drama Veerapandiya Kattabomman, while V. K. Ramasamy and Javar Seetharaman played crucial supporting roles. The movie portrayed Veerapandiya Kattabomman, an early chieftain who rose up in rebellion against the East India Company. The movie was based on a play called Kattabomman that Sivaji Ganesan’s troupe performed. While the late actor Sivaji Ganesan worked his magic on screen, the film received numerous accolades and was a huge hit with the audience. A National Award for Feature Film in Tamil was also given to the film. Following its success, the film was also dubbed in Telugu and Hindi.
10. MADRASAPATTINAM
In the critically acclaimed movie Madrasapattinam, a young South Indian boy and a British girl fall in love. In addition to Arya and Amy Jackson, Nassar, Cochin Hanifa, and Alexx O’Nell play other significant roles in the movie. In addition, the movie received several award nominations. The movie tells the straightforward tale of a South Indian laundry worker and a British girl who eventually fall in love during the independence era. However, when India achieves independence, everything changes drastically, and all of the British people leave the nation. Amy is eventually taken away from Arya after he tries several different methods to conceal her.Years later, she and her granddaughter return in search of Arya, and when they arrive at his grave, she immediately passes out. The portrayal of a love story during a period of freedom struggle was admirable, and the movie had gorgeous cinematography.