- Lagaan (2001):
It was probably only after Lagaan that filmmakers showed the courage to make films on subjects different from the ones in mainstream bollywood cinema. So it wouldn’t be wrong to say that this film was one of the pioneers of movies made on unpopular subjects. Lagaan directed by Ashutosh Gowariker is set in the pre-independence era and inspired from the 1957 film Naya daur, revolves around a fictional cricket match played between the Indian villagers and the ruling British to decide upon how much tax the villagers are liable to pay to the British government. The movie has an ensemble star cast with Aamir khan and Gracy singh in the lead roles and has been critically acclaimed winning 8 Filmfare awards in 2002.
- Iqbal (2005):
Iqbal is beyond doubt one of the most inspiring movies made in Bollywood which revolves around a young deaf and mute village boy and his passion for cricket. Iqbal’s dream of playing for the Indian cricket team and overcoming all odds and obstacles to along the journey is the soul of the film. It stars Shreyas talpade, Naseeruddin Shah, Late Girish Karnad and is one of the finest films of director Nagesh Kukunoor. The film was critically acclaimed and is definitely a must watch for people seeking some inspiration.
- Chak de India (2007):
Chak de India is one of the finest films made in Indian cinema and is beyond just a sports film as it addresses issues like gender bias, racial discrimination, religious and ethnic prejudice and is above all one of the most inspiring films made in Indian cinema. The film tells a fictional story of a disintegrated Indian women’s hockey team lacking self confidence and unity which is revived by their coach played Shahrukh khan. It is one of the best performances of actor Shahrukh Khan as well as director Shimit Amin. It won five film fare awards and received reasonably good commercial success.
- Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013):
Bhaag Milkha Bhaag is an inspiring biopic on the life of the Indian athlete Milkha Singh who was the only Indian athlete till 2010 to have won a gold medal in athletics at the Commonwealth games. The film stars Farhan akhtar playing the role of Milkha singh and the film fluctuates back and forth in time, telling us Milkha singh’s arduous and inspiring journey starting from the pre-independence period. It is undoubtedly one of the best biopics made in Indian cinema and has received critical recognition winning several awards including seven film fare awards for Best actor (Farhan akhtar), Best director (Rakeysh Om prakash mehra), Best film.
- Dangal (2016):
Dangal is a lot more than just a sports film or a biopic on the lives of Mahavir singh phogat and his daughters Geeta phogat and babita kumari. It is a film that addresses the gender bias in the society, it is a film that showcases an emotional bond of the father-daughter relationship and above all the inspiring journey of Geeta phogat and her family overcoming all the obstacles and emerging triumphant. The film produced by Walt Disney pictures India, starring Aamir khan, Fatima sana sheikh and sanya malhotra, was praised for its direction (Nitesh tiwari), performances and strong subject matter. It is indubitably one of the finest films made in Indian cinema till date.