Expect a detailed, thought-provoking and inspiring look into the past with these onscreen portrayals.
If we start digging out notable—some frequently-visited, some underreported—events from the history books, there will be quite a few that either strike a chord with us for their social references, or serve as an impactful look in the past. The 1986 hijacking of a plane, of which the passengers were rescued by the flight's brave head purser; the unprecedented plan-of-action for a space mission that led India to achieve great heights globally; the Punjab insurgency that impacted thousands of pilgrims; and much more, are tales of inspiration as much as they are thought-provoking, heartwarming stories revolving around the human life. For a glance at these intriguing events, pick one of the following onscreen portrayals.
Black Friday (2004)
During its 140-minute running time, Black Friday chronicled the 1993 Mumbai bombings like a few other features had previously done. Passionate, inflected by agitprop and condemning the actions of—as well as empathising with—the bombers, the Anurag Kashyap film attracted huge critical and box office acclaim. Apart from showcasing just the terrorist activities and the details of the following investigation, it also dived into the lives of the attackers and their alienation before the event.
Streaming on Disney+ Hotstar VIP
Airlift (2016)
The film essays one of the most complex civilian rescue operations in aviation history, that took place to save Indians stuck in Kuwait during an invasion by Iraq. It was 1990 and Saddam Hussein's government had captured their homes, leaving nearly two lakh Indians stranded. Airlift starred Akshay Kumar who portraying Ranjit Katyal, a fictional businessman representing several of them operating at the time. Otherwise underreported, the historical event came through as a notable development in this poignant saga.
Streaming on Voot
Mission Mangal (2019)
After a failed ISRO mission, Tara Shinde (Vidya Balan) comes up with an unprecedented idea which would lead one of the organisation's most unpromising spacecrafts to reach Mars in no time. She shares the plan with senior colleague Rakesh Dhawan (Akshay Kumar); and they soon begin convincing the authorities to carry out the mission. With a passionate team, unconventional plan-of-action and hard work, the scientists achieve what few other countries in the world have. Mission Mangal is loosely based on the Mars Orbiter Mission of 2008. The movie also features Sonakshi Sinha, Taapsee Pannu, Kirti Kulhari, Sharman Joshi and Nithya Menen.
Streaming on Disney+ Hotstar
Neerja (2016)
In September 1986, the Pan Am Flight 73 was hijacked in Karachi. The flight's head purser Neerja Bhanot (Sonam Kapoor Ahuja) immediately notified the pilots and took it upon herself to ensure the safety of the passengers and crew on board. The film resurfaces the event in an emotional and intense portrayal.
Streaming on Disney+ Hotstar
The Ghazi Attack (2017)
During the 1971 war between India and Pakistan, the PNS Ghazi, a Pakistani submarine, sank mysteriously. The Ghazi Attack is an underwater thriller spotlights the surrounding events, the valour of the Indian Navy and the war itself. Also filmed in Telugu and later translated to Tamil, the film won the Best feature Film in Telugu at the National Film Awards.
Streaming on Amazon Prime Video
Punjab 1984 (2014)
The impassioned period drama, based on the 1984-86 Punjab insurgency, explores the impact of the historical event on people's lives, but also comes across as a poignant mother-son tale. It delves into the thick of Operation Blue Star, held at Amritsar in Punjab; spotlights the plight of pilgrims at the time; and touches upon other notable incidents apart from focusing on the journey of a widowed Satwant Kaur who is looking for her missing son.
Streaming on Netflix