'Chhapaak' to 'Shershaah': 7 upcoming Bollywood films that celebrate stories of unsung heroes

Based on the 26/11 attacks on Mumbai’s Taj hotel, the film starring Dev Patel and Anupam Kher explores the courage of common people who went out of their ways to help out strangers stuck in the hotel. 'Hotel Mumbai' celebrates the triumph of common man and their human spirit. 

Starring Deepika Padukone in the lead role, the film by Meghana Gulzar is inspired by the life or acid attack survivor Laxmi Aggarwal. In 2005, she was attacked by a man for rejecting his marriage proposal. After multiple surgeries, she relentlessly petitioned to stop the sale of acids in India which led the Supreme Court to regulate the sale of acids.

Streaming on: Netflix

Headlined by Janhvi Kapoor, the film is based on the life of Flight Lieutenant Gunjan Saxena, who along with her colleague Srividya Rajan created history when they ventured into a war zone, becoming the first Indian woman in combat during the 1999 Kargil War.

Saxena is one of the unsung Kargil warriors who fought for her country. The film, while based on the army, stunningly celebrates a girl's dream of making it big in an unchartered territory. The film is about hope and highlights a beautiful story of a father and her ambitious daughter who goes on to make the country proud.
 

Ajay Devgn will essay the role of Wing Commander Vijay Karnik. During the 1971 Indo-Pak was, Vijay was a squadron leader in charge of the airbase in Bhuj, Gujarat. He was the one responsible to keep the airbase operational despite the bombing from Pakistan.

Sidharth Malhotra starrer 'Shershaah' is based on the life of the Indian Army captain Vikram Batra who was honoured with the Param Vir Chakra for his bravery in the 1999 Kargil War. Directed by Vishnu Varadhan also starring Kiara Advani in the lead role, the film is slated to release in 2020.

Shoojit Sircar's directorial 'Sardar Udham Singh' is a biopic on  a revolutionary freedom fighter Udham Singh. The film stars Vicky Kaushal in the lead role.

'Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior', is based on Maratha warrior Tanaji Malusare, a military leader in the army of Chatrapati Shivaji. Directed by Om Raut, the film stars Ajay Devgn, Kajol and Saif Ali Khan in lead roles.