February 27 marks the supreme sacrifice of Chandrashekhar Azad, the revolutionary who defied the British Empire single-handedly in Alfred Park. Hailing from Jhabua, Madhya Pradesh, his life was a testament to absolute dedication to India’s freedom. Bollywood has immortalized this icon through powerful performances that capture his fearlessness.
Kicking off the list is the classic ‘Shaheed’ from 1965. Though centered on Bhagat Singh, Manmohan’s nuanced portrayal of Azad stole scenes, etching the character into cinematic history.
The year 2002 was a banner for Azad depictions. In ’23rd March 1931: Shaheed,’ Sunny Deol’s commanding Azad paired brilliantly with Bobby Deol’s Bhagat Singh, delivering a gritty tribute to their bond. Sunny’s ‘Indian’ later echoed Azad’s spirit in its narrative arc.
Akhilendra Mishra shone as Azad in ‘The Legend of Bhagat Singh,’ directed by Rajkumar Santoshi. The film masterfully balanced both revolutionaries’ contributions, earning critical praise.
Who can forget Aamir Khan in ‘Rang De Basanti’? The 2006 sensation wasn’t just about songs; it was a rallying cry inspired by Azad’s legacy, smashing box office records from a modest budget to massive returns.
Independent cinema stepped up recently with ‘Hero of Nation Chandrashekhar Azad’ in 2022, meticulously researched over a year and a half, and ‘Shaheed Chandrashekhar Azad’ from 2020, led by newcomer Rishabh Raj under Rajesh Mittal’s direction. These films highlight that Azad’s story resonates beyond mainstream glitz.
On his martyrdom anniversary, these cinematic gems reignite the revolutionary fire in every viewer, honoring a man who lived and died for Swaraj.