New Delhi: Bollywood has always been at the forefront of inculcating the spirit of patriotism through films, songs and dialogues. Hindi cinema is known for its nationalistic stories that often revolve around themes of sacrifice and valour.
Bollywood has produced many classic films based on the concept of patriotism. These films often have famous dialogues that are loved by audiences and last for generations. These powerful dialogues evoke patriotic feelings and celebrate the spirit of our great nation.
As the country prepares to celebrate Independence Day on August 15, let’s look at some of the most memorable dialogues that have touched upon the spirit of patriotism and honoured the essence of India.
1. Hindustan was alive, is alive, will remain alive…
‘Hamara Hindustan Zindabad Tha, Zindabad Hai, Zindabad Rahega’ is a famous patriotic dialogue from the 2001 romantic period action drama film ‘Gadar: Ek Prem Katha’. The film is one of the biggest blockbusters. Centered around the partition, it showcases a beautiful love story between Tara Singh (Sunny Deol) and Sakeena (Ameesha Patel). They both get married, however, things take a bitter turn as Sakeena’s father forces her to stay in Pakistan and separates her from her family. The sequel of ‘Gadar: Ek Prem Katha’, titled ‘Gadar 2’, was released theatrically on August 11, 2023. It also received a positive response from the audience.
2. There is a quantitative difference between Farz and Farzi…
“There is only one difference between duty and duty… If I don’t fight now for my country… my brothers… then I will be reduced to a ‘frazi’ in my own eyes.” This popular dialogue from Vicky Kaushal starrer ‘Uri: The Surgical Strike’, written and directed by debutant Aditya Dhar, strongly conveys the message of patriotism and the spirit of a soldier who is ready to lay down his life for the country.
3. Nothing matters before the country, not even ourselves…
‘Raazi’ directed by Meghna Gulzar is a popular patriotic film. Alia Bhatt, who plays an undercover RAW agent in the film, said in the film, ‘Watan ke aage kuch nahi, khud bhi nahi.’ No, undoubtedly for a soldier nothing is bigger than his country. This dialogue expresses the same feeling. The film is an adaptation of Harinder Sikka’s 2008 novel Calling Sehmat, the true story of an Indian Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) spy who, at her father’s request, marries into a family of military officers in Pakistan to share intelligence with India ahead of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. The film is an adaptation of Harinder Sikka’s 2008 novel Calling Sehmat, the true story of an Indian RAW agent who, at her father’s request, marries into a family of military officers in Pakistan to share intelligence with India ahead of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.
4. I can neither hear nor see the names of the states…
‘Mujhe states ke naam na sunate hain, na dikhaye hain, sirf ek mulk ka naam suna deta hai… India’. Shah Rukh Khan expresses his love for the country with these powerful words in the film. Indeed, it is one such dialogue that not only reflects the feeling of love for the nation but also shows that a country is above all religions, states and everything. Chak De! India is a 2007 Indian sports drama film directed by Shimit Amin, written by Jaideep Sahni and produced by Aditya Chopra. It stars Shah Rukh Khan as Kabir Khan, a fictional former captain of the India men’s national field hockey team and coach of the India women’s national field hockey team.
5. When people there at the border stay awake without caring about their sleep…
Akshay Kumar’s film ‘Holiday: A Soldier is Never Off Duty’ is a remake of Murugadoss’ 2012 Tamil film ‘Thuppakki’. The story focuses on an Indian Army officer who goes to Mumbai on leave and decides to track down the terrorist head of a sleeper cell network and neutralise the sleeper cells under his command. He shares in the film that a soldier is never off leave with his dialogue, “When people over there on the border are awake without caring about their sleep, you get a peaceful sleep here in the city.”
6. This is a fight for freedom…
Mangal Pandey: The Rising is a 2005 Indian historical biographical drama film based on the life of Mangal Pandey. Mangal Pandey was an Indian soldier known for helping instigate the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Aamir Khan, who played the lead role, said in the film, “Yeh azaadi ki ladai hai, azaadi from the past… aagay kal ke liye.”
These are just a few examples of some of the famous dialogues that have evoked the spirit of patriotism and immortalised the spirit of India in Bollywood cinema. Another notable dialogue is by Hrithik Roshan in ‘Bang Bang’ where he says, “For those who fight for the country…the countdown to death begins with their first breath,” signifying the sacrifices of soldiers who fight for their country.
