7 movies like Swades to reconnect with your roots

As a movie enthusiast who has spent countless hours immersed in the captivating world of Bollywood, I must say that these films not only entertain but also inspire and educate. Each one of them showcases the richness of Indian history, culture, and patriotism in a unique way.

“Swades is one of Shah Rukh Khan’s most celebrated films. Over time, it has developed a devoted following, particularly on social media. The plot revolves around a scientist returning to India and reconnecting with his heritage. If you appreciate its emotional narrative and its portrayal of our country’s richness, here are some other movies in a similar vein that should be on your radar.”

7 movies like Swades that are a must-watch:

1. Dil Bole Hadippa!

Running Time: 2 hours 26 mins
IMDb Rating: 4.7/10
Movie Genre: Sport/Comedy
Movie Star Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Rani Mukerji, Anupam Kher, Dalip Tahil
Director: Anurag Singh
Writer: Jaya-Aparajita
Year of release: 2009
Where to Watch / OTT Platform: Amazon Prime Video

“Dil Bole Hadippa!” tells an entertaining tale about Rohan and Veera. Rohan leads a county cricket team in England, but he’s summoned back to India to lead the national team in the Aman Cup at his father’s behest. Veera is a girl from a small village with ambitious cricketing aspirations. As they cross paths, a mutual attraction develops between them, with Rohan finding himself smitten not only by Veera but also by his homeland.

2. Delhi-6

Running Time: 2 hours 21 mins
IMDb Rating: 6.2/10
Movie Genre: Drama
Movie Star Cast: Abhishek Bachchan, Sonam Kapoor, Waheeda Rehman
Director: Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra
Writer: Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, Prasoon Joshi, Kamlesh Pandey
Year of release: 2009
Where to Watch / OTT Platform: Netflix

In terms similar to Swades, Delhi-6 showcases a protagonist’s journey of understanding and embracing his roots, as it is set amidst the bustling cityscape of New Delhi, the capital of India. Abhishek Bachchan portrays an NRI character returning to India for his ailing grandmother, only to find himself embroiled in a religious conflict within the community.

3. Chak De! India

Running Time: 2 hours 33 mins
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Movie Genre: Sport/Drama
Movie Star Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Vidya Malvade, Sagarika Ghatge, Shilpa Shukla
Director: Shimit Amin
Writer: Jaideep Sahni
Year of release: 2007
Where to Watch / OTT Platform: Amazon Prime Video

If you’re interested in movies similar to Swades featuring Shah Rukh Khan, I’d recommend checking out Chak De! India. This film tells the story of Kabir Khan, a former hockey player who was once considered a traitor by his country. Despite facing numerous obstacles, he manages to coach and inspire the women’s hockey team, eventually guiding them to victory in the World Cup.

4. Namastey London

Running Time: 2 hours 8 mins
IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
Movie Genre: Romance/Comedy/Drama
Movie Star Cast: Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Rishi Kapoor
Director: Vipul Amrutlal Shah
Writer: Suresh Nair, Ritesh Shah
Year of release: 2007
Where to Watch / OTT Platform: Amazon Prime Video

In a nutshell, Namastey London blends romantic comedy with elements of national pride, and these patriotic aspects are quite impactful. The story follows Jasmeet as her father takes her on a journey back to India, where he intends for her to wed Arjun. Initially resistant, she eventually agrees to the marriage. One particularly moving patriotic moment occurs when Arjun delivers a speech about India’s rich history to a British individual, showcasing his deep love and pride for his homeland.

5. Rang De Basanti

Running Time: 2 hours 39 mins
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Movie Genre: Crime/Drama
Movie Star Cast: Aamir Khan, Siddharth, Sharman Joshi, Soha Ali Khan, Kunal Kapoor, R Madhavan, Atul Kulkarni, Waheeda Rehman, Alice Patten
Director: Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra
Writer: Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, Kamlesh Pandey, Rensil D’Silva, Prasoon Joshi
Year of release: 2006
Where to Watch / OTT Platform: Netflix

“Rang De Basanti stands among the top Bollywood films similar to Swades. In the storyline, a British filmmaker named Sue plans to produce a documentary centered on Indian freedom fighters. By recruiting university students for her project, she stirs a sense of national pride within them. The movie Rang De Basanti is highly motivating for anyone seeking to bring about positive change in their country.”

6. Veer-Zaara

Running Time: 3 hours 12 mins
IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
Movie Genre: Romance/Drama
Movie Star Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta, Rani Mukerji
Director: Yash Chopra
Writer: Aditya Chopra
Year of release: 2004
Where to Watch / OTT Platform: Amazon Prime Video

Veer-Zaara is a tale about two people whose romance is hindered by international boundaries. Verily, an Indian Air Force pilot named Veer develops affection towards Zaara, a young woman from Pakistan. Tragically, Veer gets incarcerated in Pakistan, while Zaara lives out her days in his Indian village. The song “Aisa Des Hai Mera” captures the deep love one has for their homeland.

7. Lagaan

Running Time: 3 hours 43 mins
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Movie Genre: Sport/Drama
Movie Star Cast: Aamir Khan, Gracy Singh, Rachel Shelley
Director: Ashutosh Gowariker
Writer: Ashutosh Gowariker, Kumar Dave, Sanjay Dayma, K.P. Saxena
Year of release: 2001
Where to Watch / OTT Platform: Netflix

Under the guidance of Ashutosh Gowariker, who also directed Swades, Lagaan stands as a memorable masterpiece within Hindi cinema. The story unfolds during the era of British colonial rule in India. In this film, an ensemble from a humble village band together to create a cricket team and put forth their utmost effort to triumph over the British during a match.

2024-08-26 19:55