Independence Day: Actors to have played freedom fighters on screen

As India gears up for its 75th Independence Day on August 15, the country will be commemorating the freedom struggle and freedom fighters with tributes. In the last 75 years, the Indian film industries have produced many memorable movies about the Indian freedom struggle and helped to bring the heroes of modern India to the citizens. 

The actors who had opted to portray the roles of many freedom fighters are numerous, as are the freedom fighters. Let’s take a look at some of the Indian actors who have played the role of notable figures who gave the country its Independence.

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Naseeruddin Shah and Rajit Kapur as Mahatma Gandhi

One of India’s best actors of all time, Naseeruddin Shah played the role of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, or Mahatma Gandhi, in the 2000 film Hey Ram. Rajit Kapur also portrayed a young Mahatma Gandhi in prominent director Shyam Benegal’s 1996 film The Making of the Mahatma.

Roshan Seth, Benjamin Gilani, Saurabh Dubey, Pratap Sharma and Dalip Tahil as Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru 

Richard Attenborough made one of the most iconic films regarding Mahatma Gandhi titled Gandhi in 1982, where British Indian actor Roshan Seth played the role of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.

Apart from that, Benjamin Gilani portrayed Nehru in the 1993 film Sardar. Saurabh Dubey, who is best known for his television career, played the role of Nehru in The Legend of Bhagat Singh.

Pratap Sharma played the role in the 1990 film Nehru: The Jewel of India while Dalip Tahil portrayed the role in Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.

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Ajay Devgn, Sonu Sood and Bobby Deol as Bhagat Singh

Ajay Devgn played the role of Bhagat Singh in the film The Legend of Bhagat Singh. Sonu Sood and Bobby Deol also played the roles of Bhagat Singh in the 2002 films Shaheed-E-Azam and 23rd March 1931: Shaheed, respectively.

Actor Sidharth played the role of Bhagat Singh in Rang De Basanti, which turned out to be a blockbuster hit.

Aamir Khan, Akhilendra Mishra as Chandrashekhar Azad

Aamir Khan played the role of Chandrashekhar Azad in Rang De Basanti. Actor Akhilendra Mishra also portrayed the role in The Legend of Bhagat Singh alongside Ajay Devgn.

Vicky Kaushal as Udham Singh

One of the critically acclaimed films in recent years, Vicky Kaushal played the role of Sardar Udham Singh in the 2021 film Sardar Udham.

Kangana Ranaut as Rani Laxmi Bai

One of the most controversial characters in the Indian film industry, Kangana Ranaut is also known for her acting abilities. She played the role of Rani Laxmi Bai in the 2019 film Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi. 

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Jr NTR as Komaram Bheem

Jr NTR is one of the emerging names in the Indian film industry and he played the role of Komaram Bheem in SS Rajamouli’s blockbuster hit film RRR. 

Ram Charan as Alluri Sitarama Raju

RRR also showed another Indian freedom fighter Alluri Sitarama Raju, whose role was played by Ram Charan.

Prosenjit Chatterjee as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose 

One of the most famous Bengali film stars, Prosenjit Chatterjee played the role of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in Gumnaami.