With the United States election galloping towards its climax and the Bihar set to announce the results in a couple of days, the air has been enveloped with an ignited interest in politics and the adrenaline rush of a topsy-turvy elections.    

Let’s channel these emotions and guide you to a grasping world of films and series which have recreated the heart-racing thrills or laughing-into-tears spills of an election through the magic of the ever-so-powerful lenses.   

Here are five films or series which you binge-watch during the election season. 

1. House of Cards (2013-2018)

Considered widely as one of the finest political thrillers, ‘House of Cards’ is an intimidating watch, which narrates the journey of Congressman Frank Underwood (played by Kevin Spacey) and his wife Claire Underwood (played by Robin Wright).

The show bares to us the dark realms of politics and all the greed and hunger of power that haunts it. The show released its sixth season in 2018 and is available on Netflix.

2. Primary Colours (1998)
Starring John Travolta as Democratic candidate Jack Stanton, ‘Primary Colours’ is a thinly camouflaged narrative of Bill Clinton during his 1992 Presidential run. 

Although a satirical take, as the film was adapted from ‘Primary Colors: A Novel of Politics’ by columnist Joe Klein, the narrative pattern is intriguing and at the same time humourous. 

3. Veep (2013-2019)

A personal favourite, ‘Veep’ is a gateway into the world of political buffoonery and its simplistic writing and approach are what make the show an absolute comedic magnum opus. 

Julia Louis-Dreyfus stars as the protagonist Selina Meyer, a former Senator who has the opportunity to become the Vice President. Only after becoming the Veep, Meyer finds out that the Vice Presidency is the funniest role in Washington, lots of glitz and glamour but no real responsibility.

4. Kissa Kursi Ka (1977)

Banned during the emergency, ‘Kissa Kursi Ka’ by Amrit Nahata, who was a three-time MP, is a classical political satire on Indira Gandhi and her younger son Sanjay Gandhi. Not only was the film banned but its negatives were confiscated and destroyed. 

Over the years, the film has gained a cult status owing to its crystal clear take on Indian politics and democracy.

5. An Insignificant Man (2017)

The only documentary on the list, ‘An Insignificant Man’ directed by Khushboo Ranka and Vinay Shukla narrates the rise of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and its leader Arvind Kejriwal. 

Along with Manish Sisodia, Yogendra Yadav and Santosh Koli, Kejriwal shook the face of Indian politics with their anti-corruption ideology.  

It captured the day-to-day functioning of AAP from December 2012 till December 2013 ending with the Delhi elections.

Irrespective of your political inclination, watch the film objectively to witness a commendable political journey.