As student protests in India dominate headlines, revisit Bollywood films like Raanjhanaa, Yuva and Haasil that explored campus politics, youth activism and student movements. From campus elections and ideological battles to anti-corruption movements and youth activism, these movies highlight how college campuses often shape India’s future political leaders.
Raanjhanaa (2013): While starting as a small-town romance, the second half transforms into a political drama set in Delhi’s JNU-inspired campus culture, following a student-led political party that launches massive street protests and hunger strikes against government corruption.
Aarakshan (2011): Prakash Jha’s socio-political drama tackles India’s fiery caste-based reservation debate and the commercialisation of education, showing how a Supreme Court ruling ignites violent clashes between pro- and anti-quota student factions that tear a college campus apart.
Gulaal (2009): Anurag Kashyap’s gritty drama is set in Rajasthan and explores a murky world of campus elections, student union politics, and a violent separatist movement.
Rang De Basanti (2006): The most iconic modern film on the subject. It follows a group of carefree university friends who transform into anti-establishment rebels after their friend, a fighter pilot, dies due to government corruption and a faulty MiG aircraft.
Hazaaron Khwahishein Aisi (2005): Set in the 1970s, this Sudhir Mishra film explores the turbulent lives and political ideologies of three college students during the Indian Emergency.
Yuva (2004): Directed by Mani Ratnam, this film weaves together the lives of three young men from different backgrounds, focusing heavily on a St. Stephen’s-esque student union leader who enters mainstream politics to clean up the system.
Haasil (2003): Tigmanshu Dhulia’s directorial debut offers a realistic, localized look at the volatile, gang-driven student politics of Allahabad University.