18. Queen
A comedy-drama revolving around the story of a Delhi-based girl from a traditional family setting out on a solo honeymoon after her fiance ditches her. The film is an inspirational story of finding one’s true self, loving yourself and never changing it for anyone. Starring Kangana Ranaut and Rajkumar Rao in lead roles, the film also features Lisa Haydon. The fun-loving yet inspiring film is directed by Vikas Bahl.
19. Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl
Directed by Sharan Sharma, Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl is a biographical drama that chronicles the life of flight lieutenant Gunjan Saxena, one of India’s first female combat pilots. Set against the backdrop of the 1999 Kargil War, the film portrays Gunjan’s unwavering determination to break gender barriers in the Indian Air Force.
Janhvi Kapoor delivers a compelling performance as Gunjan, capturing her journey from a young girl with dreams of flying to a trailblazer in a male-dominated field. Pankaj Tripathi’s portrayal of her supportive father adds depth to the narrative, emphasising the importance of familial encouragement. The film delves into themes of perseverance, equality, and the pursuit of one’s passion despite societal constraints. Released on Netflix, it received critical acclaim for its inspiring storyline and strong performances.
20. Srikanth
Srikanth, directed by Tushar Hiranandani, is a biographical film that tells the inspiring story of Srikanth Bolla, a visually impaired entrepreneur who founded Bollant Industries. Rajkummar Rao portrays Srikanth, capturing his journey from a small village in India to becoming the first visually impaired student at MIT and a successful industrialist.
The film highlights Srikanth’s resilience in overcoming societal prejudices and physical challenges to achieve his dreams. It also sheds light on his commitment to creating employment opportunities for differently-abled individuals. With strong performances and a compelling narrative, Srikanth serves as a testament to the power of determination and the human spirit.
21. Superboys of Malegaon
Directed by Reema Kagti, Superboys of Malegaon is a heartwarming film inspired by the real-life story of Nasir Shaikh, a wedding videographer from Malegaon, Maharashtra. The film follows Nasir and his friends as they create low-budget parodies of Bollywood films, showcasing their passion for cinema despite limited resources.
Their creativity and determination to pursue their dreams against all odds highlight the power of community and the joy of storytelling. The film celebrates grassroots filmmaking and serves as an ode to the indomitable spirit of aspiring artists. The film was inspired by the 2008 documentary Supermen of Malegaon.
22. 3 Idiots
Released in 2009, 3 Idiots is a coming-of-age drama directed by Rajkumar Hirani. It stars Aamir Khan, R. Madhavan and Sharman Joshi. It is set against the backdrop of an engineering college. The film follows three friends as they navigate academic pressure, societal expectations and the fear of failure. Through Rancho’s unconventional approach to life and learning, the film questions the rigid education system and encourages students to follow their passion rather than blindly chasing success. It blends humour with deep emotional moments. It delivers a powerful message about friendship, self-belief and redefining success. The film continues to resonate across generations and remains one of Bollywood’s most loved motivational films.
23. Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year
Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year was released in 2009. It stars Ranbir Kapoor in one of his most understated yet impactful performances. Directed by Shimit Amin, the film tells the story of Harpreet Singh Bedi, a sincere and honest young man who enters the cut-throat corporate world of sales. However, he remains disillusioned by corruption and unethical practices. Harpreet also decides to build his own business based on trust, integrity and customer-first values. The film highlights the importance of honesty, teamwork and perseverance in the professional world.
24. Wake Up Sid
Wake Up Sid, a 2009 release, is a coming-of-age drama directed by Ayan Mukerji. It stars Ranbir Kapoor and Konkona Sen Sharma. The film follows Sid, a carefree and privileged young man who is forced to confront reality after failing his college exams. As he slowly steps out of his comfort zone, Sid begins to discover his passion, independence and sense of responsibility. The movie has a warm storytelling and boasts of relatable characters. It beautifully captures the journey of self-discovery, growing up and finding purpose in life. Wake Up Sid is a gentle yet motivating reminder that it’s okay to take time to figure yourself out.
25. Lakshya
Lakshya is about a drifting young man who finds purpose and transforms into a focused army officer. The coming-of-age war drama follows Karan Shergill, a lazy young son of a wealthy businessman, who joins the Indian Army and matures into a battlefield hero. The film encourages young people to be part of something bigger than themselves and to pursue a meaningful path in life. It shows that it is never too late to find direction and work towards it. It stars an ensemble cast including Hrithik Roshan, Preity Zinta, Amitabh Bachchan, Om Puri, Boman Irani, M. K. Raina, Lillete Dubey and Kushal Punjabi, among others.
26. Chak De! India
Chak De! India is a sports drama that follows Kabir Khan, the former captain of the Indian men’s hockey team, as he takes charge of the women’s national team and leads them to victory. While the film also traces his journey of clearing his name after being accused of betraying the country and facing religious bias, it equally focuses on a group of women reclaiming space in a sport largely dominated by men. The film stars Shah Rukh Khan, along with Vidya Malvade, Shilpa Shukla, Sagarika Ghatge, Chitrashi Rawat, Anaitha Nair and Seema Azmi among others.
27. Swades
Swades follows Mohan, a NASA scientist who returns to India and rediscovers purpose through grassroots change. The film suggests that no country is perfect, but it can move closer to that ideal when its citizens work towards improving it, rising above communal, gender and caste divides. At its core, Swades is about finding purpose. It shows that success isn’t just about career growth, but also about making a meaningful difference where it truly matters. The film stars Shah Rukh Khan, Gayatri Joshi, Kishori Ballal, Lekh Tandon, Rajesh Vivek, Dayashankar Pandey and Farrukh Jaffar, among others.
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