India is the country of the origin of the world-famous epics Ramayan and Mahabharat. Bollywood has poured the same taste into its cinema as well.
There are several Indian movies inspired by the age-old Indian spiritualism and culture. Let’s take a journey to the Hindi movies based on Sanatana Dharma’s epics.
List of 8 Hindi Movies Based on Ramayana and Mahabharata
Raajneeti based on Mahabharat
This Indian political thriller film is directed by Prakash Jha. The star cast of the film includes Ajay Devgan, Nana Patekar, Ranbir Kapoor, Arjun Rampal, Katrina Kaif, Manoj Bajpayee, and Naseeruddin Shah.
The story of the film depicts the rivalry between two sets of cousins and draws parallels to the Indian epic Mahabharat. The shades of Krishna (Nana Patekar), Arjuna (Ranbir Kapoor), Bheema (Arjun Rampal), Duryodhana (Manoj Bajpayee), and Karna (Ajay Devgan) as Dalit, As Karna was raised by a Dalit.
Also Read: Bollywood Movies Based on Caste Discrimination and Dalits
Raavan based on Ramayan
Raavan is a Bollywood thriller film, directed by Mani Ratnam. The film stars Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Vikram, Govinda, Ravi Kishan, Nikhil Dwivedi, and Tejaswani Kolhapuri in key roles.
The story of the film showcases the abduction of Ragini (Aishwarya Rai), the wife of a policeman, by Beera Munda (Abhishek Bachchan), and thus a jungle battle between two men fades the line between good and wicked drawing the plot similar to the Indian epic Ramayan.
Kalyug based on Mahabharat
Kalyug (1981) is a Bollywood movie is directed by Shyam Benegal, starring Shashi Kapoor, Raj Babbar, Rekha, and Supriya Pathak in lead roles. Urmila Matondkar appeared as a child artist in the film.
The film also won the Filmfare Award for Best Film and is produced as a modern Mahabharat portraying a clash between rival business houses. The film showcases that an ill-fated business matter and murder shred a family apart.
Hum Sath Sath Hain based on Ramayan
The movie is directed by Sooraj R. Barjatya and produced by his home production unit, Rajshri Productions. Hum Sath Sath Hain is one of the Best Family Movies in Bollywood. The star cast of the movie includes Salman Khan, Sonali Bendre, Mohnish Behl, Tabu, Saif Ali Khan, and Karishma Kapoor in key roles.
The story of the film revolves around the engagements, marriages and anniversaries of three brothers getting parallel to modern Ramayan: one family, three brothers, love and hatred, respect and neglect, mother conspires against elder son, son goes to expulsion, loads of drama, mother repents, son heads back home, happy ending.
Dalapathi based on Mahabharat
This Indian film was originally directed in Tamil, as Thalapathi (1991), by Mani Ratnam. The star cast of the film includes Rajinikanth, Mammootty, and Shobana in key pivotal roles.
The plot of the film is based on the friendship of Karna and Duryodhana of the famous Hindu epic, Mahabharat. The film was among the Diwali releases of the year 1991 and came out as a critical and commercial success.
Bahubali Series based on Both Ramayan and Mahabharat
The whole Bahubali series is based on the stories of Mahabharat and Ramayan, if you look at the complete plot of the Bahubali you will find that most of the film was inspired by Indian Mythologies like Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Like the two brothers fighting for the Kingdom, one brother (Bhallaldeva) is cruel and his father is disabled same as Mahabharata (Duryodhana and his father Dhritarashtra). Kattapa is like Bhisma and in Bahubali 2 you will find the parts taken from Ramayana, like when Bahubali was expelled from the Kingdom.
Also read: Best Bhagavad Gita Quotes on Life
These are the best Indian Films Based on Ramayana or Mahabharata.
