In India, corruption is one of the hottest and most controversial topics to discuss. It is discussed at offices, tea stalls, home, and almost everywhere. Hence, Indian film industry has also picked up this theme and produced some great movies about the fight against corruption.
Everyone or at least most of us need an India without corruption. Every now and then, we hear news about corruption or black money locked in Swiss Banks. However, there are hardly any steps towards fighting corruption. These Indian movies actually display the exploits of corruption and try to entertain us by showing triumph against corruption and the corrupt administration in reel life if not real.
Best Indian Movies on Fight against Corruption
Indian films are mostly based on romance or action genre. Politics is not always explored much in the cinema industry. However, whenever this genre is tried, a great masterpiece is produced single time.
Here are some of the top Indian movies on the fight against corruption:
Nayak (2001)
Nayak is an Indian film starring Anil Kapoor in the lead role. Directed by S. Shankar, the film is a remake of S.Shankar’s Tamil film Mudhalvan. The film is about a reporter embracing the challenge of the Chief Minister and becoming Chief Minister for a day. Witnessing his wonderful work in a day, the public declares him the new CM. The film also stars Rani Mukerji, Amrish Puri, Paresh Rawal, and Johnny Level in important roles.
Sivaji (2007)
Sivaji is another Tamil film directed by S. Shankar. The film stars the South Legend Rajnikanth in the titular role, whereas Shriya Saran plays the female lead. The film is about an NRI Sivaji, who returns to India to fulfill his dream to offer free medical treatment and education all over India. However, his dreams are thrashed when he discovers corruption at each and every step and at one point of time loses all his money. Well, it is now the film gets interesting. Watch the film to know whether Sivaji is able to fulfill his dreams.
Anniyan (2005)
Well, it seems like S. Shankar is known for producing films on politics or corruption. Here’s one more from the legendary filmmaker. Anniyan is an Indian film starring Vikram in the titular role. The film revolves around a character name Ramanujan Iyengar played by Vikram who suffers from multiple personality disorder. While the real Ramanujan is a law-abiding lawyer, his two other identities are a cool model Remo and a vigilante serial killer named Anniyan. Anniyan punishes anyone and everyone who breaks law according to the Garuda Puranam.
Kanthaswamy (2009)
Well, the S. Shankar’s saga comes to an end as we have the 2009 Tamil vigilante thriller film Kanthaswamy on our list. The film stars Vikram in the titular role. Directed by Susi Ganesan, Vikram plays an Income Tax officer in the CBI in the day, whereas becomes Kanthaswamy by donning an anthropomorphic rooster costume by night. His primary role as Kanthaswamy is to grant the wishes of the needy who write their problems in letters to a local Lord Muruga temple. Whether he’s successful in granting everyone’s wish or his secret identity is compromised is what forms the crux of the story.
Indian (1996)
Indian is a 1996 political thriller directed by S. Shankar. The film stars Kamal Haasan in dual roles, one of which is the titular character. The film is about an ex-freedom fighter turned vigilante whose only aim in life is to eradicate corruption from the country. However, his path is obstructed as he finds his son on the other side of corruption. Whether he spares him or punishes him like the others is what forms the rest of the story.
Gabbar is Back (2015)
Gabbar is Back is an Indian film directed by Krish. The film stars Akshay Kumar in the titular role as Gabbar. The film is the official remake of Tamil film Ramanaa. The film is about a lost man’s fight against corruption as he takes the matter into his own hands as the justice department failed. As Gabbar, he becomes a role model for the youth and a threat to all the corrupted leaders and bureaucrats across the nation. The film also stars Shruti Haasan as the female lead, whereas Suman Talwar plays the lead antagonist in the film.
Anna (2016)
Anna Hazaare almost brought another revolution in the country after his quest to pass Lokpal Bill at the center. Although he failed to do so, his efforts gave birth to a new political party that’s not either run by any dynasty or backed by religious extremists but purely comprising of common people and hence it is called Aam Aadmi Party. Well, the 2016 film Anna: Kisan Baburao Hazare is the biographical tribute to Anna Hazare. The directed Shashank Udapurkara himself dons the titular character of the man behind the revolution.
Also Read: Best Bollywood Movies about the Common man of India.
Ungli (2014)
Ungli is a 2014 film revolving around a gang that calls themselves Ungli gang. Directed by the Rensil D’Silva, the film features an ensemble cast of Sanjay Dutt, Emraan Hashmi, Randeep Hooda, Kangana Ranaut, Neil Bhoopalam, Angad Bedi, and Mahesh Manjrekar in important roles. The film is about a gang of 4 fighting against corrupt leaders while the police are on the hunt to end their quest. Whether the Ungli gang succeeds or the police finally get an upper hand is what forms the rest of the story.
Satyagraha (2013)
Satyagraha is a 2013 political drama featuring an ensemble cast of Amitabh Bachchan, Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor, Arjun Rampal, Manoj Bajpai, Amrita Rao, and others. The film is about a father’s plight to get the awarded compensation after the death of his son. Eventually, he resorts to satyagraha not only for himself but the entire district. There’s a lot of political drama and antics in the film that reflects the society we live in. Justice seems too distant and there’s no other alternative but to fight for it. The film is directed by Prakash Jha.
Gangajal (2003)
Gangajal is another Prakash Jha film starring Ajay Devgn in the lead role. The film is about the ideology and principles of brave policemen and his fight against the local don and his son. Posted as the new SP at Tezpur district, Amit Kumar soon realizes that the area is ruled by local don Sadhu Yadav but he is not ready to give up his principles and ideology against this criminal and starts penalizing anyone who breaks the law despite getting no support from his subordinates at the beginning. Whether he succeeds or not forms the rest of the story.
Also Read: Best Bollywood Movies about super cop
Shool (1999)
Directed by E. Nivas, Shool is an Indian film focusing on the political-criminal nexus spread across Bihar. The film stars Manoj Bajpayee in the lead role as Inspector Samar Pratap whereas Raveena Tandon plays the female lead and his wife in the film. Samar Pratap, being an honest police officer, tries to fight against the crime nexus in his area but eventually fails as the political power is too strong and beyond his official prowess. The rest of the film is about his fight against corruption.
Halla Bol (2008)
A Rajkumar Santoshi film, Halla Bol is an Indian drama film featuring Ajay Devgn and Vidya Balan in the lead roles. The film revolves around a theater artist turned film star who loses his own identity as fame and money take over simplicity and slowly he becomes distant from all the loved ones. There’s also a rift against corruption finely plotted into the story which makes Halla Bol further interesting. Pankaj Kapur also plays a pivotal role in the film.
Ardh Satya (1983)
Ardha Satya is another Cop vs. Corruption film on our list. Directed by Govind Nihalani, the film features Om Puri as honest policemen who initially starts a fight against the evils around him but eventually succumbs to it. The film also stars Smita Patil as the female lead, whereas Sadashiv Amrapurkar plays the lead antagonist in the film.
Yuva (2004)
Directed by Mani Ratnam, Yuva is a political thriller film featuring three main leads in the film whose lives are entangled after an incident on Howrah Bridge that involves the three of them. The film focuses on the youth led by Michael Mukherjee, played by Ajay Devgn, who ignites patriotism within the fellow youngster and motivates them to contest in the upcoming elections. This move is not well entertained by the veteran politicians and a conspiracy begins to resist the Yuva brigade entering politics.
Rang De Basanti (2006)
Another film targeting the youth and inspiring them to fight against corruption for a better India is the 2006 Indian film Rang De Basanti. Directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, the film features an ensemble cast of Aamir Khan, R. Madhavan, Siddharth Narayan, Soha Ali Khan, Kunal Kapoor, Atul Kulkarni, Sharman Joshi, and British Actress Alice Pattern. The film is about the misdirected and confused youngsters finding their way when they take part in the short documentary film about our freedom fighters. The film is a must watch for every youth in India as it tries to convey the message that the future of India is in our hands.
Also Read: Best Motivational and Inspirational Bollywood Movies Ever
Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983)
Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro is a political satire film featuring an ensemble cast of Naseeruddin Shah, Ravi Baswani, Om Puri, Pankaj Kapur, Satish Shah, Satish Kaushik, Bhakti Bharve, and Neena Gupta. Directed by Kundan Shah, the film is about two young men who get into trouble while trying to expose the real estate conspiracy and the culprit behind the murder of the corrupt Municipal Commissioner. The film is a fun ride and a must watch for everyone.
Krantiveer (1994)
Krantiveer is an action drama film directed by Mehul Kumar. The film stars Nana Patekar in the lead role, whereas Dimple Kapadia, Paresh Rawal, Atul Agnihotri, Mamta Kulkarni, and Danny Denzongpa play pivotal characters in the film. The film revolves around corruption within the system and a young man’s quest to fight against it. Nana Patekar won the Filmfare for Best Actor for his performance in the film.
Nimirndhu Nil (2014)
Nimirndhu Nil is a Tamil vigilante film starring Jayram Ravi and Amala Paul in the lead roles. Directed by P. Samuthirakani, the film is about the quest of a young group of people led by Arvindan Sivasamy, portrayed by Jayram Ravi, against the corrupt bureaucrats and the cancerous corrupt system spread across the city. Whether they are successful or not is what forms the crux of the film.
Left Right Left (2013)
A Malayalam political thriller, Left Right Left is directed by Arun Kumar Aravind. The film revolves around a corrupt policeman Jayan, a teacher Roy, and a communist leader Sahadevan. The film has several elements of corruption, bureaucracy, vengeance, betrayal, and conspiracy. Left Right Left stars Indrajith, Murali Gopi, Hareesh Peradi, Lena, and Remya Nambeesan in the lead roles.
Evidam Swargamanu (2009)
Evidam Swargamanu is an Indian film starring Mohanlal in the lead role. The film revolves around a hard working farmer and his family. Directed by Rosshan Andrrews, the film draws our attention on the corruption spread across the system by the real estate mafia and the importance farming. Besides Mohanlal, the film also stars Lalu Alex, Laxmi Rai, and Sreenivasan in important roles.
Over to you!
We wish that the Indian film industry invests more in such political themed films and try to enlighten and educate the people about corruption and the right way to fight it. Also, if we missed your favorite film that deserves to be on the list, then please let us know in the comments below.
