11 Underrated Films Inspired By Real-Life Incidents That Should Be On Your To-Watch List

Superstars do not lead some stories, but they¡¯re still special because they¡¯re about real-life superstars. Budhia Singh was one such story. Real-life incidents have always gained eyeballs of filmmakers. They love extracting details of the incident and then further giving a cinematic take to it. In India, cinema fans have always had a interest in watching such films because it also give them a better understanding of what happened in real life.

Movies

Be it Padmavat or Airlift, A-listers too have always trusted these filmmakers to do justice with stories that people already know. While many movies do get the attention it deserves, some come and go without any appreciation or footfall in theatres.

While many manage to grab eye balls and spark a healthy conversation on social media platforms, there are many who sadly go unnoticed.

To make you realize how these stories are worth investing your time into, we have listed a total of nine such films that one must add in their to-watch list.

1. Sherni

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Headlined by Vidya Balan, Sherni is a film that everyone should watch. The film revolves around a Forest Officer struggling to strike a balance in a world of man-animal conflict. She is surrounded by good-for-nothing government officers who make her life difficult because she is a ¡®woman.¡¯

2. No One Killed Jessica

No one killed Jessica

As the name suggests, the film released in 2011 was based on the Jessica Lall murder, which happened on April 29, 1999. Raj Kumar Gupta's film chronicles a family's battle with the system and the widespread protests that followed and helped in delivering justice several years later. Jessica, a model, was shot dead in a bar in Delhi, and the prime suspect was Manu Sharma, who was the son of an influential politician. Vidya Balan and Rani Mukerji headlined the film, and it did leave an impact on the audience. If you're yet to watch it, you might as well do it soon.

3. Black Friday

Black Friday

Black Friday remains one of Anurag Kashyap's best works to date. The film stars Kay Kay Menon, Aditya Srivastava, Pavan Malhotra, Kishor Kadam, and Zakir Hussain. The movie revolved around the events that led to the 1993 serial bombings in Mumbai, which took place on March 12. It also tells the tale of the investigation that followed. Just to jog your memory, a total of 12 explosions took place around Mumbai (then called Bombay), and over 257 people lost their lives. In addition, the film had a hard-hitting yet believable narrative around religious intolerance that led to the vile act of terrorism.

4. Poorna

poorna

Poorna is an inspiring story of an Adivasi 13-year-old from Telangana who became the youngest girl in history to climb Mount Everest. Not many know that Rahul Bose was initially not associated with the film until he was offered the role of Dr. Kumar. He was floored and impressed by the script and offered to direct and produce Poorna. Bose raised funds for the movie in a span of barely four months. Out of 109 girls who auditioned for the titular role, Aditi Inamdar was chosen to play the lead. The movie was shot in Pakala village, where real-life Poorna grew up in. The shoot at the village was wrapped up in an 11-day period.

5. Shahid

Shahid

A biographical drama film directed by Hansal Mehta remains one of the finest films that Rajukummar Rao has ever starred in 11 days. Jointly produced by Anurag Kashyap, UTV Spotboy, and Sunil Bohra, the film was based on lawyer and human rights activist Shahid Azmi, who was assassinated in 2010. The movie had a lineup of a stellar supporting cast, including performers like Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Prabhleen Sandhu, and Baljinder Kaur.

6. Budhia Singh

Budhia Singh

Born in 2002, Budhia Singh is an Indian long-distance runner who became notable for his athletic feats as a child. He soon received the coveted tag of being the world's youngest marathon runner. He ran from Puri to Bhubaneswar at the age of five, covering 65 kilometers (40 mi) in seven hours and two minutes. He was listed as the world's youngest marathon runner in the 2006 edition of the Limca Book of Records, an Indian records book. This biographical film was based on Singh and Das¡¯s (His mentor) relationship, Budhia Singh. The film was helmed by Soumendra Padhi and released in 2016. The movie starred Mayur Patole as Singh and Manoj Bajpayee as Das. The film also won the Best Children's Film award at the 63rd National Film Awards.

7. Firaaq

Firaaq

This award-winning film released in 2008 had claimed to be based on "a thousand true stories." This Hindi political thriller film showcased the 2002 violence in Gujarat and how it affected people¡¯s everyday lives. The film was also the directorial debut of Nandita Das. It starred Naseeruddin Shah, Deepti Naval, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Inaamulhaq, Nassar, Paresh Rawal, Sanjay Suri, Raghubir Yadav, Shahana Goswami, Amruta Subhash, and Tisca Chopra.

8. The Ghazi Attack

Movie

A 2017 Indian Telugu-Hindi language war film was written and directed by Sankalp Reddy. The film was based on the mysterious sinking of PNS Ghazi during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. The film starred seasoned actors like Rana Daggubati, Taapsee Pannu, Kay Kay Menon, and Atul Kulkarni. As the film progresses, it talks about an executive naval officer, a submarine of the Indian Navy, and his team, who remained underwater for 18 days. The film dives deeper to understand and unfold the mysterious circumstances under which submarine PNS Ghazi sank off the coast of Visakhapatnam in 1971. At the 65th National Film Awards 2018, the film won the Best Feature Film in Telugu.

9. Pihu

pihu

This is a film that will break your heart in parts. This heart-wrenching drama-thriller revolves around a toddler who is left unattended at home. Helmed by Vinod Kapri, the film¡¯s story has been reported based on actual events in Delhi, India, a few years before the film's release. The movie gives you a closer look at the day of a 2-year-old toddler who wakes up next to her mother, who has passed away. Disclaimer: This movie isn't for the faint-hearted.

10. Mumbai Meri Jaan

Mumbai Meri jaan

11 July 2006 was a day in Mumbai that changed fate of many. The film that is also a phrase that defines the spirit of Mumbai aptly is based on the aftermath of the 11 July 2006 Mumbai train bombings that claimed lives of 209 people and injured more than 700. The cast of the film boasted of performers like Madhavan, Irrfan Khan, Soha Ali Khan, Paresh Rawal and Kay Kay Menon. The film was helmed by Nishikant Kamat and produced by Ronnie Screwvala.

11. Bawandar

Bawandar

This award-winning and critically-acclaimed movie released in 2000. Based on the true story of Bhanwari Devi, a rape victim from Rajasthan, India, the film revolves around the personal trauma, public humiliation and legal injustice that women in India have to go through in order to get justice. Starring Deepti Naval and Nandita Das, this is a film everyone in India should definitely watch.