Independence Day Special: Bollywood Movies That Convey How Freedom Is More Than Just A Text Book Concept

Freedom to LoveIt is 21st century and we're free to love whomever we are attracted to. Gone are the days when people won't speak about their sexual identity. We've seen enough and more people being vocal, coming out about their sexuality, and owning it with pride. With Bollywood carefully constructing some aww-dorable stories about the LGBTQIA community, these movies talk about normalizing gender fluidity and accepting it with open arms.1. AligarhHelmed by Hansal Mehta, the biographical drama is a true story of Ramcharan Siras (played by Manoj Bajpayee), a professor of Marathi and head of Classical and Modern Languages at Aligarh University. He is suspended on thr grounds of morality after a journalist forcefully invades his privacy and records him having sex with a male rickshaw-puller. An empathetic journalist (Rajkummar Rao) contacts him and his case is taken to the court. Despite the case being ruled in his favour to withdraw the suspension, Siras is found dead.This movie gives out a message of how invading someone's personal life can have a deep imapct on them, so much so, that they can be suicidal.2. Badhaai DoKnowing our over-dramatic parents who are yet to match up with out generation, their "log kya kahenge" syndrome is difficult to cure. Badhaai Do is a movie that revolves around a woman (Bhumi Pednekar) who is lesbian and a man (Rajkummar Rao) who has a boyfriend. However, just to keep up with the societal expectations, they end up marrying each other. The ending of the film will move you as the two come out to their parents.There are many such movies like Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui, Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan, Kapoor and Sons, Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga, and more. Thanks to these amazing stories, we're seeing a slow but sure change in the society.

Women's Right to Shut PatriarchyIf you're thinking "not this feminism lecture again," feel free to press the back button. Bollywood movies like Queen and English Vinglish have done a phenomenal job in making a woman centric movie. While one speaks about realizing your own self-worth, the latter is a journey of a mother finding the lost woman within her.1. QueenKangana Ranaut, a small-town girl madly in love with his arranged-marriage prince charming (Rajkummar Rao) who turns out to be a selfish weirdo. He dumps her only to realize he's made such a big mistake. The journey of losing her to finding herself is portrayed beautifully. Sounds familiar to your story? Its time to channel your inner Queen!2. English VinglishDo we need to say anything about this Bollywood masterpiece? Sridevi's last movie was an emotional roller-coaster ride which made us realize our mothers are also a woman before being our rescuer. At times, all she needs is a little bit of respect. If this doesn't leave you with a feeling of giving your mom a big hug, we don't know what will.Many other women-centric movies like Thappad, Saand Ki Aankh, Dear Zindagi and more speak about freedom for women to shut patriarchy.

3. Freedom Of Career ChoicesCircling back to what we said about our parents and "log kya kahenge," it is time we also let people make their own career choices instead of pre-deciding their fate. Bollywood movies like 3 Idiots and Udaan are perfect examples of "do what you love, you'll enjoy what you do." Be it Baba Ranchoddas or Rajat Barmecha's character in Udaan, every person who strives and thrives to follow their passion. Other such Bollywood films that fit into this category would be Taare Zameen Par, Wake Up Sid, and more.Radio City wishes you a Happy Independence Day. Jai Hind!