The true magic of cinema on the big screen comes alive when the story being told is rooted in reality. The year 2026 is going to be very special for Bollywood, as not one or two, but six major movies based on true stories are releasing the lives of real-life heroes. One of these has already hit theatres, and it happens to be the last movie of veteran actor Dharmendra. The remaining five movies based on true stories.
This year, real-life stories and heroic figures are set to dominate the box office. Several major movies based on true stories are in the pipeline. The first of these, ‘Ekkis’, released on January 1st, has already made an impact, moving audiences with its portrayal of the bravery of Arun Khetarpal, a hero of the 1971 war. But this is just the beginning. In the coming months, films like ‘Border 2’, ‘Veer Murarbaji’, and ‘Parasakthi’ will bring historical events back to life on the big screen.
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See the complete list of 6 movies based on true stories here
Ikkis:
Directed by Sriram Raghavan, this film was released in theatres on January 1st. It is inspired by the life of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal and depicts the events of the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War. Notably, it is also the last film of veteran actor Dharmendra. The film shows how a young soldier displayed indomitable courage amidst danger and bravely confronted the Pakistani army on the battlefield.
Parasakthi:
Directed by Sudha Kongara, this film is inspired by the ideological roots of the Dravidian movement and anti-Hindi protests of the 1960s. Scheduled for release on January 14th, the film stars Sivakarthikeyan, Atharvaa Murali, and Sreeleela in the lead roles. It will depict the political and social changes of that era on screen.
Border 2:
This is the sequel to JP Dutta’s 1997 cult classic film ‘Border’. Directed by Anurag Singh, the film will revisit the Battle of Longewala, one of the most historic moments of the 1971 war. The film is set to release on January 23rd and will feature stars like Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahan Shetty showcasing their patriotic spirit.
Veer Murarbaji:
This historical drama film from the era of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj tells the story of the bravery and duty of the great Maratha warrior Murarbaji Deshpande. Inspired by history and legends, the film will showcase his unwavering courage that immortalised his name in the annals of history. The film will be released in theatres on February 19th.
Battle of Galwan:
This Salman Khan film is based on the violent clash between Indian and Chinese soldiers in the Galwan Valley in 2020, which shook the entire nation. The film will depict how the Indian soldiers fought despite the restrictions on the use of weapons. Salman Khan’s movie is scheduled for release in June 2026.
Ilaiyaraaja:
This film is a biopic of the legendary film composer Ilaiyaraaja. It will depict his journey as a musical genius and his spiritual inclinations. While not much information about the film has been released yet, it promises to bring to the screen his extraordinary legacy and several unexplored aspects of his life.
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