‘Trial By Fire’, the web series based on the tragic 1997 Uphaar Cinema fire incident is set to stream on Netflix from this Friday. These kinds of real-life based stories should be seen by all of us and what better medium than OTT platforms to make audiences aware of the tragedies and the behind-the-scenes happenings which have previously occurred in India.
For this article, we have compiled a list of five must-watch movies which are either based directly on real-life tragic incidents and/or are set against the backdrop of such unfortunate incidents (not necessarily factual accounts). You can stream these films on various Indian OTT platforms as mentioned below.
Punjab 1984, 2014 (Streaming on Amazon Prime Video, MX Player)
Helmed by Anurag Singh, the highly rated movie is set against the backdrop of the 1980s political tensions in Punjab. The film’s underlying story is about a mother who is seeking justice for her son, who has been tagged as a terrorist. It features Diljit Dosanjh and Kirron Kher in the lead roles.
No One Killed Jessica, 2011 (Streaming on Netflix)
Directed by Raj Kumar Gupta, the film is based on the murder case of the Delhi-based model Jessica Lal. The story is narrated from the perspective of the victim’s sister (played by Vidya Balan), who fights a tough legal battle to get her sister’s murderer (Mohd. Zeeshan Ayyub) behind the bars with the help of a hotshot journalist (Rani Mukerji).
Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey, 2010 (Streaming on Google Play, YouTube – Rent)
This underrated film was based on the Chittagong uprising that happened in the year 1930. It follows a schoolmaster and revolutionary (Abhishek Bachchan) and his ambitious attempt to raid an armory with the help of a group of teenagers. Despite being a well-made film by Ashutosh Gowariker, it failed to attract audiences to theatres. Nevertheless, a must-watch film for ardent cinephiles.
The Attacks of 26/11, 2013 (Streaming on Voot, Eros Now, MX Player)
The underrated but infamous movie helmed by Ram Gopal Varma is set against the backdrop of the abominable 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. The film tells the story of a group of terrorists, who wreaked havoc on the city over a period of three days and how the authorities and the residents faced the extremely violent situation and eventually, how Ajmal Kasab was captured. The film features Nana Patekar in the lead role of a senior cop.
The Stoneman Murders, 2009 (Streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Lionsgate Play)
The fictionalized film is reportedly based on the real-life Stoneman serial killings of footpath dwellers that happened in the 1980s. It features Kay Kay Menon in the role of a suspended cop, who tries to catch the culprit behind the killings of homeless people on the streets. Directed by Manish Gupta, the film also features Arbaaz Khan, Rukhsar Rehman and Virendra Saxena.
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