It’s raining biopics in Bollywood from historical personalities like Kangana Ranaut’sManikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi (2019) to brave Indian soldier Uri (2019) to Bollywood film stars like Sanju (2018) to unknown strugglers like Gully Boy (2019) to political leaders like Anupam KKher’sThe Accidental Prime Minister (2019). In fact, the biopic on Prime Minister Narendra Modi called PM Narendra Modi is much awaited but has fallen into a tangle due to the Model of Conduct on the eve of the Amar Kahani Lok Sabha Elections.
A look down the years establishes that biopics are nothing new; they have been being made since the early ‘40s. Bollywood’s First biopic was Dr. Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani (1946), made by actor-cum-filmmaker V. Shantaram. It was an emotional and romantic film about the self-sacrificing life of Indian doctor Dwarkanath Kotnis, who dedicated his life to serving the wounded in China during the Japanese invasion in World War II. Dr. Kotnis even married a Chinese girl and died serving the patients in China.
A True Story, A Lasting Impact: The Significance of Dr. Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani
Sohrab Modi’s “Sikandar” (1941) is a notable biopic on Alexander the Great. Prithviraj Kapoor starred as Alexander, opposite Sohrab Modi as King Porus. This film showcased their legendary confrontation. The success of the film opened floodgates of films based on historical personalities.
Sohrab Modi directed notable films like Prithvi Vallabh (1943), Jhansi Ki Rani (1953), and Mirza Ghalib (1954). Mirza Ghalib, based on the life of the celebrated poet, was his most successful venture. Actor Bharat Bhushan played Mirza Ghalib quite convincingly. The film won a National Award for best film.
Filmmakers drew inspiration from Mughal history, making movies like “Humayun” (1945) and “Babar” (1960). Filmmakers adapted the legendary tales of Akbar, Anarkali, and Prince Salim into iconic movies, including “Anarkali” (1953) and “Mughal-E-Azam” (1960). Other films include “Taj Mahal” (1963) on King Shahjahan, “Jahan Ara” (1964) on his daughter, and “Noorjahan” (1967) on Emperor Jahangir’s wife.
The golden era also witnessed a few biopics on the lives of cruel and brutal foreign invaders who looted India and exploited but fearless Indians gave them a tough fight. Like Sikander-E-Azam (1965). The role of cruel Alexandra was played by Dara Singh. Brilliant actor Pran played the role of malicious Chinese invader Halaku (1956) superbly. Likewise, action hero Sheikh Mukhtar played the evil Mongol ruler Changez Khan to a perfect T.
Recently, actor Ranveer Singh gave a super performance as the ruthless king Sultan Alauddin Khilji, who attacked India to seek beautiful Rani Padmavati in the film Padmaavat (2018).
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