Movies
Binge-worthy movies, web series, & podcasts for Independence Day
Mumbai: With the echoes of patriotism and the fervor of freedom setting in, it’s the perfect time to indulge in some inspiring tales that celebrate the spirit of independence. Whether through films, audio, or web series, there’s a treasure trove of entertainment on your phones and TVs waiting to be explored. This Independence Day, we have put together a special selection of titles that will take you on a captivating journey that will not only entertain but also evoke a profound sense of national pride. Let’s spend a day in remembrance of the fighters who sacrificed their lives for the nation and their unyielding spirit that defines the essence of freedom.
1947: Road to Indian Independence
Platform: Audible
1947: Road to Indian Independence on Audible narrated by journalist Prashant Jha traces back to how India became one of the first countries in Asia to get freedom from colonial rule to attain freedom. The 13-episode podcast documents the important events that shaped the freedom struggle, the becoming of a nation named ‘India’, and imminent personalities who have left their immortal footprint on the nation.
Platform: Audible
It is indeed said we are not makers of history instead, we are made by history. Chronicles of India is informative, deep dives into the depths of ancient Indian history, and celebrates the golden pages of our country’s lost history, which has helped India become what it is today. It beautifully depicts how this nation has proven its significance to the rest of the world. It also narrates how we freed ourselves from the shackles of slavery and violent winds after withstanding the test of time.
Platform: Audible
Both the seasons of this show created and performed by Neelesh Mishra – celebrate the bravery of the Indian Armed Forces in the most uncertain and terrifying circumstances. Documenting the valiant real-life experiences of war heroes, troopers, and army veterans who served in the Indo-Pakistan war, the 26/11 terror attacks, the Sino-Indian war of 1962, and ambush operations in Jammu Kashmir. The stories also give insights into their personal lives the sacrifices they made and the courage of their family members.
Platform: Netflix
Regiment Diaries on Netflix series offers a peek into the various regiments of the Indian Army, their training, their traditions, history, contributions, and their journey from civilian to joining the Indian Army. For those enthusiastic about gaining insights into the regiments of the Indian Army and important military events, what’s better than a docu-series chronicling the lives of these army men who are following the illustrious example of their predecessors to protect the nation and their countrymen.
Platform: Netflix
This Netflix biopic ‘Major’ is based on Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, documenting his life right from his childhood to his valiant endeavor during the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan was the team commander of 51 Special Action Groups (51 SAG) deployed in the hotel to rescue the hostages and died during his mission. This biopic capturing the inspiring story of the Ashoka Chakra awardee story deserves to be watched this Independence Day.
The Forgotten Army – Azaadi Ke Liye
Platform: Prime Video
The militant uprising in colonial India is not honored enough though it has a pivotal role in attaining Independence. The Forgotten Army – Azaadi Ke Liye on Prime Video does exactly the needful by capturing the efforts made by the Azad Hind Fauj who marched 3,884 kilometers from Singapore to Delhi to free their country from the British. The Fauj was led by Netaji Subash Chandra Bose who fought against their size and scale but were labelled by the then ruling establishment as traitors. Relive this momentous period in Indian history with this action-packed true war series on Amazon Prime.
Platform: Prime Video
The story of Sardar Udham is directed by Shoojit Sircar and was shot in the beautiful locales of India, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. Sardar was a man gravely impacted by the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and sought revenge on the perpetrator of the incident Micheal O’Dwyer, Punjab’s former lieutenant governor. After the massacre, Sardar Udham fled the mountains of Afghanistan and traveled through the USSR reaching London in 1933-34. He spent the most decisive 6 years of his life, re-igniting the revolution, and in 1940, after 21 years of carrying the unhealed wound, Udham Singh assassinated Michael O’Dwyer.
Hollywood
Did the ballet and opera controversy cost Timothée Chalamet his Oscar?
The actor’s ‘dying art forms’ comments may have danced away his Oscar chances.
LOS ANGELES: Last night, the 98th Academy Awards delivered a performance that wasn’t in the script, as Michael B. Jordan clinched the Best Actor statue, leaving Timothée Chalamet’s widely predicted win to pirouette away into the night. While Chalamet was long considered the frontrunner for his starring turn in Marty Supreme, many are whispering that a singular, ill-timed performance, not on screen but on the campaign trail, may have rewritten the finale.
For months, the narrative surrounding the race had a singular star, Chalamet, the critics’ darling and the bookies’ bet. However, the closing numbers saw a dramatic plot twist. Chalamet found himself upstaged not just by his fellow nominees but by the ghost of public opinion, following remarks he made during a Variety and CNN actor-on-actor conversation in February.
What started as a breezy discussion turned distinctly frosty when Chalamet, the conversation’s designated trendsetter, took aim at some classical institutions. “I don’t want to be working in ballet or opera, where no one is interested anymore,” he said, before branding them “dying art forms.”
The backlash was swift and, unfortunately for Chalamet’s campaign, star-studded. For the film industry, an establishment that often fancies itself as the glamorous custodian of the high arts, the actor’s comments didn’t just strike a bum note. They sounded like a discordant symphony. Academy heavyweights, including Jamie Lee Curtis, Whoopi Goldberg and Steven Spielberg, publicly voiced their disapproval. Spielberg himself countered that the “cinematic experience” and classical performance are bound by a similar dedication to audience engagement, effectively suggesting that Chalamet’s view was perhaps a bit too modern for its own good.
The conversation quickly became a media maelstrom. In a masterstroke of high-culture clapback, renowned ballerina Misty Copeland didn’t just issue a statement. The Academy even choreographed a surprise performance by her for the ceremony itself, a powerful, wordless rebuttal that many saw as a direct riposte to Chalamet’s dismissive claims. Even regional arts institutions joined the choreography. The Seattle Opera offered a cheeky “TIMOTHEE” discount, granting a 14 percent markdown to prove that people do, in fact, care.
Did this cultural counterpoint truly cost Chalamet his win? While some industry insiders argue that Michael B. Jordan’s complex dual performance in Sinners, a performance that also swept the SAG Awards, had simply built up too much momentum, the timing of Chalamet’s comments was undeniably poor. Coming as final Oscar voting began, they arguably soured his narrative and made a vote for him feel, to some, like a vote against artistic unity.
Even the ceremony itself wasn’t finished with the narrative. Host Conan O’Brien, whose sharp tongue is a celebrated feature of these galas, didn’t miss a beat. “Security is extremely tight tonight,” O’Brien jibed during his opening monologue, glancing toward the front row. “I’m told there are concerns about attacks from both the opera and ballet communities. They’re just mad you left out jazz!”
The laughter that followed was pointed, a final public curtain call for a controversy that Chalamet likely wished had closed weeks ago. Whether it was a case of genuine peer disapproval, a sudden surge in support for Jordan’s powerhouse performance, or simply a case of poor footwork on the campaign stage, the ballet and opera debacle has now cemented its place in Oscar history. Chalamet’s experience serves as a clear memo to future contenders. Even when you are the headline act, a solo performance can still fall flat if you forget to play to the entire house.
