India loves watching patriotic films - a fact that certainly doesn't require reiteration. Considering that this particular genre is a hit among movie-buffs, most filmmakers prefer releasing their projects on subjects as such on Independence Day itself. Over the last few years, however, the approach towards films based on national importance has observed a whole new meaning altogether. In case you didn't get this, allow us to explain.

Patriotism, basically, isn't synonymous with battles as depicted in the films that released during 90's or early 2000 - Border or LOC Kargil for that matter. Filmmakers, in fact, are primarily centering plots around subjects that concern an independent nation such as social issues or circumstances that illustrate the perception of nationalism in citizens.

Akshay Kumar's PadMan or Toilet: Ek Prem Katha are classic examples of films that imbibed a sense of loyalty for the nation. These projects weren't about gory battles or excruciating pain but featured a commoner's fight against orthodox practices. 2016's Pink, starring Amitabh Bachchan and Taapsee Pannu in pivotal roles, was based on women's safety - a major cause of concern in India even after 72 years of it achieving the status of an independent country. Consider Meghna Gulzar's Raazi or Ram Madhvani's Neerja for that matter - Alia Bhatt's Sehmat or the character of Neerja Bhanot portrayed by Sonam Kapoor weren't directly proportional to public spirit but indefinitely imbibed a sense of belonging. Sports films such as Akshay's Gold or Ranveer Singh's upcoming '83 are reminiscent of India's glorious sports journey.

To commemorate Independence Day, we've collated a list of films that redefined patriotism on celluloid.

Take a look:

PadMan

R Balki's much-awaited film PadMan cast Akshay as Tamil Nadu social activist Arunachalam Muruganantham, celebrated for introducing a machine that generated affordable sanitary napkins. Set in rural India, Muruganantham was appraised widely since he undertook the onus of reforming hygiene in the state. Co-starring Radhika Apte and Sonam Kapoor, PadMan was received well by critics as well as fans.

Batti Gul Meter Chalu

Shahid Kapoor's upcoming film Batti Gul Meter Chalu trended throughout soon after its trailer released last week. Directed by Toilet: Ek Prem Katha director Shree Narayan Singh, Batti Gul Meter Chalu centres around power theft in rural India with a subtle outline of corruption in the society. Shraddha Kapoor and Yami Gautam also feature in the film.

Toilet: Ek Prem Katha

Before PadMan, Akshay starred in 2017's Toilet: Ek Prem Katha - an iconic film that featured the actor as a villager, who undertakes the challenge of eradicating open defecation in rural areas after his new bride throws a fit on the prevalent norm and walks out of his house. The film swiftly made its way to Rs 100 crore club and is also considered as one of Akshay's finest performances.

Pink

Even though India has been portrayed as a 'modern' country soon after it gained independence, conventional and regressive behaviour continues to predominate the society as women are expected to follow certain directives in order to ensure their safety. Big B's Pink, a courtroom drama, highlighted the importance of sexual consent - an irrefutable subject that expounded the unsafe environment women are forced to suffer the wrath of in the country. Needless to mention, Pink was a hit among audiences and critics.

Raazi

Meghna's representation of Alia's character in Raazi was heartwarming - Sehmat had several shades. She was a daughter, wife and most importantly, a spy. Rajit Kapur's Hidayat Khan gets his daughter Sehmat married to a Pakistani officer with the intention of her passing off information to Indian intelligence agencies. Everybody loved Raazi while Twitter opined that Alia should be honoured with a National Award for her brilliant performance.

Parmanu

Parmanu cast John Abraham in the principal role and was based on the nuclear test explosions in Pokhran in 1998. John plays the role of a dedicated government official who puts his career in jeopardy by insisting that India become a nuclear power, a goal that powerful forces resist.

Airlift

Akshay is a master of the patriotic genre. Why? Because a cursory glance at his resume is an explanation of this statement considering the number of nationalistic films that he has done. 2016's Airlift was a periodic drama, starring Akshay as a Kuwait-based industrialist, who plays an instrumental role in evacuating Indians in Kuwait after it was invaded by Iraq.

Neerja

Sonam Kapoor's effortless portrayal of flight attendant Neerja Bhanot in Ram Madhvani's film earned her a special mention at the National Film Awards in 2016. Neerja is a real-life account of the air hostess, who died while rescuing over 300 passengers on a hijacked airplane in 1986.

Gold

Akshay, yet again. Cast as the hockey team's manager Tapan Das in the Reema Kagti-directed film, Gold dates back to 1948, wherein Kumar dreams of winning a gold medal at the Olympics for India as a free nation. Tapan Das' sheer grit and profound aspiration is what makes Gold a must-watch this Independence Day.

'83

For all those who are of the opinion that '83 is a biopic on celebrated cricketer Kapil Dev, might we assert that there is more to the Ranveer Singh film than just that. In 1983, India made history as it defeated West Indies to win the World Cup final under the supervision of team captain Kapil Dev. The win paved way for Indian sportsmen on the global platform, competing with the best, in years to come.

So, folks. Isn't this list reminiscent of the fact that there's much more to patriotic films than just extensive battlefields and bloodshed? Celebrate August 15 this time by binge-watching on films from this list that you might not have seen till now. (Barring the '83 which is a treat for the audience in 2020)

Happy Independence Day!