"Glory to Mother India!"
Independence Day is an extraordinary day in India.
This occurred on August 15, the day that marks the anniversary of when India gained its freedom from the British regime in 1947.
Patriotism and love for the homeland adorns Indian cinema and many Bollywood songs do a great job in highlighting this.
DESIblitz invites you on a thrilling journey intertwined with music and patriotism.
We look at 10 great songs to celebrate Independence Day.
Chodo Kal Ki Baatein – Hum Hindustani (1960)
The title Hum Hindustani translates to We, The Indians, which is patriotism at its finest.
‘Chodo Kal Ki Baatein’ is a breezy number rendered beautifully by Mukesh.
Famous for his tragic numbers, the singer proves his versatility.
The song shows Sukendra ‘Suken’ Nath (Sunil Dutt) looking over monuments such as the Taj Mahal.
‘Chodo Kal Ki Baatein’ spreads the message of moving forward to a bigger and brighter future.
The sentiment could not be more apt for Independence Day.
Apni Azaadi Ko Hum – Leader (1964)
Leader marked the comeback of Dilip Kumar after a three-year absence from the screen.
One of the songs is by the great singer Mohammad Rafi. It is titled ‘Apni Azaadi Ko Hum’.
The song occurs on a stage with Vijay Khanna (Kumar) singing into a microphone.
A gleeful Princess Sunita (Vyjayanthimala) watches on.
This powerful number, about never giving up or giving in to anyone, is capable of infusing strength and determination into listeners.
A fan on YouTube delves into their feelings from this song:
“Grew up listening to patriotic songs by Rafi Sahab!!
“Honestly, I felt like giving my head for my motherland!”
Mere Desh Ki Dharti – Upkar (1967)
Manoj Kumar is one of the patriotic filmmakers in Indian cinema.
Many of his films had salutations to his country in their stories.
His film Upkar opens with the chartbuster, ‘Mere Desh Ki Dharti’.
It shows Bharat (Manoj) ploughing through a field, singing about the earth of his country.
The song remains an evergreen number and Mahendra Kapoor’s vocals tick all the boxes.
Nitin Mukesh recounts that his father Mukesh congratulated Mahendra for the song.
The popularity of the number stands the test of time.
Chale Chalo – Lagaan (2001)
Lagaan is one of the most enduring films in Bollywood history.
It narrates the story of Bhuvan Latha (Aamir Khan) who leads his fellow villagers to a tax-free existence.
He accepts a bet from the British to beat them in cricket in return for the cancellation of their tax.
‘Chale Chalo’ plays over Bhuvan and the team preparing for the life-changing match.
They practice the game and make bats.
‘Chale Chalo’ has that resolve that one can use for any task.
The willpower adorned in the song is the anthem of Lagaan.
Lagaan was only the third Bollywood film to be nominated for an Oscar. This spirit contributed to that.
Title Song – Maa Tujhe Salaam (2002)
Sunny Deol is no stranger to the patriotic genre.
The title song of Maa Tujhe Salaam presents him as Major Pratap Singh.
Pratap and his troops climb mountains and plant the flag of India.
A fan enthuses: “The whole country walks behind one flag. Glory to Mother India!”
They salute the soil of India with every step.
Sunny roars with an unmatched fervour in his patriotic films.
Other films he has shone in that follow this space include Border (1997) and Gadar: Ek Prem Katha (2001).
Kandhon Se Milte Hai – Lakshya (2004)
Farhan Akhtar’s Lakshya blends bravery with coming-of-age milestones.
The film narrates the saga of Karan Shergill (Hrithik Roshan) who transforms from an aimless young man into a determined, skilled soldier.
‘Kandhon Se Milte Hai’ depicts Karan with his troops marching to their destination.
They sing about victory, going ahead, and never giving up.
The song is rendered by multiple singers who give their best to the number.
Anyone can feel free after listening to this song.
Speaking about making Lakshya, Farhan says: “We were different people before this film started and we were different when the film ended.
“It demanded so much maturity, commitment, discipline, and dedication on another level.
“All of us grew up and understood what filmmaking is truly about.”
Yeh Jo Des Hai Tera – Swades (2004)
‘Swades’, meaning ‘homeland’, represents a unique belief in one’s country.
Mohan Bhargav (Shah Rukh Khan) is a space scientist at NASA, living in America.
He returns to his native India to visit his former nanny Kaveri Amma (Kishori Ballal).
In the village, he experiences a life-changing transformation and falls in love with Geeta (Gayatri Joshi).
He returns to America, despondent and depressed.
AR Rahman’s ‘Yeh Jo Des Hai Tera’ emboldens the importance of home and belonging.
It is a sombre number which gently encapsulates pride in your people.
That’s the right attitude for Independence Day!
Des Rangeela – Fanaa (2006)
‘Des Rangeela’ from Fanaa showcases Zooni Ali Beg (Kajol) performing onstage.
She dances as she sings about her country and how India resonates with saffron.
Colours of green, orange, and white light up the stage as Mahalakshmi Iyer’s voice resounds onscreen.
Despite being blind, Zooni pulls the performance off with grace and elegance, unafraid to show her patriotism.
An IMDb user comments that ‘Des Rangeela’ is an ‘inspirational melody’.
Certainly, the charm of the number is enough to inspire anyone, particularly Indians.
Title Song – Chak De India (2007)
An iconic sports song, the title track of Chak De India is a rousing number.
Kabir Khan (Shah Rukh Khan) is the coach of the Indian National Women’s hockey team.
He leads the team through a gruelling world championship.
The title song, featuring Sukhwinder Singh’s voice, reverberates over the team as they train for the games.
The phrase ‘Chak De’ translates to ‘Go for it’, thereby portraying encouragement and willpower to viewers as well as the story.
Chak De India was the recipient of several awards including the Filmfare ‘Best Actor’ accolade for SRK in 2008.
This song is a top choice for Independence Day celebrations.
Salaam India – Mary Kom (2014)
In one of Bollywood’s best biopics, Priyanka Chopra Jonas inhabits the world of the renowned boxer Mary Kom.
‘Salaam India’, which means ‘Salute to India’, shows Mary training hard.
She runs, swings, and lifts heavy weights.
Her determination to succeed is infectious.
Independence Day marks India achieving freedom with that same drive and passion.
Priyanka’s portrayal of Mary is a career-defining aspect and that is clear for all to see in ‘Salaam India’.
These songs are filled with steely grit, passion, and unlimited patriotism.
Whether on the front lines, in sunny fields, or in a sports ring, they ring true with similar themes.
The desire to salute Indian soil is something that many can relate to.
So, get your playlists ready and celebrate Independence Day like never before.
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