Bollywood Actors Who Essayed The Role Of Bhagat Singh To Perfection
Posted On: 28 Mar 2023 | Last Updated : 10 Apr 2024 | Views : 1.6k
Ever since India gained freedom from the British in 1947, Bollywood filmmakers have time and again made biopics on several freedom fighters who contributed immensely to the Indian freedom struggle. One such Indian freedom fighter happens to be Sardar Bhagat Singh whose contribution can never be forgotten for times to come. What made Bhagat Singh an iconic revolutionary freedom fighter was his indomitable spirit and undying grit toward his getting India free from the shackles of British colonialism. He was an unselfish and true hero whose contribution and sacrifice hardly come as a surprise that made him a part of history textbooks and on the celluloid. We have witnessed numerous actors playing Bhagat Singh on celluloid with each filmmaker interpreting him in his own unique way and what would have been the mindset of a 23-year-old revolutionary freedom fighter who not just inspired many but also knew that he wouldn’t be alive to see an independent India. However, for many actors who played Bhagat Singh on screen couldn't have been easy. On this day, 23 March 1931 which is remembered as ‘Martyrs Day’ or ‘Shaheed Diwas’ when he was hanged along with Rajguru and Sukhdev, let's take a look at the Bollywood Actors who played Bhagat Singh on screen...
1. Prem Adib (Shaheed-E-Azad Bhagat Singh - 1954)
Many believe that it was actor Jairaj who was the first to portray the brave heart on screen but it was Prem Adib who played the character of revolutionary Bhagat Singh in the film Shaheed-E-Azad Bhagat Singh. Though many did appreciate Jairaj’s acting in the film but it was Prem Adib as Bhagat Singh who walked away with all the accolades. Besides, Prem Adib and Jairaj, the film also featured Smriti Biswas and Ashita Mazumdar in crucial roles.
2. Shammi Kapoor (Shaheed Bhagat Singh - 1963)
If we talk about Bollywood lead actors who played Bhagat Singh in movies then who can forget Shammi Kapoor in Shaheed Bhagat Singh? The 'Yahoo' star underwent a complete image makeover and essayed the role of Bhagat Singh with reverence. This was one of Shammi Kapoor’s most underrated performances that many forget to talk about compared to his more commercial ventures. This K.N. Bansal directorial also starred Shakeela, Premnath, Ulhas, and Achla Sachdev in important roles.
3. Manoj Kumar (Shaheed - 1965)
One of the best portrayals of Bhagat Singh on screen was that of Manoj Kumar in Shaheed. Manoj Kumar who was nicknamed 'Bharat' after the release of this film got down to making such films dealing with patriotic flavour. Many believe that no actor to date has played Bhagat Singh the way Manoj Kumar did in Shaheed, as audiences also believed that his striking resemblance to the legendary freedom fighter made the film work big time. Manoj Kumar later revealed that he himself had ghost directed that was credited to director S. Ram Sharma. The film went on to bag awards for Best Feature Film in Hindi, the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration, and the Best Story Award at the 13th National Film Awards.
4. Ajay Devgn (The Legend of Bhagat Singh - 2002)
Rajkumar Santoshi’s The Legend Of Bhagat Singh released in 2002 was one of the two other films on Bhagat Singh released in the same week. The film was well researched portraying the details of Bhagat Singh's angst against the British Raj and what made him opt to take up the cause at such a young age. Ajay Devgn’s transformation into Bhagat Singh was quite amazing who effortlessly brought out the passion and intensity that the legendary freedom fighter possessed, as opposed to Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Nehru's non-violent and diplomatic ways.
5. Bobby Deol (23rd March 1931: Shaheed - 2002)
Bobby Deol also features among Bollywood actors who played Bhagat Singh in movies. The actor’s portrayal of Bhagat Singh with a tilted hat and pencil-thin mustache took many by surprise in 23rd March 1931: Shaheed released in 2002. Bobby Deol played Bhagat Singh in the film directed by Guddu Dhanoa while Sunny Deol portrayed the role of Chandrashekhar Azad. The film chronicled the life of Bhagat Singh, his experiences, childhood, family, and the circumstances that led him to lay down his life for the country.
6. Sonu Sood (Shaheed-E-Azam - 2002)
Despite having tough competition from biggies released on Bhagat Singh around the same time, Sonu Sood also played Bhagat Singh in Shaheed-E-Azam. Sonu Sood’s portrayal of Bhagat Singh on screen with a pencil mustache and the iconic hat went down well with the audience. His innocence combined with angst helped bring Bhagat Singh to life in the film.
7. Siddharth Narayan (Rang De Basanti - 2006)
While many may recall Aamir Khan playing the role of Chandrashekhar Azad in Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s Rang De Basanti one cannot forget Siddharth Narayan who played Bhagat Singh in the film. Bhagat Singh's roles played by Bollywood actors may be many but Siddharth Narayan’s performance cannot be ignored. Rang De Basanti which swept all popular awards that year also starred Madhavan, Waheeda Rehman, Soha Ali Khan, Kunal Kapoor, Sharman Joshi, and Atul Kulkarni in the lead roles.
8. Rahul Pathak (Shaheed-E-Aazam - 2018)
This lesser-known film, Shaheed-E-Azam: Ek Ankahi Kahani released in 2018 and directed by Arun Pathak was a biopic on the late freedom fighter Kamal Nath Tiwari, who jointly fought for India’s independence. The movie released by UFO had lesser-known actor Rahul Pathak essaying the role of Bhagat Singh. The biopic unfortunately didn’t find many takers at the box office.
9. Rishabh Raj (Shaheed Chandra Shekhar Azaad - 2020)
Shaheed Chandra Shekhar Azaad is a biopic that dealt with the life and times of noted freedom fighter and martyr Chandrasekhar Azaad. The film showcases Azaad’s passion to free India from the shackles of the British government and how since childhood he was very furious against them. This role of Bhagat Singh in the film was portrayed by Rishabh Raj.
10. Amol Parashar (Sardar Udham - 2021)
Amol Parashar also features in the list of Bollywood heroes who have played Bhagat Singh on screen. In director Shoojit Sircar’s Sardar Udham, a biopic on the late Indian freedom fighter Udham Singh, Vicky Kaushal portrays the titular role while Amol Parashar played Bhagat Singh. The film showcases how Udham Singh and Bhagat Singh worked together against the British to avenge the lives of hundreds of Indians who were massacred at the Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar in 1919.
11. Vivek Mishra (Hero of Nation Chandra Shekhar Azad - 2022)
Hero of Nation Chandra Shekhar Azad is a biopic on India’s freedom fighter Chandra Shekhar Azad. The film unfolds the lifelong journey of Chandra Shekhar Azad right from his childhood to martyr’s day when he shot himself on the 27th of February 1931. The film tried to show his relationship with his family, friends, and foes including Bhagat Singh who was portrayed by lesser-known actor Vivek Mishra.
12. Aamir Malek (Swatantrya Veer Savarkar - 2024)
Actor Aamir Malek is the latest entrant to join the list of Bollywood actors who played Bhagat Singh on screen. Aamir Malek portrayed the role of Shaheed Bhagat Singh in actor-director Randeep Hooda's Swatantrya Veer Savarkar. Though, the movie was a biopic on freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, Aamir Malek as Bhagat Singh didn't go unnoticed. Bhagat Singh's sacrifice played an instrumental role in Savarkar's life.
