Bollywood Movies on Caste Discrimination:
The caste system in Indian society is one that has left an indelible mark on the lives of the people and Bollywood hasn’t been spared either. Must watch Bollywood movies on caste discrimination will leave you shaken and stirred.
1. Sujata
Sujata released in 1959 is a classic movie that explored the caste discrimination in society.
Starring: Nutan, Sunil Dutt, Lalita Pawar, Shashikala
Director: Bimal Roy
2. Godaan
Godaan released in 1963 and was an adaptation of the novel by Premchand of the same name. A moving tale of poverty and exploitation due to the prevalent caste system.
Starring: Kamini Kaushal, Raj Kumar, Shashikala
Director: Trilok Jetley
3. Ankur
Ankur released in 1974 and was a real-life portrayal of caste discrimination in Indian society. The movie was based on real-life events that happened in Hyderabad. The movie won many accolades for its clear depiction.
Starring: Ananth Nag, Shabana Azmi, Priya Tendulkar, Dalip Tahil
Director: Shyam Benegal
4. Sadgati
Sadgati released in 1981 and is based on a short story of the same name by Munshi Premchand. The movie is a reminder of the vicious caste discrimination faced by strata of the society.
Starring: Om Puri, Smita Patil, Mohan Agashe, Gita Siddharth
Director: Satyajit Ray
5. Aakrosh
Aakrosh released in 1980 and is a compelling take on a real-life incident that shook the country. It is a contemptuous satire on the victimization of the deprived by the powerful upper caste.
Starring: Smita Patil, Amrish Puri, Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri
Director: Govind Nihalani
6. Bandit Queen
Bandit Queen released in 1994 and was based on the lofe of the most dreaded dacoit of the Chambal ravines Phoolan Devi. A victim of caste discrimination and oppression the movie is a scathing attack on the caste system.
Starring: Seema Biswas, Nirmal Pandey, Manoj Bajpai
Director: Shekhar Kapur
7. Omkara
Omkara released in 2006 and was based on Othello by Shakespeare. The movie was adapted to the Indian context and cleverly depicted the caste discrimination.
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Saif Ali Khan, Vivek Oberoi, Bipasha Basu, Kareena Kapoor, Konkona Sen Sharma
Director: Vishal Bhardwaj
8. Aarakshan
Aarakshan released in 2011 and is a commentary on the caste-based reservations for admission to educational institutions and government jobs in India.
Starring: Amitabh Bachchan, Saif Ali Khan, Manoj Bajpai, Deepika Padukone, Prateik Babbar
Director: Prakash Jha
9. Masaan
Masaan released in 2015 and received much acclaim for its honest portrayal of love and caste discrimination in India.
Starring: Vicky Kaushal, Richa Chaddha, Shweta Tripathi, Sanjay Mishra
Director: Neeraj Ghaywan
10. Sonchidiya
Sonchidiya released in 2019 and is a moving film about caste discrimination.
Starring: Sushant Singh Rajput, Bhumi Pednekar, Manoj Bajpai, Ranvir Shorey, Ashutosh Rana
Director: Abhishek Chaubey
11. Dhadak
Dhadak released in 2018. The movie is a scornful depiction of caste discrimination.
Starring: Ishan Khattar, Janhvi Kapoor
Director: Shashank Khaitan
12. Article 15
Article 15 released in 2019 and is based on true incidents that rocked the rural countryside.
Starring: Ayushman Khurana, Nassar, Manoj Pahwa, Kumud Mishra, Sayani Gupta
Director: Anubhav Sinha
These must-watch Bollywood movies on caste discrimination will leave you sleepless and wanting to bring a much-needed change in Indian society.
