From Mahatma Gandhi to Milkha Singh, Bollywood has produced many biographical movies that have captivated audiences with realistic and heartwarming depictions of these individuals' journeys.
Here is a list of the top 20 Bollywood biopic movies that have left a lasting impact on the Indian cinema industry:
List of Movies
Gandhi (1982)Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013)
Dangal (2016)
Paan Singh Tomar (2012)
The Dirty Picture (2011)
MS Dhoni: The Untold Story (2016)
Neerja (2016)
Pad Man (2018)
The Legend of Bhagat Singh (2002)
Mary Kom (2014)
Super 30 (2019)
Sarbjit (2016)
Manjhi - The Mountain Man (2015)
Shahid (2012)
Shakuntala Devi (2020)
Sanju (2018)
Sardar Udham (2021)
Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl (2020)
Manto (2018)
Hawaizaada (2015)
Also Read: Must-Watch Bollywood Biopic Movies That Will Inspire You
Each of these biopic movies offers a glimpse into the lives of the inspiring real-life figures they portray, revealing their untold stories, struggles, and achievements.
Whether you are a fan of historical dramas, sports biopics, or stories of personal triumphs, this list has something for everyone.
Gandhi (1982)
The movie stars Ben Kingsley in the titular role and depicts Gandhi's struggle against British colonial rule, his philosophy of non-violent resistance, and his ultimate assassination.
The film won eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Kingsley.
Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013)
The movie stars Farhan Akhtar in the lead role and depicts Singh's journey from a childhood in rural Punjab to his rise as a track and field athlete and national champion.
The film won several awards, including Best Film and Best Director at the 59th National Film Awards.
Dangal (2016)
The movie stars Aamir Khan in the lead role and depicts the struggles and triumphs of Phogat and his daughters as they defy societal norms and pursue their dreams.
The film became the highest-grossing Indian film of all time and won several awards, including Best Film at the 62nd Filmfare Awards.
Paan Singh Tomar (2012)
The movie stars Irrfan Khan in the titular role and depicts Tomar's journey from a humble farmer to a feared dacoit.
The film received critical acclaim and won several awards, including the National Film Award for Best Feature Film.
The Dirty Picture (2011)
The movie stars Vidya Balan in the lead role and depicts the rise and fall of Silk Smitha as she becomes a sex symbol in the male-dominated film industry.
The film won several awards, including three National Film Awards, and was praised for Balan's performance and its portrayal of women in the entertainment industry.
MS Dhoni
The movie stars Sushant Singh Rajput in the lead role and depicts Dhoni's journey from a young boy in Ranchi to his rise as a cricketing legend and World Cup-winning captain.
The film was a commercial success and was praised for Rajput's performance and accurate portrayal of Dhoni's life and career.
Neerja (2016)
The movie stars Sonam Kapoor in the lead role and depicts Bhanot's bravery and sacrifice during the hijacking.
The film was a critical and commercial success and won several awards, including two National Film Awards.
Pad Man (2018)
The movie stars Akshay Kumar in the lead role and depicts Muruganantham's struggles and triumphs as he tries to bring awareness and accessibility to menstrual hygiene.
The film was praised for its message and performances and won several awards, including the National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues.
The Legend of Bhagat Singh (2002)
The movie stars Ajay Devgn in the titular role and depicts Singh's revolutionary activities, his imprisonment and execution at a young age, and his impact on India's struggle for freedom.
The film won several awards, including two National Film Awards.
Mary Kom (2014)
The movie stars Priyanka Chopra in the lead role and depicts Kom's journey from a poor village in Manipur to her rise as a world champion boxer.
The film was praised for Chopra's performance and its accurate portrayal of Kom's struggles and achievements.
It won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.
Super 30 (2019)
The movie stars Hrithik Roshan in the lead role and depicts Kumar's struggles and triumphs as he helps his students achieve success against all odds.
The film was a commercial success and was praised for Roshan's performance and inspirational message.
Sarbjit (2016)
The movie stars Randeep Hooda in the titular role and depicts Sarabjit's struggle for justice and his family's fight to prove his innocence.
The film was praised for Hooda's performance and its emotional portrayal of the human cost of cross-border tensions.
Manjhi - The Mountain Man (2015)
The movie stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui in the titular role and depicts Manjhi's determination and resilience in the face of overwhelming odds.
The film was praised for Siddiqui's performance and its portrayal of Manjhi's inspiring story.
Shahid (2012)
The movie stars Rajkummar Rao in the titular role and depicts Azmi's struggle against injustice and his commitment to defending the rights of marginalized communities.
The film was praised for Rao's performance and its hard-hitting portrayal of the challenges faced by human rights defenders in India. It won the National Film Award for Best Actor for Rajkummar Rao.
Shakuntala Devi (2020)
The movie stars Vidya Balan in the titular role and depicts her journey from being a young girl in Bangalore to becoming an internationally acclaimed mathematician.
The film received praise for Balan's performance and its portrayal of Shakuntala Devi's unconventional and inspiring life.
Sanju (2018)
The movie stars Ranbir Kapoor in the lead role and depicts Dutt's life, including his struggles with drug addiction, relationships, and involvement in the 1993 Bombay bombings case.
The film was a commercial and critical success, with Kapoor's performance receiving particular praise.
Sardar Udham (2021)
The movie stars Vicky Kaushal in the titular role and depicts his journey from being a young orphan in Punjab to becoming a revolutionary who assassinated Michael O'Dwyer, the Lieutenant Governor of Punjab, in 1940.
The film was praised for its storytelling, cinematography, and performances, especially Kaushal's portrayal of Udham Singh.
Gunjan Saxena
The movie stars Janhvi Kapoor in the lead role and depicts Saxena's journey from her childhood dream of flying to her determination to serve her country as a pilot.
The film received praise for its portrayal of Saxena's inspiring story and Kapoor's performance.
Manto (2018)
The movie stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui in the titular role and depicts Manto's struggles as a writer and his commentary on the societal issues of his time.
The film was praised for its storytelling, performances, and the accuracy of its portrayal of Manto's life and times.
Hawaizaada (2015)
The movie stars Ayushmann Khurrana in the lead role and depicts Talpade's struggles in the late 19th century to create his flying machine.
