In the Indian history, there are few episodes that we wish to forget and leave behind. However, it will be injustice towards the victims of such incidents to ignore them entirely. Here’s where the film industry comes into play. One such unfortunate event is the Anti-Sikh riots after the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination.
The Sikh genocide of 1984 is even today considered to be one of the brutal riots in Indian history where 2800 people were killed during the massacre according to the official sources. However, the independent sources claim otherwise. A lot of politics was involved, and even Delhi police and some central-government officials were scrutinized to flame the violence.
The statement from Rajiv Gandhi, who was sworn in as Prime Minister, seemed like a justification to the brutal violence. He said, “When a big tree falls, the earth shakes.”
To give people a clear picture or remember the victims of the 1984 Sikh genocide, many films, mostly Punjabi, were produced over the years.
Indian Movies on 1984 Sikh Genocide, Khalistani Movement, and Operation Bluestar
All Started with Khalistani Movement in Punjab and Haryana, You can read about it on Wikipedia. So many things happened that time which lead our country to Operation Bluestar and 1984 Sikh Genocide.
There are so many films featuring the bad phase of Punjab, but we have sorted the ones that tell a realistic story about the incident and the suffering faced by different people, innocent people.
Here are some of the best Indian 1984 Sikh Genocide, Khalistani Movement, and Operation Bluestar. A few are based on real-life stories whereas the others are just a fiction interpretation of the life during these events.
Amu (2005)
Amu is an English language film directed by Shonali Bose. The film features the life of Kajori (Kaju) Roy, who comes to know about her true identity as Amu Singh. The film stars Konkana Sen Sharma in the titular role. The film tells the story of Kaju a.k.a. Amu and her journey to find the truth about her birth parents.
31st October (2016)
31st October is a 2016 historical drama film featuring Vir Das and Soha Ali Khan in the lead roles. Directed by Shivaji Lotan Patil, the film is based on a real story and highlights the events post Indira Gandhi’s assassination on 31st October 1984.
Maachis (1996)
Directed by Gulzar, Maachis is a 1996 Hindi drama film that portrays the rise of Sikh insurgency in Punjab during the 1980s. The film features Om Puri, Tabu, Chandrachur Singh, and Jimmy Shergill in pivotal roles. Maachis tries to draw our attention towards one of the reasons why a next door young boy turns into a terrorist.
Punjab 1984 (2014)
Punjab 1984 is a 2014 Punjabi period drama featuring Diljit Dosanjh in the lead role. Directed by Anurag Singh, Punjab 1984 is a film highlighting the impact of 1984-86 Sikh insurgencies on social lives. The film tells the story of a mother and her missing son portrayed by Kirron Kher and Diljit Dosanjh respectively.
Also Read: Best Punjabi Films of All the Time
Hawayein (2003)
Set against the backdrop of the 1984 Sikh genocide, Hawayein is a 2003 film directed by Ammtoje Mann. The film is based on some real-life events and features the impact of Operation Bluestar and the subsequent assassination of Indira Gandhi on people’s lives in Punjab. Hawayein depicts the story of Sarabjeet and how he became one of the most wanted terrorists of India.
