74th Independence Day: 7 Bollywood films that promote peace and pacifism

Celebrate with these Hindi films that place peace and friendship above all

War Chhod Na Yaar (2013) A rare Hindi war comedy drew on the tradition of films like M*A*S*H and Joint Security Area. It follows the unlikely friendship between an Indian and a Pakistani captain who

Farah Khan's Main Hoon Na (2004) built up to 'Project Milaap' — an exchange of captives as a sign of peace and trust between neighbouring nations

Lakshya (2004), which unfolds over the course of the Kargil War, gives a glimpse of war's futility. Om Puri laments: 'God created the world as one. It's our greed that drew lines on it with iron.'

In Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015), an Indian man, raised in a bigoted milieu, escorts a Pakistani child to her home.Their hopes are rescued by an Internet campaign that cuts across national & communal lines

Raazi has the most tranquil patriotic song in recent memory: ‘Ae Watan’. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy's melody is so simple and pure that you forget the context and setting. It doesn't matter.

There are several small subversions in the woefully-titled War (2018). In one scene, Hrithik Roshan tries to enlist Vaani Kapoor in his mission.

“Not everyone is pledged to serve the nation,” she responds. “Some have daughters to raise. This is our war.'

Chintu Ka Birthday observes violence and unrest through the eyes of a six-year-old. As Avinash Ramachandran mused in his Cinema Express review: (Continued..)

'Is the idea of home just an extension of the construct of wanting peace and happiness? Are peace and happiness the ultimate luxuries?..

Or is the desire for them just imaginary fuel to keep the fire of hope raging inside us?'