Top 10 Bollywood Movies That Deal With Social Issues

Movies are a source of entertainment, joy, and a good time. Bollywood often makes commercial movies and mindless comedies that play safe and don’t talk about real-world problems. But many Bollywood films have presented their take on various social issues and taboo subjects. Let’s take a look at the best Bollywood movies on social issues that made us think and tried to bring a positive change in the world.

1. Taare Zameen Par Click to look into! >> Read More... (2007)

Parents often think that the reason for their child’s low marks is carelessness and lack of discipline, but it can be much more than that. Such is the case for Ishaan, an 8-year-old who suffers from dyslexia and struggles to do everyday basic tasks.

His parents blame his performance in school on his naughtiness and send him to a boarding school, where an unconventional teacher identifies his condition and tries to help him. It spread the beautiful message that every child is special in their unique way.

2. Article 15 Click to look into! >> Read More... (2019)

Article 15 of the Indian Constitution prohibits discrimination based on religion, sex, race, caste, or place of birth, and this movie did a great job at reminding everyone of that. A city-bred police officer launches an attack after cases of caste-based discrimination and other crimes take place in a rural village.

We see how even after more than 7 decades of independence the country is still riddled with perils such as untouchability and caste-based discrimination. The movie is based on a much sensitive subject and handles it very well.

3. Prem Rog (1982)

Prem Rog talks about the sensitive topic of widow remarriage. Devdhar tries to help Manorama, his childhood friend to start a new life after her husband dies. But in this process, he faces the wrath of her conservative family.

In the past, widows were expected to never remarry and often boycotted from the community. Released in 1982, this film covers a sensitive issue only a few films dared to talk about and comes as a breath of fresh air for the viewers.

4. Swades Click to look into! >> Read More... (2004)

Swades follows Mohan, a NASA employee, who returns to India in search of his old nanny, which leads him to a rural village. There he witnesses the issues such as casteism, gender bias, lack of basic amenities like electricity, proper education, and whatnot.

Mohan realizes his duties towards the village and his country and finds himself drawn to do some good for his people. This movie will inspire you to do good for the less fortunate and it deals with issues of discrimination, casteism, and religion in a new light.

5. Udaan Udaan is a Hindi Daily series which aired on 18th >> Read More... (2010)

With a story that resonates with the life of thousands of middle-class youths in the country, Udaan follows Rohan, who aspires to be a writer, but his abusive father forces him to become an engineer and work in his factory.

Both heart-wrenching and motivating, Udaan is loosely based on the life of producer Anurag Kashyap Born on 10th September 1972, Anurag Kashyap has es >> Read More... . It handles the issues such as domestic violence and toxic parenting with much care.

6. Dor Click to look into! >> Read More... (2006)

Another film that highlights the plight of widows in the country, Dor is a beautiful film that presents a fresh take on the issue. It follows Zeenat, trying to save her husband when he accidentally kills a man. Zeenat tries to seek forgiveness from the deceased’s widow, Meera.

Dor portrays the life of widows after the death of their husbands and the difficulties faced by them. It celebrates the friendship between these two women and features brilliant performances from all three leads.

7. My Brother Nikhil (2005)

The movie follows Nikhil, a swimmer who finds his life falling apart when he is diagnosed with HIV. After that, he finds comfort in his sister and his boyfriend. Dealing with the stigma regarding HIV and closeted gay relationships, this movie is sure a must-watch.

Released in 2005, not many films had dared to portray such sensitive issues on screen in India, but this film was bold and portrayed everything with great beauty. It is also said to be based on a real-life story.

8. Pink Pink is an American Songwriter, Singer, and Actres >> Read More... (2016)

When three women are accused of a crime they did not commit, and one of them is arrested for the same, a retired veteran lawyer steps up to help them and fights their case in court.

Pink questions our society and how women are judged based on their appearance and lifestyle. It also talks about the importance of consent in a way that has never been done before. Pink won the National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues.

9. Manthan (1976)

The first crowd-funded movie of India, Manthan focuses on a small group of poor farmers in Gujarat and is set around the backdrop of the White Revolution of the 1970s that started the era of huge amounts of milk production.

Manthan was produced by the Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd. Wherein around 500,000 farmers funded the production. It received praise for its themes of rural empowerment and outstanding performances from the cast.

10. Thappad Click to look into! >> Read More... (2020)

Thappad follows Amrita, a young woman who lives a content life with her husband until one day, he slaps her at an office party and she files for divorce. The movie made it clear that violence of any kind should not be tolerated in marriage. Society judges Amrita for wanting a divorce because of just one slap.

But she understands whatever the situation may be, a man cannot inflict violence of any kind on his wife, however small the magnitude be. The movie deals with the issue of domestic violence maturely.