High on josh: 8 air-strike & war dramas that reignite patriotic fervour

When a film makes the entire country shout "How's the josh?", you know it's struck the right chord. Uri, starring Vicky Kaushal as the fearless Major Vihaan Shergill, recreated the Indian Army’s 2016 surgical strike in response to the Uri terror attack. With rousing action sequences and a nationalistic heartbeat, this film became a modern benchmark for military dramas.

The bravery of Captain Vikram Batra during the Kargil War is immortalized in this touching biopic. Sidharth Malhotra delivers a career-defining performance as the martyred hero whose words — “Yeh dil maange more” — still echo in the hearts of every Indian. Shershaah is not just a film; it's an emotional ride through courage, love, and sacrifice.

Helmed by J.P. Dutta, LOC Kargil unfolds the gripping story of Indian soldiers battling for the nation’s honour during the 1999 Kargil War. With a large ensemble cast portraying real-life heroes, the film captures the camaraderie and courage of the jawans who stood tall in one of India's fiercest conflicts.

A timeless war epic that still gives goosebumps decades later, Border is set against the backdrop of the 1971 Indo-Pak war. Centered around the Battle of Longewala, the film beautifully blends battlefield intensity with emotional depth, making it one of Indian cinema's most iconic tributes to the military.

This lesser-known gem puts the Indian Air Force in the spotlight. With its focus on aerial warfare and twin brothers separated by war, it showcases the strength of India’s air strategy and the emotional trauma of divided families amidst national conflict.

An underwater war thriller that brings to light India’s naval capabilities during the 1971 war, The Ghazi Attack dramatizes the mystery surrounding the sinking of Pakistani submarine PNS Ghazi. It’s a rare depiction of submarine warfare that keeps viewers on edge with its taut screenplay and patriotic punch.

Inspired by the same real-life operation as Uri, this web series delves deeper into the strategic planning and execution of the surgical strikes. With a docudrama-like narrative, Avrodh offers a behind-the-scenes look at India’s defense machinery, complete with political and military nuances.

Another J.P. Dutta war saga, Paltan revisits the 1967 Indo-China conflict at the Nathu La pass. This lesser-portrayed chapter of Indian military history gets its due with this gripping story of unsung heroes who defended India’s borders against all odds.