A curated list of 10 films that take us through the relation between India and Pakistan, without falling into the trap of chest-thumping jingoism or black-and-white messaging
India and Pakistan have had a complicated relationship ever since Partition in 1947. This bitter separation has been marked by wars, political tension, and deep mistrust. But between all this noise, there have also been stories of humanity, shared culture, and attempts at peace. Over the years, filmmakers from both sides have tried to capture the pain, confusion, and sometimes even hope that surrounds the idea of India and Pakistan.
The Federal curates the list of ten films that talk about this complex relationship without falling into the trap of easy patriotism or black-and-white messaging. Some of these films deal with war, others with personal loss, and a few with ordinary people caught in the middle. Each of them offers a fresh way of seeing how the past and present of both countries continue to affect lives.
Some of these films are angry, others are hopeful. Some deal with facts, others with fiction. But each of them tries to go deeper than the usual headlines and slogans. They show us that while nations may remain divided, stories can still bring people together — frame by frame. In short, these 10 films offer different lenses through which to look at India and Pakistan — war, peace, friendship, betrayal, and love.
1. Garm Hava (1973, directed by M.S. Sathyu): Set in post-Partition Agra, Garm Hava is about Salim Mirza (Balraj Sahni), a shoe factory owner who watches his family fall apart after the split of the country. As Muslims leave India for Pakistan, Salim chooses to stay, believing in the idea of secular India. But everything starts slipping — his business, home, and even relationships. The film shows how Partition was not just about trains full of refugees but also about people quietly suffering without leaving home. The air, as the title suggests, becomes warm with uncertainty and fear. It’s a slow, quiet film but deeply moving.
2. Border (1997, directed by J.P. Dutta): Based on the Battle of Longewala during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War, Border tells the story of a handful of Indian soldiers defending their post in Rajasthan against a massive Pakistani assault. What stands out here is not just the war scenes but the emotional backstories of each soldier — letters from home, dreams of returning alive, and the idea of sacrifice. Sunny Deol leads the cast with a fierce performance. While loud and dramatic, Border tapped into the mood of a generation still shaped by memories of war and national pride.
3. Earth (1998, Dir. Deepa Mehta): Part of Deepa Mehta’s Elements Trilogy, Earth is based on Bapsi Sidhwa’s novel Cracking India. The story is seen through the eyes of a young Parsi girl, Lenny, in Lahore just before Partition. Her Ayah (played by Nandita Das) is loved by many men — Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh — but Partition tears them all apart. Violence spreads. Loyalties shift. And the innocent girl watches her world fall to pieces. The film’s power lies in its simplicity — a child’s view of hatred makes it all the more cruel. It’s deeply disturbing but essential viewing.
4. Fiza (2000, directed by Khalid Mohamed): Fiza is not a film strictly about India and Pakistan, but it addresses cross-border terrorism and the role of Pakistan in training militants. The story follows Fiza (Karisma Kapoor) as she searches for her missing brother Amaan (Hrithik Roshan), who disappeared during the 1993 Bombay riots. When she finds him, he is no longer the same person — radicalised, broken, and being used by larger forces. The film dares to show how politics plays with young minds and how sisters, mothers, and families suffer silently. It’s intense and painful, especially the ending.
Also read: 16 essential books of fiction on Partition: Stories of loss, barbarity, survival, and hope
5. Khamosh Pani (2003, directed by Sabiha Sumar): A Pakistani film, Khamosh Pani (Silent Waters) is set in a village in Punjab during the 1970s. A widow, Ayesha, lives with her teenage son. But her past during Partition catches up with her when Islamic fundamentalists start spreading fear. Slowly, her son becomes radicalised, and the peaceful life she built begins to collapse. The film touches on a rarely discussed topic — the women who were abducted during Partition, and what happened to them later. Ayesha’s secret, when revealed, is devastating. This is a powerful film, deeply political without being preachy.
6. Veer-Zaara (2004, directed by Yash Chopra): A love story between an Indian Air Force officer and a Pakistani woman could easily have turned into a fantasy. But Veer-Zaara manages to stay grounded in emotion. Veer (Shah Rukh Khan) and Zaara (Preity Zinta) meet by chance, fall in love, and are then separated by borders, silence, and time. What sets this film apart is its gentle tone and belief in shared traditions — the music, language, and values that connect people across the border. The film spans decades, showing how politics can hold lives hostage. But in the end, it’s also a tribute to waiting, loyalty, and the power of one voice raised in love.
7. Filmistaan (2012, directed by Nitin Kakkar): Filmistaan is a small film with a big heart. It tells the story of Sunny, an assistant director who is kidnapped by militants near the Rajasthan border and taken to a village in Pakistan. While held captive, he forms an unlikely bond with Aftaab, a DVD-seller and Bollywood fan. Despite being on opposite sides of the border, both men speak the language of cinema. The film cleverly uses humour and love for Hindi movies to show how culture survives even where politics fails. It’s light-hearted but also says something serious — that ordinary people don’t want war.
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8. Ek Tha Tiger (2012, directed by Kabir Khan): A spy thriller with blockbuster scale, Ek Tha Tiger launched one of Bollywood’s biggest franchises. Salman Khan plays Tiger, a RAW agent, while Katrina Kaif plays Zoya, a Pakistani ISI operative. They fall in love — a classic setup with a twist. The film moves from Istanbul to Havana, but the heart of the conflict remains the idea of two lovers from enemy states, both working for governments that mistrust each other. Unlike traditional spy thrillers, this film focuses more on individual choice over national duty. Its success led to a sequel (Tiger Zinda Hai) and future entries in the YRF Spy Universe. The message is simple but effective: what if love could outsmart war?
9. Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015, directed by Kabir Khan): Not all films about India and Pakistan are about violence. Bajrangi Bhaijaan is a rare one that talks about kindness. When a mute Pakistani girl gets lost in India, she ends up with a man named Pavan (Salman Khan), a simple-hearted devotee of Hanuman. He takes it upon himself to return her to her home in Pakistan. What follows is a series of warm, funny, and emotional moments as Pavan crosses the border illegally just to unite her with her mother. The film doesn’t avoid politics but keeps the focus on empathy. The ending at the border — with tears, hugs, and waves — is unforgettable.
10. Phantom (2015, directed by Kabir Khan): Unlike Bajrangi Bhaijaan, this is Kabir Khan’s hard-hitting take on post-26/11 politics. The film imagines a covert mission where an Indian agent (played by Saif Ali Khan) is sent to Pakistan to eliminate those responsible for the 2008 Mumbai attacks. The plot is fictional, and the action is sharp. What’s different here is the mood — grim, urgent, and revenge-driven. While the film did receive criticism for being jingoistic, it also started conversations on justice, accountability, and the blurred lines between heroism and vigilantism. It’s a fast-paced thriller but leaves room for doubt.