Following the nationwide lockdown in the wake of the COVID 19 pandemic, many of us are left with a lot of spare time in hand. As we social distance our way out of this crisis, there’s no better way to spend our time than watching some movies based on real life stories. From Sarabjit and Raaes to The Social Network, these movies not only provide you your daily source of entertainment but you can also gain knowledge and insight into the lives of intriguing real life personalities who have inspired film makers across the world.
Here’s a list of some of the best biographies, documentaries and movies based on real life and currently streaming on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
Talvar (2015)
A hardened investigator (Irrfan Khan) deals with conflicting perspectives involving a brutal double murder. The case gets complicated when the parents of the murdered girl emerge as the prime suspects.
Pad Man (2018)
Laxmikant, played by Akshay Kumar, is upset when he sees Gayatri (Radhika Apte), his wife, using an unhygienic cloth during her menstrual cycle. Thereafter, he creates a machine that can make affordable sanitary pads and raises awareness. The movie also stars Sonam Kapoor as a social worker.
The Sky is Pink (2019)
Based on the life of motivational speaker Aisha Chaudhary (Zaira Wasim), who died in 2015 when she was 18. Chaudhary tells the love story of her parents, played Priyanka Chopra and Farhan Akhtar over a period of 25 years.
Sanju (2018)
Based on the life of Bollywood actor, Sanjay Dutt, the movie shows his struggles with the legacy that is handed down to him by his parents, along with his personal dilemmas and vices. Dutt’s role has been played by Ranbir Kapoor.
Raees (2017)
Threat looms over Raees Alam (Shah Rukh Khan) and his business of smuggling alcohol illegally in Gujarat after ACP Majmudar (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) decides to get the better of him. In order to survive and keep his trade thriving, Raees must overcome Majumdar.
Sarabjit (2016)
As Sarbjit (Randeep Hooda) accidentally crosses the Indo-Pak border as a result of his drunken state, he gets arrested by the Pakistan army. His sister, Dalbir (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan), fights to get justice for her brother and prove his innocence.
The Theory of Everything (2015)
Based on theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking’s life, the movie revolves around his research, and how he dealt with life as he found he was suffering from motor neuron disease. British actor Eddie Redmayne portrayed Hawking in the film.
Flight (2012)
Whip Whitaker, portrayed by Denzel Washington, an airline pilot, saves a flight from crashing. However, the mandated investigation reveals that he was flying the plane under the influence of alcohol and cocaine.
Inside Bill’s Brain: Decoding Bill Gates (2019)
This three-part documentary series explores the mind and motivations of the co-founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates. Here he speaks about those who influenced him and the audacious goals he’s still pursuing.
Midnight Express (1978)
This neo noir drama tells the story of Billy (Brad Davis), an American caught smuggling hashish, is prosecuted and jailed in Turkey for four years. When his sentence is increased to 30 years, Billy, along with other inmates, makes a plan to escape.
The Social Network (2010)
Based on the life of facebook founder, Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg), it tells the story of how he created the social networking site with the help of his friend Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield). But soon, a string of lies tears their relationship apart.
Mary Kom (2014)
When Mary Kom (priyanka Chopra) encounters a renowned coach in a boxing gym, she shares her boxing aspirations with him and convinces him to teach her. Despite her father’s disapproval, she follows her passion and the rest is history.
12 Years A Slave (2013)
Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free African-American, is promised a fortnightly job by Brown and Hamilton. However, after arriving in Washington DC, he realises that he has been sold into slavery.
The Aviator (2004)
Howard Hughes (Leonardo Di Caprio), who suffers from germophobia and psychological illness, tries to design and promote a new aircraft. Along the way, he faces personal issues but becomes a successful film-maker.
Team Foxcatcher (2016)
A documentary film directed by Jon Greenhalgh, it tells the true story of billionaire John E. du Pont’s involvement in shaping the USA’s Olympic Wrestling Team by building expensive training facilities on his home property, called ‘Foxcatcher’.
Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond (2017)
Using 100 hours of footage from the set of “Man on the Moon,” filmmaker Chris Smith documents actor Jim Carrey’s transformation into legendary performance artist and comedian Andy Kaufman.
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