"My Name Is Khan" tells the story of Rizwan Khan (Shah Rukh Khan), an Indian Muslim man with Asperger's Syndrome, who embarks on a cross-country journey across America to meet the President. Directed by Karan Johar, the film primarily deals with the impact of post-9/11 prejudice and Islamophobia in the United States. While the protagonist is Indian, and his journey involves overcoming societal barriers, its focus is more on his personal quest and the broader theme of religious tolerance rather than the direct relationship between India and Pakistan. Interestingly, the film's release faced protests and controversies in India due to Shah Rukh Khan's comments about Pakistani players in the IPL, highlighting the sensitive nature of India-Pakistan relations even in unrelated contexts.

"Kesari" is a historical war film based on the incredible true story of the Battle of Saragarhi in 1897. Akshay Kumar stars as Havildar Ishar Singh, the leader of 21 Sikh soldiers of the British Indian Army who bravely fought against an army of thousands of Afghan tribesmen. While predating modern India-Pakistan, it depicts a significant historical event in the region involving forces from areas that would later become part of both nations. The film is known for its action sequences and portrayal of valor. A surprising detail: The Battle of Saragarhi is considered one of the greatest last stands in military history, often compared to the Battle of Thermopylae, yet it remained relatively unknown to many before this film brought it to wider attention.

"Rang De Basanti" is a thought-provoking drama that interweaves the stories of a group of disillusioned young Indians with the lives of freedom fighters from India's past. Directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, the film uses a British documentary filmmaker's project as a catalyst for the friends to rediscover their patriotism and challenge corruption. While not solely focused on India-Pakistan, it touches upon national identity, sacrifice, and the ideals worth fighting for. The film features a stellar cast and a hugely popular soundtrack by A.R. Rahman. A unique element: The film's narrative structure fluidly shifts between the contemporary story and flashbacks to India's independence struggle, creating a powerful parallel between the two eras.

Vishal Bhardwaj's "Haider" is a compelling adaptation of Shakespeare's Hamlet, set in the conflict-ridden region of Kashmir in 1995. Shahid Kapoor delivers a powerful performance as Haider, who returns home after his father's disappearance and gets entangled in the political turmoil and insurgency. The film offers a complex and often dark exploration of themes like revenge, identity, and the human cost of conflict. An interesting aspect: The film is part of Bhardwaj's Shakespearean trilogy, following his adaptations of Macbeth ("Maqbool") and Othello ("Omkara"), showcasing his unique ability to transpose classic tragedies into contemporary Indian settings.

"Sarfarosh" is a thrilling action-drama that delves into the issue of cross-border terrorism and the nexus between arms dealers and hostile forces. Aamir Khan stars as ACP Ajay Singh Rathod, a dedicated police officer who uncovers a large-scale operation aimed at destabilizing India, linked to elements across the border. Directed by John Matthew Matthan, the film is lauded for its intelligent screenplay, realistic portrayal of policing, and Aamir Khan's intense performance. A notable point: The film took nearly seven years to research and make, highlighting the director's commitment to presenting a realistic and detailed narrative about the challenges faced by law enforcement.

"Lakshya" is a coming-of-age war drama directed by Farhan Akhtar, set against the backdrop of the Kargil War. The film follows Karan Shergill (Hrithik Roshan), a directionless young man who joins the Indian Army and finds purpose and courage while fighting in the conflict. The film is noted for its realistic depiction of army training and mountain warfare, as well as Hrithik Roshan's transformation from an aimless youth to a dedicated officer. A significant detail: The film's production was quite challenging, involving extensive shooting in difficult, high-altitude terrains to accurately portray the Kargil region.

"Uri: The Surgical Strike" is an action-packed military drama based on the retaliatory surgical strikes conducted by the Indian Army in 2016 following the Uri attack. Starring Vicky Kaushal in a powerful role as Major Vihan Singh Shergill, the film depicts the planning and execution of this covert operation. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the film is known for its intense action sequences and patriotic narrative. Interestingly, the film popularized the phrase "How's the josh?" which became a widely used slogan and internet meme in India after its release.

"Raazi" is a gripping spy thriller based on the true story of Sehmat Khan, an Indian spy who marries into a Pakistani military family during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 to relay information back to India. Alia Bhatt gives a career-defining performance as Sehmat, navigating the treacherous world of espionage while battling her own moral dilemmas. Directed by Meghna Gulzar, the film is praised for its taut screenplay, realistic portrayal of espionage, and nuanced take on patriotism. Remarkably, the story is based on the novel "Calling Sehmat" by Harinder Sikka, which recounts the incredible true events of this unsung hero.

Yash Chopra's directorial swan song, "Veer-Zaara," is an epic cross-border love story between an Indian Air Force pilot, Veer Pratap Singh (Shah Rukh Khan), and a Pakistani woman, Zaara Hayat Khan (Preity Zinta). Their love blossoms but is separated by circumstances and international boundaries. The film is a poignant narrative about sacrifice, enduring love, and the shared cultural heritage between the two nations. Known for its beautiful cinematography, powerful performances, and soul-stirring music, the film is a classic romantic drama. A unique aspect: The music for the film was composed by the late, legendary Madan Mohan, with lyrics by Javed Akhtar. Mohan had composed music decades earlier, and his unused tunes were resurrected and arranged by his son Sanjeev Kohli for this film.

"Bajrangi Bhaijaan" is a heartwarming story that transcends borders, starring Salman Khan as Pawan, a devout Hindu man with a simple heart. He embarks on an extraordinary journey to reunite a lost mute Pakistani girl, Shahida (charmingly played by Harshaali Malhotra), with her family across the border. The film beautifully explores themes of humanity, compassion, and the breaking down of prejudices between India and Pakistan. Directed by Kabir Khan, it was a massive critical and commercial success, praised for its emotional depth and Salman Khan's earnest performance. An interesting fact: The film was one of the first Bollywood movies to be widely released in China, where it also performed exceptionally well, becoming one of the highest-grossing Indian films globally.

"Border" is a patriotic war film that brings to life the events of the Battle of Longewala during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. Directed by J.P. Dutta, the film boasts an ensemble cast including Sunny Deol, Sunil Shetty, Akshaye Khanna, and Jackie Shroff. It portrays the bravery and sacrifice of a small group of Indian soldiers who held off a large Pakistani tank battalion. The film is renowned for its realistic depiction of battle sequences and its soul-stirring music, particularly the song "Sandese Aate Hain." A fascinating detail: The film was shot extensively in real locations near the border areas, adding to its authenticity and scale. It remains a quintessential film on the Indo-Pak conflict in Bollywood.

A cinematic phenomenon in Indian cinema, "Gadar: Ek Prem Katha" is an epic tale of love, separation, and resilience set against the harrowing backdrop of the 1947 Partition of India. Sunny Deol delivers a powerful performance as Tara Singh, a Sikh man who falls deeply in love with Sakeena, a Muslim woman from Pakistan, played by Amisha Patel. Their story is one of defying borders and overcoming immense societal and political obstacles. The film's massive success at the box office was a testament to its emotional resonance and patriotic fervor. Did you know? Despite initial mixed reviews from critics, the film became one of the highest-grossing Indian films ever at the time of its release, captivating audiences with its blend of romance, action, and historical drama.