Poster of some films. / IMDB

History tends to remember larger-than-life figures and tales that dominate the silver screen ever so often. However, Bollywood is now looking beyond the obvious, seeking profound inspiration in real-life heroes, moving past familiar names and well-known chapters. 

As filmmakers grow increasingly drawn to lesser-known events and individuals, new films are retelling stories of bravery and resilience that have seldom been heard before. The latest crop of releases and upcoming films captures this evolving trend, offering audiences riveting tales rooted in reality often more astonishing than fiction itself. Here's a round-up of new and forthcoming movies that are giving these unsung narratives their due.

Costao

Set in the vibrant yet turbulent landscape of Goa of the 1990s, Costao portrays the real-life struggles of Costao Fernandes, a courageous customs officer who dismantled a powerful gold smuggling racket at great personal cost. 

The gripping drama was defined by a brave officer's unwavering commitment to his duties in the face of threats, isolation, and red tape. Nawazuddin Siddiqui played the protagonist in Sejal Shah's directorial venture that portrayed the dark side of an era marked by economic liberalization.

Phule

Mahatma Gandhi and Shaheed Bhagat Singh are the revered pre-Independence stalwarts who have been portrayed in Bollywood innumerable times. Director Anant Mahadevan brought to life the never-told-on-screen-before story of the historical figures, Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule, who championed education and social reform in 19th-century India. 

It chronicles how they fought caste discrimination, patriarchy, and systemic oppression, and sowed the seeds for equality and education in modern India. Pratik Gandhi and Patralekhaa anchored the biopic with powerful performances, reminding one that classrooms are as much a place for revolutions as battlefields.

Ground Zero

Inspired by true events, the Tejas Prabha Vijay Deoskar directorial recreates the daring two-year operation (from 2001 to 2003) to take down the dreaded Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist Ghazi Baba, the mastermind behind the 2001 Parliament Attack. Emraan Hashmi portrays BSF Commandant Narendra Nath Dhar Dubey, who led the high-stakes mission in the volatile Kashmir Valley. 

The film also explores his efforts to encourage misled Kashmiri youth to give up guns for pens and highlights the poignant friendship he forms with a young Kashmiri boy named Hussain.

Kesari 2

Kesari (2019) was hailed for narrating the Battle of Saragarhi, which most viewers remained unaware of until the film's release. Its sequel, Kesari 2, occurs centuries later, diving into an equally stirring but relatively unknown chapter: the aftermath of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. 

While the tragedy itself is widely remembered, director Karan Singh Tyagi shined the spotlight on Sir C Sankar Nair - a name few know. Akshay Kumar once again fronted the film, essaying the role of an Indian lawyer, initially fiercely loyal to the Crown but later taking the bold and unprecedented step of suing the British Empire for genocide. Nair's legal acumen and relentless pursuit of justice against an all-powerful empire were at the heart of this courtroom drama that was inspiring and enraging in equal measures.

The Diplomat

John Abraham stepped into the shoes of real-life diplomat JP Singh, who orchestrated the daring rescue of Uzma Ahmed an Indian woman lured into a forced marriage in Pakistan. The drama intensifies with geopolitical and cultural tensions adding layers of complexity. 

Singh's and then External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's convictions were the backbone of the narrative. The outing portrayed the intricacies of diplomatic missions and soldiers of different kinds who fight for human dignity and safety.

Sky Force

Squadron Leader Ajjamada Boppayya Devayya's name found no mention in the official records for years despite his bravery during the 1965 Indo-Pak war. Veer Pahariya plays the warrior who placed the nation above protocols and defended the skies with valor.

Thought to have been shot down in battle, Devayya's story came to light decades later when Pakistan's military archives acknowledged his bravery. Starring Akshay Kumar was a thrilling yet emotional tribute to the forgotten warrior.

Tumko Meri Kasam

At a time when infertility remained taboo, Dr Ajay Murdia's ground breaking work in IVF treatment gave hope to thousands of hopeful parents. Although the main plot was fictionalized, Tumko Meri Kasam chronicled his remarkable journey against ridicule and naysayers, as his wife Indira Murdia stood rock solid by him. 

The film captured his scientific innovations, personal sacrifices, and offered a moving story of love between him and his terminally ill wife. Ishwak Singh and Adaa Sharma's endearing chemistry will tug at your heartstrings.

Superboys of Malegaon

Set against the backdrop of a small town, this heart warming story is inspired by real events, capturing the spirit of friendship. Based on Faiza Ahmad Khan's acclaimed 2008 documentary, Supermen of Malegaon, and directed by Reema Kagti, the movie follows a group of youngsters who learn that their terminally ill friend dreams of becoming a movie hero. 

The quartet (Adarsh Gourav as Nasir Shaikh, Vineet Kumar Singh as Farogh, Shashank Arora as Shafique, and Muskkaan Jaferi as Shabeena) team up to make his dream a reality. Armed with a handheld camera, they create parodies of Bollywood and international movies that entertain a community engulfed by hardships.

The Delhi Files

Director Vivek Agnihotri concludes his provocative "Files" trilogy with The Delhi Files, exploring one of the most volatile periods in India's pre-independence history - the communal violence that erupted across Bengal in the 1940s. 

The film revisits events like Direct Action Day and the Noakhali riots, shedding light on the brutal realities of the Partition-era atrocities. In doing so, The Delhi Files challenges audiences to confront uncomfortable truths that