Whilst many British and Hollywood  films have glossed over the actions of the empire in India for many years, a renewed sense to re-tell the story of Indians is taking place.

Unlike the period dramas on British television that for many years looked to portray a seemingly idyllic life for those under the guardianship of their white masters, Indian cinema is looking to re-shape that perception to a world-wide audience.

In the upcoming Manikarnika – The Queen Of Jhansi, Kangana Ranaut is Rani Laxmibai who leads a brutal fight against the British East India Company.

In November 2018, Thugs of Hindostan starring Aamir Khan and Amitabh Bachchan told the story of the late 18th century uprising in an Indian kingdom. The much-maligned East India Company is challenged by a misfit and a rag tag army of freedom fighters.

The Legend of Bhagat Singh stars Ajay Devgn. Singh was born in British India in 1907 and as a child witnesses numerous atrocities committed on his fellow countrymen by the British.

Shaheed in 1965 is also based on the life of Bhagat Singh and stars Manoj Kumar and Prem Chopra. It was one of the first movies to take a deeper look at the actions of the British.

Karnti takes place in the 19th Century British India and is the story of the fight for independence from the British between 1825 and 1875.  It stars Bollywood heavyweight Dilip Kumar alongside Manoj Kumar and Shashi Kapoor.

In 2005 Aamir Khan is Mangal Pandey, an Indian soldier who helped to spark the Indian rebellion of 1857. This turned out to be the fourth highest-grossing film of that year. 

In the 2001 Lagaan, Aamir Khan is again at the helm of this Oscar nominated feature which pits a bunch of villagers against their local English Army governors in a cricket match.