'Main Hoon Na' to 'Raazi', Hindi films that explored the India vs Pakistan theme

L-Shah Rukh Khan in Pathaan, R- Alia Bhatt in Raazi

A cricket match between India and Pakistan is always met with extreme enthusiasm. On Saturday, India and Pakistan will be facing each other on the cricket field as part of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. The match will be held at the Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad and will see thousands of people from across the country in attendance.

Not just cricket, but the history of India and Pakistan and the tensions between the two countries has also been used as plot point in several films. As India and Pakistan battle it out on the cricket field today, here's looking at some films that explored the relationship between the two countries and based their films on it.

Pathaan (2023):

Shah Rukh Khan's recent film saw him play a secret agent for the Indian government. Deepika Padukone, meanwhile, played an ISI agent in the film. Together, they try to outsmart John Abraham, who plays a rogue Indian agent on hire by an evil Pakistani general to destroy India.

Ek Tha Tiger (2012):
The crux of this action-packed spy film is the love story between RAW agent Tiger played by Salman Khan and ISI agent Zoya played by Katrina Kaif. The film also delves into the world of intelligence agencies as the cross-border romance unfolds. The third part of the franchise will be released in November this year.

Gadar: Ek Prem Katha (2001)
Sunny Deol and Ameesha Patel-starrer is set against the backdrop of the India-Pakistan partition. It tells the love story of Tara Singh, a Sikh, and Sakina, a Muslim woman from Pakistan. The film takes us through the emotional journey post-partition. Gadar 2 which was released this year was also set against the backdrop of the tension between the two countries.

Border (1997)

JP Dutta's film is one of the biggest and most impactful movies made on the India vs Pakistan war of 1971. The film starring Sunny Deol, Suniel Shetty, and Jackie Shroff is based on the real events of the Battle of Longewala during the 1971 India-Pakistan war.

Raazi (2018)
A spy thriller, Raazi is adapted from the book 'Calling Sehmat' which is in turn based on real-life story. The film stars Alia Bhatt who is sent as a spy to Pakistani and gets married to a Pakistani army officer to keep her cover intact. The film delves into the life of a spy.

Main Hoon Na (2004)

India and Pakistan decide on a prisoner exchange program as a step to de-escalate tension between the country. However, a rogue ex-armyman decides to do stop the project with all his might. Shah Rukh Khan as Major Ram saves the day and the project by stopping the rogue soldier and saving a college full of students and teachers.