The Homegrown Watchlist: 6 Indian Films About Student Politics, Protest, & Youth Resistance

From the idealism of revolution to the murky realities of power, Indian cinema has often used the university campus as a microcosm of the country’s larger political anxieties. Student movements have historically been spaces where questions of caste, class, identity, nationalism, corruption and social justice collide — where young people test the limits of the world they have inherited and imagine the futures they want to build. From the revolutionary fervour of ‘Rang De Basanti’ to the Machiavellian power struggles of ‘Haasil’ and ‘Gulaal’, these six films explore the many contradictions of youth politics in India. They capture moments when political awakening can become both a force for change and a slippery slope towards disillusionment. As student protests and youth-led movements continue to shape public discourse, revisit these films that examine the anger, ambition, idealism and uncertainty of a generation finding its voice.

Set during the turbulent political landscape of 1970s India, Sudhir Mishra’s ‘Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi’ follows three young people whose lives become intertwined amid personal desires and ideological conflicts. Vikram, an ambitious and privileged young man, dreams of wealth and influence, while Siddharth, an idealistic revolutionary, dedicates himself to the Naxalite movement. Their shared love for Geeta, an independent and emotionally conflicted woman from a privileged background, complicates their relationships and choices. As India undergoes political upheaval, the trio’s dreams collide with the harsh realities of class, privilege and social change. The film traces the disillusionment of a generation that sought to transform society but struggled with personal compromises, exploring love, politics, rebellion and the erosion of youthful idealism. Watch the film here.

Tigmanshu Dhulia’s ‘Haasil’ is a political drama set in the volatile world of student politics at Allahabad University. The film follows Aniruddh (Jimmy Shergill), a politically inexperienced university student, who falls in love with his classmate, Niharika. Their relationship is caught in the crossfire of the violent campus politics between two student groups led by Gauri Shankar Pandey (Ashutosh Rana) and Ranvijay Singh (Irrfan Khan). Aniruddh, initially a law-abiding student, becomes entangled with the volatile Ranvijay, who uses their friendship to pursue Niharika. The rivalry and betrayal escalate into a series of tragic events that force Aniruddh to confront the dark underbelly of power, crime, and love. Irrfan Khan received a Filmfare Award for Best Actor in a Negative Role for the film.

Mani Ratnam’s ‘Yuva’ weaves together the lives of three young men in Kolkata whose paths cross through a violent incident that changes their futures. Michael, a politically motivated student leader, Lallan, a volatile and impoverished criminal, and Arjun, a carefree young man searching for purpose, represent different experiences of urban youth. Their stories unfold across different timelines as their ambitions, relationships and personal struggles intersect. While Michael dreams of changing society through political action, Lallan is trapped in cycles of violence and exploitation, and Arjun gradually discovers a sense of responsibility. Through their intertwined journeys, the film explores corruption, student politics, social inequality and the choices that define adulthood in a fast changing India.

The recent CJP protests saw the first sparks of a revival of the early 2000s era of progressive, liberal politics through the widespread use of A.R. Rahman’s songs from Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s ‘Rang De Basanti’ (2006) in protest sites and marches across the country.

The film follows a group of Delhi university students whose lives are transformed when they participate in a documentary about Indian revolutionaries. Initially disconnected from politics and history, DJ, Karan, Aslam, and Sukhi begin to identify with the idealism and sacrifices of Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, and their comrades. When a personal tragedy exposes government corruption and institutional apathy, the friends are pushed into confronting the realities of contemporary India. Inspired by the revolutionaries they portray in the documentary, the group launches an agitation against the system, forcing a nation to question its own complacency. The film explores youth activism, patriotism, disillusionment and the tension between memory, rebellion and responsibility. ‘Rang De Basanti’ is currently streaming on JioHotstar.

Anurag Kashyap’s passion project ‘Gulaal’ (2009) captures the dark side of student politics set against the backdrop of college elections, caste politics, and separatist movements in a fictional town in Rajasthan.

The film follows Dilip Singh, a naïve law student who finds himself at the centre of a Machiavellian power struggle. Drawn into a world of violence, ideology and ambition, Dilip encounters charismatic but ruthless leaders who use historical grievances and regional identity politics to pursue their own agendas. As he becomes more entangled in the movement, Dilip discovers the consequences of political extremism and unchecked personal ambition. Blending Shakespearean tragedy with social commentary on youth politics in India, ‘Gulaal’ examines, masculinity, ethnonationalism, and the seductive nature of revolutionary rhetoric.

Prakash Jha’s ‘Aarakshan’ explores the contentious debate around caste-based reservations in Indian education and employment. Set against the backdrop of a prestigious college in Bhopal, the film follows Dr. Prabhakar Anand, an idealistic principal who believes in equality and education as a means of social upliftment. When government-mandated reservation policies create tensions among students, faculty and administrators, the institution becomes divided along social and ideological lines. Dr. Anand faces opposition from both privileged groups resisting change and powerful individuals seeking personal gain. Through the experiences of teachers, students and administrators, the film examines caste discrimination, meritocracy, privilege and the complexities surrounding affirmative action. It presents a broader conversation about access, opportunity and social justice in contemporary India. Watch the film here.

Here’s more from Homegrown:

Sonam Wangchuk, Ken-Betwa, & The Unequal Politics Of Protest & Solidarity In India

Dahaad’s Nuanced Portrayal Of Casteism and Patriarchy Goes Where Few Web Series Dare

The Privilege Of Ignorance: Whether We Like It Or Not, We’re All Responsible For Casteism