Entertainment / Wed, 22 Jul 2026 News18

From Raanjhanaa, Yuva To Haasil, 7 Bollywood Movies That Explored Student Politics

Last Updated: July 22, 2026, 13:03 IST1 / 7 Raanjhanaa (2013): While starting as a small-town romance, the second half transforms into a political drama set in Delhi's JNU-inspired campus culture, following a student-led political party that launches massive street protests and hunger strikes against government corruption. ADVERTISEMENT3 / 7 Gulaal (2009): Anurag Kashyap’s gritty drama is set in Rajasthan and explores a murky world of campus elections, student union politics, and a violent separatist movement. 4 / 7 Rang De Basanti (2006): The most iconic modern film on the subject. ADVERTISEMENT5 / 7 Hazaaron Khwahishein Aisi (2005): Set in the 1970s, this Sudhir Mishra film explores the turbulent lives and political ideologies of three college students during the Indian Emergency. 6 / 7 Yuva (2004): Directed by Mani Ratnam, this film weaves together the lives of three young men from different backgrounds, focusing heavily on a St. Stephen's-esque student union leader who enters mainstream politics to clean up the system.

Last Updated: July 22, 2026, 13:03 IST

1 / 7 Raanjhanaa (2013): While starting as a small-town romance, the second half transforms into a political drama set in Delhi's JNU-inspired campus culture, following a student-led political party that launches massive street protests and hunger strikes against government corruption.

2 / 7 Aarakshan (2011): Prakash Jha’s socio-political drama tackles India's fiery caste-based reservation debate and the commercialisation of education, showing how a Supreme Court ruling ignites violent clashes between pro- and anti-quota student factions that tear a college campus apart.

3 / 7 Gulaal (2009): Anurag Kashyap’s gritty drama is set in Rajasthan and explores a murky world of campus elections, student union politics, and a violent separatist movement.

4 / 7 Rang De Basanti (2006): The most iconic modern film on the subject. It follows a group of carefree university friends who transform into anti-establishment rebels after their friend, a fighter pilot, dies due to government corruption and a faulty MiG aircraft.

5 / 7 Hazaaron Khwahishein Aisi (2005): Set in the 1970s, this Sudhir Mishra film explores the turbulent lives and political ideologies of three college students during the Indian Emergency.

6 / 7 Yuva (2004): Directed by Mani Ratnam, this film weaves together the lives of three young men from different backgrounds, focusing heavily on a St. Stephen's-esque student union leader who enters mainstream politics to clean up the system.