The best Indian biopics include Paan Singh Tomar, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, Dangal, Neerja, Sardar Udham and 12th Fail. These Hindi films tell the true stories of athletes, soldiers, freedom fighters and ordinary people who beat the odds. Here are 8 of the best, with the cast, the real person behind each story and where to stream them in India.
A good biopic does more than list achievements. The films below show the struggle, the setbacks and the personal cost behind each success. Streaming details are based on JustWatch India listings checked in October 2026. Availability can change, so check the app before you start.
1. Paan Singh Tomar (2012)
Irrfan Khan plays Paan Singh Tomar, an Indian Army soldier who won the national steeplechase title seven years in a row. After a land dispute and a system that failed him, he turned to the ravines of Chambal and became a dacoit. Tigmanshu Dhulia directed the film.
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It won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film, and Irrfan won Best Actor. The film first premiered at the London Film Festival in 2010 before its Indian release. Where to watch: JioHotstar.
2. Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013)
Farhan Akhtar plays Milkha Singh, the sprinter known as the Flying Sikh, in this film by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra. Prasoon Joshi wrote the screenplay. The story moves between Milkha’s childhood during Partition and his years as an athlete.
The film won the National Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video.
3. Dangal (2016)
Nitesh Tiwari’s film tells the story of wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat, played by Aamir Khan, who trains his daughters Geeta and Babita to become world-class wrestlers. Fatima Sana Shaikh and Sanya Malhotra play the adult sisters, while Zaira Wasim and Suhani Bhatnagar play their younger selves.
Dangal is widely reported as the highest-grossing Indian film worldwide. Zaira Wasim won the National Award for Best Supporting Actress. Where to watch: Netflix, and free with ads on JioHotstar.
4. Neerja (2016)
Sonam Kapoor plays Neerja Bhanot, the senior flight purser who helped passengers during the hijacking of Pan Am Flight 73 in Karachi in September 1986. Ram Madhvani directed the film, which also shows Neerja’s life at home with her family.
It won the National Award for Best Hindi Film, and Sonam received a Special Mention. Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video.
5. M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story (2016)
Sushant Singh Rajput plays the former India captain in Neeraj Pandey’s film, which follows Dhoni from his school days in Ranchi to the 2011 World Cup win. Disha Patani, Kiara Advani, Anupam Kher and Bhumika Chawla are part of the cast.
The film earned about Rs 216 crore worldwide, according to Wikipedia’s box office estimates. Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, and free with ads on JioHotstar.
6. Sardar Udham (2021)
Vicky Kaushal plays Udham Singh, the revolutionary who shot Michael O’Dwyer in London to avenge the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Shoojit Sircar directed the film, which released directly on Amazon Prime Video in October 2021.
The film won five National Film Awards, including Best Hindi Film. Its long recreation of the massacre is hard to watch, but it is the emotional core of the film. Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video.
7. Shershaah (2021)
Sidharth Malhotra plays Captain Vikram Batra, who was killed in action in the Kargil War. He also plays Vikram’s twin brother, Vishal. Kiara Advani plays Dimple Cheema. The film marked director Vishnuvardhan’s Hindi debut and was produced by Dharma Productions.
It premiered on Amazon Prime Video on 12 August 2021 and won the Special Jury Award at the 69th National Film Awards. Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video.
8. 12th Fail (2023)
Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s film is based on Anurag Pathak’s book about Manoj Kumar Sharma, who failed Class 12 and went on to become an IPS officer. Vikrant Massey plays Manoj, and the film follows his years of preparing for the UPSC exam in Delhi.
It won Best Film at the 69th Filmfare Awards and the National Award for Best Feature Film. Vikrant Massey won the National Award for Best Actor. Where to watch: JioHotstar.
How we picked these biopics
We chose Hindi films based on real people, with strong performances and lasting appeal. The list covers sport, the armed forces, the freedom struggle and education, so there is something for most viewers. For more film lists, visit our Listicles section, and for reviews of new releases, see our Reviews page.
If you are new to the genre, start with Bhaag Milkha Bhaag or Dangal, which are easy to follow and suit a family watch. Move on to Paan Singh Tomar and Sardar Udham when you want something slower and more serious.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best Indian biopic?
Paan Singh Tomar, Dangal and 12th Fail are among the most acclaimed. All three won major National Film Awards.
Which Indian biopics are on Amazon Prime Video?
From this list, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, Neerja, M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story, Sardar Udham and Shershaah stream on Amazon Prime Video in India as of October 2026.
Is 12th Fail a true story?
Yes. It is based on the life of IPS officer Manoj Kumar Sharma and on Anurag Pathak’s 2019 book about him.
Which Indian biopic earned the most at the box office?
Dangal is widely reported as the highest-grossing Indian film worldwide, which also makes it the top-earning biopic.
Sources: Film details from Wikipedia: Paan Singh Tomar, Wikipedia: Dangal, Wikipedia: Sardar Udham and Wikipedia: 12th Fail. Streaming availability from JustWatch India.
