Best Hindi Films to Watch on Ambedkar Jayanti That Highlight Caste Discrimination and Struggles

Aakrosh (1980)

Where to watch: YouTube (Free with ads)

About movie:

Directed by Govind Nihalani, Aakrosh deals with the theme of caste-based oppression in rural India. The film follows a police officer who investigates the mysterious deaths of two men from a lower caste. It exposes the brutal caste practices and the systemic oppression faced by the Dalit community. Aakrosh is considered a landmark film for its bold portrayal of social injustice.

Cast: Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri, Smita Patil, Amrish Puri, Sushil Rathi

Fandry (2013)

Where to watch: Zee5 (with Hindi subtitles)

About movie:

A poignant story of a Dalit boy who falls in love with a girl from an upper-caste family, the film shows the challenges faced by him due to caste prejudice. Fandry gives us a heartbreaking look into the lives of those who dream for a better future but face societal barriers because of their caste.

Cast:  Shubham More, Rajeshwari Kharat, Anjali Patil, Kishore Kadam, Arun Nalawade

Article 15 (2019)

Where to watch: Netflix

About movie:

This gripping thriller follows a police officer investigating the mysterious deaths of two Dalit girls. The film is based on real events and highlights caste-based violence and systemic injustice. It draws its title from Article 15 of the Indian Constitution, which prohibits discrimination based on caste, religion, or gender.

Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Anubhav Sinha

Jai Bhim (2021)

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video (Hindi dubbed available)

About movie:

Inspired by a true incident, this movie tells the story of a tribal man who is wrongfully arrested and tortured. A lawyer, played by Suriya, fights for justice for the man and his community. It explores caste-based injustice and police brutality against the marginalized sections of society.

Cast: Suriya, Prakash Raj, Ramesh, Rajisha Vijayan, Manikandan and Lijo mol Jose 

Dhadak (2018)

Where to watch: Zee5 

About movie:

Dhadak is a Hindi remake of the Marathi film Sairat. It tells the love story of a Dalit boy and an upper-caste girl, highlighting caste-based discrimination in rural India. Their love affair faces strong opposition from their families, leading to tragic consequences. The film sheds light on caste-based honor killings and the rigid social divisions that still exist in Indian society.

Cast: Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khattar, Ashutosh Rana, Aditya Kumar

Karnan (2021)

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video (Hindi dubbed available)

About movie:

Karnan is about a young man from a marginalized community who stands up against the oppression of his people by upper-caste individuals. It explores themes of justice, revenge, and the fight for dignity in the face of unrelenting casteism.

Cast: Dhanush, Lal, Rajisha Vijayan, Yogi Babu, Nataraja Subramanian 

Vedaa (2024)

Where to watch: ZEE5

About movie:

Vedaa is an action drama follows Vedaa Berwa, a Dalit law student in Rajasthan, who faces caste-based discrimination and becomes a powerful voice for her community. The film tackles the struggles of the Dalit community and their fight for justice and equality.

Cast: John Abraham, Sharvari Wagh, Abhishek Bannerjee, Tamannaah Bhatia

Santosh (2024)

Where to watch: Not available in India due to censorship, released internationally.

About movie:

"Santosh" is a gripping story of a Dalit woman who becomes a police officer and investigates a murder. The film addresses caste-based discrimination, police corruption, and gender bias. Despite facing bans in India, the film has been internationally acclaimed for its strong social commentary.

Cast: 

Shahana Goswami, Sunita Rajwar, Sanjay Bishnoi, Kushal Dubey, Nawal Shukla, Pratibha Awasthi 

Phule (2025)

Where to watch: Theatrical release on April 25, 2025

About movie:

Phule is a biographical film that chronicles the lives of social reformers Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule. The film portrays their struggles against caste-based discrimination and their fight for the education of girls and the empowerment of the lower-caste community. It celebrates their courage in reforming Indian society.?

Cast: Pratik Gandhi, Patralekhaa