Motivational Movies for Students

Cinema while providing the much-needed entertainment to movie buffs can also become a source of inspiration.

All those movie lovers who are looking for some inspiration coming from the central characters of various movies can check out this long list of 40 movies made in Hindi.

Check out these 40 Bollywood movies that can help students tread the path of righteousness alongside prompting them to follow their dreams.

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1. Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar

The protagonist of this 1992 Hindi movie is a poor and happy-go-lucky guy. After a number of twists and turns, the hero begins to understand the very purpose of his life. That is when he trains hard to partake in a prestigious cycle race braving many physical and emotional odds. This movie highlights the power of hard work along with a sense of dedication that can become the pillars of success..

2. Rang De Basanti

The story revolves around a group of 6 Indian friends who team up with an American lady to film a documentary on freedom fighters of India who were driven by strong extremist principles. They begin to unveil the irregularities in the then government and voice their opinion through public demonstrations. Students brimming with a sense of patriotism will find this 2006 Bollywood movie a perfect inspiration.

3. Lagaan

Tagged as a sports-drama, this 2001 Hindi movie showcases the plight of poor villagers who are forced to pay heavy taxes in the British India. In order to save themselves from taxes, the villagers team up against the British for a cricket match.. The outcome shall decide if their fate.

4. Swades: We, the People

Swades, a 2004 flick is one such movie that revolves around the life of a successful Indian scientist. .

The movie is his journey back to the village in which he was brought. It showcases his battle against social irregularities as he tries to power the lives of villagers with basic necessities – food, education and most importantly, Bijli (electricity). Young minds watching this movie will surely be inspired by the noble thoughts of the lead.

5. Mother India

Made in 1957, this is an Indian epic drama of a poor Indian woman who fights all odds to bring up her two sons. The entire movie mirrors the hardships she faces and the exemplary strength she shows.. Students can emulate the emotional tenacity shown by the mother to bring up her children.

6. Airlift (2016)

The 130-minute long movie dramatizes the 1990 historical event of an invasion of Kuwait by Iraq.

The film which has a rating of 8/10 on IMDb was directed by Raja Krishna Menon and features Akshay Kumar and Nimrat Kaur in lead roles. Akshay Kumar acts as Ranjit Katyal, a businessman based in Kuwait, who helps in the evacuation of 170,000 stranded Indians in the Kingdom of Kuwait during the war.

Ranjit, a successful Indian businessman, enjoys good connections with the officials in Baghdad and Kuwait and makes derogatory remarks about Indians.

However, the events that take place following the invasion changes his feelings towards his fellow countrymen.

Instead of leaving Kuwait with his wife and daughter, he stays back and helps other Indians leave the country. The movie helps students develop deep love and regard for their motherland.

7. Chak De! India

The movie takes us on a life journey of a hockey coach who is considered a failure owing to a loss in an important tournament. The movie is about how he builds a women team capable of competing at the international level and cleans his tainted reputation. A lesson about tolerance and team spirit can attract the attention of students.

8. Mary Kom

This biopic released in 2014 with her name, India recognized the talent and commitment of Mary Kom. She became an overnight sensation and inspiration to both girls and boys to practice boxing when she bagged the world championship for boxing. Students will be inspired to learn from her unfaltering sense of commitment and never-say-die attitude.

9. Taare Zameen ParThe movie showcases a rollercoaster of a life of a dyslexic student named Ishaan. He is bashed left, right and center for his inability to cope up with basic education until there comes a benefactor who understands his struggles and helps him overcome them. Students who watch this movie will learn to empathize and help others with special abilities.

10. Brothers (2015)

Brothers, which can be classified as a sports drama movie, was produced by Dharma Productions and directed by Karan Malhotra.

The film, a remake of Warrior, an American movie made in 2011, showcases Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).

The lead roles are handled by Sidharth Malhotra and Akshay Kumar. They are ably supported by Jackie Shroff, Jacqueline Fernandez, and Shefali Shah.

David (Akshay Kumar) and Monty (Sidharth Malhotra) are half-brothers and the former holds Mony and his father responsible for his mother’s death.

David works as a physics teacher but involves in street fights to earn money for his daughter’s kidney ailment. David loses his job and becomes a full-time fighter.

Meanwhile, Monty also takes up street fighting as a profession. Both enroll themselves for a tournament and reach the finals. Monty loses and is injured. David feels sorry and starts taking care of his brother. The film teaches children to love their siblings

11. 3 Idiots

Don’t aim for success, instead chase excellence. This is a special message from this 2009 Hindi movie revolving around the life of engineering students. Learning with a sense of purpose and not just to ace in examinations is a key takeaway for students. This worldly wisdom coupled with comedy makes 3 Idiots a learning-entertainer for students.

12. Guru

Partially portraying the life of Dhirubhai Ambani the famous businessman who typified the ‘rags to riches’ tag, Guru is a 2007 biographical movie. The movie portrays  an ambitious small-town guy who dreams of making it big in trade, by hook or crook.. Guru is a big lesson to students who can learn the traits of leadership. It also impresses upon them that they should not fall prey to unlawful means.

13. Ferrari Ki Sawaari (2012)

Ferrari Ki Sawaari (A drive on a Ferrari) is a sports drama film starring Sharman Joshi, Ritvik Sahore, and Boman Irani in lead roles.

While Kayo (Ritvik Sahore) is always thinking about playing cricket, Rusy (Sharman Joshi), his father, thinks only about him.

Kayo’s school plans to send students to London for a cricket camp at Lord’s Cricket Ground. This excites him because he would get a chance to meet Sachin Tendulkar, his idol. However, the problem is the paucity of funds.

So, the upright and honest employee steals Sachin’s red Ferrari to help his son achieve his dream. He is faced with several stumbling blocks along the way. The film impresses upon the students that it is not a crime to dream big and if the goal is clear God will carve a path.

14. Udaan


Udaan is a Hindi film released in 2010 picturing the relationship between a teenage boy and his rude father. It is through this film that the director of the movie impresses upon parents to extend a freehand to their kids to choose their careers.

15. I Am Kalam (2011)

The movie has an IMDb rating of 8.0 and it tells the story of a poor boy who is inspired by Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam, the former President of India.

The protagonist Chotu (Harsh Mayar) changes his name as Kalam and dreams of meeting the visionary one day. The movie, which was screened at the Cannes Film Festival and in many other film festivals, has bagged many honours and awards.

It is a must-watch film as far as students are concerned because it teaches them that they need to be inspired by visionaries in order to succeed in life.

16. Rocket Singh – Salesman of the Year


Students aspiring to make a mark for themselves in the sphere of sales can learn a great deal from this 2009 Hindi comedy-drama flick. The protagonist of this movie is projected as an average student who leads a principled life high on work ethics. After getting placed as a salesman, he is disillusioned with the cut-throat market competition coupled with the power politics played by some bigwigs.. Through this flick, students can imbibe the traits of hard work and honesty as the virtues of a professional salesman.

17. English Vinglish

English Vinglish is a beautiful take on the numerous ways in which people of all ages can better their lives. Released in 2012, this Bollywood film unveils a number of life’s lessons that are relevant to the present times and everyone as well. The self-confident female lead impresses upon everyone to start loving themselves to transform all the mundane things of life into fresh and beautiful experiences. Students who watch this flick will learn an important lesson that it is never too late to start something afresh. It also inspires them to move out of their comfort zone to experience life and success.

18. Nayak – The Real Hero

Tagged as a political thriller that drew a number of cine-goers to theaters, Nayak is a 2001 Hindi film that vividly mirrors the flaws of modern democracy. The hero of the movie is a commoner who eventually takes on the role of a Chief Minister for just one day. Given the 24 hour deadline before which he is ordained to fix all the problems faced by the people of his state, this movie can inspire students. They can be motivated to become instruments of change. Students can take the cue that it is only through diligent acts that societal vices can be eradicated.

19. My Name Is Khan (2010)

Hindi-language drama movie My Name Is Khan stars Kajol and Shah Rukh Khan in lead roles.

Rizwan (Shahrukh Khan), brother Zakir (Arnav Chhapwale), and their mother (Zarina Wahab) live in Borivali, Mumbai.

Though Rizwan suffers from Asperger’s syndrome, he has a special ability in repairing things. Zakir who migrates to the United States requests Rizwan to come to San Francisco and live with after their mother’s death.

Rizwan meets Mandira (Kajol) who has a son from her previous marriage.

They marry against the resentment of their brother and settle down in Banville. September 11 twin tower attacks disrupt their life in a big way.

Sameer dies following a racially motivated schoolyard. Mandira thinks that Sameer died because he had Khan in his name and tells Rizwan that she cannot live with him any longer.

Rizwan travels from one state to another to change the perception of people about his community. The moral of the story is that it is not right to perceive all Muslims as terrorists.

20. Wake Up Sid

This 2009 comedy drama can surely be an eye-opener to the entire student fraternity which at times gets caught in laziness and indecisiveness.

The hero who is a happy-go-lucky guy is aimless with a strong passion for photography. It is only when he meets a girl that he starts to think about his life and his aspirations.

He becomes a noted magazine photographer while experiencing the true joy of standing on his own feet without any financial support coming from his wealthy father.

This movie is indeed a wakeup call for all the students to pursue their dreams, overcoming all the obstacles that come their way.

21. Queen

A yet-another woman-centric movie that shows the present generation to stand for themselves is Queen, a 2014 Bollywood film. Through this movie, the female lead showcases the power of humor in one’s life. It teaches everyone to wear a smile on their faces despite what life throws at them. It can also teach students to lead a confident life while making room for some adventure to explore life’s gifts to their fullest. Students who will thoroughly enjoy this movie will learn how to develop a positive frame of mind so as to lead a carefree and happy life.

22. Border

Students who are passionate about serving the country can derive a lot of inspiration from this Bollywood war movie aptly titled Border. Released in 1997, this movie to this very day, portrays the ill-effects of wars which result in colossal human casualties and economic disruption. Students will learn that wars can never pave the way for peace between the countries using military and ammunition power. This movie sets the stage to stop glorifying wars and harps on the importance of maintaining healthy relations with our geographical neighbors. Students can learn the art of compassion and universal brotherhood from this movie.

23. Gour Hari Dastaan: The Freedom File (2015)

The IMDb 7.5 rated biographical film portrays the struggles of Gour Hari Das, a freedom fighter who hails from Odisha.

The star cast includes Vinay Pathak, Ranvir Shorey, Konkona Sen Sharma, and Tannishtha Chatterjee. Gour Hari Das had to literally fight a 32-year long battle against the government in order to prove his patriotism.

He fought for getting a certificate that recognized his work as that of a freedom fighter.

He received the certificate at the age of 84. His fight teaches children that in life they should never give up on their dreams and quit.

24. BhaagMilkhaBhaag

As a tribute to an exemplary national running champion Milkha Singh, this movie, released in 2013 won the hearts of all the cine-goers as a perfect inspiration to achievement. Students will be drawn to pursue their dreams. They will understand the importance of perseverance in reaching their goal to tread the path of success.

25. Neerja


A yet another inspirational movie that teaches students some life’s lessons is Neerja, a 2016 Bollywood flick.

This movie is about a young and cheerful airhostess who sacrifices her life to save all the passengers onboard a hijacked flight.

She while showing utmost loyalty towards her profession, lives by the life’s principle of gender equality.

Students can emulate the strong sense of purpose the protagonist has towards her job. They can also learn compassion from her when she puts her life ahead of national or religious disparities.

26. Super 30

Super 30 (2019) is a biographical drama about a mathematician who helps underprivileged students prepare for the entrance exam of India’s most prestigious engineering college. This movie inspires students to never give up on their dreams, no matter how challenging the circumstances may be.

27. Chhichhore

Chhichhore is a comedy-drama about a group of college friends who reunite after many years to relive their memories and support a friend’s son who is struggling with academic pressure. It teaches students to enjoy college life, value friendships, and prioritize mental health.

28. Dangal

Dangal is a 2016-movie about a father who trains his daughters to become world-class wrestlers and represent India at the Olympics. This movie inspires students to break gender stereotypes, pursue their passions, and work hard to achieve their goals.

29. Sultan

Sultan is another sports drama about a wrestler who overcomes personal and professional challenges to win the championship and make a comeback. This movie motivates students to never give up on their dreams even when the odds are against them.

30. Pad Man

Pad Man is a biographical drama about a man who invents a low-cost sanitary pad-making machine to improve menstrual hygiene in rural India. Students learn lessons of importance of innovation, empathy and social entrepreneurship in this movie.

31. The Sky is Pink

Though not academically inspiring, The Sky is Pink is a biographical drama that gives you life lessons. The movie is about a family’s journey of coping with their daughter’s terminal illness. It teaches students the importance of family, love, and cherishing life’s moments.

32. Barfi!

Barfi! is a romantic comedy-drama about a deaf and mute man who falls in love with an autistic woman. The movie teaches students to look beyond disabilities and see the person for who they are.

33. Manjhi: The Mountain Man

Manjhi: The Mountain Man is a biographical drama about a man who carves a path through a mountain to connect his village to the nearest town. This movie motivates students to think outside the box, take initiative, and work towards the betterment of their community.

34. Iqbal

Iqbal is a sports drama about a deaf and mute boy who dreams of becoming a cricketer and overcomes social and personal challenges to achieve his goal. Students learn to pursue their passion despite their limitations and to be determined to succeed in this movie.

35. Gully Boy

Gully Boy is a 2019 musical drama about a boy from a slum who dreams of becoming a rapper and overcomes societal and personal challenges to achieve his goal. This movie teaches students lessons on importance of self-expression, creativity, and perseverance.

36. Stanley ka Dabba

Stanley Ka Dabba is a heart-warming movie that tells the daily struggles of a young boy named Stanley at school, where he is constantly bullied by his classmates for not bringing a lunch box and how his determination and creativity helped him overcome the difficulties he faced in school. It is a must-watch movie for students who need a dose of motivation and inspiration to stay focused on their goals.

37. Dear Zindagi

Dear Zindagi is a coming-of-age drama about a young woman who seeks the help of a therapist to overcome her personal and professional struggles. This movie teaches students the importance of mental health, self-reflection, and finding balance in life.

38. Chhapaak

Chhapaak is a biographical drama about a young woman who becomes an acid attack survivor and fights for justice and awareness. This movie motivates students to fight against injustice, support survivors and to stand up for their rights.

39. Lakshya (2004)

Lakshya is a coming-of-age drama about a lazy and aimless young man who joins the army and finds purpose in life. This movie motivates students to find their passion, work hard and take responsibility for their own lives.

40. Hawaa Hawaai

Hawaa Hawaai is a motivational movie that tells the story of a young boy named Arjun who aspires to become a roller skater. The film highlights the importance of hard work, determination and perseverance in achieving one’s dreams. It inspires students to chase their dreams and overcome their obstacles with the right mindset and attitude.

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Conclusion

The above-mentioned motivational Hindi movies for students are a mix of genres that inspire, motivate, and educate them about life’s important lessons. These movies not only entertain but also leave a lasting impact on students’ minds and encourage them to be better versions of themselves. Whether its overcoming obstacles, following their dreams, or standing up for their beliefs, these movies have something for every student to relate to and learn from.

Also Read : 45 Famous Quotes On Teachers

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