The Indian Independence Day also called as Swantrata Divas in Hindi is celebrated on 15th August of every year. The day is national holiday and is celebrated in whole of India. The day is celebrated because on this day in 1947, India got its Independence from the Britishers and originated as a sovereign nation. The national flag is hoist on this day and the celebrations are at their extreme in Delhi where the Prime Minister of India raises the Indian Flag at the Red Fort and delivers a speech to the people of India. Jawahar Lal Nehru was the first Indian Prime Minister to hoist the national flag at the Red Fort after after he was sworned as the PM by Lord Mountbatten.

Independence Day holds a lot of significance to not only the people of India but also to the Indian Film Industry. We have witnessed a lot of Bollywood movies with their theme based on patriotism. From oldies like Kranti, Karma to the new movies like Veer Zaara, Pardes, Swades and Rang De Basanti, Bollywood has produced several patriotic movies from time to time. The contribution of Bollywood is really great and we can expect more patriotic songs over the years. The significance of Bollywood can be seen from the fact that the song “Kar Chaley hum Fida jaan-o-tan Saathiyon” can be heard anywhere on this day.

Popular Independence Day songs are:
1.    Vande Mataram! Sujalam, suphalam, malayaja shitalam, Shasyashyamalam, Mataram
2.    Kar Chaley hum Fida jaan-o-tan Saathiyon, Ab tumhaarey hawaaley watan saathiyon
3.    Aye watan aye watan humko teri kasam, Teri raahon mein jaan tak luta jaaayenge
4.    Har Karam Apna Karenge Aye Watan Tere Liye, Dil Diya Hai Jaan Bhi Denge Aye Watan Tere Liye
5.    Ahsaas Thoda to Jagaaye Apne Dilon Mein Hum…Vande Mataram, Kya Naam Hai Apna Jahaan Mein, Khade Hain Kahaan Pe hum… Vande Mataram
6.    Jahaan Daal Daal Par Sone ki Chidiya karti hai basera, Woh Bharat Desh hai Mera
7.    Maa Tujhe Salaam…. Vande Mataram
8.    Apni Azaadi ko hum hargiz mita saktey naheen, sar kata saktey hain lekin,sar jhuka saktey naheen
9.    Hum Laaye Hain Toofan se Kashti Nikaal ke, Iss Desh ko Rakhna Mere Bachchon sambhal ke
10.    Aye mere Pyaare watan, Aye merey bichde chaman, Tujh pe dil qurban..
11.    Saare Jahaan Se Achcha Hindustan Hamaara, Hum bulbule hain iske, Yeh Gulsita Hamaara Hamaara
12.    Hai preet jahaan ki reet sadaa, main geet wahaan ke gaata hoon, Bharat ka rehnewala hoon, bharat ki baat sunata hoon
13.    Bharat humko jaan se pyara hai
14.    Dharti Sunehri Ambar Neela, Har Mausam Rangeela, Aisa Des Hai Mera
15.    I Love My India
16.    Rang De Basanti
17.    Des mere des mere meri jaan hai tu
18.    Mera rang de basanti

Bollywood has always given us that patriotic feeling which is lacking from today’s youths. These patriotic songs not only help us to remember those brave soldiers who died while fighting for us but also pay tribute to the ‘Shaheeds’. Independence Day is a day of pride for every individual and we can make this day of National importance more memorable with these songs.  Thus we should thank Bollywood for producing songs like these.