5 Bollywood Films On Chambal Outlaws That Taught Us More About Dacoits

From Sholay to Sonchiriya, dakus of the Chambal valley have inspired several films in Bollywood. Take a look at five such stories from the ravines.

1. Sholay

A scene from Sholay
(Source: Twitter)

The ravines of Chambal have long served as the inspiration for several Bollywood blockbusters. Dating back to the iconic cult film Sholay to Abhishek Chaubey‘s recent outing Sonchiriya, the valleys have spoken of countless tales. With the world digital premiere of Sonchiriya, we take a look at other movies that defined a dacoit for us.

Starring Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Hema Malini, Jaya Bhaduri, Sanjeev Kumar and of course, the famous reel dacoit Amjad Khan, the 1975 film is a bundle of entertainment. Amjad played Gabbar Singh, a character which has attained the status of the screen legend. His terror translated far and beyond the terrains of Ramgarh.

2. Bandit Queen

Bandit Queen poster
(Source: Twitter)

Based on the life of Indian dacoit and former Member of Parliament Phoolan Devi, the 1994 film Bandit Queen starred Seema Biswas in the titular lead. The movie was directed by Shekhar Kapur.

3. Dharam Sankat

Dharam Sankat poster
(Source: ZEE5)

Dharam Sankat stars Vinod Khanna, Amrita Singh and Amrish Puri in the lead. The 1991 film traces the story of two brothers Birju and Gopal after a dacoit kills the latter’s mother. Years later, the brothers find themselves at loggerheads as one becomes a dacoit and other a cop.

4. Paan Singh Tomar

Paan Singh Tomar poster
(Source: Twitter)

Irrfan Khan-starrer Paan Singh Tomar draws inspiration from the life of the soldier and athlete-turned-dacoit Paan Singh Tomar. The biopic narrates the life of the bandit who was killed in a police encounter in 1981.

5. Sonchiriya

Poster of Sonchiriya movie
(Source: Twitter)

2019 film Sonchiriya narrates a different side of Chambal. The storyline follows the journey of a gang of dreaded dacoits struggling to make meets end and thereafter split after their leader’s death. This unique Chambal story features Sushant Singh Rajput, Bhumi Pednekar, Manoj Bajpayee, Ranvir Shorey and Ashutosh Rana.

In case you missed watching the film, Sonchiriya is now streaming on ZEE5. Watch is anytime, anywhere!