With World AIDS Day approaching, it’s an apt moment to reflect on films that have captured the history of the HIV/AIDS epidemic over the years. Portraying the lives of those affected by HIV/AIDS while avoiding a preachy tone is a challenging feat that only a few filmmakers have successfully achieved. In honour of World AIDS Day, here’s a look at five films that have addressed the subject with remarkable sensitivity and set new standards in storytelling.
‘Phir Milenge’
Inspired by Ron Nyswaner’s 1993 classic ‘Philadelphia,’ Revathy made a powerful tale of resilience and the fight for justice in this critically acclaimed film. Shilpa Shetty stars as Tamanna Sahni, a creative head at an advertising agency whose life changes after a brief encounter with her former college flame, Rohit (played by Salman Khan), at a reunion.
Their rekindled connection leads to intimacy, but they part ways soon after. Tamanna later discovers she is HIV-positive, a revelation that turns her world upside down. Facing workplace discrimination and losing her job, she decides to fight back legally. With the help of lawyer Tarun Anand (Abhishek Bachchan), she wins her case, reclaiming her dignity and paving the way for a fresh start. Empowered by her victory, Tamanna launches a successful business.
The film, which carries an IMDb rating of 6.1, is available for streaming on Amazon Prime.
‘AIDS Jaago’
Four renowned directors, Mira Nair, Santosh Sivan, Vishal Bhardwaj, and Farhan Akhtar joined forces to create an anthology of short films aimed at raising awareness about HIV/AIDS.
Santosh Sivan’s ‘Prarambha’ tells the story of Puttaswamy (Prabhu Deva), a truck driver who fights for the rights of an HIV-positive child. Mira Nair’s ‘Migration’ explores the struggles of a closeted gay man (Shiney Ahuja) leading a secret life, hidden from his wife. In ‘Positive,’ Farhan Akhtar portrays the emotional journey of Abhijit (Arjun Mathur), a young boy who learns that his father (Boman Irani) has HIV, and the family comes together to support him in his final days. Finally, Vishal Bhardwaj’s ‘Blood Brothers’ follows Arjun Dutt (Siddharth), whose life is turned upside down after being wrongly diagnosed with HIV.
These powerful, thought-provoking films capture different aspects of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and its emotional impact on individuals and families.
‘Aashayein’
Nagesh Kukunoor’s poignant drama follows the life of Rahul (John Abraham), a compulsive gambler whose world is turned upside down when he is diagnosed with cancer. He is admitted to a rehabilitation centre for those with incurable diseases, where he meets Madhu (Farida Jalal), a former sex worker living with AIDS. Madhu is wise, compassionate, and seeks nothing but respect from society. As Rahul bonds with Madhu and the other residents of the centre, the film explores themes of acceptance, human connection, and the fight against societal stigma.
The film, which carries an IMDb rating of 7.1, is available for streaming on Amazon Prime.
‘An Early Frost’
In addition to Bollywood, Hollywood has also explored films that raise awareness about AIDS. One of the first significant films, whether broadcast or theatrical, to address the AIDS crisis was ‘An Early Frost.’ The film stars Aidan Quinn as a gay man who returns home to inform his family that he is living with HIV. The movie was watched by over 34 million viewers, received 14 Emmy nominations, and won 3 awards. It holds an IMDb rating of 8.
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