Mangal Pandey: The Rising

Mangal Pandey: The Rising (Indian title) or The Rising: Ballad of Mangal Pandey (international title) (released in India on 12 August 2005) is an Indian movie based on the life of Mangal Pandey, an Indian soldier who is known for his role in the Indian Mutiny of 1857. It is directed by Ketan Mehta, produced by Bobby Bedi, and with a screenplay by Farrukh Dhondy.

Aamir Khan plays the lead role of Mangal Pandey who was a Sepoy whose actions helped spark the Indian rebellion of 1857. The rebellion is also known as "The First War of Indian Independence", "The Sepoy Mutiny" or "The Sepoy Rebellion".

Plot

The film begins in 1857, when India was ruled by the British East India Company. Mangal Pandey (Aamir Khan) is a sepoy, a soldier of Indian origin, in the army of the East India Company. Pandey is fighting in the Anglo-Afghan Wars and saves the life of his British commanding officer, William Gordon (portrayed by Toby Stephens). Gordon is indebted to Pandey and a strong friendship develops between them, transcending both rank and race.

Gordon rescues a young widow, Jwala (Ameesha Patel), from committing Sati (the act of following her deceased husband on to the funeral pyre). Afterwards, he falls in love with her. Meanwhile, Heera (Rani Mukerji) has been sold into prostitution, to work for Lol Bibi (Kirron Kher). There is a spark of attraction between her and Pandey and a liaison follows.

Gordon and Pandey's friendship is challenged following the...
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