As India gears up to celebrate its 76th Republic Day, Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar is set to unleash his latest patriotic offering, 'Sky Force', on January 24. With a filmography replete with movies that evoke national pride and valour, Akshay Kumar has carved a niche for himself as one of Hindi cinema's most bankable patriotic heroes. From the stirring 'Kesari' to the intense 'Airlift', Akshay's cinematic journey is dotted with films that have resonated deeply with audiences and inspired a sense of nationalistic fervour.

As 'Sky Force' prepares to take flight, we revisit Akshay Kumar's most memorable patriotic performances that have left an indelible mark on Indian cinema.

‘Baby’ (2015)

Written and directed by Neeraj Pandey, ‘Baby’ is an action spy-thriller featuring Akshay in the lead alongside Anupam Kher, Rana Daggubati, Kay Kay Menon, Danny Denzongpa, Taapsee Pannu, and others. The film was released on January 23, 2015, days before Republic Day. The film revolves around an Indian intelligence unit, a few select officers who are sent to overseas operations to eliminate terrorists. ‘Baby’ was a huge success at the box office, and also received critical acclaim.

‘Airlift’ (2016)

Another Republic Day release of Akshay, ‘Airlift’, was released in cinema halls on January 22, 2016. A Raja Krishna Menon directorial, it is based on the evacuation of Indians from Kuwait in 1990, at the beginning of the Gulf War. Alongside Akshay, the film also starred Nimrit Kaur in the lead. In the movie, Akshay’s role is inspired by Mathunny Mathews, a Kuwait-based Indian businessman.

‘Gold’ (2018)

Written and directed by Reema Kagti, ‘Gold’ is a sports drama that is based on Independent India’s first gold medal in Hockey at the Summer Olympics in London. A huge box office success, ‘Gold’ went on to become the first Indian movie which was released in Saudi Arabia. It also marked the movie debut of Mouni Roy who played Akshay’s wife’s role.

‘Kesari’ (2019)

One of the most loved patriotic films of Akshay is the Anurag Singh directorial, ‘Kesari’. This periodical drama is based on the battle of Saragarhi where 21 sikh soldiers of the British Indian Army’s Sikh Regiment fought against 10,000 Afghan and Orakzai Pashtun tribesmen in 1897.