Raksha Bandhan is more than just a ceremonial thread—it’s a celebration of one of life’s most enduring bonds: the one between siblings. Marked by affection, playful rivalry, silent sacrifices, and unwavering support, this relationship deserves more than just sweets and return gifts. So why not make it extra special this year by adding a cinematic twist?
Instead of sticking to the usual rituals and small talk, dive into a watchlist that reflects everything this festival stands for. Whether it’s Alia Bhatt’s fierce protectiveness in Jigra, Vidya Balan’s quiet strength in No One Killed Jessica, or the emotionally charged sisterhood in Do Patti, these stories echo the very heart of Raksha Bandhan.
From heartfelt dramas to sibling-centric thrillers and comforting family tales, this curated list of Indian and international films is perfect for Raksha Bandhan. So grab the remote, call your sibling over, and let these stories of love, laughter, and loyalty light up your screen—and your day.
ALSO SEE:
- Jolly LLB 3 Release Date Confirmed: Teaser To Unveil Soon
- The Map That Leads To You Streaming on OTT On August 20: Plot, Cast, Platform & More
- Jurassic World Rebirth OTT Streaming Date & Platform Confirmed: Details Inside
- My Life With The Walter Boys Season 2 Streaming Date Confirmed: Trailer Released
1. Jigra
- IMDb Rating-6/10
- Smartprix Rating-6.5/10
- Release Date-10 October 2024
- Streaming on- Netflix India
- Director-Vasan Bala
- Runtime- 2 hours 33 minutes
- Starring-Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina & others
About the Movie- A young woman with a troubled past embarks on a dangerous mission. Her goal is to help her younger brother, who is imprisoned in a foreign jail.
Why Watch- The movie has all the emotional depth and thematic elements that make it a perfect watch for the occasion of Raksha Bandhan. Its core theme is sibling bond as it shows the protective nature of a sister, who will go to any lengths to save her brother. The plot is emotionally driven, and the film showcases talented leads Alia and Vedang as brother and sister. Its songs ‘Sang Rakhna’ and ‘Ek Hazaaron Mein’ embody the spirit of the brother-sister bond.
2. Do Patti
- IMDb Rating- 6.4/10
- Smartprix Rating-7/10
- Release Date-25 October 2024
- Streaming on- Netflix India
- Director-Shashanka Chaturvedi
- Runtime- 2 hours 7 minutes
- Starring-Kriti Sanon, Shaheer Sheikh & others
About the Movie- Two sisters’ carefully constructed lives are shattered when a police inspector uncovers a web of deceit that threatens them.
Why Watch- The movie is not directly themed around Rakhi, but it is a symbolic choice to watch on Raksha Bandhan. It celebrates twin sisters’ bonding, which is based on friendship and solidarity, and can be seen as a broader celebration of emotional ties. The movie celebrates women who protect and stand up not just for their brothers but sisters.
3. No One Killed Jessica
- IMDb Rating-7.2/10
- Smartprix Rating-7.5/10
- Release Date-7 January 2011
- Streaming on- YouTube India
- Director-Raj Kumar Gupta
- Runtime- 2 hours 16 minutes
- Starring-Rani Mukherjee, Vidya Balan & others
About the Movie- A journalist, who is more of an activist, teams up with the sister of a murdered model, as she gets interested in the case and wants to bring justice to her case.
Why Watch- The movie is a non-traditional but powerful choice to view on Raksha Bandhan with your siblings. It shows Sabrina fighting the system, society, and powerful forces to get justice for her murdered sister. The central relation in the movie is of two sisters celebrating the strength of sibling love, no matter the gender. It is a story of protection and strength, exploring the journey of a sister who protects the legacy, honor, and justice of her younger sister.
4. Raksha Bandhan
- IMDb Rating-5.4/10
- Smartprix Rating-6/10
- Release Date-11 August 2022
- Streaming on-Zee5
- Director-Anana L. Rai
- Runtime- 1 hour 48 minutes
- Starring-Akshay Kumar, Bhumi Pednekar & others
About the Movie- Lala Kedarnath promises his dying mother to marry his 4 sisters well. The owner of a family chaat shop, he has trouble finding suitors. His sisters take priority over childhood romance with Sapna.
Why Watch- This movie is a traditional and emotional celebration of sibling love. A pure emotion-packed Rakhi movie that has been made as a tribute to the sacred bond between brothers and sisters, making it one of the most thematically appropriate choices for Raksha Bandhan viewing. The songs like ‘Tere Saath Hoon Main’ and ‘Dhaagon se bandha’ capture the unspoken bond between siblings in ways that linger long after the film ends.
5. Bumm Bumm Bole
- IMDb Rating-6.4/10
- Smartprix Rating-6.5/10
- Release Date-14 May 2010
- Streaming on- Amazon Prime Video
- Director-Priyadarshan
- Runtime- 2 hours 5 minutes
- Starring-Darsheel Safary, Ziyah Vastani & others
About the Movie- Pinu, a young boy, misplaces his sister, Rimzim’s, shoes at a vegetable shop. Fearing his parents, Pinu asks Rimzim to use his pair of shoes until their father can afford new ones.
Why Watch- This movie is not explicitly based on Raksha Bandhan, but beautifully fits the occasion. It captures the essence of pure sibling love, sacrifice, and emotional connection. Sibling love and sacrifice are at its core, and childlike innocence in the film makes it perfect for family viewing. It is relatable for all ages and teaches empathy and gratitude for the bonds we have.
6. Hum Saath Saath Hain
- IMDb Rating-6.3/10
- Smartprix Rating-6.5/10
- Release Date-5 November 1999
- Streaming on- Amazon Prime Video
- Director-Sooraj Barjatya
- Runtime- 2 hours 57 minutes
- Starring-Tabu, Mohnish Bahl, Saif Ali Khan & others
About the Movie- Ramkishan and Mamta lead a happy life with their three sons. But when their daughter faces a tragedy, Mamta gets instigated by her close friends, and she embitters her heart towards her stepson, Vivek.
Why Watch- This movie is an ideal match for the festival of Raksha Bandhan as it strongly focuses on joint family values, sibling love, and the idea of togetherness being everything. Its emotional depth, lavish Indian rituals, and emphasis on harmony within siblings make it a perfect binge-watch to celebrate Raksha Bandhan. The movie showcases strong sibling bonds, idealized family values, a sister as an emotional anchor, and bonds that matter the most.
7. Dil Dhadakne Do
- IMDb Rating-7/10
- Smartprix Rating-7/10
- Release Date-5 June 2015
- Streaming on- Amazon Prime Video
- Director-Zoya Akhtar
- Runtime- 2 hours 53 minutes
- Starring- Ranveer Singh, Anil Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra & others
About the Movie- On the occasion of their 30th anniversary, Kamal and Neelam invite their family and friends on a cruise. However, on the journey, they learn many life lessons and change for the better.
Why Watch- This movie is a strong offbeat choice to watch on Rakhi, especially for those who want to celebrate modern sibling relationships, emotional support, and personal freedom. The film portrays a realistic and evolving sibling bond between Kabir and Ayesha, making it relevant to the emotional spirit of Raksha Bandhan, even if not the ritual. The brother sister bond feels real, and it even breaks traditional gender roles as the brother encourages the sister to make her own choices and stands up against her husband when he insults her. Dil Dhadakne Do is perfect for urban families on Raksha Bandhan.
8. Sarabjit
- IMDb Rating-7.3/10
- Smartprix Rating-7.5/10
- Release Date-May 2016
- Streaming on- YouTube India
- Director- Omung Kumar
- Runtime- 2 hours 11 minutes
- Starring-Randeep Hooda, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan & others
About the Movie- Sarabjit accidentally crosses the Indo-Pak border due to his drunken state and gets arrested by the Pakistan army. His sister, Dalbir, fights to get justice for her brother and prove his innocence.
Why Watch- It is one of the most powerful and emotionally intense movies to watch on Raksha Bandhan. The film is based on a true story, a moving testament to the unbreakable bond between a brother and sister, and how a sister can become a relentless protector, fighter, and voice when her brother is silenced by the world. Its emotional depth makes it a meaningful Rakhi film honoring the depth and endurance of sibling love, not just its joyful rituals.
9. My Brother….Nikhil
- IMDb Rating-7.3/10
- Smartprix Rating-7.5/10
- Release Date-25 March 2005
- Streaming on- Amazon Prime Video
- Director-Onir
- Runtime-2 hours
- Starring-Sanjay Suri, Juhi Chawla, & others
About the Movie- Nikhil, a bright young swimmer, finds his life falling apart after getting diagnosed with HIV. In his troubled times, he finds the support of his sister, Anamika, and his boyfriend Nikhil.
Why Watch- The movie is one of the most emotionally profound films one can watch on Rakhi, especially if you are looking to celebrate unconditional love, acceptance, and the power of sibling support in difficult times. It redefines raksha not as a protective gesture, but as emotional loyalty and fierce solidarity in the face of stigma and isolation. The relationship between Nikhil and Anamika is filled with warmth, teasing, shared memories, and deep emotional connection. It is a story of inclusion, courage, and love, along with being a radical, gentle, and beautiful Rakhi story.
10. Josh
- IMDb Rating-6.1/10
- Smartprix Rating-6.5/10
- Release Date-9 June 2000
- Streaming on- YouTube India
- Director-Mansoor Khan
- Runtime- 2 hours 42 minutes
- Starring-Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan & others
About the Movie- Max, who lives with his twin sister Shirley in Goa, is enraged when he finds out that she has fallen in love with Rahul, his bitter rival Prakash’s younger brother.
Why Watch- Josh is a fiery, unconventional take on a sibling bond. It is not a traditional rakhi movie, but a film that celebrates a bold, protective, and emotionally charged sibling story. It shows a fiercely overprotective big brother who keeps an eagle eye on his sister and won’t let anything threaten her safety. The storyline is centered around a dynamic brother-sister bond, and there is unbreakable loyalty between them. It is gritty, youthful, and rebellious, along with being a good pick for those who want to watch a stylized and dramatic take on sibling love.
This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend trusted products.
You can follow Smartprix on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Google News. Visit smartprix.com for the latest tech and auto news, reviews, and guides.