History has always been told through a selective lens. For centuries, it has celebrated larger-than-life figures—emperors, generals, revolutionaries, and rulers—names etched into textbooks and statues. But what about the voices that never got the chance to be heard? The people who shaped history but were left in the shadows?

In the past few years, viewers have made their intrigue in stories of unheard voices known—stories of the forgotten, the marginalised, the overlooked. Films like Hidden Figures, 12 Years a Slave, Harriet, and The Kashmir Files are proof of this shift.

But what makes these stories so fascinating to the audience? And why, now more than ever, do we feel the need to hear them?

1. The Thrill of the Unknown

There’s something so compelling about learning a story that was perhaps kept hidden from us. When audiences experienced what the characters in Hidden Figures when through, they were stunned. Three brilliant African-American women—Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughn, and Mary Jackson—were instrumental in NASA’s space race, yet their contributions had been largely whitewashed from mainstream history. It makes one question why and whether there are other stories like these.

This “wait, why didn’t I know this?” moment makes such films so impactful for the audience. They challenge what we think we know and make us question how many other voices have been left unheard.

Similarly, The Delhi Files highlights events like Direct Action Day and the Noakhali riots, moments in Indian history that were never taught and remain forgotten. The film brings forth a fresh perspective to a hidden truth, encouraging us to engage with it in a more personal and meaningful way.

2. The Emotional Connection to Truth

Films and books about unheard voices often tap into raw, deep emotion; from resilience and survival to freedom and triumph. Unlike traditional historical narratives, which can sometimes feel impersonal and distant, these stories pull us into the lives of real people who lived through extraordinary circumstances.

Take 12 Years a Slave. It wasn’t just another film about slavery; it was Solomon Northup’s personal experience. It was the true account of a free Black man who was kidnapped and sold into slavery, enduring unimaginable cruelty before finally reclaiming his freedom. His story had existed in historical records, but it wasn’t until it was brought to the silver screen that it truly resonated with modern audiences.

Similarly, The Delhi Files doesn’t just recount historical events; it humanises them. It immerses viewers in the emotions, fears, and struggles of the people who lived through these moments, making history feel real rather than abstract and distant.

3. Correcting the Narrative

For much of history, the people in power decided whose stories were told and whose were censored. This is why so many voices—women, lower castes, indigenous communities, enslaved people—were written out of mainstream narratives. But today, there is a growing recognition that history needs to be more inclusive.

Films and books have become a way to rewrite history—not by changing facts, but by restoring missing pieces of truth. Harriet gave Harriet Tubman’s legacy the cinematic tribute it deserved. The Imitation Game finally acknowledged Alan Turing’s groundbreaking contributions to World War II, long overshadowed by the discrimination he faced for his sexuality. The Delhi Files seeks to bring to light the suppressed histories of India’s partition and political landscape, ensuring these stories aren’t lost to time.

When we watch these films, we’re not just absorbing history; we’re actively participating in reclaiming it.

4. The Universality of Forgotten Stories

One of the most compelling aspects of unheard voices in history is how universally they resonate. Every country, culture, and civilisation has its own hidden figures—people who changed the course of history without recognition.

This is why these stories appeal to global audiences. A young girl in America watching The Delhi Files might not be familiar with India’s partition, but she will understand displacement, survival, and resilience. A man in India watching Hidden Figures may not know much about NASA’s racial barriers, but he will relate to the struggle of fighting for a place in a system built to exclude.

These films remind us that history isn’t just about nations—it’s about people.

5. The Power of Cinema to Give Voices a Platform

Unlike textbooks, which often present history as a series of dates and political movements, cinema has the power to make history come to life. It transforms facts into lived experiences, allowing audiences to step into the shoes of those who were once voiceless.

This is why films like The Delhi Files matter—not just as historical records but as emotional experiences that bring history closer to us. They force us to ask:

1. Who else has been forgotten?

2. What other stories have we never been told?

3. How does knowing these stories change the way we see history?

4. And perhaps most importantly, what do we do with this knowledge now?

Final Thoughts

In a world where information is constantly evolving, we are no longer content with one-sided narratives. Audiences today want history that is complex, layered, and inclusive of all voices. We want to know not just what happened but to whom and why their stories were hidden.

Films like The Delhi Files, 12 Years a Slave, and Hidden Figures aren’t just historical dramas; they are a correction in the system. They give us the chance to listen, learn, and finally acknowledge the voices that should have always been heard.

Because history doesn’t just belong to those who wrote it—it belongs to all of us.