The movie will go down in history as something which shows a different side of history that was otherwise not been told. Yes, it may have been documented but somehow hidden, and this is what makes it a complete eye-opener.
Let the fact be stated, Randeep Hooda has made a classic here. As a first-time director, he makes a huge statement since he knows the craft. The 3 hour long narrative unfolds at a good pace and had this been a Hollywood offering then one may have found many Indian critics too singing praises about it. Randeep ensures that instead of coming across as episodic, the storytelling is smooth and seamless, which would have been so tough to put down on paper itself.
The scenes are new, the dialogues are fiery, the performances are superb, the production is superb, the background score is of standard, the cinematography/camerawork is of international standards and the use of text on screen to take many scenes forward is fine intelligently.
What’s particularly impressive is the conflict between Savarkar and Mahatma Gandhi (played excellently by Rajesh Khera) and that’s a major highlight of the film. The track featuring Mrinak Dutt is quite interesting too and he does very well.
This is a film that deserves to be watched for a major part of history that it unravels. Also, it deserves a cinematic experience for the big screen quality that it boasts of.
On a side note, in addition to what Randeep Hooda has talked about/refused to talk about (why he took up direction) in his interviews, there are other hardships that he and his family faced only because he dared to take up this project! Randeep Hooda, according to me is the biggest example of Savarkar’s ability to create a revolutionary, so many years after he is gone!
It is now our responsibility to support such courage, such a patriot, at least now! Not let the hardships and challenges he faced go to waste. It will only enrich our lives. So, go watch this movie!
(The article was published on Insightuk.org on March 24, 2024 and has been reproduced here)
