To start with, I would like to specify that these two Biographical/Historical movies are not included here due to their cinematic value or excellence achieved in their execution. On the contrary, many of the viewers may find these two films, pretty slow, unexciting and not up to the mark as expected. Honestly speaking, they actually do fall short of their subject and names associated with them to a large extent.
But still, it cannot be denied that they remain two very important attempts made in our Indian Cinema around the life of two most impactful, truthful and energetic personalities of our Indian History. In fact these are the only two major mainstream films made on these great names, other than the available documentaries. Therefore they need to be seen essentially in order to have a first-hand information about these two influential minds of our nation, especially by the younger generation.
Netaji Subash Chandra Bose : The Forgotten Hero (2005)
The film is the account of the last five years of the Indian spirited leader Subhash Chandra Bose's life giving references of his story in flashback sequences. However, it does not cover the controversy surrounding Bose's death or other superficial things spread in his name. Being the only film made on Neta Ji, the film did face the obvious objections and oppositions at the time of its release and therefore created much higher expectations among the interested viewers. But somehow the unusual combination of Shyam Benegal and A. R. Rahman along with Sachin Khedekar as Bose, couldn’t create the required powerful magic on the screen and the film remained just a fine appreciable attempt on the difficult subject. However it did won the Nargis Dutt Award for The Best Feature Film on National Integration that year.
Directed By Shyam Benegal
Starring : Sachin Khedekar, Rajit Kapoor, Rajeshwari Sachdev, Ila Arun & more
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar (2000)
Originally made in English and dubbed later in other languages, this film tells the story of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar and his one man fight against the caste system and untouchability in India. In its later half it shows the contribution of Dr. Ambedkar in shaping the Constitution of India as the chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Indian Constituent Assembly of the Independent India. Famous south veteran Mammotty, played the title role in it and won the Best Actor National Award for his impressive performance. The film too won the National Awards for The Best Film in English and Best Art Direction. However, here too I have to honestly admit that though well acted and well made, the film still remains only a good attempt on the life B. R. Ambedkar and it actually lacks the real fire or passion of his truthful movement against the injustice.
Directed By Jabbar Patel
Starring : Mammotty, Mohan Gokhale and more.
Now, even when both the above mentioned movies are not CLASSICS or MASTERPIECES in the real sense then why I am interested in including them in the list of “Movies To See Before You Die”?
The answer is: Because these remain the only movies, made on the two tough and determined leaders of their times who had the guts to stand against The Father of The Nation, MAHATMA GANDHI. No doubt, the difference in their individual ideologies and principles is an entirely different subject to study and discussed. But at the same time these two films show you the other important side of the coin, giving you the exact reasons that why both Bose and Ambedkar were often frustrated and against all the major decisions took by GANDHI in those crucial times. In few words, where Subhash Chandra Bose was openly against Gandhi’s slow and lengthy process of winning over the Britishers through his love and satyagrehs, there Ambedkar was strongly against his attitude towards the lower caste people and his ways of solving the problem of Untouchability in India.
So, where several other movies made around India’s Independence Struggle Leaders will give you the brighter side of the picture, these two movies will show you the grey tones in it. And therefore they essentially need to be seen by all the young boys and girls as a must, in order to have a broader understanding of our Freedom Struggle and the roles of our prominent leaders in it.
Another fact why I would like to insist my young friends to watch these two movies at the earliest is that I would not like them all to remember Netaji Shubash Chandra Bose only for the famous controversy created around his mysterious death and Babasaheb Ambedkar only for the Public Holiday, declared by the Government on the great thinker’s birth anniversary.
In true terms, these two great leaders, need to be remembered and given their due respect for the right reasons!
JAI HIND.
Tags :
Bose : The Forgotten Hero (2005) and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar (2000), Movies To See Before You Die, Biographical, Histroical, Indian Independence Leaders, Movies To See Before You Die List, Must See Movies List at www.bobbytalkscinema.com, Films made on Indian Independence, Indian Films on 147 and later years.
