Gandhi Godse Ek Yudh: Weak tretment of a strong subject

Gandhi Godse Ek War - its not war , the film is based on the fight of perception and ideology. The subject is strong but the treatment is weak. The director's immature thinking towards Gandhi in the manner in which it has been presented, which is reflects the story presentation.. The director took Gandhi very lightly and presented him in a light manner. As father of the nation in reality, Mahatma Gandhi was not like that. Those who did not read Gandhi and Godse don't know, Godse will emerge as a hero in his eyes, watch this film The dialogue between Gandhi and Godse has been imagined in the film which anyone who knows and understands the character of fascism can never agree The producer, director took liberty at many places in the film. It is clear that whatever changes have been made in the film from the play, the author may not have agreed. It is clear what the film wants to say Was Gandhi right or Godse or both were right in their respective places.

It is true that this film is based on a fictional story. but If you present historical fact, as it is known, on your imagination based on the characters and events, then the question will definitely be asked to what extent and for what reason you have made concessions with them.

Is it just a coincidence that the freedom movement and the partition of India, this film offers an explanation of why it is precisely what the Sangh telling since beginning? Godse is portrayed as a daredevil from the very beginning in the film. He is presented as a hero. When Nathuram Godse attacked Gandhiji, after that he tried to run away. But the people present there caught him, Surrounded Godse  tried to divert the attention by saying he is a Muslim. So that the blame for Gandhi's murder falls on the Muslims so that riots broke out. But in the film, it is shown that he did not run but standing there with both hands up, Gandhiji’s personality is shown a cynic, imposing his  desires on others and was an anti-feminine person. Actually the whole film unknowingly follows the political agenda of the Sangh family and revolve around  the Sangh’s  reported hate against  the Congress and Nehru, The film forcefully establishes that that Nathuram Godse was a courageous and true patriot.

Both Gandhi and Godse are historical characters. Nathuram Godse was affiliated with the Swayamsevak Sangh and was a member of the Hindu Mahasabha. On Jauary 30,Gandhi was shot dead by Nathuram on his way to a prayer meeting in 1948.This is shown in the film. After this the film takes a fantasy turn.Mahatma Gandhi and Nathuram Godse never metbut it is shown in the film. The story elaborated that  if Gandhi had survived? What would have happened to the country and the Congress? What would happen to leaders who fought for freedom under the banner of Congress? what would happen  to the country?

Bollywood's established director Rajkumar Santoshi  has shown the courage to make a film on such a sensitive subject. But his experimental film  could not stand against film Pathan on box office. It flew away like a straw.But it should be appreciated that in today's environment, the effort of those who take the risk of making a film and investing money is commendable.In India, every one has its own perception about Gandhi. He can be called-'Father of the nation', Some think he is 'responsible for partition' for some he was pro-Muslim . And for some he was pro-Britan. Writer Asghar Wajahat and director Rajkumar Santoshi have have presented these two from their perspective. What is their point of view, It is important to see the film.

This film is based on the Hollywood’s experiment 'What If'’, means to think about an event in history that did not happen. The concept of the film is unique. Full credit goes to play-writer and screen-writer Asghar Wajahat, on whose play the film was adapted. Asghar Wajahat wrote a play about 15 years ago, 'godse@gandhi.com'. The film is based on that. Asghar Wajahat has also written dialogues of this film.  According to Asghar Wajahat Hundreds of  shows of this play in different languages are being played in different parts of the country. The base line of the film is that all the contemporary arguments and sophistry related to Gandhi were included in the film. For example, what was Gandhi's attitude towards Bose, Nehru and Patel? Godse on the other hand, has shown a staunch Hindu.He thought that this step of his is in the interest of the country. He feels Gandhi is stubborn and is running the country on his own thinking. He only imposes his views. Godse thought that only the Congress  and Gandhi did not give freedom to the country but Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad like many had also been shot. In the eyes of Godse, Gandhi was anti-Hindu. British agent, Muslim lover and responsible for partition. Godse believed that Gandhi entangled the country in non-violence and spinning wheel, otherwise India would have been freed 20 years before. In the film it has been shown that how Gandhi and Godse  changing their  ideology,  how they like each other. This fact is not digestible.

As for as acting is concern, Deepak Antani's role as  Gandhi is remarkable. He has played the role of Gandhi in many projects earlier also. Godse is played by Chinmay Mandlekar. He is a well-known actor of Marathi. He is frozen in the role of Godse. But he does not look like Godse. Rajkumar Santoshi's daughter Tanisha Santoshi  has also entered cinema from this film. His work is also effective. After a gap of long nine years, director, Rajkumar Santoshi made his debut on the big screen. The comeback was not that strong. Even Santoshi agreed to this fact and accepted that the release of the film date was not correct. The film should not have been released with Pathan.

The ending is very symbolic. Supporters of Gandhi and Godse outside the jail come to welcome and receive them but Gandhi and Godse ignored them. They both made their way through their supporters and move forward. Willingly or unwillingly, the director included Gandhi and Godse. An similarity has been raised but I disagree with this scene. But you can’t. I think story writer Asghar Wajahat and director Rajkumar Santoshi were also not on the same page while filming ‘The End ‘scene.

( Writer is a senior journalist and a known film critic)