In these fraught times, ongoing propaganda constantly tries to demonise people such as Mahatma Gandhi and Pt Nehru and to undermine their role in winning India its independence. The recently released film Hey Raam Hamne Gandhi ko Maar Diya is the need of the hour at a time when history books are attempting to be rewritten and intellectual pygmies who spent the freedom struggle aligning themselves with India’s oppressors and writing pardon pleas are being glorified and lionized with fabricated achievements.
The film is set in a period, months after India gained independence in January 1948, when people of opposing ideologies are seen to take a two day train journey together. While one man, a victim of his circumstances, is a harsh critic of Gandhi and his policies, a school principal traveling with him is of the view that Gandhi’s views on love, nonviolence and truth are eternal infallible principles that can never be wrong.
The original title of the film was Hey Raam Hamne Gandhi ko Maar Diya which was amended to Hamne Gandhi ko Maar Diya upon the directions of the CBFC, popularly known as the censor board. The censor board reportedly also asked the filmmaker to remove Dr KB Hedgewar’s photograph (the RSS founding member) and to remove the name of V D Savarkar.
The film has been described as an ode to Mahatma Gandhi. His lofty views on humanity, compassion, tolerance are highlighted in this movie.
I was reminded of a Kamal Haasan film with a cameo by Shah Rukh Khan in it with a similar name. Hey Raam was a superb film that tackled a similar subject of ideologies that opposed Gandhian thought and philosophy; where the protagonist ultimately saw the error of his beliefs.
The great grandson of Mahatma Gandhi Tushar Gandhi attended a special screening of the film along with his wife. They claimed to love the movie and shared their thoughts about it.
Tushar Gandhi tweeted that everyone who believes in India’s liberal secular ideology and culture should watch the movie; even those who hate Bapu.
Yesterday when #HamneGandhiKoMaarDiya was trending on Twitter, the movie seemed to have achieved a 9.5 rating on IMDB. This rating is currently at 8.8; which is a huge deal considering that movies such as Anand are rated 8.7 and 3 Idiots rated at 8.4.
Some critics have panned the film as boring and preachy, whereas others have called it highly watchable, with good acting and a great script; a worthy endeavor that is relevant to us right now. I for one would urge people to watch the film; especially those with negative views of Gandhi and his legacy.
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