In a recent manifestation of cinematic artistry that renders the fierce tides of India’s independence movement, ‘Swatantra Veer Savarkar’, with an ensemble cast led by the talented Randeep Hooda and supported by Ankita Lokhande and Amit Sial, made its debut in theatres across the nation on March 22nd. Engulfing audiences in a narrative that paints the figure of an uncelebrated patriot, the film embarked on its cinematic journey with an impressive first-day box office collection of over ₹1 crore, closing at Rs 1.15 crore net according to Sacnilk.com.
This new release, ‘Swatantra Veer Savarkar’, is not merely a biopic; it positions itself as an influential epic, weaving a narrative around the life and struggles of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, a revolutionary par excellence, whose story had not been dominantly engraved into the mainstream ideological narrative of the country’s road to freedom. The movie proclaims its intent to break free from conventional storytelling and enter the domain of countering historical narratives and misconceptions about this contentious figure, also known as Veer Savarkar.
On the occasion of the trailer launch, lead actor and director Randeep Hooda expressed that the film aspires to transcend the realm of mere entertainment by engaging in a discourse over historical truths. Shedding light on decades of propagandas that clouded Veer Savarkar’s image, Hooda remarked, “It is an anti-propaganda film. The film will bust all the propaganda against Veer Savarkar that has been going on for so many years. He was called ‘maafiveer’, ‘kayar’…so with this film, we have tried to tell the truth to the audience.”
The commitment to embodying the role wasn’t purely artistic for Hooda, as he underwent a significant physical transformation, shedding 30 kilos to authentically portray Savarkar in various phases of his life.
‘Directed by Randeep Hooda’ itself assumes a significant voice, as it brings forth the courage and determination of Hooda in shouldering the dual responsibilities of bringing life to and steering this project. The film narrates the indomitable journey of Savarkar, highlighting pivotal confrontations, including the ideological clash between Savarkar and Mahatma Gandhi – two stalwarts with diverging visions of India’s path to independence.
Beneath the production efforts by Zee Studios, Anand Pandit, Sandeep Singh, Randeep Hooda, and Yogesh Rahar – with a devoted co-production team – the essence of ‘Swatantra Veer Savarkar’ offers more than a regurgitation of facts. It aims to reawaken the discussion on the nuances and complexities of the independence struggle from multiple perspectives, thereby enriching the collective historical consciousness of the nation.
Veer Savarkar’s legacy, built on a foundation of his activism, intellectual prowess as a writer, and commitment to the cause as a lawyer and politician, is epitomized in the film. This remarkable freedom fighter, whose birth on May 28, 1883, in Bhagur marked the inception of a radical chapter in India’s fight against colonialism, is best known for his work “Hindutva: Who is a Hindu?”, among others. His radical opposition to the Morley-Minto reforms earned him a sentence of 50 years in the Andaman’s notorious Kala Pani, a fate that he endured with persistence until his conditional release in 1924.
‘Swatantra Veer Savarkar’ promises not only to reveal the multifaceted persona of this freedom fighter but also to reignite interest and debate on his role and impact on India’s complex history of independence. As it continues to gain traction among viewers and cinephiles, the country watches with bated breath as the film unfolds stories that have long awaited their day in the sun, redefining narratives ingrained in the Indian psyche.
