In a heartfelt remembrance on the death anniversary of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, acclaimed actor Randeep Hooda shared a series of poignant photographs and reflections from his experience at the historical incarceration site known as ‘Kalapani’. Preparing for his directorial debut, ‘Sawatantrya Veer Savarkar’, Hooda took to his social media platform, X (formerly known as Twitter), to pay tribute to the freedom fighter, writer, and ideologue.
Opening up about the intense preparation for his biopic project, Hooda recounted the overwhelming feelings he faced during a location scout at the cellular jail in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This incarceration facility earned its daunting name ‘Kalapani’ due to its isolation and the severe hardships prisoners endured there, making it a symbol of colonial cruelty.
Hooda shared with his followers that in an attempt to connect with the extraordinary resilience of Savarkar, he tried to place himself in the same daunting context by locking himself in one of the cells. Despite his efforts to comprehend the gravity of Savarkar’s plight, the actor admitted he could not bear even 20 minutes within the confinements where Savarkar was sentenced to 11 years, frequently under the harshness of solitary detention.
On the commemorative day, Hooda’s reflections were not just limited to the hardships faced by Savarkar but also encompassed an affirmation of his indomitable spirit. Hooda wrote, “Today is the death anniversary of Sawatantrya Veer Savarkar. A man whose towering intellect and fierce courage scared the British so much that they locked him in this 7 by 11 foot jail in Kalapani for two lifetimes (50 years).”
Through his social media post, Hooda offered a glimpse into the prowess of Savarkar’s character. “#VeerSavarkar persevered through the cruelty and inhumane conditions of imprisonment and still inspired an armed revolution,” Hooda reflected. He asserted that Savarkar’s contributions were unparalleled, outlasting decades of criticism by anti-India elements.
As Hooda steps into the shoes of the protagonist for ‘Sawatantrya Veer Savarkar’, the significance of Savarkar’s legacy is poised to reach a wider audience. Joining him in bringing this narrative to life are co-stars Ankita Lokhande and Amit Sial. The film is a product of collaboration between Zee Studios, Anand Pandit, Sandeep Singh, and Hooda himself alongside co-producers including Roopa Pandit, Sam Khan, Anwar Ali, and Panchali Chakraborty.
Anticipation builds as ‘Sawatantrya Veer Savarkar’ is set to grace cinema screens on March 22 in both Hindi and Marathi languages, offering a cinematic portrayal of one of India’s most complex historical figures. Randeep Hooda’s endeavor to cast a light on Savarkar’s story is not just an artistic venture but also a tribute, as he steps behind the camera for the first time.
In a landscape where the lives of freedom fighters are retold through various artistic mediums, Hooda’s forthcoming work promises to be a commemoration of Savarkar’s fortitude, intellect, and significant role in India’s struggle for independence.
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