Review : Gandhi Godse : Ek Yudh : Historical Fantasy!

Father of the Nation, #MohandasKaramchandGandhi aka #MahatmaGandhi has been in the news for wrong reasons, lately. The social media keeps throwing various ‘news’ about how Gandhiji was anti Hindu and need not be idolised. Also #NathuramGodse who fired three bullets in Gandhiji’s chest from a point blank range also is in the ‘news’ about his act being wrong or correct. Film maker Rajkumar Santoshi has discussed all of this and more in his latest film Gandhi – Godse Ek Yudh. The film keeps tilting on either side of Gandhi and Godse, keeping balance all along. The characters are just used as metaphors and the sub text allows viewers to gauge the mindsets of people post Independence era.

Santoshi revisits the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi on January 30, 1948. Nathuram Godse shot Mahatma for he thought he was working against the interests of Hindus and more prominently he was siding with Muslims. He also grudged that Gandhi compelled the Indian Government to pay ₹ 55 crores to Pakistan after partition. The film throws a lot of questions to Gandhi’s acts which triggered a notion that he was anti Hindu and was responsible for the partition and creation of Pakistan. But the movie also gives justifications on Gandhiji’s acts thus balancing the debate. The writers have used fantasy mode to have this debate. After the unfortunate attack by Godse (Chinmay Mandlekar), Gandhiji (Deepak Antani) is shown to have survived and goes on to make life of the common man easier and challenging the then Government’s actions. He even brain washes Godse’s thought process.

The film is based on a play writer Asghar Wajahat’s play. Director Santoshi couldn’t eradicate the play-like treatment to the movie. The screenplay is good and the dialogues too are sparkling at places. The first half is shaky but the film catches steam in the second half. But the film disappoints over all. Better luck next time Mr Santoshi. Cinematography is very good and makes the time frame look good. A R Rahman’s music is laudable and both Vaishnav Jan To and Raghupati Raghav heightens the drama. Deepak Antani has played Gandhiji convincingly. He has picked up Gandhi’s mannerism and gait very well. Chinmay Mandlekar is good too but he is much more better actor. Rajkumar Santoshi’s daughter Tanisha debuts with this film and though she has insignificant role and a limited screen time, shows promise.

Gandhi Godse : Ek Yudh is a historical fantasy and the political science students may like it.