Coming to the point directly. Watching this movie was an experience in itself. Cast selection has been one of the best I have ever seen. Most of the characters have done justice to their roles. Even Kulbhushan Kharbanda does great in his brief role of Uttamchand of Kabul. Sachin Khedekar gives an outstanding performance. This can be the one of the best roles he has ever played. Anyway he has demonstrated his potential as a complete actor quite often.
The director is at his best after Netaji leaves from Kabul to Berlin. Cinematography sets a standard for Hindi Cinema. The picturization of the travel from Peshawar onwards is just fantastic. Camera seems to be hungry for capturing the abundant beauty of nature. It shows deep forests, deserts mountains very elegantly. A R Rehman does well. Background score of Ekalaa Chaalo Re is just great. The script is very well balanced and no statement can be considered to be contraversial. Yes, it was essential. And script writer had done it well. Since beginning there are statements about Mahatma Gandhi. But the script writer has been successful in presenting Netaji’s real opinion about Mahatma which is based on ideological differences and not on the personal differences. This in my opinion, the biggest success of this movie. This movie will certainly help in uplifting Netaji’s image in the eyes of his critics. No doubt that crores of Indian consider him as the God of New Age.
Though overall polished movie, when compared to some of the most acclaimed World War II movies of the past, in some scenes, this movie lacks consistency in direction, camera work and dialogues. In the beginning the director takes his own time to set the pace of the movie. The scenes and dialogues between British Officers could have been better. They are just predictable. Camera also lacks its charisma and doesn’t use tight frames for these scenes. Filming of the scenes of battle doesn’t provide enough direction for the viewer. Exceptions to this are the scenes of submarine travel, its engagement in attacks from and on enemy ships. These flaws don’t undermine merit of the work done by the entire crew. You realise that the movie is going to be longer than the usual one only when it is stopped for intermission. You are so much into the happenings on the screen that you never realise that you have spent whole two hours in the chair. One of the reasons for this might be the subject and its portrayal. By this time you start feeling that you are witnessing all the happenings shown on the screen and you are watching Netaji Subhashchandra not Sachin Khedekar. This is another success of this creation. This movie is worthy of considering it as an important documentation of golden leaves (with thorns) in the life of one of the most memorable personalities who have left their impression on the entire history of India.
In a way, the title could have been ’’Unforgettable Hero’’ Now forget all what I have written.. just go and watch it!!