Leaves of innocence, fall,
Swaying in the lifeless wind;
An inevitable fate,
A crimson certainty.
Shadows of angels
Walk past the dead,
Failing to discern
The season’s catastrophe.
Trees will shed, it seems;
More, and still more.
The leaves of innocence keep on falling, but a dilemma of a country fails to pick up its vestiges of pride and realise its true potential. Even after the sacrifices of visionary-n-revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh. The Legend of Bhagat Singh, a film by Rajkumar Santoshi makes a colossal effort to ignite the memories of martyrdom from the ashes of hopelessness.
I have been keeping a tab on all this hoopla surrounding a sudden resurgence of interest in Bhagat Singh. And from what I have come to know, Santoshi’s movie is quite close to the actual history (Though the phrase actual history is got to be observed in a relative term).
I will be honest in acknowledging that I knew very little about Bhagat before I actually saw this film. It is obvious, he was never hyped the way a Nehru, Jinnah or even Gandhiji were. I would also not like to comment on the manner in which Congress and Gandhiji are openly looked down upon. For I personally don’t feel that by showing one down, need not mean that you could elevate the person of your own choice.
It is better to abstain from passing a judgement on individuals who are no more to defend themselves, nor can we really pin-point the basic reason behind their actions. I shall rather try and put together my reactions after watching the film. I was moved. Literally. Infact, it was a gut wrenching experience, and I felt extremely proud to have been born in such a profound country.
Ajay Devgan as Bhagat Singh, is simply spellbinding. The angst, the love for the motherland, the vast knowledge and an even greater understanding of complex things-n-situations, the sense of sacrifice, genuine fearlessness and character are displayed in ample hues-n-shades.
He is ably guided by the fearless Chandrashekhar Azad (Akhilendra Mishra) and vociferously supported by Sukhdev, Rajguru, Jatin Das, BK Dutt and more. The use of violence is a justified means of self defence. But, the mode of propoganda and hunger strike is also put to good use. The man comes out to be extremely clear in his thinking, positive, good humoured and very focussed.
It is my personal feeling that somewhere deep down he even craved for some kind of attention and fame-n-publicity. But still one can’t doubt the veracity of his objectives. And moreover, he never ran away from situations. For he believed in doing anything to safeguard his pride and self respect.
Bhagat Singh is a character who deserves the attention. For the Soviet Union has disintegrated. And considering the present world situation, Non Violence isn’t really a plausible means to fight extremism.
Santoshi has walked the tight rope of being honest with the character as well as being politically correct. At the end of the day, he suuceeds in making a good movie. A R Rahman’s music is a plus point, but one must say, he isn’t in the same element as his other period adventure Lagaan. The Camerawork is excellent and editing spot on. There’s never a dull moment in the film.
The Legend of Bhagat Singh, A Revolutionary born again!