The legend of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, his life and persona, even death, never ceases to amaze filmmakers. Various facets of his life have been explored on screens big and small over the decades, many more are waiting to be told.
More than seven decades after his death, the mystique of Netaji is still being unraveled. With the advent of OTT, exploring any biopic beyond the mere life story of the subject has become easy – more so in the case of Netaji. His is a life that lends itself naturally to drama.
From being rusticated from Kolkata's prestigious Presidency College for his famous assault on history Professor EF Oaten for the latter's racist comments against "natives," to the great escape from house arrest at his Elgin Road home in the guise of a Muslim insurance agent, and from his getting away to Germany via Afghanistan and the Soviet Union, to the mystery that remained associated with his death for years after he passed away - Netaji's story never fell short of intrigue!
Above all, there was the undying love for the country that made him a national hero.
While many filmmakers have attempted to capture the essence of Bose on screen, most of the Bollywood trade, too, would like to see more work on the iconic freedom fighter. Apart from providing ready material for the script -- something Bollywood always hungers for -- most in the film business circle, which works as a connection between audience demand and industry supply, feel there are many perspectives that can be explored further, to take the Bollywood biopic as a genre to the next level.
"There has been only one series, with Rajkummar Rao, dedicated to Netaji in recent times that can be recalled. Netaji's persona is huge. There are so many unsaid things about him, which people still are unaware of. There are many story ideas that need to be explored, and many perspectives that can still be explored. (The possibility is) quite immense," film trade analyst Girish Johar told IANS.
Ahead of the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji on January 23, we take a look at the notable cinematic efforts based on the life of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose:
BOSE DEAD/ALIVE
Creative producer Hansal Mehta's 2017 miniseries, based on Anuj Dhar's 2012 book, "India's Biggest Cover-Up," cast Rajkummar Rao as Netaji. Created by Ekta Kapoor, the show tries probing the mystery behind the freedom fighter's death. The story recalls how, shortly after his death, his family in Kolkata received a telegram from Mahatma Gandhi to not conduct his last rites. The show is an attempt to understand Netaji's disappearance.
"Our intention is to portray Bose as a contemporary hero, a rebel who worked in different ways, thereby making him relevant and a part of today's youth," Mehta had said at the time of the show's release.
GUMNAAMI
New-age Bengali maverick Srijit Mukherji's 2019 film stars Bengali superstar Prosenjit as Netaji and explores answers to various elements of mystery surrounding the disappearance and death of Netaji, besides throwing light on his political beliefs and vision for India.
Based on the Mukherjee Commission Hearings that happened from 1999 to 2005, the story follows a journalist investigating Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose's death and focuses on the freedom fighter's uncanny resemblance to the controversial figure Gumnaami Baba. The film kicked up a minor storm upon release, with Netaji's family objecting to such an allusion.
THE FORGOTTEN ARMY: AZAADI KE LIYE
Filmmaker Kabir Khan in 2020 focussed on Bose's Indian National Army (INA), or Azad Hind Fauj, through the web series. With Sunny Kaushal and Sharavari leading the cast, the show narrates the true story of the men and women who fought for the independence of India as part of the INA.
"I'm not a great expert on Netaji. I'm just a normal person who has read books on him. But I feel a person like him would never remain ‘gumnam.’ A person like him would always come out and do something for the country if he was alive and around," Kabir had told IANS.
RAAG DESH
The periodic drama by Tigmanshu Dhulia is about the contribution of Subhas Chandra Bose's Indian National Army (INA) in the independence struggle. The film stars Kunal Kapoor, Amit Sadh, Mohit Marwah, and Mrudula Murali, and was released in 2017.
NETAJI
The 2019 Bengali historical series attempts a comprehensive look at Netaji's life. It stars Abhishek Bose in the lead role and also has Dhruvajyoti Sarkar, Kaushik Chakraborty, Sriparna Roy, Debopriyo Sarkar, Sohan Bandopadhyay, and Fahim Mirza.
NETAJI SUBHAS CHANDRA BOSE: THE FORGOTTEN HERO
The biopic by Shyam Benegal featured Sachin Khedekar as Bose. The 2004 release has been the biggest film production on the leader to date. The film primarily explores India's freedom struggle through his perspective. Benegal's effort was a middling success and it received critical acclaim at the BFI London Film Festival. The film also features Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Rajit Kapur, Arif Zakaria, and Divya Dutta.