Satyagraha (film)
Satyagraha is a 2013 Indian Hindi-language political drama film directed by Prakash Jha starring Amitabh Bachchan, Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor, Amrita Rao, Arjun Rampal, Manoj Bajpai, Mitalee Jagtap Varadkar, Jagat Singh and Vipin Sharma in the lead roles. The first look of the film was released on 10 September 2012. Satyagraha was released on 30 August 2013, although it released in the UAE one day before on 29 August. The teaser was released online on 30 May 2013 and theatrically attached with Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani.
Plot
Retired teacher and ex-principal Dwarka Anand in Ambikapur is an idealistic man who lives with his engineer son Akhilesh and daughter-in-law Sumitra. His engineer son Akhilesh's friend Manav is an ambitious capitalist. Manav cherishes his friend Akhilesh who suddenly dies in a road accident maliciously conducted by Sangram Singh, brother of India's minister Minister Balram Singh, who, unknown to all of India, is the mastermind behind Akhilesh's murder. Balram Singh announces compensation, which Akhilesh's wife Sumitra cannot get in spite of submitting daily applications in the government office. Incensed, Dwarka slaps the DM and is imprisoned. Manav starts a campaign to free him, using social media, roping in Arjun Singh and journalist Yasmin. As hopeful students, hungry laborers and angry middle-class citizens join in the agitation, politicians start panicking. Eventually, Dwarka Anand gets freedom after the DM takes his complaint back upon pressure from Balram Singh.Dwarka Anand gives a notice of 30 days to the government to clear all pending claims in the entire district. After a series of dramatic events, he sits on hunger strike and asks the government to bring ordinance in the district. Meanwhile, Lal Bahadur, a youth, commits suicide to support the agitation. During his cortege, four policemen brutally get killed by the mob. Soon after this, riots break out, forcing Balram Singh to send paramilitary force. His henchman shoot Dwarka Anand who dies in Manav's lap, requesting the public to stop the riots. Balram Singh is then caught by the police. Manav and Arjun decide to construct a regional party to eliminate corruption and reconstruct the system for the common welfare.
Cast
- Amitabh Bachchan
- Ajay Devgn
- Kareena Kapoor
- Arjun Rampal
- Amrita Rao plays the role of Sumitra Anand a housewife and Dwarka's daughter in-law who loses her husband to an accident. While fighting corruption of the lethargic government systems in order to fulfill her late husband's dream to build a school she and her father in law Dwarka Anand become the focal reason to start the Satagraha movement in order to fight corruption.
- Manoj Bajpai
- Vipin Sharma as Gauri Shankar, the Leader of the Opposition.
- Ivan Rodrigues as the Channel Head of ABP News.
- Nataša Stanković, in a special appearance in an item song.
- Mitalee Jagtap Varadkar
- Mugdha Godse as Malini Mishra, a sultry, opportunistic corporate lady.
- Indraneil Sengupta as Akhilesh Anand, Dwarka Anand's son.
- Prakash Jha in a special appearance.
Crew
- Sandeep Vyas as Production Team
Filming
Shooting of Satyagraha began in February 2013 in Bhopal. After that, the production unit headed to Ralegan Siddhi. Amitabh Bachchan stayed at the heritage Noor-Us-Sabah Palace Hotel, whose Gauhar Taj suite was being renovated. Satyagraha was also shot at the IES College campus, Bhopal. It was speculated that the film more than just touches upon the 2G spectrum case that rocked the nation. Prakash Jha had a small presence in the film.
Soundtrack
The soundtrack of Satyagraha is composed by Salim–Sulaiman, Aadesh Shrivastava, Indian Ocean and Meet Bros Anjan, while the lyrics penned by Prasoon Joshi. It was released on 30 July 2013.Release
Satyagraha released on 30 August 2013 on more than 2,700 screens in India and occupied many multiplex screens in place of Madras Cafe. The film was submitted for Censor certification on 8 August 2013. The film released in the UAE on 29 August 2013. Satyagraha received a 12A certificate by British censors on 23 August 2013; it was awarded an M certificate by Australian censors on 27 August.Marketing
A book titled Satyagraha - The Story Behind Revolution was released on 27 August by Prakash Jha, Arjun Rampal and Kareena Kapoor. The book, penned by writer Pooja Verma and published by Om Books International and priced at Rs. 995, was released on 1 September 2013. The book tells the story of the development of the film. Ajay Devgn and Prakash Jha promoted Satyagraha on Comedy Nights with Kapil. The star cast also promototed the show on various news channels like Aaj Tak, Zee News, ABP News, Times Now, CNN IBN, etc. The film was promoted in Mumbai and Delhi.Controversy
A social action group, the Bhopal Citizens Forum objected to the laying of a tar road and construction of a makeshift market at the historic 19th century Benazir Palace, the location of Satyagraha. The issue caught the attention of the National Monuments Authority as well. Benazir Palace grounds come under the Gandhi Medical College. The palace itself, not a protected monument, is held by the public works department. On 28 August 2013, Bombay High Court refused to stay the film's exhibition while hearing a suit filed by a producer claiming he was the original copyright owner of the movie's title. The plea was to stop release of the film Satyagraha and sue for damages worth Rs 250 million.Critical reception
India
The film received mixed reviews upon release.Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama rated it 4 out of 5 stars and stated that the film is an all-engrossing, compelling drama that mirrors the reality around us. Ankit Ojha of Planet Bollywood gave 4 stars, stating that, "Satyagraha is suitable only for those who can ignore the film's many faults for its message. That in itself is going to be a major task for the audience to live up to." Srijana Mitra Das of The Times of India gave it 3.5 stars out of 5 and said that "Satyagraha deserves an extra half-star for capturing corruption from root to branch." India Today gave it 4 out of 5 stars and summarised that Satyagraha is "a timely wakeup call for a wounded nation". Subhash K. Jha also gave it 4 out 5. Joginder Tuteja gave it 4 out of 5 stars. Neha Gupta of the Deccan Herald gave the film 4 stars and stated that Satyagraha conveys the uncontrollable anger and energy of a nation on the brink.
Koimoi gave it 2.5 stars and judged that the film is a well-intentioned social drama. Prathamesh Jadhav of DNA gave it 2.5 stars and concluded that it is a "predictable story spoon-fed with sincerity." Sarita Tanwar of DNA India gave 2.5 stars and stated that Satyagraha is a bad script with good actors. Saurabh Dwivedi of India Today gave it 2 stars and remarked that "despite choosing a hard-hitting topic other directors have managed to side step, Prakash Jha's Satyagraha was lacking and managed to land right on top of a pile of weak stories." Rajeev Masand of CNN-IBN gave it 2 out 5 and opined that in Satyagraha, "Jha effectively meshes the urban angst witnessed on social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook with the ground realities of India's heartland, but the plot subsequently loses its way." Anupama Chopra gave it 2 stars and felt that the impact is diluted by a plot that "lurches from one event to the next without giving us anything new". Resham Sengar of Zee News gave it 2 out of 5 stars and wrote that Satyagraha is a mission left unaccomplished. Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV gave it 2.5 out 5, stating that parts of Satyagraha make perfect sense but, on the whole, "it never comes close to clicking into top gear. It leaves you more disappointed than angry."
Khalid Mohamed of the Deccan Chronicle awarded it 2 stars and said that it offers nothing new either by way of content or style.
Paloma Sharma of Rediff.com she gave the film 3 stars and stated that "Prakash Jha's much-awaited political thriller, Satyagraha has a heart of gold." She adds the story "attempts to speak about important issues but ends up over-simplifying them. Nevertheless, it is a good attempt." Prasanna D Zore of Rediff.com gave it 3 star and stated that Prakash Jha's Satyagraha is a terrible hodgepodge of Arakshan, Rajneeti and Gangaajal.
Shubhra Gupta of The Indian Express rated the film just 1.5 stars.