It is a 2024 Indian Hindi language historical biographical film. Based on the life of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. It is directed, co-written & co-produced by Randeep Hooda. He also plays the titular role of Savarkar. It was released in the theaters on 22 March 2024.
I watched in the theater on Sunday, 24th. The show was packed with enthusiasts. Lot of claps & ‘wah !’ adorned it. Families had come with children.
Made on a budget of Rs. 20 crores it has garnered Rs 17.52 crores till date. The actor’s performance has been praised. It never aspired to be in a 100 crore club & has done so well at the box office.
After being released on OTT platforms more people will watch it. It has been criticized for promoting a one sided agenda. But a biographical film is such. It highlights the protagonist.
After being ignored for so long, he deserves all the limelight! A difference of views with Gandhian non-violence , he professed taking up arms & to be able to defend the country after Independence. Netaji Subhashchandra Bose shared his vision. They also wanted clear boundaries & compulsory military training for the youth.
Randeep Hooda took over directing the film when Mahesh Manjrekar quit the project citing differences with Randeep over the script & inclusion of irrelevant historical figures & events.
The critics have given it 2.5 to 3 stars & wished the editing had been done sharp, it would have been a memorable experience. Some wished it had been a web series & a few more events could have been added.
Randeep with his team of actors have given us a beautiful experience. The makeup artist has done a superb job. Aging of people has been done so well. Ina sea of biopics if we still remember it, it will be it’s great strength.
Ankita Lokhande as his wife has only a couple of scenes but she has done them so well! She loses her child, she plays with a toy, looking sad , devastated & blankly at the wall. In a deglamed look she dazzled.
Randeep has lost weight & taken so much pains for it. His lean face but muscled body is an asset. His stained teeth, from lack of care. Later his dentures. All details add to his persona.
The scene where he meets his brother & wife , he has no glasses. Everything is hazy. Just then a prison mate gives him one. They have paid for a new specks for him. He wears them only to see his wife & younger brother leaving. His time is over!
Coming from a small place , Bhagur, on the outskirts of Nasik, he rose to such lofty heights! Not everyone is blessed in life. Looking back, of all the freedom fighters he had it the toughest. A long life in jail & losing his friends to the gallows!
In 2001, ‘Veer Savarkar’ was released by Savarkar Darshan Prathisthan, under the president-ship of Sudhir Phadke. It was produced by Sudhir Phadke who had also composed the music. Directed by Ved Rahi. The film reported a collection of 81 lakhs at box office against a budget of 40 lakhs.
It was a dream project of Sudhir Phadke, an Indian singer-composer. He passed away on 29 July 2002. He was awarded ‘Sahyadri Swara Ratna Puraskar’ in April 2002. He received it at the hands of Pt. Jasraj. Babuji , as Sudhir Phadke was nicknamed, died a satisfied man.
The making of both the films was eventful. But they have left us with an enriching experience. Kudos to the team.
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