MOVIE REVIEW- SUBHASCHANDRA BOSE
A great leader once remarked, "Atom Bomb can kill our bodies, but it cannot kill our ideal - the
ideal to liberate our motherland. We shall die, so that the nation may live. A martyr’s body is seed
of the church". (In the context of Hiroshima & Nagasaki Bombing during the WW II.)
I recently watched a movie named- “Subhas Chandra Bose” andI’m going to reflect on the movie
in this review. The movie is based on Subhas Chandra Bose, an Indian nationalist whose defiant
patriotism made him a hero in India, but whose attempt during World War II to rid India of British
rule with the help of Nazi Germany and Japan left a troubled legacy. It is quite evident from the
previous sentence that why I chose this movie.Netaji had a great role to play in the WW II. Before
further talking about this great leader, I would like to mention that this movie was directed
by Salil Chowdhury in 1966. It is actually a film of the black & white bollywood era, so not much is
known about this movie. Though, the songs are very popular even today. This great movie
belonging to the historical genre, starred Abhi Bhattacharya and Jayamala as the leads.
The movie depicts the first turning point in the Netaji’s life which came up when he was a
student. It all started when Subhas was rusticated from his college. Even after being
rusticated, Subhas did his B.A., went to London and passed I.C.S. examinations, standing fourth in
merit in order to full-fill his father’s dream.This was the time when the Indians were revolting
against theRowlatt Act. Also, Mahatma Gandhi had launched his NonCoperation Movement. And Subhas could resist the call ofBapu. Subsequently, he resigned
from the I.C.S., even against the wishes of his father, came back to India and plunged into the
nationalist movement. Subhas was then arrested. After his release, he contested elections
and he won. Then, he introduced many important reforms which were not liked
by the Britishersbecause he represented the rising aspirations of the youth. He was also elected
as the President of the INC. He then formed the Forward Bloc. This was the time when he was
arrested for the 11th time. After his release, Subhas fled. Facing many obstacles, Bose reached
Germany via Afghanistan. He startedthe Azad Hind Radio. Subhas, however, declined the offer of
military assistance from Hitler. He then went to Singapore where he formed the Azad Hind Fauj.
He was the First Head of Free India now. With German and Japanese aid, he thendeclared war
against the British Empire. But, soon the monsoon arrived and the supply line was cut.
Equipment and ammunitions went short. But mostly, Hiroshima and Nagasakiwere bombarded.
Japan surrendered, but Netaji didn’t loseheart. He decided to fight till his death. But his
commanders in great anguish forced him to stay behind and leave the front.Although the struggle
waged by him was not successful, but, his story actually gave me a lot of inspiration. It instills a
positive attitude inside my soul. When I watched the movie, I could very well imagine the
situation that must have occurred at that time. Not only this, I learnt the idea of commitment and
perseverance. With the help of superb acting and direction, the movie was a great success!MAYANK SHARMA
PAGE 4