Bollywood rewrites history

Rajat Ghai / TNN / Aug 8, 2007, 00:00 IST

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Can mainstream cinema resurrect and popularise historical leaders and events? AT probes.

Can mainstream cinema resurrect and popularise historical leaders and events? AT probes
History sells on screen if marketed well in contemporary Bollywood. Even as the Mahatma returns on reel again in a biopic about Harilal Gandhi (Gandhi My Father), are historical films the flavour of the season, especially with Ashutosh Gowarikar’s Jodhaa Akbar lined up for release soon? A year after Gandhigiri became uber cool, thanks to Rajkumar Hirani’s Lage Raho Munnabhai, does mainstream cinema make people more conscious about a historical leader?
Rajendra Khimani, registrar of Gujarat Vidyapith, Ahmedabad says, “Mass media tends to sensitise you about a topic, an individual or a period of history.But, without proper implementation, it is a futile effort.” Agrees Kamlesh Pandey, scriptwriter of Rang De Basanti (a film that contemporised Bhagat Singh and made rebellion against the system cool).
“When you watch a movie, you want entertainment, not sermons. Sensible things said in the film are an added bonus.” Filmmaker Sudhir Mishra endorses this, “Cinema is overwhelmingly about entertainment. It does not change society, political movements do that. If a film can inspire people to launch a movement, then the above statement is true.”

There is no discounting that films are a powerful medium of reviving interest in historical events or individuals. “Lage Raho proved that mainstream fare could make Gandhi appealing to the youth, as his ideals were packaged properly,” says trade analyst Komal Nahta. Tridip Suhrud, translator of Chandulal Dalal’s biography on Harilal, feels that a historical movie should find connect.
He says,“Filmmakers are not interested in making biographical narratives as the audience seldom favours it.” Alex Grunwald, production manager of Richard Attenborough’s Gandhi, says, “It helps if you have a mainstream star portraying a historical character. For example, Morgan Freeman essaying the role of Nelson Mandela or Liam Neeson playing Lincoln in forthcoming Hollywood movies would add a lot to their appeal. In the end, you need a good script, director, and cast to make an impact.”

Eminent historian Professor Irfan Habib feels it’s vital that the “filmmaker remain faithful to the historical context of the individual or event.” Says Pandey, “You have to introduce old heroes in a contemporary idiom to make them relevant. For example, five films were made on Bhagat Singh. None of them were blockbusters as they failed to be relevant to audience.”
Take a look at the historical disasters on screen — 23rd March 1931 – Shaheed, The Legend of Bhagat Singh, Shaheed-a-Azam —A Story of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Bhagat Singh and Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Bose — The Forgotten Hero, Sardar Patel and Dr Ambedkar.
At the end of the day a historical film has to connect with the audience. Unfortunately, some reel lessons are not learnt and history repeats itself in the form of box-office disasters. Then it takes a Rang De Basanti or a Lage Raho.. to rewrite box-office rules and inspire hope for more historicals.

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