Happy Independence Day: 5 dialogues from Mohanlal starrer ‘Kalapaani’, that a patriot in you cannot miss

India is celebrating its 74th Independence Day today (August 15). On this same day, back in 1947, India gained independence from the British Empire and today is the remembrance of a historic moment. Although we have read about the period in books, a few filmmakers were successful in portraying the struggles and sacrifices that nationalists did to get independence. Malayalam movie ‘Kalaapani’ directed by Priyadarshan is one of the best patriotic movies ever made. The movie showcases the struggles that freedom fighters had to go through in the Cellular Jail called Kalapani in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. As we are celebrating Independence day and proudly recalling the historic moment of our democratic nation, here’s take a look at the five iconic dialogues from Mohanlal starrer ‘

Kalapaani

’, that the patriotic in you cannot miss.

I am fighting for all of India, my country! - Govardhan Menon
In an iconic scene in the movie ‘Kalapaani’, Dr. Govardhan Menon (Mohanlal), the prisoner, is confronted with a Doctor of the

British Raj

, where the doctor asks Govardhan for which princely state he is fighting as India never existed before the advent of British. Govardhan couldn’t stand the insensitive comment made by the doctor and he tells, “I am fighting for all of India, my country!” which is sure to make you proud.

There will be a day every Indian will realize that India has only one religion that is patriotism - Govardhan Menon

In the same scene, another doctor asks Govardhan if he was fighting for India, which will be again separated if British leave because it has different states, religions, castes, and so on. Govardhan describes unity in diversity at its best.

Govardhan says, “I know, the moment you give us freedom, we will start fighting over power, religion, states, and languages. At the end of it, if you are thinking that this country will divide into small princely states, that is your intention. It's your feudal complex that the regions you have lost would never progress. And that's why you are planting seeds of religious hatred through your ‘divide and rule’ policy. Even though we get freedom it would divide us and destroy the country. But there will be a day every Indian will realize that India has only one religion that is ‘patriotism’. That day you will all bow your head with shame, the whole world will!” The dialogue is sure to give chills down your spine.

I will speak - Govardhan
In the movie, the Kalaapani jail is nothing but a hell for the prisoners. The prisoners are treated like slaves and often tortured and murdered by the jail warden. ‘I will speak’ is a dialogue delivered by Govardhan where he is reporting about the misdeeds to the higher officials, who have paid a visit. “I will speak,” says a courageous Govardhan and went on adding, “The prisoners released by the court order were released and shot dead. I personally dug their graves along with these men. The people who were willing to talk are locked in the madhouse. One prisoner's tongue is punctured.” Govardhan

An Indian man's back is not a footboard - Govardhan

Even before getting imprisoned Dr. Govardhan Menon was against the ill-treatment that Indians received from British rules. In a pivotal scene in the movie, Govardhan and a few of his people are protesting against the British by burning western clothes. A British officer arrives at the spot and while stepping out of the vehicle, a local man bends on the floor and the officer uses him as a step. Govardhan is disturbed watching this and he screams, “An Indian's spine is not for the White to use as a footboard. Ask the feudal lords, who think slavery is patriotism to serve as footboards. This an atrocious act. An educated and cultured man like you should not do it. An Indian man's back is not a footboard.”

Lakkum Deenukum Valiyadeen

Prisoners get into a tiff as a bunch of Islam followers believe that they are served with pork meat. Pork meat is prohibited according to Islam law and the believers are upset over it. An old prisoner commands to stop fighting and says an iconic dialogue that says the importance of respecting every religion. “Lakkum Deenukum Valiyadeen. Do you know its meaning? You have your religion and I have mine. People who have read the Quran would know it. Prophet taught us to respect all religions,” he says.