Tributes
to a Great Patriot
In
the history of the struggle of
Indians for freedom from British
colonial rulers Bhagat Singh's
name stands out as of an exceptional
man. Son of a freedom-fighter,
Bhagat Singh grew up during the
early phase of the armed struggle
in the twenties and thirties.
The
western province of Punjab was
in turmoil. Harrowing incidents
like the massacre of hundreds
of peaceful people in the town
of Amritsar had fanned a fresh
wave of rebellion against British
atrocities. The alien rule had
bred a new generation of revolutionaries,
ready
to lay down their lives
for the freedom of their motherland.
 |
|
Ajay
Devgan as Bhagat Singh in
the guise of a British gentleman
|
Bhagat
Singh was among the leading figures
of the band of young men who dreamt
of a free India. The fire-brand
yet cool-headed Sikh youth inspired
thousands to fight against foreign
bondage, a cult figure who has
left a deep impact on everything
Indian - from poetry to politics.
How could then cinema escape?
Before
Independence in 1947, the Brirish
rulers would not tolerate a film
on an Indian revolutionary figure.
The first film was made in 1948.
Dilip Kumar, a leading actor then,
did Bhagat Singh's role. The film's
title was Shaheed (martyr). Six
years later, screen veteran Jairaj
enacted the same role in Shaheed-e-Azam
(a prince among martyrs).
Shaheed
Bhagat Singh was the third film
and the fourth one was Shaheed,
starring producer-director-actor
Manoj Kumar. After 1965, the year
India had to fight another war
with Pakistan, there were no films
till now. In 2002, four films
were announced and are in the
making, on the life-story of Bhagat
Singh, who was hanged by the British
in 1931.
The four films are:- Raj Kumar
Santoshi-directed Legend of Bhagat
Singh; Guddu Dhanoa-directed 23
March 1931 Shaheed Bhagat Singh;
S. Nair-directed Shaheed-e-Azam;
and, Tarun Wadhwa's Shaheed Bhagat
Singh.
The
Legend's music was released at
a function in New Delhi on May
4 by Bhagat Singh's younger brother
Sardar Kultar Singh.
Raj
Kumar Santoshi, known to be slow
in making movies, has broken record
this time. He finished shooting
the Legend of Shaheed Bhagat Singh
in a little over four months.
It will be released in June.
The
sets lend the Legend a feel of
realism as compared to Deols'
film 23 March 1931 cast in Mumbai.
In the latter, Sunny Deol's brother
Bobby Deol plays the role of Bhagar
Singh. In the Legend, the lead
is played by Ajay Devgan. The
Deols and the Tips Films have
invested Rs 20 crore each.
-India
Overseas
May 6, 2002
