Rating: ★★★
Genres: Drama
Censor: U
Duration: 125 Min.
Studio/presenter:  Retake Unlimited film Production, Aurous Avatar Entertainment, Rohit Shetty
Producer: Atul Parab, Rohit Shetty
Director(s): Rupesh Katare, Nitin Gawde
Writer: Nitin Gawde
Dialogues: Nitin Gawde
Cast: Shrikant Bhide, Sara Shravan, Avinash Narkar, Sharad Ponkshe, Atul Todankar, Vivek lagu, Prasad Oak

Ten years ago, Mr. Mani Shankar Aiyar, then Petroleum Minister of India, created a controversy, by ordering removal of plaque  at Cellular Jail in Andamans, containing poem penned by Swatantryaveer Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, who spent 11 years in that jail, during India’s freedom struggle. The order of the Minister drew sharp criticism from BJP and Shiv Sena in Maharashtra, who protested strongly, seeking apology from the Minister. In short, it was made a political issue and there was not much public outrage noticed, on the statement made by the Minister.

But, 10 years later, we find the same issue being raised in latest Marathi film ‘What About Savarkar’ produced by Atul Parab & Rohiit Shetty and directed by Rupesh Katare and Nitin Gawde. Though all films are generally work of fiction, ‘What about Savarkar’ makes you think, as to what would happen today , if a politician makes such a remark against the late freedom Fighter? Thanks to the Social media. It  is so active today, that any such remarks made by our politicians, receives spontaneous  reaction from the young generation.

The film presents the same topic of a Petroleum Minister (name changed to Ayangar) who makes a remark to insult the late freedom fighter Veer Savarkar. One Abhiman Marathe ( Shrikant Bhide)  working in a multinational company spontaneously reacts, by lodging his strong protest against the Minister’s remarks. He writes in his blog on social net working site, stating  that he would  teach a lesson to the Minister, during his proposed visit to Mumbai, by welcoming him with a garland of foot wears. Watching huge response to his page, with 28,000 likes within a day; the Government decides to arrest him, for this act, which they call anti national act. Abhiman goes underground, to accomplish his mission.

In his mission, Abhiman  gets support from his office colleague Suniti Singh (Sara Shravan), Suryakant Pawar( Atul Todankar)  , an educated brother of a peon from his office, Kranti kamble( Avinash Narkar)  a self styled revolutionary from Alibaug  and his own grandfather Namdev Marathe (Sharad Ponkshe). The Police hunt  him, as Abhiman keeps changing his hideouts from Mumbai to Alibaug, then from Alibaug to Manipur at Suniti’s native town and from there to Amritsar to a well wisher (Gajendra Singh Chouhan) .His final destination then turns Delhi, as the Minister cancels his Mumbai trip and  is all set to give his speech during a book release function. The climax has been shot very cleverly, to show the final public reaction, on this issue; that too in Delhi.

Very cleverly the director has presented this limited story, through an interesting screenplay; taking the audience on a trip to various places. In the process ,he shows  the beauty of these places, especially Alibaug, Manipur and Amritsar. Even the locations in Mumbai have been different, covering the heritage buildings and landmarks of South Mumbai at Fort & Ballard Pier. For that one must thank cinematographer A.K. Sebestian for his excellent camera work. But, the timing of the film, seems to be wrong, as we see BJP ruled Governments at Centre and in the State. Moreover, today we find freedom of speech exercised on social networking sites, to lodge protest against anyone .  Perhaps, the work on this film, might have started two years ago.

But, the film has succeeded in passing the five elements of Savarkar’s  philosophy  cleverly,  through the screenplay. In fact, this film is a tribute to the greatest freedom fighter of India, who served maximum sentence in cellular jail, during India’s freedom movement. There are many facts in history brought to light, through this film. Not many were aware that Hridaynath Mangeshkar lost his job in Aakashvani, because he composed the lyrics of Savarkar.

Actually, the film has tried to show, how the politicians opposed to Savarkar’s  style of functioning, by trying  to suppress him. Most of the characters in this film, are shown, inspired by his ideology.  Good performances by  debutant Shrikant Bhide, Atul Todankar, Avinash Narkar , Sharad Ponkshe ,Sara Shravan and others make this film more appealing.   It was nice to see Sharad Ponkshe  playing the role of  grandfather with a young heart, who is also shown  tech savvy. Savarkar’s  poem Swatantra-te-Bhagavati’ has been used well in the title track of the film. Background music is also impressive. A must see film for all those who believe  in Savarkar’s ideology about ‘Akhand Bharat’ .