Gandhi Godse: Ek Yudh review: Was Nathuram Godse justified when he assassinated Mahatma Gandhi? The question remains a debatable issue. Rajkumar Santoshi’s latest offering Gandhi Godse: Ek Yudh attempts to present both sides of the view through a face-off between the Gandhi played by Deepak Antani and Godse (Chinmay Mandlekar).
In this fictionalised story, Mahatma Gandhi survives Godse’s assassinate attempt. Later the two come face-to-face in jail and present their respective ideologies.
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Discontent against Gandhi
The movie opens with the Partition between India-Pakistan and the communal violence that followed. It shows discontent among the Hindus and Sikhs against Gandhi who hold him responsible for their suffering. Amid such sentiments, Nathuram Godse’s anger and Bapu’s assassination follow.
Unfortunately, the film’s pace dips soon and it starts dragging in the first half itself. It also tales a look at some other crucial events, such as Gandhi’s fast unto death for Hindu-Muslim peace and the conditions to end it.
The discussion on Gandhi vs Godse has been going on since 1948, but the film fails to present the debate lucidly. Cooped up in the same jail cell, the protagonists’ respective ideologies, actions and stances find a space, but articulation is not strong enough.
The film tries to touch upon social issues like untouchability and casteism the Gram Swaraj Movement. It takes up Gandhi’s attempts to address economic or humanitarian exploitations, his fight for equality and justice but portrayal is half hearted. The filmmaker takes a cursory glance at such burning issues through incidents strung one after another.
Deepak Antani and Chinmay Mandlekar both share striking resemblance with Gandhi and Godse, respectively. Their body language and diction are on point. Other historical figures, including Jawaharlal Nehru (Pawan Chopra), Babasaheb Ambedkar, Maulana Azad, Sardar Patel (Ghanshyam Srivastav), etc, are also portrayed well. The film also introduces Tanisha Santoshi and Anuj Saini. While Tanuja shows promise, Anuj needs to work on his skills.
Weak screenplay
Rajkumar Santoshi’s directorial skills are visible but only in spurts. But the film’s treatment, Rishi Punjabi’s cinematography, with the light play and macro videography, deserve a mention. The events during Partition are recreated skilfully, as is the historical milieu. Asghar Wajahat’s dialogues are impactful, especially Gandhi’s quotes like, “Sarkarein hukumatein karti hain, seva nahin.” Screenplay could have been better.
The film also takes a critical look at some of Gandhi’s ideologies, such as celibacy. His vision of Kasturba Gandhi telling him that he had wronged her personally, mention of Jayprakash Narayan, Harilal (Hiralal) and Manilal Gandhi is an attempt to look at the issues from a divergent view point.
AR Rahman’s music is intense. Both Vaishnav Jan To and Raghupati Raghav come as a soothing balm.
Gandhi Godse: Ek Yudh is watchable if you can patiently sit through the first half. The second half is gripping but those invested in history will find it a reluctant attempt at digging deep.
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