Satyagraha – Democracy Under Fire

''Satyagraha'' is a 2013 Indian Hindi-language political drama film directed by Prakash Jha starring Amitabh Bachchan, Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor, Arjun Rampal, Amrita Rao, Manoj Bajpayee, and Vipin Sharma in the lead roles. The first look of the film was released on 10 September 2012. ''Satyagraha'' was released on 30 August 2013, although it released in the UAE one day before on 29 August. The teaser was released online on 30 May 2013 and theatrically attached with ''Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani''.

Plot

Retired teacher and ex-principal Dwarka Anand (Amitabh Bachchan) in Ambikapur is an idealistic man who lives with his engineer son Akhilesh and daughter-in-law Sumitra. Akhilesh's friend Manav (Ajay Devgn) is an ambitious capitalist. Manav cherishes his friend Akhilesh (Indraneil Sengupta) who suddenly dies in a road accident maliciously conducted by Sangram Singh, brother of India's minister Minister Balram Singh (Manoj Bajpayee), who, unknown to all of India, is the mastermind behind Akhilesh's murder. Balram Singh announces compensation, which Akhilesh's wife Sumitra (Amrita Rao) cannot get in spite of submitting daily applications in the government office. Incensed, Dwarka slaps the DM and is imprisoned. Manav starts a campaign to free him, using social media, roping in Arjun Singh (Arjun Rampal) and journalist Yasmin (Kareena Kapoor). As hopeful students, hungry laborers and angry middle-class citizens join in the agitation, politicians start panicking. Eventually, Dwarka Anand gets freedom after the DM takes his complaint back upon pressure from Balram Singh.

Dwarka Anand gives a notice of 30 days to the government to clear all pending claims in the entire district. After a series of dramatic events, he sits on hunger strike and asks the government to bring ordinance in the district. Meanwhile, Lal Bahadur, a youth, commits suicide to support the agitation. During his cortege, four policemen brutally get killed by the mob. Soon after this, riots break out, forcing Balram Singh to send paramilitary force. His henchman shoot Dwarka Anand who dies in Manav's lap, requesting the public to stop the riots. Balram Singh is then caught by the police. Manav and Arjun decide to construct a regional party to eliminate corruption and reconstruct the system for the common welfare.

Cast

* Amitabh Bachchan as Dwarka Anand, a man who is a firm believer of truth and an inherent believer of society who wants his son to give back to society and the nation all that they have given him.
* Ajay Devgn as Manav Raghvendra. He represents shining India and is a brilliant telecommunication czar who uses the ways of the world to get what he wants.
* Kareena Kapoor as Yasmin Ahmed. She is a hard headed TV reporter out in the field. She digs deep and has an opinion. She has a very strong relationship with Manav but when they clash on ideology they break up. Later they reunite when he comes back to his principles.
* Arjun Rampal as Arjun, a strong socially committed to become a politician and is currently a social worker. He studied in the same school of which Dwarka Anand was the principal.
*Amrita Rao as Sumitra Anand, a housewife and Dwarka's daughter in-law who loses her husband to an accident. While fighting corruption of the lethargic government systems in order to fulfill her late husband's dream to build a school she and her father in law Dwarka Anand become the focal reason to start the Satagraha movement in order to fight corruption.
*Manoj Bajpayee as Balram Singh, wily young politician who uses every means to break the system.
* Vipin Sharma as Gauri Shankar, the Leader of the Opposition.
*Gireesh Sahdev as Ambikapur DM Collector
* Ivan Rodrigues as the Channel Head of ABP News.
* Nataša Stanković, in a special appearance in an item song.
* Indira Tiwari Cameo appearance.
* Mitalee Jagtap Varadkar
* Raj Arjun as Sangram Singh, Balram Singh's brother
* Mugdha Godse as Malini Mishra, a sultry, opportunistic corporate lady.
* Indraneil Sengupta as Akhilesh Anand, Dwarka Anand's son and Sumitra's husband.
* Prakash Jha in a special appearance.

Filming

The story starring Amitabh Bachchan, based on social activist Anna Hazare, was shot mainly in Bhopal and New Delhi. The hi-tech news studio set was built in Bhopal as it offered more space. Ralegan Siddhi (village of Anna Hazare), a village in Maharashtra with a population of 2,500 people, was one of the main shooting locations. Bachchan plays a man who is a firm believer of truth, akin to a new age Gandhi, while Ajay plays an ambitious entrepreneur who represents the philosophy of modern India. Manoj Bajpayee plays the role of a wily politician who uses every means to break the system.

Shooting of ''Satyagraha'' began in February 2013 in Bhopal. After that, the production unit headed to Ralegan Siddhi. Amitabh Bachchan stayed at the heritage Noor-Us-Sabah Palace Hotel, whose Gauhar Taj suite was being renovated. ''Satyagraha'' was also shot at the IES College campus, Bhopal. It was speculated that the film more than just touches upon the 2G spectrum case that rocked the nation. Prakash Jha had a small presence in the film.

Soundtrack

The soundtrack of ''Satyagraha'' is composed by Salim–Sulaiman, Aadesh Shrivastava, Indian Ocean and Meet Bros Anjan, while the lyrics penned by Prasoon Joshi. It was released on 30 July 2013.

Release

''Satyagraha'' released on 30 August 2013 on more than 2,700 screens in India and occupied many multiplex screens in place of ''Madras Cafe''. The film was submitted for Censor certification on 8 August 2013. The film released in the UAE on 29 August 2013. ''Satyagraha'' received a 12A certificate by British censors on 23 August 2013; it was awarded an M certificate by Australian censors on 27 August.

Marketing

A book titled ''Satyagraha - The Story Behind Revolution'' was released on 27 August by Prakash Jha, Arjun Rampal and Kareena Kapoor. The book, penned by writer Pooja Verma and published by Om Books International and priced at , was released on 1 September 2013. The book tells the story of the development of the film. Ajay Devgn and Prakash Jha promoted ''Satyagraha'' on ''Comedy Nights with Kapil''. The star cast also promototed the show on various news channels like Aaj Tak, Zee News, ABP News, Times Now, CNN IBN, etc. The film was promoted in Mumbai and Delhi.

Controversy

A social action group, the Bhopal Citizens Forum (BCF) objected to the laying of a tar road and construction of a makeshift market at the historic 19th century Benazir Palace, the location of ''Satyagraha''. The issue caught the attention of the National Monuments Authority (NMA) as well. Benazir Palace grounds come under the Gandhi Medical College (GMC, Bhopal). The palace itself, not a protected monument, is held by the public works department (PWD). On 28 August 2013, Bombay High Court refused to stay the film's exhibition while hearing a suit filed by a producer claiming he was the original copyright owner of the movie's title. The plea was to stop release of the film ''Satyagraha'' and sue for damages worth .

Critical reception

India

The film received mixed reviews upon release.

Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama rated it 4 out of 5 stars and stated that the film is an all-engrossing, compelling drama that mirrors the reality around us. Ankit Ojha of Planet Bollywood gave 4 stars (out of 10), stating that, "''Satyagraha'' is suitable only for those who can ignore the film's many faults for its message. That in itself is going to be a major task for the audience to live up to." Srijana Mitra Das of ''The Times of India'' gave it 3.5 stars out of 5 and said that "''Satyagraha'' deserves an extra half-star for capturing corruption from root to branch." ''India Today'' gave it 4 out of 5 stars and summarised that ''Satyagraha'' is "a timely wakeup call for a wounded nation". Subhash K. Jha also gave it 4 out 5. Joginder Tuteja gave it 4 out of 5 stars. Neha Gupta of the ''Deccan Herald'' gave the film 4 stars and stated that ''Satyagraha'' conveys the uncontrollable anger and energy of a nation on the brink.

Koimoi gave it 2.5 stars and judged that the film is a well-intentioned social drama. Prathamesh Jadhav of DNA gave it 2.5 stars and concluded that it is a "predictable story spoon-fed with sincerity." Sarita Tanwar of DNA India gave 2.5 stars and stated that ''Satyagraha'' is a bad script with good actors. Saurabh Dwivedi of ''India Today'' gave it 2 stars and remarked that "despite choosing a hard-hitting topic other directors have managed to side step, Prakash Jha's ''Satyagraha'' was lacking and managed to land right on top of a pile of weak stories." Rajeev Masand of CNN-IBN gave it 2 out 5 and opined that in ''Satyagraha'', "Jha effectively meshes the urban angst witnessed on social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook with the ground realities of India's heartland, but the plot subsequently loses its way." Anupama Chopra gave it 2 stars and felt that the impact is diluted by a plot that "lurches from one event to the next without giving us anything new". Resham Sengar of Zee News gave it 2 out of 5 stars and wrote that ''Satyagraha'' is a mission left unaccomplished. Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV gave it 2.5 out 5, stating that parts of ''Satyagraha'' make perfect sense but, on the whole, "it never comes close to clicking into top gear. It leaves you more disappointed than angry."

Khalid Mohamed of the ''Deccan Chronicle'' awarded it 2 stars and said that it offers nothing new either by way of content or style.
Paloma Sharma of'' Rediff.com'' she gave the film 3 stars and stated that "Prakash Jha's much-awaited political thriller, ''Satyagraha'' has a heart of gold." She adds the story "attempts to speak about important issues but ends up over-simplifying them. Nevertheless, it is a good attempt." Prasanna D Zore of ''Rediff.com'' gave it 3 star and stated that Prakash Jha's ''Satyagraha'' is a terrible hodgepodge of Arakshan, Rajneeti and Gangaajal.
Shubhra Gupta of ''The Indian Express'' rated the film just 1.5 stars.

Box office

India

''Satyagraha'' opened to an Average occupancy of around 40%. It collected around nett on its first day. The movie was declared a ''flop'' by boxofficeindia.com.

Overseas

The 2 weeks overseas gross of film was .

References

External links

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{{UTV Movies

2013 films
Films directed by Prakash Jha
Indian thriller drama films
2013 thriller drama films
2010s Hindi-language films
Journalism adapted into films
Indian political thriller films
Indian political drama films
UTV Motion Pictures films
2013 drama films
2010s political drama films
2010s political thriller films