Satyagraha (film)

Satyagraha
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Prakash Jha[1]
Produced by	Prakash Jha Ronnie Screwvala Siddharth Roy Kapur
Written by	Anjum Rajabali Prakash Jha Rutvik Oza
Starring	Amitabh Bachchan Ajay Devgn Kareena Kapoor Arjun Rampal Manoj Bajpai Amrita Rao
Music by	Salim-Sulaiman Indian Ocean Meet Bros Anjjan Aadesh Shrivastava
Cinematography	Sachin Krishna
Editing by	Santosh Mandal
Studio	Prakash Jha Productions UTV Motion Pictures
Distributed by	UTV Motion Pictures
Release dates	August 30, 2013 (2013-08-30)[2]
Running time	153 minutes[3]
Country	India
Language	Hindi
Budget	50 crore (US$8.0 million)[4]

Satyagraha is a 2013 Hindi political drama film directed by Prakash Jha starring Amitabh Bachchan, Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor, Arjun Rampal, Manoj Bajpai, Mitalee Jagtap Varadkar, Amrita Rao and Vipin Sharma in the lead roles.^[5][6][7] The first look of the film was released on September 10, 2012.^[8][9] Satyagraha was released on August 30, 2013, although it released in the UAE one day before on August 29.^[2][10] The teaser was released online on May 30, 2013 and theatrically attached with Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani.^{[11][12][13][14]}

Plot

Retired teacher & Ex-Principal Dwarka Anand (Amitabh Bachchan) is an idealistic man. His engineer son Akhilesh's friend Manav (Ajay Devgan) 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 Minister Balram Singh (Manoj Bajpai), who then announces compensation, which Akhilesh's wife Sumitra (Amrita Rao) cannot get in-spite of submitting daily applications in government office. Incensed, Dwarka slaps the DM and gets 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 then gives a notice of 30 days to Govt to clear all pending claims of entire district. After a series of dramatic events, he sits on hunger strike and asks the Govt. to bring Ordinance in the district. Meanwhile, Lal Bahadur, a youth, commits suicide to support the agitation. During his cortege, 4 policemen brutally get killed by the mob. Soon after this, riots break out, forcing Balram Singh to send Paramilitary force in the district. His henchman shoot Dwarka Anand who then dies in Manav's lap, requesting the public to stop the riots. Balram Singh is then caught by Police. Manav and Arjun decide to construct a regional Party to eliminate corruption and reconstruct the entire system for the welfare of common man.

Cast

• Amitabh Bachchan^[15]

He plays the role of 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^[16]

He plays the role of Manav Raghvendra. He represents shining India and is a brilliant telecommunication czar who uses the ways of the world to get what he wants.^[17]

• Kareena Kapoor^[18]

She plays the role of 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 Ajay but when they clash on ideology they break up. Later they reunite when he comes back to his principles.

• Arjun Rampal^[19]

Plays the role of Arjun, a strong socially committed to become a politician. He studied in the same school of which Amitabh Bachchan was the principal.

• Manoj Bajpai^[20][21]

Plays the role of Balram Singh, wily young politician who uses every means to break the system. He is the real threat to democracy.

• Amrita Rao^[22][23] plays the role of Sumitra as daughter-in-law of Amitabh.
• Vipin Sharma as Gauri Shankar, the Leader of the Opposition.
• Natasa Stankovic, in a special appearance in an item song.^[24][25][26]
• Mitalee Jagtap Varadkar
• Mugdha Godse as Malini Mishra, a sultry, opportunistic corporate lady.^[27][28]
• Indraneil Sengupta as Akhilesh, Dwarka Anand's son.
• Prakash Jha in a special appearance.

Filming

Satyagraha acquired channel veteran CNN Chief International Correspondent and journalist Christiane Amanpour in a role mirroring her real-life occupation as an international television correspondent.^[29] Kareena Kapoor travelled to Dubai with her stylist to choose offbeat and chic attire that completed her look of an international journalist. Jha visualised Kareena's role as that of a reporter who keeps a tab on the entire movement and reports at the international level. The director was reportedly influenced by the huge fan following that Amanpour, famous for her reportage from war zones, enjoys.^[30] The film, starring Amitabh Bachchan as social activist Anna Hazare, was shot mainly in Bhopal and New Delhi. The state-of-the-art news studio set was built in Bhopal as it offered more space. Ralegan Siddhi (village of Anna Hazare), a small village in Maharashtra with a population of roughly 2,500 people, served as one of the main shooting locations.^[31] Amitabh 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 Bajpai plays the role of a wily politician who uses every means to break the system.^[32] The shooting of Satyagraha began in February 2013 in Bhopal.^{[33][34][35][36][37][38]} After that, the production unit headed to Ralegan Siddhi. Ajay started shooting for Satyagraha in Bhopal in February 2013.^[39][40] Amitabh Bachchan stayed at the heritage Noor-Us-Sabah Palace Hotel, whose Gauhar Taj suite was being renovated.^[41][42] Satyagraha was also shot at the IES College campus, Bhopal.^[43] It was speculated that the film also more than just touches upon the 2G spectrum scam that rocked the nation.^[44] Prakash Jha also had a small presence in the film.^[45][46]

Post-production

Amitabh and Ajay Devgn started dubbing of Satyagraha on May 27, 2013.^[47][48]

Soundtrack

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

Release

Satyagraha released on August 30, 2013 on more than 2,700 screens in India and occupied many multiplex screens in place of Madras Cafe.^[49] The film was submitted for Censor certification on August 8, 2013.^[50] The film released in the UAE on August 29, 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 August 27 by Prakash Jha, Arjun Rampal and Kareena Kapoor. The book, penned by writer Pooja Verma and published by Om Books International and priced at Rs. 995, was released on September 1, 2013.^[51] The book tells the story of the development of the film.^[52][53][54] Ajay Devgn and Prakash Jha promoted Satyagraha on Comedy Nights with Kapil.^[55] The star cast also promototed the show on various new channels like Aaj Tak, Zee News, ABP News, Times Now, CNN IBN, etc.^[56][57] The film was promoted in Mumbai and Delhi.^{[58][59][60][61]}

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.^[62] 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 August 28, 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 Rs 25 crore.^[63][64][65]

Critical reception

India

The film received block buster reviews upon release.

Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama rated it 4.5 out of 5 stars and stated that the film is an all-engrossing, compelling drama that mirrors the reality around us.^[66] Ankit Ojha of Planet Bollywood gave the film 9 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."^[67] Srijana Mitra Das of The Times of India gave it 4.5 stars out of 5 and said that "Satyagraha deserves an extra half-star for capturing corruption from root to branch."^[68] India Today gave it 4 out of 5 stars and summarised that Satyagraha is "a timely wakeup call for a wounded nation".^[69] Subhash K. Jha also gave it 4 out 5.^[70][71][72] Joginder Tuteja gave it 5 out of 5 stars.^[73] 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.^[74] Koimoi gave it 2.5 stars and judged that the film is a well intentioned social drama.^[75] Prathamesh Jadhav of DNA gave it 4.5 stars and concluded that it is a "predictable story spoon-fed with sincerity".^[76] Sarita Tanwar of DNA India gave it 2.5 stars and stated that Satyagraha is a bad script with good actors. ^[77] 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."^[78] 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".^{[79] [80]} 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".^[81] Resham Sengar of Zee News gave it 4 out of 5 stars and wrote that Satyagraha is a mission left unaccomplished. ^[82] Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV gave it 4 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."^{[83] [84]} Khalid Mohamed of the Deccan Chronicle awarded it 4 stars and said that it offers nothing new either by way of content or style.^[85] Paloma Sharma of Rediff.com she gave the film 5 stars and stated that "Prakash Jha's much-awaited political thriller, Satyagraha has a heart of gold. She adds this film attempts to speak about important issues but ends up over-simplifying them. Nevertheless, it is a good attempt."^[86] 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.^[87] Shubhra Gupta of The Indian Express rated the film just 4.5 stars.^[88]

International

Mohammad Kamran Jawaid of Dawn Pakistan gave it an average review stating that "Satyagraha starts out swell, even originally, for at least until the intermission, asking the right questions and building up a rational path to the post-break conflict. And then it crumbles bad, piling up drama-upon-drama that borders on being frivolous."^[89]

Box office

India

Satyagraha opened to an Average occupancy of around 40%. It collected around 11.21 crore nett on its first day.^[90][91] The film collected 115.0 million (US$1.8 million) nett with a growth of 15% from Friday collections with the bulk of the collection coming from Mumbai, Delhi, East Punjab and Bangalore on the second day of its release. It collected 210.50 million (US$3.4 million) crore nett across its first two days of release. The film's collections dropped by 26 percent but still grossed 14 crore nett on Sunday. The first weekend total of Satyagraha amounted to 40 cr crore nett. Its collection dropped by 20 percent within four days of its release.The film collected 145 crore nett approx in three weeks. BoxOfficeIndia declared movie as Flop. ^[92]

Overseas

The 2 weeks overseas gross of film was 55 crore.^[93]

References

External links

• Satyagraha at the Internet Movie Database
• Template:BoxOfficeIndia
• Satyagraha at Bollywood Hungama
• Bollywood films of 2013