Sunny Deol on Bobby Deol’s Bhagat Singh: A Patriotic Cinematic Ode

While the cinematic landscape has seen a surge of Bhagat Singh biopics, Guddu Dhanoa’s rendition of the iconic freedom fighter’s story distinguishes itself with a distinct intensity. It captures a vibrant energy, setting it apart from Raj Kumar Santoshi’s ‘The Legend of Bhagat Singh.’ Despite the familiar narrative, Dhanoa’s film pulses with a palpable vitality reminiscent of ’23rd March 1931 Shaheed.’ The film’s narrative occasionally veers into bombastic rhetoric, a common trait of patriotic films in Hindi cinema. The depiction of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru’s trial is dramatized, featuring a Muslim lawyer and an overly long jail sequence. However, these dramatic elements contribute to the film’s grand patriotic narrative. The film celebrates patriotism, using vibrant visuals, including the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the execution of Bhagat Singh. Cinematographer Thiru’s work adds depth, while the music, though not on par with A.R. Rahman’s, aligns with the film’s emotional core. The film highlights Bhagat Singh’s relationships, particularly with Lala Lajpat Rai and his mother. Bobby Deol’s portrayal of Bhagat Singh is a standout, while Sunny Deol’s presence as Chandrashekhar Azad adds further depth. Comparisons between Dhanoa’s film and Raj Santoshi’s ‘The Legend of Bhagat Singh’ are inevitable, with the former being compared to ‘Gadar’ in terms of its melodramatic art. Sunny Deol expressed his belief in the project and praised Bobby’s portrayal, emphasizing the importance of authenticity in the film’s depiction of Bhagat Singh’s life.