While the film might be perceived as another biopic in a series on Bhagat Singh, this version, directed by Guddu Dhanoa, possesses a distinct intensity. It projects a vitality different from Raj Kumar Santoshi’s ‘The Legend Of Bhagat Singh,’ yet equally compelling. The narrative is charged with an organic intensity, though at times, especially in the second half, it gets carried away with bombastic dialogues, a common trope in patriotic Hindi cinema.
The courtroom scenes and the jail sequences may appear exaggerated, but the film’s strength lies in its overt drama and emotional portrayal of the freedom struggle. The film is a loud and flamboyant ode to patriotism, using visuals like the colors of Punjab to evoke the era. Aishwarya Rai’s presence, somewhat out of sync with the film’s tone, paradoxically highlights Dhanoa’s patriotic fervor.
The film’s visual storytelling is impressive, from the Jallianwala Bagh massacre to Bhagat Singh’s execution, with extraordinary cinematography by Thiru. Though the songs by Anand Raaj Anand don’t match A.R. Rahman’s, they resonate with a raw, heartfelt quality.
The emotional depth of the narrative is significant, focusing on Bhagat Singh’s relationship with Lala Lajpat Rai and his mother. However, the portrayal of Sukhdev and Rajguru is less developed. Bobby Deol’s portrayal of Bhagat Singh is a surprise, capturing the character’s warmth and vitality. In contrast to other biopics, this film avoids the portrayal of Gandhi or Nehru, choosing to concentrate on Bhagat Singh’s significance.
Comparing it to other films, this one is akin to the ‘Gadar’ of 2002. Sunny Deol expressed that he was displeased with Raj Kumar Santoshi making his own Bhagat Singh biopic. Deol believed in the project from the start. He felt that the public awareness of Bhagat Singh had increased, and that after seeing the trailers and stills, people felt that Bobby and their film were closer to history than other films. He also mentioned his dream to make a film on Bhagat Singh at a time when no one else was thinking about it.
Sunny Deol played Chandrashekhar Azad in the film. He emphasized the detailed focus on Bhagat Singh’s life, and the film’s originality. He also spoke about a fire incident that destroyed the film’s sets, but the team persevered and continued with the project.