Satyagraha – Democracy Under Fire

About the film

Satyagraha is a 2013 Indian Hindi-language political drama film directed by Prakash Jha. The film stars Amitabh Bachchan, Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, 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 in India on 30 August 2013, although it was released in the UAE a day earlier.

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 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 Khan). 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 under 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 goes on a hunger strike and asks the government to bring an 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.

Background

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 27 July 2013.

Release

Satyagraha's teaser trailer was released along with Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, which released on 31 May 2013.

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.

A book titled Satyagraha – The Story Behind Revolution was released on 27 August by Prakash Jha, Arjun Rampal and Kareena Kapoor Khan. The book, penned by writer Pooja Verma and published by Om Books International and priced at ₹995 (equivalent to ₹1,700 or US$18 in 2023), 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.

Critical reception

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. 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.

Key details