Rajkumar Santoshi To Glorify Nathuram Godse In Upcoming Film Gandhi Godse?

Director Rajkumar Santoshi answers if his film "Gandhi Godse" glorifies Nathuram Godse, the man who killed Mahatma Gandhi.

Hindu nationalist Nathuram Godse’s name has been registered in history as the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi. In 1948, Godse fired three bullets into Gandhi’s chest in broad daylight. Godse was sentenced to death in 1949. Nathuram was a member of RSS who denied any connection with Godse and claimed that he had left the party in 1930s. There has been a section of people who see Godse as a patriot while questioning Gandhi’s role in India’s partition.

Director Rajkumar Santoshi is coming out with a film titled Gandhi Godse: Ek Yudh that portrays the difference in ideologies of both while tracing the historic events. During the trailer launch of the film, Santoshi was asked if this film is an attempt to glorify Nathuram Godse.

Rajkumar Santoshi said, “Gandhi ji has made major contributions to India’s freedom. Nobody can deny that. Talking about Godse, I personally feel for him and for Gandhi Ji as well. We give credit to Gandhi ji for a lot of things, but he was also accused for several things. Sadly, he never got a chance to clarify his stand. People still question why Gandhi ji didn’t save Bhagat Singh. There are a lot of questions. Similarly, there’s an image of Godse that he killed Gandhi. But he gave a statement in court. I feel that his statement was kept hidden from public. This was an injustice that happened with Godse. People should know that. Why be afraid of it? Whatever he said in court, people should know that. And then people can make an opinion. Then you can either agree with Godse or call it rubbish. But it is his right that his side of story comes out. This right was not given to Godse. So, my film gives that right to Gandhi Ji and Godse, both! When you’ll see the film, you’ll know that we have given both of them an opportunity without being partial to either of them.”

On being asked if it is morally correct to justify a murderer, Rajkumar said, “Yes, it is right to justify Godse’s stand. We ask for a person’s wish before hanging him to death. Why do we ask it then? Godse’s last wish was that his voice reaches people. We can’t bury his voice. So, let people hear. Why be afraid? It’s a democracy.”

“Godse was not a supari killer. He was not a terrorist. He was someone like us who made an act. Whether he was right or wrong, let people decide. As a filmmaker, I have been honest. I was not partial towards anyone of them. I have sympathy for none. And it is not a propaganda film either. It is an honest film,” he further added.

Gandhi Godse: Ek Yudh marks Rajkumar Santoshi’s comeback after 9 years. His last release was Phata Poster Nikla Hero in 2013 featuring Shahid Kapoor. The film will have theatrical release on 26 Jan.

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