Rajkumar Santoshi’s upcoming film Gandhi Godse: Ek Yudh, which is based on a Indian history’s most controversial topic- Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination, is set to clash with Bollywood’s most talked about film, Pathaan- former is releasing on January 25 while latter is releasing on January 26.
Both films are on completely different topic and have very different target audience. Yet, both have fallen prey to the controversies. Congress has been demanding a ban on Gandhi Godse: Ek Yudh. Recently workers of Congress in Madhya Pradesh recently burnt the effigy of filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi in connection with the release of the film. Some protesters also threatened the makers that they will burn down the theatres wherever this film will be screened.
When asked about this protests at the recent press meet, film’s co- producer Mr. Lalit Shyam Tekchandani blamed Pathaan makers for instigating these protests.
He said, “Jo pehle Aurangzeb kar raha tha na, vo abhi Pathaan kar rha hai. Par ek kattar Hindu inke saath me khada hai. Ye mera vaada hai, picture bhi release hogi, aur Hindu bhi dekhenge aur Musalman bhi dekhenge. (What Aurangazeb used to do in his rein, Pathaan is doing the same now. But I assure that a true Hindu is standing beside him. I assure that this film will release in cinemas and both Hindu as well as Muslims will watch this film)
Also responding to the same question, Rajkumar Santoshi replied, “Agar vo sachmuch Gandhi ji ke followers hote to kya vo ye raasta apna te? Yakinan ye Gandhi ji ko samajh te nahi hai, na ye Gandhi ji ke followers nahi hai. Inase jyada Gnadhi ji ko main padh chuka hun. (If they were true followers of Gandhi, would they have opted this path? I can say with confidence that they are not true followers of Gandhi ji. I have read and understand Gandhi ji more than these protesters).
Also read: Rajkumar Santoshi To Glorify Nathuram Godse In Upcoming Film Gandhi Godse?
Gandhi Godse: Ek Yudh stars Chinmay Mandlekar, and Deepak Antani. The film marks Rajkumar Santoshi’s comeback after 9 years. His last release was Phata Poster Nikla Hero in 2013 featuring Shahid Kapoor and Sonakshi Sinha. The film will have theatrical release on 26 Jan.