With the boycott Bollywood trend refusing to die down, another film has found itself in the political crossfire. This time it is Rajkumar Santoshi’s film Gandhi Godse -Ek Yudh. The Congress party is at the forefront of this protest and are claiming that film is portraying Godse as a hero which they find objectionable.
Also effigies of the film and filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi are being burnt in Bhopal. Kunal Gajbhiye, Executive President of the Schedule Caste Department of the Congress in Bhopal has called for burning of the effigies of the film. In a statement Gajbhiye has said, “The trailer of the film Gandhi Versus Godse, to be released on January 26, 2023, has been released, which shows that the film has been made under a well-planned conspiracy. Objectionable scenes and dialogues about Muslim society and Gandhiji have been shown in the film. Director Raj Kumar Santoshi and co-producer of the film Lalit Shyam Tekchandani, have shown the despicable act of tarnishing the image of Mahatma Gandhi. It is also shown that the Congress should be dissolved. The rioter has been told, you can see how Godse has been made a hero. This film will work to divide the country, will increase Hindu terrorism. We will not allow this film to be shown in any talkies in Bhopal… and the co-producer of the film Lalit Shyaam Tekchandani And Rajkumar Santoshi’s face will be blackened, effigies of Rajkumar Santoshi and Lalit Shyaam Tekchandani will be burnt.”
On the contrary, BJP’s ally Balasahebanchi Shiva Sena feels that the Congress is making unnecessary conspiracy claims and wants them to watch the film before making so much noise. Krishna Hegde of Balasahebanchi Shiva Sena said, “The Congress party is opposing another film Gandhi Godse- Ek Yudh. The Congress had protested against The Tashkent files and The Kashmir Files which became superhits and were applauded across the world.
I would like to inform the Congress that the film is fictional and they need to watch the film before they object.”
Krishna Hegde further added, “The Congress, which speaks of creative liberty and engages so many film personalities to support it time and again for their programs and protests should not be double faced when a film does not suit them.”