The controversy surrounding the Bollywood film “Kesari 2” has taken a dramatic turn. The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal has filed a police complaint against the film’s makers, alleging that the movie distorts the state’s contribution to India’s freedom struggle. The party claims that the film incorrectly depicts key Bengali freedom fighters, including Khudiram Bose and Barindra Kumar Ghosh.
TMC leaders Kunal Ghosh and Arup Chakraborty held a press conference at the party headquarters to address the issue. Ghosh stated that the film’s portrayal of Bengali freedom fighters is not just a mistake, but a deliberate attempt to erase Bengal’s role in the independence movement. He questioned how the film received a censor certificate despite such glaring errors.
The film’s alleged misrepresentation of historical figures has sparked outrage. Khudiram Bose, a prominent freedom fighter, is referred to as Khudiram Singh in the movie, while Barindra Kumar Ghosh is portrayed as Birendra Kumar from Amritsar. TMC leaders have demanded immediate action from the central government and questioned the role of the censor board in approving the film.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has also criticized the film’s makers, alleging that they are colluding with the BJP to downplay the contributions of Bengali freedom fighters. Banerjee stated that attempts are being made to belittle the role of Bengali revolutionaries in the freedom struggle, and her party condemns such efforts.
Bengali actor Ritwik Chakraborty has also spoken out against the film, saying that it is clear that the makers have tried to downplay the role of Bengali freedom fighters. The BJP, however, has countered the TMC’s allegations, claiming that the party is trying to create an issue out of a non-issue.
The film “Kesari 2”, directed by Karan Singh Tyagi, is based on the book “The Case That Shook the Empire” by Raghu Palat and Pushpa Palat. The movie features Akshay Kumar, R. Madhavan, and Ananya Pandey in lead roles. The controversy surrounding the film has sparked a heated debate about the representation of historical figures and the role of the censor board in approving films that potentially distort historical facts.