Was Netaji Gumnaami Baba? – Legal Spat about the Unsung Hero

Gumnaami is a Bengali mystery film reportedly based on the life of Netaji. Though Subhas Chandra Bose’s family denied that Gumnaami had any connection with Netaji, the row and legal spat surrounds it. A review by Soma, exclusively for Different Truths.

Gumnaami is a Bengali mystery film written and directed by Srijit Mukherji and produced by Shrikant Mohta and Mahendra Soni under the banner of Shree Venkatesh Films. Actor Prosenjit Chatterjee will be seen in the role of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Gumnaami Baba.

Gumnaami is more of a documentary. Director Srijit Mukherjee brings a well-researched documentation of the mystery that clouds Netaji’s death. However, the film lags a little direction wise. The camera work of certain scenes is below average. The lead character of Anirban Bhattacharya, is very shallow.

The transformation of the character from a Netaji critic to an obsessive follower lacked depth. We only get a glimpse of emotions through his look and dialogues. I think that was the part where the director needed to add a few extra scenes to show the transition. Prosenjit Chattopadhya as Netaji was a decent performance; however, his dialogue delivery could have been better. The standout performance was by Anirban Bhattacharya, who delivers a very balanced and natural performance. A nice movie and worth a one-time watch.

Amitabho Banerjee, opined, “I watched the film Gumnaami today. I don’t want to give spoilers but for the uninitiated the film unfolds the mystery around Netaji’ s death and his life after the alleged plane crash through the thorough investigation of the journo-turned out-Netaji mission co-founder. This narrative not only resurrects the hopes of millions of Indians for their national hero to come back after 1945 but also lands a tight slap on the faces paid historians and so-called nation makers who limited the sacrifice of Netaji to certain pages and marked him as a failure or war criminal. We have been eye-washed and brain washed for more than 70 years. It’s time to recognise the sacrifices of our Unsung hero-Netaji. Thanks, Srijit, Chandrachur and Anuj Dhar for making this film. It’s definitely a must watch for all the Indians. Jai Hind!”

Subhash Chandra Bose remains an iconic and revered personality in the mind and heart of fellow countrymen- a great administrator, communicator, academician par excellence and yet shrouded in mystery and confined to few lines only in text book. The Gumnaami team has tried to address this ambiguity with excellent research and good performances. This surely with be the benchmark for further work on this unfinished agenda and Srijit and his crew have raised expectations of the viewers. Waiting for follow-up soon.

Meanwhile, Snehasis Roy stated, “After being criticised by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s grandnephew Chandra Kumar Bose over his upcoming film Gumnaami, filmmaker Srijit Mukherji said he will make the movie even if he is sent to jail.”

This is the superb movie ever made or seen in history. This movie is connected to our hearts and will be never forgotten. The script is awesome. Watching this movie has many reasons but the most important is Srijit Mukherjee and the team he selected. It has taken much effort to make this movie and everyone should watch it.

Urmila Mukherji opined, “Unfazed by their claim, Mukherjee wrote on Twitter, ‘To answer your threat to gag me, I will stay in my country and make this film. If you drag me to court, I will borrow production design ideas from the court setting and make this film’.”

It’s not just a movie but a restoration of honour a man who fought for the nation. The storytelling is top notch. Anirban is the highlight of the movie. Prosenjit as usual portrayed Netaji in the best way possible… Please do watch. Proud of Bengali cinema. Hats off to Srijit and team.

Shreemoyee Sengupta rued, “A man who led the life of a reclusive Hindu saint in Faizabad in Uttar Pradesh in the 1970s or 80s came to be known as Gumnaami Baba. Those who met him claimed he was none other than Netaji Bose, whose reported death in a plane crash in 1945 has been doubted by many.”

Waiting so long for such a movie. These type of depictions of reality is necessary and acts as a step towards unveiling the biggest mystery and conspiracy hatched by JLN Co. Ltd. The nation should know about the contribution of one of its greatest sons. Whatever hurdle in the form of legal, censoring, or govt. pressure may come, truth regarding a great hero, a pioneer should be uncovered at any cost…And also this movie has sung the true National anthem in proper fashion (rather than a twisted one which is played everywhere).

Anuj Dhar and Chanrachur Ghose’s hard work, extensive research and dedication is what we see in the character of Chandachur Dhar. Awesome Srijit and Bhumba da for bringing this alive on screen! Netaji life after 1945 needs focus.

The soundtrack of the film is composed by I.N.A. and D. L. Roy, whereas background music and score is done by Indradip Dasgupta. The lyrics are by D. L. Roy and Capt. Abid Ali Mumtaz Hussain.

Baby Poddar felt, “Bose’s family members claimed that terming Gumnaami Baba as Netaji in disguise without any documentary or photographic evidence is a ”criminal offence.”

The film has raised a row about its accuracy with claims and counter-claims. It is caught up in a legal spat. It takes courage to deal with such a subject.

Directed by Srijit Mukherji

Produced by Mahendra Soni, Shrikant Mohta

Screenplay by Srijit Mukherji

Story by Srijit Mukherji

Based on Mukherjee Commission hearings

Starring:  Prosenjit Chatterjee, Anirban Bhattacharya, Tanusree Chakraborty,  Indraadip Dasgupta, Soundtrack: I.N.A. and D. L. Roy

Cinematography: Soumik Haldar

Photos  from the IMBd