The Legend of Bhagat Singh

Plot synopsis:
Bhagat Singh was born in British India in 1907. As a child he witnessed numerous atrocities committed on fellow Indians by their British rulers, who came to trade under the guise of the East India Company, but ended up controlling most of the nation, and permitting tyrants such as General Reginald Dyer to massacre thousands of innocent men, women and children in Jallianwala Bagh. As a child he was impressed by Mahatma Gandhi, especially his call to launch the non-cooperation movement, which led to thousands of people burning British-made clothing, giving up school, college studies, and government jobs — only to be let down by Gandhi when he called off the movement. Undaunted, Bhagat Singh (Ajay Devgan) decided to be a revolutionary, starting with getting into petty fights, then as a grown-up joining the Hindustan Republic Association. His father, Kishan, paid Rs.60,000/- and bailed him out, so that he could get him to run a dairy-farm and get married to a girl named Mannavali (Amrita Rao) .
When Lala Lajpat Rai was beaten to death by the police, Bhagat, with Shivaram Rajguru, Sukhdev, and Chandra Shekhar Azad (Akhilendra Mishra) daringly carried out the assassination of a police officer named Saunders, which eventually led to Bhagat's arrest. He was lodged in a cell, tortured and beaten mercilessly. But being a revolutionary was in Bhagat's blood: When the British proposed the Trade Disputes and Public Safety Bills, he initiated the bombing in the Indian Parliament Building, with Batukeshwar Dutt, He took utmost care of the safety of people in parliament by throwing bombs at empty benches .He was arrested, and tried in an open court. This is where Bhagat launched his much-publicized revolution, and became popular with the masses, especially the younger generation, laborers, and farmers, so much so that his popularity rivaled that of Gandhi himself.
Even in Lahore prison, Bhagat made headline news when he and other prisoners undertook a 63-day fast unto death to improve the conditions of Indian freedom-fighter prisoners. On the other hand, Azad, whom the British had repeatedly failed to capture, was attacked in Alfred Park of Allahabad on 27 February 1931. With the police surrounding the entire park, a shootout followed; refusing to be captured by the British, Azad committed suicide with the last remaining bullet in his revolver.
The British re-opened the Saunders' murder case, which led to death sentences being imposed on Bhagat, Shivram, and Sukhdev. The entire nation rose up in protest, including the Congress party — with the ball in Gandhi's court — for he was due to sign the Irwin Pact, and Indians hoped that he would use this as a bargaining chip to save the lives of the heroic trio. But as Gandhi agreed with the clause of "Release of political prisoners except for the ones involved in violence", the hopes of the nation dashed to the ground. Bhagat, Sukhdev and Rajguru were hanged in utmost secrecy, during the early hours of 23 March 1931.

Tags: avant garde

Review:
The Legend of Bhagat Singh is a wonderful representation of India, in the middle of its struggle to throw the British out.
In fact, the director, Santoshi shows in details how Bhagat came to develop his views of the British with very little outside distraction.Ajay Devgan is excellent as a the title character, bringing the necessary passion that only he can provide with his steel-y stare.
Westerners can see the parallel between Gandhi's nonviolent methods and the more revolutionary Bhagat Singh with Martin Luther King's methods vs Malcolm X "by any means necessary" credo.As the last reviewer mentioned, it's a great reference for those interested in India's independence struggle and it truly reinvigorated my interest in Indian history.See this movie if you enjoy eastern history, but won't go for the traditional Bollywood flick..
The Legend of Bhagat Singh is one of Indian cinema's most ambitious projects to date.
After three years of painstaking research and set construction, veteran film maker Raj Kumar Santoshi and actor Ajay Devgan shot the film in a short stretch of six months.
Overall it's a pretty solid film but one can't help shake the feeling that it could have been a far superior product if it had been worked on for a short while longer.The film tells the entire life story of Indian freedom fighter and martyr Bhagat Singh who, in a nut shell, grew disillusioned with Gandhi's passive movement and lead an independent violent struggle against the British.Colonial India is recreated magnificently in the film and the British atrocities committed are portrayed with aplomb by the director.
Some of the film's strengths are its hard hitting portrayal of British atrocities, its court scenes and its action scenes.The film's biggest highlight is its lead performer, Indian actor Ajay Devgan.
His work here is par excellence and can easily rival any work done by any grade-A actors the world over.The supporting cast is good as well, with fellow revolutionary Sukhdev (Indian stage actor Sushant Singh) Bhagat Singh's mother (Indian diva Farida Jalal) leaving lasting impressions as well.The last excellent thing about the movie is the music by renowned composer A.R. Rahman.
The music is not as festive as Bollywood movies usually boast, but that's to be expected considering the subject of the film.
This angle of the film stuck out like a sore thumb to say the least.For all its faults however, Legend of Bhagat Singh has plenty of strengths to make it a superb film.
The legend of Bhagat Singh is one of the finest movies of Indian film history.The film shows the lifetime of great freedom fighter Bhagat Singh.The film depicts his life,his struggle and his determination brillantly..The film not only shows the freedom fighter's struggle,but also his ideologies and his idea of a progressive nation and how he moved the entire nation.
The photography,the script,the dialogues(power packed and very thought-provoking)everything about this movie is splendid.A lot of research has gone into making this film.Brilliant performance by Ajay Devagan as Bhagat singh,Sushant singh as Sukhdev.Ajay literally lived the freedom fighter's life.The music adds to the film's beauty.
The conflict between Gandhi's non-violence and Bhagat Singh's Tit for Tat philosophy is one of the most touching points of the movie.
Director did good home work and hence a movie that we should be proud of is out there on someone who is perhaps not internationally as famous as Gandhi but for sure was a great freedom fighter, real patriot and a great son of Mother India..
Director Rajkumar Santoshi has as usual proved himself as one of the few excellent directors bollywood has.He has done a great task of research before making this film.Each and every department of this movie is just marvelous.Every incident is shown with 100% touch of reality.Everything ,right from sets to dialogues creates the real time of that period.As far as acting is concerned, i think this is the most powerful performance from Ajay Devgan.No surprise he got national award for this film.Other actors in film too deserve 100% appreciation.Sushant Singh has been wonderful, so was Raj Babbar.I wonder why this film was not a blockbuster at box office.Well......we all know why....?it wasn't a rubbish stuffs from badjatya,johar or chopras.Well full marks and thanks to Rajkumar Santoshi for this movie.Must see this film..
There is a lot the young Indians should learn from this movie which in turn would make Bhagat's sacrifices worthwhile.
Reavan recommends The Legend Of Bhagat Singh Product Rating : Plot revealed in review  : Somewhat revealed`The Legend of Bhagat Singh' is an excellent example for flawless filming of the life of a magnificent martyr.
Ajay Devgan as Bhagat Singh, Susan Singh as Sukhdev, Santhosh as Rajguru, Akilendra Mishra as Chandrasekar Azad, Raj Babbar and Farida Jalal as Bhagat's parents all of them made a mind-blowing mark for themselves in this miraculous movie and in the history of Bollywood.
A particular mention to be made of the jailor, and the actors who played the roles of Emerson and Gandhiji .The soundest strength of the film was the amazing ability of Rajkumar Santhoshi to impeccably interweave sentiments and dramatic scenes amidst the course of the film , jubilantly justifying history all the way.
It is slowly and steadily creating a sound stardom for Bhagat Singh amongst the youth of the country, which was the cause of the film..
I think a great movie on the history with great acting, direction, music, Photography, effects, sets, clothes and over all the story.
A must watch movie for any patriotic person.Watch it for Ajay Devgan at his best.Sushant is impressive as Sukhdev.the screenplay is tight and the movie outplays it's counterparts like 23 March 1931 :Shaheed.I liked the casting and the costumes.Rehman's music is excellent esp.
Santoshi's 'The Legend of Bhagat Singh' tells a detailed biography of the martyred hero.
He has tried to stay historically accurate and even though it was released during the same time as Guddu Dhanoa's snoozefest '1930 Shaheed', 'The Legend of Bhagat Singh' triumphs above that and is a masterpiece in comparison.Ajay Devgan, though intense roles are his strength, may seem like an odd choice to play the title role, especially because there is no physical resemblance and he is too old for the part.
The background score, though beautiful, is intrusive at times and kind of adds a melodramatic feel (when that isn't necessary).'The Legend of Bhagat Singh' is one of the fewer biopics in Indian cinema that tells a good story while attempting to stay true to the facts.
Students can use this movie as a reference for study on Martyr Bhagat Singh..
After watching this movie one can say that the director has done a lot of research on the life of the legend because each scene and every aspect of the film reveal the hard work of the director and his research team (writer Anjum Rajabali) who has done a great job.
RajKumar Santoshi has given his 100 percent in making this Masterpiece and will be remembered till the Indian Film Industry exists.
Right from his first movie (Phool aur Kaante) he has proved that he is a good actor and brilliant performer but Indian audiences, critics and directors came to know after so many years.
and right from the first minute you are glued to the screen i wouldn't spoil it any further..Because of the time of it's release i don't think a lot of audience was able to see such an important film especially for us Indians.
The film starts as a jumbled collage of rapidly moving pictures, shows a very young Bhagat Singh who is witnessing the Jallianwalla Bagh massacre in a "surreal" way, then moves to his getting thoroughly disillusioned by the backtracking done by the Mahatma, and picks up steam as the young college student Bhagat turns into a firebrand.
These faults in the scripting made the film seem like a hurried effort.The acting ranged from very good to OK.
Sushant Singh did a very commendable job as Sukhdev, as did Santosh as Rajguru, Ajay started out shaky but settled into the role quite well by the end of the film.
Well if you're Indian and you don't know the story of Bhagat Singh - then you're probably not worth telling it to.
Santoshi has packed a lot into the picture but he forgot to insert a few things that I felt were important since you're making a film on his life.
I would like to point out another thing here – the background score is just out of this world.Santoshi always extracts the best performances from his actors and this film is no exception.
Before watching this, I did not really see Ajay as a Bhagat Singh because despite him being a Sikh, it did not suit him – but boy was I surprised.
Ultimately, the film motivates you to also tell the story of a legend named Bhagat Singh.
Whenever one witnesses a film like 'Legend of Bhagat Singh', one can only just stare and mentally get back to the earlier days.
An excellent performance from almost the whole cast and above all Sushant Singh who gives his very best as 'Sukhdev'.
Top notch performances along with a beautiful score is not all you will get, there is much more here that makes the film much more than just a biographical epic.In the list of top Biography epics like 'Joan of Arc - The Messenger', 'Queen Margot' and many more, 'The Legend of Bhagat Singh' definitely hits the list as well.
Bhagat Singh was an extraordinarily brave man who is portrayed very well by his actor in this movie.
It is one of the best patriotic movies made on Indian independence.
I will recommend everyone, who is interested in Indian history and Independence should watch this movie.
Men come & Men go but some people do really make an impact & Bhagat Singh is one of them.Rajkumar Santoshi has really portrayed this character to the BEST.The likes of this movie can only be compared to "Brave Heart".
That's why we've got to know the greatness of Bhagat Singh so late.A Must watch for of all those who love their motherland on how our Heroes have laid down their lives for our freedom.
Rahman's background score & music ROCKS.It will really put you down to tears by the end of the Movie.Thanks to Raj Kumar Santoshi for such an excellent master piece portrayal of Bhagat Singh..
It seems like the title of Rang De Basanti came from the song that Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru are marching to the gallows.
Now that's truly a performance worthy a national award and from direction till the screenplay, every department is ruled by the respective persons involved...Ajay till Sushant every actor lived the role as if they themselves were the real life characters...Direction by Rajkumar Santoshi is exemplary and his piece of work is evident in his past films alongside makes him the perfect master to make the film...One of the best Bhagat Singh Biopic ever made in Bollywood and it's at par with Manoj Kumar's Shaheed...A diamond classic!!.
The film "The Legend of Bhagat Singh" does a great job in showing the massacres, the torture of prisoners and the coercion of confessions through beatings...and this is something folks outside of India must know about and accept that it happened.
Ajay Devgn was great in the lead and the likeness to Singh was definitely present.
Best movie I have seen till date , great tribute to Bhagat Singh ,Ajay Devgan lived the role of Bhagat Singh.
Bhagat Singh , name sounds interesting since my childhood because he sacrificed his life for the nation just @ the age of 23 years .
Hence I always have urge to know about him .At last I got chance to know about Bhagat Singh because of this movie .
After I saw this movie felt very much proud of Bhagat singh , man who always fight for India till death by sacrificing his personal life too .
Bhagat singh sacrificed his life because he felt responsibility towards the nation .Then I realised that every person should feel responsibility towards nation.
My life changed its path after i have seen The Legend of Bhagat Singh movie , You are in my heart forever .
Be it the use of sepia tint to create that Pre-Independence feeling or the marvelous performance given by the cast incl Ajay Devgn who did complete justice to the role, Sushant Singh for Sukhdev and D Santosh for Rajguru and we cannot ignore the role of Chandrashekhar Azad did by Akhilendra Mishra and Raj Babbar as Bhagat Singh father.
For people who don't know about 'Shaheed' Bhagat Singh, this movie incites a great curiosity.
it is just a fact based legendary movie on an Indian legend..
A nation awakened.These dead bodies were of three great Indian martyrs - Shivraam Rajguru, Sukhdev Thaapar and Sardaar Bhagat Singh.
In such a great family, this great son of India was born with abundant love for his nation in his genes.A number of movies have been made in Bollywood on the life of this great thinker cum martyr.
I consider Shaheed (1965) as the best movie made on the life of this legend.
Rajkumar Santoshi has directed this movie after a lot of research work.
At the time of the Chauri Chaura incident (1922) in which a mob had burnt a police station killing many policemen, Bhagat Singh was 14-15 years old but in the movie, Santoshi has committed the blunder of showing him as 10 years old.
Besides, the movie portrays Mahatma Gandhi in badlight (he appears to be a supporter of the British) which could have been avoided through careful drafting of the script.If we ignore these deficiencies, The Legend of Bhagat Singh is a highly authentic and sensitive movie which portrays the life and conveys the message of the great visionary with a high intensity of passion.
The movie unlike the other Bhagat Singh based movies, gives proper footage and importance to his fellow martyrs - Sukhdev and Rajguru.
Sameer has written good lyrics for the songs.Ajay Devgan quite deservingly won the national award for the best actor for this movie.
Ditto for Sushant Singh as Sukhdev who got perhaps the meatiest role of his acting career and shined like anything.
The Legend of Bhagat SinghA story that will bring fume to your hate on British Empire, Fame to your patriotism, and Tears from an Indian's heart.A classsic from Raj Kumar Santoshi A best composition of music from A R Rehman A best every story performance from Ranjit Kapoor Once in a lifetime performance from Ajay Devgan Amazing Dialogues Great Drama...If you haven't watched it yet, go for a DVD of the same..
It is the story about Bhagat Singh, who considers the freedom and pride of the country more important than anything else in his life.
The movie portrays the fight of Bhagat Singh and his friends and the determination they showed; how selfless they were.Very nice acting from every character throughout the movie.
Ajay Devgan as the main protagonist gives the performance of his career which wins him a national award.This is one of my favourite movies it will stay forever.
This is the story of the legendary Bhagat Singh and his friends, a group of young boys who idolized Ghandhi as children but became disillusioned as they grew into teenagers and witnessed that none of Gandhi's peaceful tactics seemed to have worked on getting the British colonialists out of India nor stop the oppression.
You've heard the stories, now see it for yourself in The Legend of Bhagat Singh..
The legacy of Bhagat Singh told in a fine way, the movie is a benchmark, its very very different from the normal stereotype movies, which goes ga ga on Ghandhi and depicts That the Freedom struggle and the independence movement has everything to do with Gandhi alone.
The movie shows the love for the country by this youth, who quits Education, family, relationships, marriage, money, fame & kisses death @ the age of 23 & shows Ghandhi in true colors, a well established leader who has great powers & influence, but who fails to save the 3 youths Bagat, Rajguru and Sukhdev for his political gains and ideologies The movie starts with child Bhagat, who witnesses the autocrats of Britishers..
He becomes a threat to the British Govt He and his friends are executed on March 23, 1931, Bhagat Singh(23) Shivaram Rajguru(22), Sukhdev(23)These freedom fighters were forgotten by the main stream politicians(Ghandhi-Nehru)It is pity on our government who has tried to hide the reality from the generations after Independence.
Tone, Script & Story: The movie moves around, the story of revolutionaries of British ruled India.
Some of the major revolutionaries which are portrayed are Bhagat Singh, RajGuru, SukhDev and ChandraShekar Azad.
The incidences that are filmed include jallianwala bagh massacre, Kakori train robbery, establishing HRA (further modified as HSRA), Simon Go Back protest, killing of John Saunders, Assembly Bombing, Fasting in prison for equal rights (and achieving success), finally being hanged till death (Bhagat Singh, RajGuru, SukhDev) or suicide (ChandraShekar Azad).The movie is very patriotic.
The movie shows Bhagat's take to revolutionize people of India through think tank of young blood.
Ajay Devgn is almost an incarnation of the Legend of Bhagat Singh, and has arguably given his best performance.
If this was not history, it would be tough to believe that Bhagat Singh achieved so much in so little time and young age.
Men like Bhagat Singh come once in a millennium.The movie shows Bhagat Singh as a young child who witnesses atrocities and starts questing every aspect and practice in Indian society.
Bhagat Singh grew up in a time when men truly had character - the type of character that builds nations from ground up.
One cannot help but ponder how Indian society would have turned up if Bhagat Singh had lived longer.SPOILER: In the end, the movie leaves the audience with a rhetoric "Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru were only 23 when they were hanged.