Every January 23, India honors the indomitable spirit of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on Parakram Diwas, a day officially recognized by the government in 2021 to celebrate his unparalleled courage and sacrifices for the nation. From the silver screen to streaming platforms, filmmakers have repeatedly captured his extraordinary life, ensuring his legacy inspires generations.
The cinematic journey began prominently with the 1966 Bengali film ‘Subhas Chandra,’ directed by Piyush Bose. Starring Samar Kumar as the young revolutionary, this early biopic delves into Netaji’s formative years—his childhood, academic brilliance, college days, and pivotal decision to resign from the Indian Civil Service. It masterfully portrays how a top-ranking scholar transformed into a fierce freedom fighter, blending simplicity with deep emotion to highlight the roots of his patriotism.
Fast forward to 2004, and Shyam Benegal’s ‘Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero’ emerged as a cinematic masterpiece. Sachin Khedekar’s powerful portrayal earned him a National Film Award, supported by Divya Dutta in a key role. Spanning 1941 to 1945, the film chronicles Netaji’s daring escape from house arrest, alliances with Germany and Japan, and the formation of the Indian National Army (INA). With gripping depictions of wartime strategies, political intrigue, and personal trials, it humanizes the icon while celebrating his unyielding fight against British rule. The film garnered acclaim at international festivals, cementing its status as a definitive portrayal.
In 2017, the web series ‘Bose: Dead/Alive,’ produced by Ekta Kapoor and directed by Pulkit, shifted focus to the enduring mystery of Netaji’s death. Rajkummar Rao embodied the leader in this AltBalaji series, adapted from Anuj Dhar’s book ‘India’s Biggest Cover-Up.’ Questioning the official 1945 plane crash narrative in Taiwan, it weaves historical facts, investigations, and speculation into a riveting thriller that challenges viewers to rethink accepted history.
Bengali cinema and television have been prolific too. The 2019 TV series ‘Netaji’ on Zee Bangla, starring Abhishek Bose, targeted younger audiences with tales of Netaji’s student life in Cuttack and Kolkata, igniting his nationalist fervor. That same year, ‘Gumnami,’ directed by Srijit Mukherji and featuring Prosenjit Chatterjee, explored the Mukherjee Commission inquiries into post-war sightings, blending mystery and emotion. These works ensure Netaji’s story—from early ideals to enigmatic end—remains vividly alive, urging every Indian to embrace his call of ‘Give me blood, and I shall give you freedom.’