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Netaji does not belong to one family: Srijit Mukherji on ‘Gumnaami’

..says filmmaker Srijit Mukherji about his much-debated Bengali movie Gumnaami, releasing on Wednesday

Srijit Mukherji’s highly-anticipated Gumnaami, based on the theories floating around Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s ‘disappearance’, is gearing up for release on October 2. In a chat with MetroPlus, the National award-winning director says that the movie will uncover many truths related to Netaji’s life, with an ambiguous ending. Excerpts from an interview:

What inspired you to make a movie on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose?

It has been more than 70 years since Independence, but there has been no clarity on what happened to Netaji. This, I feel, is a matter of great shame. There have been a lot of mysteries surrounding his life. This is what prompted me to make Gumnaami.

How challenging was it for you to fit an actor like Prosenjit Chatterjee into Netaji’s shoes?

Well, it is the charisma of Prosenjit Chatterjee that has made the movie possible.

Prosenjit plays the role of both Netaji and Gumnaami Baba in the film. Will it not leave an impression that they both were the same?

There won’t be any confusion for the audience. In fact, the film is based on three theories regarding Netaji’s death — the plane crash theory, the death in Russia one and the Gumnaami Baba theory. Since these theories are based around one person, the same actor essaying multiple roles will be easier for the audience to compare.

What is the source material of your movie? Some say that it is based on the Mukherjee Commission proceedings and some others that is based on the book Conundrum.

The movie is primarily based on the Mukherjee Commission proceedings. But while researching on the Gumnaami baba theory, I have referred to Conundrum as well as many other books, including India’s Biggest Cover-up.

You have gone on record saying that the film does not say Netaji was Gumnaami Baba. But then you have preferred Gumnaami as the movie title…

It is because ‘Gumnaami’ means unknown or lost, which applies to all the three aspects of Netaji’s disappearance.

Netaji’s own family members are opposing the film. They have said that you have tried to malign his image. Your thoughts?

First of all, Netaji does not belong to one family. He was a common man’s leader. Also, it is a fraction of the Bose family who are against the film, and I have no clue why they are doing so. Some of the members have welcomed the film as well.

Netaji’s grandnephew Sugata Bose alleged that you were making the film to make quick money during Durga Puja…

Sugata Bose himself has written books. The question of earning money applies to him as well. Also, I don’t need to pick a controversial subject to make it a blockbuster. I have been releasing films for the last 10 years during the puja.

What’s next from you?

My next film is Dwitiyo Purush, a sequel to Baishe Srabon.