‘Ae Watan Mere Watan’ Gives Usha Mehta Her Due

We now live in a world where loud, vulgar and historically distorted movies are appreciated more than subtle and factual ones. To break the trend of the horribly polarising sponsored propaganda we have recently been subjected to, it is refreshing to watch the heroic saga of a lesser known freedom fighter called Usha Mehta.

That this faceless person has not found a mention in the pages of our history books but finally managed to secure herself in a biopic, is reason enough to celebrate. Apart from glimpses of Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia’s contribution, the film also focuses on how ordinary young people in those times participated in the Indian Freedom Struggle.

After they are brutally suppressed at gatherings and rallies, the young people chance upon the revelation that information is the ‘real’ weapon of resistance. They also realise that the channel to publicise it is the radio, far more lethal than any weapon conceivable.

It is fascinating to watch the history of broadcasting and how it was used as a weapon to trigger the Indians. Therefore, however garbled and guileless some sequences may seem, if you have even an iota of patriotic fervour, even an ounce of love and respect for your country and your countrymen, you will appreciate the earnestness of the theme.

Even if some actors are at best artificial, and border on overacting, the complexities and the challenges faced by those who dared to oppose colonial rule is inspiring. Even if it is a subject that could have been moulded in a better way, what you are led into are the dark shadows from which the light of India’s freedom emerged.

Even if at times the scenes might feel more grandiose than grounded, at least it will get you to understand how your forefathers and leaders, despite all the odds, stood unwavering in their commitment to India's liberation.

Even if you see stiff, bloodless protagonists spouting slogans and righteous lectures like any morning prayer from a neighbourhood school, the film does offer you a moving portrayal of bravery, unity, and the indomitable spirit of freedom.

Even if all the hamming and overplaying makes the movie bereft of the body Bhagat Singh paid with, or the soul Gandhiji asked for, there are some heart touching incidents and some good to remember dialogues that could instil in the young generation a sense of patriotism for their motherland.

And even if the execution and storytelling seems flaccid and unconvincing at times, there is still a lot of angst, energy and fizz left in the bottle of plot and potential for you to taste.

There is this scene, where in response to the Mahatma’s mission to submit both body and soul to the fight for independence, the young Usha instinctively pledges chastity. But her fellow rebel and suitor is indecisive and fumbles.

This was such a refreshing change, because we have always been led to view an aspect of the freedom struggle that was instinctively shaped by old faces. Even though we know that rebellion and disobedience usually begin young, our lasting image of the freedom struggle is of greying hair, puckered skin and dismantled faces of the aged and the dying.

What about the young, their problems, their inner conflicts, their personal moments of anguish, resentment and self-doubt? Of all the countless portrayals of the Independence movement, perhaps none have examined this aspect of adolescence struggle as directly and as promisingly.

All in all, it might not be the epitome of anything but at least it has everything in it which includes historical accuracy. Unlike the many movies based on the whims and fancies of wrong narratives, this at least tries to spotlight events that took place in a time when we were not even born. Apart from the sentimental nods to pre-Partition harmony (which is so essential right now), it is also combined with a technological zing to the narrative.

Therefore, rather than carelessly toss over and disregard the freedom that was handed down to us on a silver platter, it makes sense to be aware of the efforts of all those people who gave their sweat, blood and tears to get us here.

I agree, it might not gel with the heartbeat of every Indian, especially those who have not had any part to play in the movement. But. It might allow at least some of you to step back in time and experience the fervour of the freedom movement.

And even if it is only for an hour or two it will give you some food for thought. So that you can recall your school and college days and utilise your education to cultivate your mind. Identify your priorities and responsibilities and realise that hating and trolling will not bring food to your table. Understand that each of us has a physician within that can heal us. And realise that it is not the leaders but ‘We The People’ who can bring about a change!