As Rang De Basanti approaches its 20th anniversary on January 26, director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra has reflected on the turbulent journey of the 2006 film, revealing that it was initially banned and faced resistance before eventually being understood by the establishment.
Speaking about the challenges the film encountered at the time of its release, Mehra said, “Rang De Basanti was also banned. We fought it out, ya, and then finally the establishment saw the intention of the film.” He recalled how the matter escalated to the highest levels of authority, adding that the film was screened for then Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, along with the chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, in a single theatre in Delhi.
Mehra noted that the screening proved to be a turning point. “In fact, the film was viewed by then Defence Minister Honourable Pranab Mukherjee… and then he went on to become the President of India. So it had gone up to that level,” he said, underlining the scrutiny the film faced due to its political undertones and depiction of dissent.
Reflecting on the creative risks involved, the filmmaker stressed the importance of telling stories without fear of consequences. “You don’t tell stories thinking about whether they will be allowed or not allowed. Then stories will never come out,” Mehra stated, pointing to the limitations such self-censorship can place on cinema.
He also spoke about the broader role of socially conscious films, saying, “If you think of a result and not the process, I think social cinema has always been there and will always be there, which picks up social issues and issues of the citizens and the society.”
Directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, Rang De Basanti starred Aamir Khan, Siddharth, Soha Ali Khan, Sharman Joshi, Kunal Kapoor, and Atul Kulkarni. The film followed a group of young Indians whose involvement in a documentary on freedom fighters gradually awakens their political consciousness, pushing them to confront corruption and injustice. Over the years, the film has remained a reference point in discussions around youth, patriotism, and the impact of cinema on public discourse.
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