‘Trivialisation of Netaji’

Subhas Chandra Bose’s grandnephew writes to I&B minister against Prabhas starrer Fauzi’s teaser

Actor Prabhas’ upcoming film Fauzi has faced criticism over its teaser, with Subhas Chandra Bose’s grandnephew, socio-political activist and former BJP vice-president in West Bengal Chandra Kumar Bose, demanding that the filmmakers take it down for allegedly distorting history. He has now written to Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, seeking strict action and urging director Hanu Raghavapudi to understand the “seriousness” of the matter.

“We take strong offence to this trivialisation of Netaji. We also fail to understand as to how could the Censor Board clear such an objectionable content (sic),” Bose wrote in his letter to the Union Minister.

Seeking an immediate probe into the matter, he added, “You are requested to kindly look into this very serious concern and get it investigated. It shall be the right service to the nation if you make sure that this teaser is pulled down and the responsible ones at the Censor Board are punished in an exemplary manner (sic).”

What does the Fauzi teaser show?

On Prabhas’ 47th birthday on October 23, the makers of Fauzi released a video titled File No. 25, offering a glimpse of his character. Set in Berlin in 1942, the clip shows Subhas Chandra Bose approaching Adolf Hitler for support in the fight against British rule in India. When Hitler suggests that Indians are accustomed to being ruled, Bose counters by describing an Indian superspy who helped Japan defeat the British and take control of Singapore.

He also reveals that the spy has developed a secret code inspired by the Bhagavad Gita and is currently stationed in Calcutta. The video concludes with Prabhas, looking dishevelled and smoking a cigarette, firing a large gun at an unidentified target. The teaser drew criticism for depicting Bose and Hitler praising Prabhas’ character. The makers of Fauzi have yet to respond to the backlash.