UK: TWO FEATURE FILMS CHRONICLING LIFE OF LEGENDARY INDIAN FREEDOM FIGHTER BHAGAT SINGH PREMIERE IN LONDON

Record ID: 392759

  • Title: UK: TWO FEATURE FILMS CHRONICLING LIFE OF LEGENDARY INDIAN FREEDOM FIGHTER BHAGAT SINGH PREMIERE IN LONDON
  • Date: 6th June 2002
  • Summary: FELTHAM, LONDON, UK (JUNE 6, 2002) (REUTERS) SCU: (SOUNDBITE) (English) DEVGAN SAYING, "Today, whatever is happening in our country and whatever we are missing was predicted by him then, and he wanted to counter it then, and I guess what he really wanted us to do if we really follow it today our country is going to be a different nation all together."
  • Embargoed: 21st June 2002 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: LEICESTER SQUARE, LONDON AND FELTHAM, MIDDLESEX, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDON
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVAE48QH8MSZMXXI3KZKCQBBWMG0
  • Story Text: Legendary Indian freedom fighter Bhagat Singh is causing a stir - over 70 years after his execution - with the release of two films chronicling his life. "The Legend of Bhagat Singh" and "Shaheed" both premiered in London last night and are going head to head in a bid to win over the audiences. The seriousness of the subject matter did not prevent either film from turning on the full Bollywood charm and Reuters had exclusive access to both premieres.
    In 1931, aged just 23, Bhagat Singh became a legend when he was hanged by the British rulers in India for setting off a bomb in Parliament. At one stage, the Punjabi folk hero rivaled Ghandi in popularity and now two of India's most popular actors have had their chance at immortalising Bhagat Singh on film.
    Starring in "The Legend of Bhagat Singh" is Ajay Devgan.
    The version of the story he stars in has top Bollywood credentials, directed by Raj Kumar Santoshi with a score by musical man of the moment A.R. Rahman - the man responsible for the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber's latest project "Bombay Dreams". Despite the fact that this film has been four years in the making - the premiere was held - in the London suburb of Feltham - on the same night as that for "Shaheed" which has taken only four months from start to finish.
    Bobby Deol takes lead honours in this version, which boasts the bigger budget. Premiering in Leicester Square, this films claims to be the more prestigious of the two, although Bobby's brother, Sonny, who also acts in the film (having always wanted to play the part until he got too old) originally wanted the two different teams to work together to make a definitive Bhagat Singh movie.
    Although the subject matter may be more serious than is usual for Bollywood films, both films are stunningly visual and feature a strong emphasis on music. And of course, both sets of filmmakers are hoping that the films will not only win even more followers for the ever strengthening Bollywood scene, but also provide an insight into an important historical figure.
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