Bhubaneswar: Controversy over the release of the film ‘Accidental Prime Minster’, which portrays the former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, has created ripples in all sections of the society, including in Odisha.
The controversial movie is based on the controversial book of same name written by Sanjaya Baru, former media advisor of Prime Minister Singh. While Anupam Kher plays the role of the Mamohan Singh, German-born actress Suzanne Bernert portrays Sonia Gandhi. Sanjaya Baru’s character is portrayed by Akshaye Khann.
The trailer showcases a slice of modern Indian history when Congress Party president Sonia Gandhi makes way for Manmohan Singh to become the country’s 13th Prime Minister after the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) won the 2004 general election.
Soon after the release of the trailer, BJP workers began sharing the video saying, “It is a riveting tale of how a family held the country to ransom for 10 long years. Was Dr Singh just a regent who was holding on to the PM’s chair till the time the heir was ready?” The question is why the BJP is promoting the film and its trailer>
This led to a raging controversy across the country, as Congress alleged that the movie was a deliberate to malign the party and its leaders ahead of the 2019 general elections. The party also accused Kher of being a part of BJP’s “conspiracy” to defame Congress and its leadership. Reacting to this, the veteran actor took to his Twitter handle saying that people, especially the Congress party, should be happy that a film has been made on their leader”.
However, Kher’s clarification has not satisfied many. Sidanth Panda, a teacher, said, “Lately Anupam Kher has proved himself as a supporter of RSS and its ideology of extreme Hinduism. “
Another film buff, Rajat Mohanty said, “This is not the first time that BJP is using a movie to propagate its ideology and to create support base for the Centre’s policies. Earlier, it had promoted films like ‘Toilet Ek Prem Katha’ and ‘Commando-2’ with the same purpose. In recent times movies like ‘Indu Sarkar’, which is based on the period when the country was under the ‘Emergency’, showcased Indira Gandhi and Sanjay Gandhi as antagonists. If Anupam Kher was so sure about right of speech and views then where is he during the ‘Padmaavat’ controversy?”
Leader of Opposition in the Odisha Legislative Assembly, Narasingha Mishra said that though he had not watched the trailer, he no political party should use a movie to spread the negative message about any former Prime Minister.
Samir Das of BJD said that the film is on the life and tenure of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his party would not like to comment on this.
Meanwhile, BJP state unit spokesperson, Sajjan Sharma said that they support the stand of the party in propagating the film’s trailer. “This movie shows a lot of things that people are unaware of about the UPA’s decade-long rule. People should get to know the truth,” he said.
Director Amartya Bhattacharya said, “I think it’s a very blatant way of propaganda. From the trailer, the film looks childish and ordinary. Even if you want to use cinema to promote your party in elections, there could have been a better approach. Trying to malign someone else’s image is a gross way of promoting oneself. I don’t know if the film will work against any party or in favour of the other, but from the trailer it seems to be an insignificant piece of drama.”