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Just fifty years after the first war of Independence of 1857, a legend was born who in the next forty-eight years tried to change the history of India. In a span of less than five decades, this man of courage and wit did wonders and even shocked the biggest regime of that era which had never seen sun set in its empire. The name was Subhash Chandra Bose. Born in Cuttack now in Orissa, Bose was a true nationalist. He studied in Cambridge University and ranked 4th in the coveted Indian Civil Service, but left this cream posting and rallied along with Congress for the freedom of the Motherland.

Such was his will power that he even defied Mahatma Gandhi and was elected president of the Congress Party after defeating Gandhi's nominee. Soon, he parted with the Congress Party, and set up Forward Block. Isn't it a pity that the world premiere of a film based on Bose could not be held in Kolkata on scheduled date of May 6, because the Forward Block, a party found by Bose himself, had strong objections to the content of the film. Days later the film is premiered first in Jaipur and then in Kolkata and Delhi. Like his personality, the making of a film on him has been a tough task for director Shyam Benegal who has made films like 'Ankur', 'Manthan', 'Junoon', 'Nishant' and 'Suraj Ka Saatwa Ghoda' , and created a classic like 'Bharat Ek Khoj' for small screen. With 'Bose: The Forgotten Hero', his long cherished dream has been fulfilled.

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Over the years Bollywood has witnessed several biopic films. The trend started with Richard Attenburough's 'Gandhi' but went through dull days until some prolific makers made films like 'Ambedkar' and 'Sardar' on the lives of Bhim Rao Ambedkar and Sardar Patel. These days industry is abuzz with some more biopic films like one Anil Kapoor is making on the relations between Gandhi and his son Harilal. Then, there is Ketan Mehta waiting to release his magnum opus on Mangal Pandey.

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News is that Sanjay Leela Bhansali wants to make a film on Maratha King Bajirao as 'Bajirao Mastani'. But, right now focus is on 'Bose: The Forgotten Hero'. The film catches the life of this not so much talked about freedom fighter in his late years of 1940. Bose is in prison at that time, but soon he plans for a great escape that will make Britishers think how strong the will power of an Indian could be to set his country free from the foreign rule. Then Bose escapes in disguise to Kabul. Once in Kabul he makes contacts with the outer world and through Russia reaches to Berlin.

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Bose was of the opinion that if he gets help from Germany, he could end the British rule in India. In Berlin, he comes into contact with his fiancée Emilie. She reaches Berlin and they soon marry. With the help of some more nationalists he starts building an Army, later known as Azad Hind Fauj. Azad Hind Fauj along with Japanese forces advances into India and an Indian tricolor flag is planted on Indian soil for the first time. After several setbacks and Japanese surrender, Bose flies from Saigon, the mystery of his disappearance, however, continues.

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'Bose: The Forgotten Hero' is an attempt to make millions of Indian know about his great sacrifice. Not much is known as to what happened to this man who was fondly called Netaji. Small screen actor Sachin Khedekar plays Subhas Chandra Bose. He looks almost real Bose on screen. Currently, a commission has been working on finding out the mystery behind the disappearance of Bose. Some historians have objections to show Bose getting married to Emilie though there are enough documents to show that he did marry this Austrian girl who even gave birth to a female child, later known as Anita Bose.

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As a film, 'Bose: The Forgotten Hero' will work as reference point for generations to come. With the help of more that 40 books and other research material, writers Shama Zaidi and Atul Tiwari have prepared a draft that will provide any filmmaker a delight to transform it on celluloid. The three years' research works show its impact in film and to be honest, stature of Shyam Benegal stands higher than ever, after the release of this film. Bags of money have cost this movie, estimated around Rs. 350 million, to its producer, Sahara One. The film has been shot extensively in Burma, Berlin and other locations in and around India.

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'Bose: The Forgotten Hero' is indeed a film to watch. Benegal's dedication is visible in every frame. Cinematography is excellent and actual locations only add to the efforts of the filmmaker. Sachin Khedekar gets status of an immortal. Helping him in his task are brilliant actors like Rajpal Yadav, Rajeshwari Sachdev, Ila Arun and Kulbhushan Kharbanda.

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Though A. R. Rehman fails to catch the aura and spirit of the time, his compositions melt honey in ears in cinema halls. It's a film that must be watched by all those who love their nation. This also imparts a lesson for other filmmakers and students of cinema who want to make biopics in future. A grand salute to Mr. Benegal for this great effort!