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The film starts with Saketh Ram as a very old man and almost immediately goes into flashback. As a young man he is among his friends, in conviviality. He has taken a Bengali wife, Aparna, and everything is wonderful in his life. But the year is 1946, and the imminent independence of India from British suzerainty is complicated by religious antagonism between the Hindu majority and the large Muslim minority, who demand their own independent state. Saketh and Aparna visit Calcutta; rioting is reported, but Saketh goes out to get some food, and he soon encounters a Hindu woman being chased by Muslim rioters. He rescues her, but the rioters later come to his house, and brutally rape and then kill his wife. Saketh is devastated and takes to the streets, determined personally to kill as many Muslims as he can find. He meets up with Sriram Abhiyankar, who is leading a group of Hindu extremists, and Saketh becomes temporarily taken with the cause himself. At the same time, he is persuaded to take a new wife, Mythili, and life begins to stabilise for Saketh after all. However he then falls in with an eminent Maharajah who is leading an underground group with the intention of assassination. Travelling with the Maharajah, Saketh meets one of his old friends from younger days, who has fallen on hard times. Reminiscing, and getting his old friend back on his feet deflect the process of recruiting Saketh, but only temporarily, and soon he is manipulated into committing himself to renouncing his family and his new wife, in the interests of the cause which now is disclosed as the assassination of Gandhi. Although a fellow Hindu, Gandhi was felt by some to be too conciliatory to Muslims and in the logic of extremists, Gandhi became the prime target. Soon Saketh is informed that Gandhi will be in Delhi for some weeks, and that Saketh is to take the opportunity to do “his duty”. However, hiding from a snap search by the police, he has to hide his pistol on a delivery lorry, and it is driven away to a factory owned by Muslims. Going there hoping to retrieve the gun, he becomes engulfed in a shoot-out between some Hindu attackers and the Muslims, and finds that his loyalties are not so clear cut as he had imagined. Finally he escapes after the death of another of his old friends in the crossfire. The next day, January 30th 1948, he contrives to be near Gandhi in a public prayer ground, his appointment with destiny. But the film still has 20 minutes to run, and the ending is not what you expect.
Duration: 186 min
Released: 2000
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10 (6,128 Votes)
Genre: Drama, Hindi Movies, History
Stars: Kamal Haasan, Shah Rukh Khan, Hema Malini, Rani Mukerji
Directors: Kamal Haasan
Writers: Manohar Shyam Joshi, Kamal Haasan
Year: 2000
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Hey Ram is a powerful and thought-provoking Hindi historical drama film released in the year 2000. Directed and written by the legendary Indian actor Kamal Haasan, this movie delves deep into the emotionally intense events surrounding the partition of India and the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. It is an evocative tapestry woven with themes of love, loss, communal hatred, and redemption, showcasing a turbulent period in Indian history through the eyes of an ordinary man caught amidst extraordinary events.
Plot Summary
The narrative of Hey Ram centers around Saket Ram, played by Kamal Haasan himself, a man who initially lives a peaceful life in pre-independence India. The story unfolds through Saket’s flashbacks as he narrates the chain of tragic events that changed his life forever. Initially, Saket is indifferent to the communal tensions brewing in the country, but the tragic murder of his beloved wife during communal riots propels him into a journey fueled by anger and a thirst for revenge.
Set against the backdrop of India's struggle for independence in the 1940s, the film brilliantly captures how communalism wreaked havoc in people’s lives. Saket, a Hindu archaeologist who also takes on the persona of a spy to gather information to help fight for India's freedom, experiences firsthand the tragic consequences of hatred and violence. His quest for vengeance leads him closer to the heart of the turmoil, culminating in the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, an event depicted with profound sensitivity and nuance in the film.
Main Cast and Characters
Direction and Writing
Kamal Haasan directed and wrote Hey Ram with remarkable dedication and artistic vision. Known for his versatility and groundbreaking films in Indian cinema, Kamal undertook this project to depict a significant, albeit dark, chapter in India’s history. The screenplay is carefully textured, blending the political with the personal, and humanizing historical figures and events without resorting to clichés or simplistic narratives.
The film’s dialogues and screenplay showcase Kamal Haasan’s mastery in storytelling, bringing out complex emotions and moral dilemmas faced by individuals during communal conflict. The narrative style challenges the audience to reflect on the consequences of hatred and the possibility of forgiveness and peace amidst chaos.
Music and Soundtrack
Unlike many Bollywood films of its time, Hey Ram is more restrained in its use of songs, opting instead to focus on the mood and atmosphere essential to the story's gravitas. The film employs carefully crafted background scores that deepen the emotional impact. The music complements the film’s serious tone rather than providing typical song-and-dance sequences.
This decision aligns perfectly with the film’s themes, allowing the audience to remain immersed in the narrative without distraction. The music thus acts as a subtle but effective narrative device enhancing the overall cinematic experience.
Historical and Cultural Context
The movie is set during the 1940s, a time when India was struggling to break free from British colonial rule but was simultaneously plagued by communal riots between Hindus and Muslims. This period ultimately led to the partition of India in 1947 and widespread violence and displacement.
Hey Ram poignantly explores these episodes with honesty and sensitivity. It does not shy away from depicting the horrors of communalism, nor does it glorify any form of violence. Instead, it paints a nuanced picture of human suffering, the complexities of patriotism, and the quest for peace.
The assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, a pivotal event in Indian history, is portrayed from Saket Ram’s perspective in a manner that respects the gravity of the moment while also exploring the motivations and aftermath.
Critical Reception and Legacy
Hey Ram was lauded for its bold narrative and Kamal Haasan’s passionate performance. Critics appreciated the film’s ambition in tackling such a sensitive and critical piece of history. The direction, screenplay, and performances particularly stood out as finely crafted and emotionally resonant.
Though it may not have been a commercial blockbuster typical of Bollywood cinema’s song-dance extravaganzas, Hey Ram succeeded in making an indelible mark as a cinema of substance. It remains relevant for its exploration of communal harmony and the consequences of hatred, themes which transcend time and continue to resonate deeply.
In Conclusion
Hey Ram is a cinematic masterpiece that combines historical depth with personal tragedy, brought alive through Kamal Haasan’s multifaceted involvement as actor, writer, and director. It is a film that educates as much as it moves, and it invites viewers to reflect on the cost of violence and the enduring human desire for peace and unity.
If you are someone who appreciates movies with historical gravitas, complex characters, and socially conscious narratives, Hey Ram is a must-watch. It stands as a testament to Kamal Haasan’s prowess and commitment to meaningful cinema.
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