Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s grandnephew, Chandra Kumar Bose, has strongly objected to the upcoming film ‘Fauzi’, accusing its director of twisting historical facts about Netaji’s meeting with Adolf Hitler. He has also demanded that the filmmaker apologise to the people of India.
Creative freedom versus facts
Speaking to IANS, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose said filmmakers have the freedom to depict India’s freedom struggle and its leaders, but that freedom should not override historical accuracy. “Distorting facts and resorting to fiction while dealing with national icons is, I think, a crime,” he said. He alleged that the film gives a wrong picture of Netaji’s interaction with Hitler and lowers the freedom fighter’s stature.
Why Netaji met Hitler
Explaining the background, Chandra Kumar Bose said Netaji approached Hitler to seek help for India’s independence. “Netaji recognised that Germany’s Hitler and Japan’s Hideki Tojo could provide assistance to India’s freedom movement at that juncture.”He added, “He vehemently opposed fascism and believed in democracy and people’s democratic rights.”According to Chandra Kumar Bose, Netaji met Hitler as an equal, not as a subordinate, and firmly stood by his own position. He said Hitler recognised Netaji’s patriotism and agreed to back him, including by arranging the submarine that carried him to Southeast Asia.
Remarks on Hitler
Chandra Kumar Bose said Hitler’s views on India in his book ‘Mein Kampf’ showed a poor understanding of the country’s history, heritage and culture. He noted that both leaders were initially working for their nations’ independence, but Hitler later turned into a megalomaniac.
Demand for an apology
Chandra Kumar Bose alleged that the director sensationalised the meeting to stir controversy instead of presenting the context properly. He said Netaji had a gigantic personality and should not be shown in a way that reduces his stature. “The director should apologise to the people of India and all those who value the country’s freedom struggle,” he said.
Trailer draws criticism
The trailer has come under fire for allegedly showing Netaji introducing Prabhas’s character to Hitler, which appears to raise the fictional hero while reducing Bose’s historical standing. The period war-action film is written and directed by Hanu Raghavapudi.
