REVIEW -‘GOLD’
- INTENTIONAL TAMPERING
OF GLORIOUS HOCKEY HISTORY
I am a
hockey player. During my college days I represented Allahabad region up -to
state level . Was college hockey Captain and was adjudged the best player in
Allahabad district. Therefore with much enthusiasm I went to see the film ‘GOLD’ which professes of relating the story of India’s big win in
London Olympics in 1948, soon after Independence as free country. It is however more of nationalism and less of
Hockey.
The story unfolds through the Character portrayed by Shri Akshya Kumar
of The team manager who has drinking
problem , carries stigma of financial impropriety is on the wrong side of his
wife most of the time but has this deep desire to win GOLD for India.
The film
succeeds in invoking the desired emotions through the respect and love for the National
flag and the climax with the National
Flag rising atop ; National anthem in background and the audience rising in acknowledgement as India defeat England by
4-3 in climax ( actual historical fact 4-0) meets the desired aim of the
makers- to make 200crores.
What is sad
and shocking is the manner in which the film makers have twisted, shrouded
history . Names of Hockey legends have
been changed the scoring records have
been altered to create drama and conflict. Now; in the name of ‘freedom of
expression ‘ much latitude is taken by film makers . Nothing original in that ;
but following the western foot steps . When cinema makers have problems with
the author of some work or biographer or when they do not want to give credit
they write’ inspired by incidents….’. My take and view is that you cannot tamper with the basic historical
facts which leads to hurt those legends,
their families and followers. Like we
cannot tamper with the basic structure of the Constitution in a similar manner the core History / facts cannot be
altered .
Excel Films of Farhan Akhtar ( co owner) in
collaboration with Shri Akhsya Kumar have
shown the hero of great Berlin Hockey victory of 1936 as one ‘Samrat’ portrayed badly by Kunal kapoor
whereas actually the hero was Dhyan Chand , the great ‘Hockey Wizard’ ( Amitabh
Bachhan of Hockey ). Samrat is tall and fair whereas Dhyan Chand was of middle
height and of darker complex who was from Allahabad . The accent of ‘Samrat’ is
Punjabi. The great Balbir Singh of London victory , one who has won three GOLDS
for India is named as Himmat Singh.
Why do these
filmmakers do such things? Are they not aware of the Legends who are still very
much in public memory? Are our makers so Illiterate? We know that Dhyan Chand
is taught in schools . Children know him. Should he not get his due or the
Nation will now sing praise of ‘Samrat’ a fictitious character!
I am certain
that these money minded makers do such things to deny the correct due to the
family of such legends. They listen to their Lawyers who advise them safe
paths. Such is the sorry state of our film makers. Such intents are dangerous
and ‘Fascist’ in nature and should be opposed . But sad is the state of our
film critics who themselves are ignorant of basic history. I do not think any
one has pointed out such flaws.
I hereby
condemn the makers and ask them to apologies to the families of the Hockey legends ( there would
be many others of whom I am not aware I am confident ). They should also
suitably compensate the families and mention the actual names in the titles.
Only then they can redeem themselves.
Agree
जवाब देंहटाएं