Road to Sangam (2010)

Amidst bomb explosions, fake arrests, police brutality and protests, a determined mechanic attempts to repair an antique truck to transport the last remains of Mahatma Gandhi in modern day India.

Director:

Amit Rai

Writer:

Amit Rai

Stars:

Paresh Rawal, Om Puri, Pavan Malhotra

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Paresh Rawal	...	Hasmat Ullah
Om Puri	...	Mohammad Ali Kasuri
Pavan Malhotra	...	Maulana Abdul Qureshi (as Pavan Mallhotra)
Javed Sheikh	...	Dr. Banerjee (as Jawed Sheikh)
Swati Chitnis	...	Aara
Masood Akhtar	...	Zulfikar
Sudhir Nema	...	Inayat Ali
Rakesh Srivastava	...	Mukkaji
Yusuf Hussain	...	Gaitar
Rajan Bhise	...	Shaukat
G.P. Singh	...	Hakim
Vijay Mishra	...	Rajat
Tushar Gandhi	...	Himself
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ashwini Agrawal	...	Ashfaque
Sanjay Bairagi	...	Narale

Storyline

A simple story of a God fearing, devout Muslim mechanic named Hasmat Ullah who has been entrusted the job of repairing an old V8 ford engine, not knowing the historic significance that it once carried the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi which were immersed in the holy river Sangam. He is caught in a complex situation after a powerful bomb explosion rocks his town leading to the arrest of innocent Muslim youths of his locality. A strike to work is called by the prominent Leaders of his community to protest against the unjust treatment meted out to those arrested youths by the police. Will he support the protest and abandon the repair of the engine or go against the wishes of his community. Thus begins his journey.

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

India

Language:

Hindi Urdu Sanskrit English

Release Date:

29 January 2010 (India)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Gipsy Films, Shethia Audio Vido

Technical Specs

Runtime:

135 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

User Reviews

Commendable

This is one movie that stands above all of Bollywood flicks during 2010.

The movie does raise interesting issues such as the devastation of partition that followed India's independence from the oppressive and tyrannical British. While Hindus and Sikhs fled from what is now known as Pakistan, Muslims - especially the one who were affluent enough to afford to travel - were also compelled to flee - amidst scores of killings on both sides.

Gandhiji had been frustrated with the verbal tirade between two of his followers: Muhammad Ali Jinnah (whose ancestors were Hindu Rajputs) and Jawaharlal Nehru. He had wanted Jinnah to become the first Prime Minister, but this move was opposed by Nehru - who openly stated that he would not even offer Jinnah the position of a 'chaprasi' in the new Indian cabinet.

An enraged Jinnah declared that he will become Prime Minister even if it meant to form another country. And thus began the formation of East and West Pakistan - and the subsequent devastation that followed.

Those Hindus and Sikhs, especially Sindhis, who fled from Karachi and other cities - were treated like refugees in their very own country.

Gandhiji attempted to bring back Muslim brothers and sisters by announcing that he was going to lead a foot-march to not only compensate but also enable people to return to their original homes and livelihoods.

It is not a secret that while Jinnah felt threatened by this movement, several Governors of the newly formed Pakistan openly indicated that they would return to India.

Shortly before the foot-march Gandhiji was shot dead by a right-winged Hindu.

His remains were placed in urns and immersed in Holy rivers and sites all over India.

It is not a secret that with the immersion of his remains - Truth and Righteousness were also subdued and have ultimately disappeared from India/Bharat/Hindustan.

Wealthy Maharajahs/Nawabs used their influence and became members of parliament, continued amassing wealth and ignoring the poor, and become tyrannical and oppressive themselves. Result: Rampart corruption in all walks of life, nepotism, favoritism, religious intolerance, violence, and terrorism continue unabated.

If not for this partition, a united India would now be a power to be reckoned with.

Funds and energy wasted on war, ammunition, defense, and counter-terrorism would have been used to improve the lives of embattled and impoverished citizens in all three countries - Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan.

It is never too late as they say 'Subah Ka Bhoola Shyam Ko Ghar Aaye - Toh Ushey Bhoola Nahin Kahetey".