Parakram Diwas on January 23 eternally salutes Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, formalized in 2021 to honor his sacrificial zeal. Bollywood, regional cinema, and OTT platforms have immortalized his narrative through diverse, compelling adaptations that blend history with drama.
The 1966 film ‘Subhas Chandra,’ directed by Piyush Bose, stars Samar Kumar in a poignant exploration of Netaji’s early life. From prodigious schooling to forgoing ICS prestige, it emotionally charts his evolution into a freedom icon, ideal for evoking inspiration.
A landmark is 2004’s ‘Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero’ by Shyam Benegal. Sachin Khedekar’s riveting lead role, honored with a National Award and backed by Divya Dutta, immerses viewers in Netaji’s wartime odyssey—evading capture, building the INA, and challenging imperial forces with allies abroad. Its nuanced portrayal of strategy and sacrifice has won international accolades.
Mystery takes center stage in the 2017 series ‘Bose: Dead/Alive,’ where Rajkummar Rao channels Netaji amid doubts over his 1945 demise. Directed by Pulkit for Ekta Kapoor, and rooted in Anuj Dhar’s revelatory book, it masterfully interlaces probes and hypotheticals, sparking endless discourse.
Notably Bengali, 2019’s Zee Bangla ‘Netaji’ series with Abhishek Bose spotlights his youthful stirrings in Cuttack-Kolkata, youth-oriented and accessible. ‘Gumnami,’ Srijit Mukherji’s film starring Prosenjit Chatterjee, dramatically dissects the Mukherjee Commission’s enigmas. These varied lenses—from biographical to speculative—perpetuate Netaji’s revolutionary ethos on Parakram Diwas and beyond.