Randeep Hooda shines in this unending biographical drama, but struggles with direction

Narrating chapters from the life of a polarising figure is not an easy feat. Yet, Randeep Hooda’s Swatantra Veer Savarkar —a biopic on Vinayak Damodar Savarkar — takes up the challenge as it tries to dissect and detail key events from his life, serving us a three-hour long biographical film that works in parts and struggles to hook your attention for the rest. Spanning over a 100 years including the pre- and post-Independence eras between 1857 to 1966, the film tells its story solely from the point of view of its controversial protagonist. And it doesn’t bat an eyelid while doing so, especially when mounting him as a worshipped figure with ideals that many disagreed with but eventually came to terms with. As a result, the film ends up being a one-sided narrative, unbothered with presenting a balanced outlook.

A politician, activist and a writer, Savarkar propagated Hindutva, the ideology of Akhand Bharat (undivided India) and believed in armed revolution to get rid of the British rule, contrary to Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violent beliefs. However, the film doesn’t endorse or advocate the idea of violence. It instead sheds light on the sacrifices of armed revolutionaries who are often looked down upon since it is assumed that only nonviolence contributed to India’s freedom struggle.

The first half offers a great build up, showing a young Savarkar, devoted to his elder brother (Amit Sial) and as a grown up, extremely loyal to his wife Yamunabai (Ankita Lokhande). Sadly, the second half nosedives both in terms of storyline and Hooda’s direction.

Despite the good and the bad, what stands out is Hooda in the titular role, also credited as the director, co-writer and coproducer. His physical transformation (losing 30kg) with his ribs showing and rotten teeth, remains a sight that’s difficult to watch. There are umpteen disturbing visuals of him getting mercilessly beaten during his imprisonment and solitary confinement at Kaalapani and each time, they leave you with a lump in your throat. The way Hooda has gotten into Savarkar’s skin is outstanding and proves his acting prowess, yet again.

While many anticipated a clash between Gandhi and Savarkar’s ideologies, the scenes between Savarkar and Gandhi (Rajesh Khera) are handled with maturity. Though the film claims it doesn’t paint its leader as flawless, you notice several instances where the narrative is aimed at correcting his image.

Its biggest flaw is its length and the editing. At two hours 58 minutes, it meanders more than you’d expect. While Hooda the actor shines, as a director, he struggles to hold your attention.

With so much material and in-depth research, I wouldn’t mind if Savarkar’s life was documented in a long-format episodic series rather than this unending film, which loses direction and our subsequent interest.

Nevertheless, Hooda’s impeccable act and conviction in this role somewhat salvages it.