Jaikara Films and Pragunbharat’s Hindutva (UA) is a story about Hindu-Muslim enmity, communal riots, etc.
Bharat Shastri (Ashiesh Sharma) and Sameer Siddique (Ankit Raaj) are childhood friends. While Bharat is a Hindu, Sameer is a Muslim. Once Sameer becomes the college leader, the maulana uses him as a pawn to create a rift between Hindu and Muslim students. Sameer doesn’t understand that he is on the wrong path. A Hindu organisation now asks Bharat to contest the college elections. Meanwhile, Sameer is sent to Kashmir by the maulana to create tension there by raising his voice against Article 370. That’s when Sameer’s Hindu girlfriend, Sapna Gupta (Sonarika Bhadoria), sees the true side of Sameer.
Anyway, Sameer’s family disowns him because of Sameer’s anti-Hindu stance. The selfish maulana also washes his hands off Sameer, now that Sameer has incited the Muslim youth.
What happens thereafter?
Karan Razdan has written a story and screenplay, which seemingly try to exploit the Hindutva feelings among the Hindu audience. Otherwise, there is precious little in the drama. The screenplay is found lacking in emotions which could draw tears. The climax may not find favour with the hardcore Hindus. Karan Razdan’s Hindutva dialogues are very good.
Ashiesh Sharma does a fine job in the role of Bharat. Ankit Raaj performs well as Sameer. Sonarika Bhadoria is okay as Sapna. She looks good. Anup Jalota is so-so in a brief role as Bharat’s father, Pandit Shastri. Dipika Chikhalia lends average support as Guru Maa. Govind Namdeo (as Bhalerao) makes his presence felt in a role that gives him limited scope. Surmeet (as Paramjeet Singh), Agast Anand (as Maulana Azam Baig) and Mukesh Tyagi (as Ghulam Rasool) provide fair support. Others are adequate.
Karan Razdan’s direction is fairly nice. Ravi Shankar’s music is average but his background music could’ve been better. Shweta Raj’s lyrics are okay. Sujit Kumar’s choreography is functional. Pradeep Khanvilkar’s cinematography is of a fine standard. Akhilesh Kumar’s art direction is appealing. Rajesh Pandey’s editing ought to have been sharper.
On the whole, Hindutva may appeal to a section of the audience which wears its religion on its sleeve. But in the final tally, it will end up doing nothing much at the box-office — and the main reason for this is the lack of awareness about the film and its release.
Released on 7-10-’22 at Metro Inox (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay thru PEN Marudhar Cine Entertainment. Publicity: dull. Opening: poor. …….Also released all over.