'The Sabarmati Report' Trailer Released

The trailer of Vikrant Massey’s upcoming film The Sabarmati Report was launched on November 6. The film is based on the 2002 Godhra incident. The trailer launch event saw the film's star cast—Vikrant Massey, Rashi Khanna, Riddhi Dogra, Amul V. Mohan, Anshul Mohan, along with the producer Ekta Kapoor from Balaji Films—interact with the media and answer questions related to the movie.

At the event, Vikrant was seen in a black T-shirt and denim jeans, while Riddhi Dogra wore a net gown paired with a T-shirt that featured the film's name. Rashi Khanna was seen in a white T-shirt paired with a black skirt and overcoat. All the stars were sporting T-shirts with the film's name printed on them.

A Thought-Provoking Issue

When asked about the motivation behind making this film, Ekta Kapoor explained, “This film is a social commentary. Everyone knows about 9/11, but not many are aware of this incident. It is one of the biggest issues in our country, and it will change the way we think. I decided that whether I do anything else or not, this film will be made.”

She went on to add, “This film is not just one aspect of the issue; it’s the first aspect. Unfortunately, there has been little reporting on how it all started, and that’s what we aim to portray in the film.”

During the trailer launch event, Ekta was asked whether she would show the film to India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. Ekta replied, “I wish they watch the film, but it's not as easy as making a call and having them watch it. However, I do hope that everyone—media and the public alike—watches it.”

 A Propaganda Film?

In response to whether the film could be considered propaganda, Ekta Kapoor stated, "I am a Hindu, and being a Hindu means being secular. I would never make a comment that is against any religion. I respect all religions. In this film, you will see that I have exposed the real culprits without opposing any particular religion, and that’s what a good storyteller does."

Asked whether the film, being set in Gujarat, would lead to discussions with Modi or any government officials, Ekta clarified, “No, we haven’t spoken to anyone about this. We have the wheel of truth on our side, and that’s how we are moving forward.”

Why is This Story Important?

Anshul Mohan, co-producer of the film, answered why this story needed to be told, saying, “This film is about humanity. It’s important for people to understand what happened to our fellow Indians. I wanted to show that people shouldn’t just focus on the numbers, but on the story behind them. I knew that no one else could have done this film better than Ekta.”

Vikrant Massey’s Big Statement

Actor Vikrant Massey shared his perspective on the incident, “You will find thousands of biographies, films, and reports on the Sabarmati incident, but if you search for the truth about the fire in the Sabarmati Express, you won’t find much. In our film, we discuss this topic. Our question is, why hasn’t anyone spoken about this before? Why hasn’t anyone made a film on it? Everyone knows about the World Wars, but do you know the names of even two people among the 59 who lost their lives in this tragedy?”

He further added, “There is an irony that our films are often in Hindi, but when it comes to interviews, a well-thought-out question in Hindi doesn’t get the same importance as one in English. We should never feel ashamed of our roots. I said this in my film 12 Fail as well—‘No matter the glass, the water should be clean.’”

The Changing Landscape of Language

Vikrant also spoke about the shift in language preferences, stating, “Earlier, only English was used in government exams, and Hindi speakers had no chance. But times are changing now. Hindi and regional languages are getting the recognition they deserve.”

Message to the Youth

When asked about the message he wants to convey to the youth through his character in the film, Vikrant said, “I want to tell them that this is a crucial part of our history. I want people to not be afraid and to embrace their identity without shame.”

Riddhi Dogra on Her Character

Riddhi Dogra, who plays a journalist in the film, shared her thoughts, saying, “I had to be part of this film. I wanted to do something that would impact society. Through this film, I want to give people something that forces them to think deeply.”

Reflecting on her journey, Riddhi said, “I have learned a lot from TV. I started working in 2009, then in 2020, I worked with Ekta Ma’am on the web series Asur, and now I’m working with her on The Sabarmati Report.”

Ekta Kapoor remarked, “The new talent brings something to the table that the established ones cannot.”

Rashi Khanna’s Thoughts on the Film

When asked about what attracted her the most to the film, Rashi Khanna said, “This film focuses on humanity. Through this film, we are paying tribute to the 59 lives lost. Initially, I was scared, but when I found out that Ekta and Vikrant were part of it, I gained the courage. They were like pillars of support for me.”

Regarding her character, Rashi added, “This was a challenging role. I am positioned between Vikrant and Riddhi in the film. In terms of language, I’ve worked in Telugu, Malayalam, and Tamil industries, and I’ve always seen that everyone there takes pride in their language and culture.”

Rashi also talked about her preparation, saying, “Our writing is very strong. The scenes and dialogues are powerful. Just like a child who steps out with determination, I built my character with that same energy.”

Film Release

The Sabarmati Report will release on November 15, 2024. The film is based on the tragic incident on February 27, 2002, when a fire broke out in the Sabarmati Express, killing 59 pilgrims and karsevaks returning from Ayodhya. The film stars Vikrant Massey, Rashi Khanna, and Riddhi Dogra in lead roles, and is directed by Dheeraj Sarna. Produced by Ekta Kapoor, Shobha Kapoor, Amul V. Mohan, and Anshul Mohan under Balaji Motion Pictures and Vikir Films, The Sabarmati Report will be released worldwide by Zee Studios.

By Priyanka Yadav

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