Vishnu Vardhan Induri, the Telugu producer, took to social media on Sunday and announced an upcoming film franchise titled Azad Hind, as a tribute to the unsung heroes of India’s freedom struggle.
The project will be backed by the producer’s Vibri Motion Pictures banner.
Induri said that the franchise aims to chronicle stories of freedom fighters who are lost in history despite their contribution to the freedom struggle.
The producer added that the first film in the franchise will bring to life the untold story of freedom fighter and revolutionary Durgawati Devi, popularly known as Durga Bhabhi.
“Exhibiting courage, valour and strength, she fought the British Raj, inspiring legendary freedom fighters like Bhagat Singh and Chandrasekhar Azad. Durgawati was also referred to as ‘Agni of India’ by the British Secret Service Bureau MI 5,” a statement from the makers read.
After India’s independence, Durgawati started living as a common citizen in quiet anonymity in Ghaziabad. She started a school for poor children in Lucknow.
Durgawati is believed to have sold her ornaments as part of an effort to raise money in order to get Bhagat Singh released.
She died in Ghaziabad on October 15, 1999, at the age of 92.
The makers are currently looking to cast a leading actor for the role of Durgawati in the upcoming film. The statement added that the director’s name and other details of the film will be unveiled soon.
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Induri is one of the producers of the upcoming Kapil Dev biopic 83 that stars Ranveer Singh as Dev. The film also stars Deepika Padukone, Pankaj Tripathi, Boman Irani, Saqib Saleem, Harrdy Sandhu, Tahir Raj Bhasin, Jatin Sarna, and others.
Induri is also the producer of the upcoming Tamil film Thalaivi, which is a biopic of Tamil Nadu’s former chief minister, the late J Jayalalithaa. The film stars Kangana Ranaut in the title role.
Both 83 and Thalaivi are currently awaiting release after being delayed several times due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.