Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis unveiled the trailer of PM Narendra Modi yesterday. The biopic, based on the current Indian Prime Minister, is the latest entrant in a slew of films based on political figures to have released this year. Filmgoers have already watched Nawazuddin Siddiqui-starrer Thackeray (based on Bal Thackeray) and Anupam Kher-starrer The Accidental Prime Minister (based on Manmohan Singh) in Hindi and Mammootty-starrer Yatra (based on YS Rajashekhara Reddy) and the two-part NTR movie featuring Nandamuri Balamuralikrishna in Telugu. A biopic on Union Minister Nitin Gadkari is awaiting release.
For a movie that was announced only in January, the trailer does not look like it was put together in haste. But, that’s about the kindest thing you can say about it. Vivek Oberoi, despite appearing in a variety of get-ups, looks nothing like person he’s playing on screen. The plot seems like blatant propaganda. Modi is shown worshipping the national flag during his childhood, when other kids pray in temples.
He sets off to become a monk after seeking blessings from his mother. He is projected as a survivor of Emergency and a saviour during the riots. Pakistan and patriotism find repeated mention in the trailer in which prominent figures such as Indira Gandhi and Amit Shah also show up.
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Originally scheduled to release on April 12, the movie’s release has been brought forward by a week. According to the makers, this was done as per popular demand. It is widely believed that the movie will influence voters during the Lok Sabha polls that begin on April 11. But a report in The Wire states that former Election Commissioners opine that judging by past experiences, the movie does not violate the model code of conduct and is likely to get the green signal from the Election Commission of India.
Directed by Mary Kom maker Omung Kumar, the movie will trace Modi’s life till the 2014 general elections. The movie stars also Zarina Wahab, Prashant Narayanan, Boman Irani, Barkha Bisht and Manoj Joshi.
Watch the trailer:
Image Courtesy: IE