Director: Ketan Mehta Screenplay: Vijay Tendulkar Music: Vanraj Bhatia Principal Adviser: Shyam Benegal Editor: Renu Saluja Dialogues: Hriday Irani Photography: Jehangir Chowdhary

This biographical epic on Sardar Patel concentrates on the last five years of Sardar's life, from 1945 to 1950 when he strode on the National scene - a key figure in wresting Indian Independence and integrating the nation. Then it seemed unthinkable that the fragmented nature of the country with its several hundred native states and the tragic division from India of Pakistan would have allowed it to function as a strong sovereign state. This was made possible by Sardar Patel. His firm resolve and commitment to an Independent and proud India, his political acumen, the strength of his secular beliefs and his adherence to the percepts of the Mahatma, made Sardar Patel one of the greatest leaders of the Independence movement and Independent India. His baptism of fire was the Bardoli Satyagraha of the 1930's. Giving up practice to join Gandhiji's civil disobedience and non-cooperative movements, he functioned as his able lieutenant all through the Independence movement. His ability for organization, his executive expertise and his immense clarity of mind made him one of the greatest leaders of men, our nation has ever seen.

The film deals with all the myriad and debilitating problems that India faced in its pre and immediate post Independence period. This turned out to be Sardar Patel's finest hour when he solved problem after monumental problem.

This film is a tribute to the Sardar's inestimable contribution to the making of Free India, a memory that can stand us in good stead to face problems of India today and tomorrow. A memory that must be cherished, for the loss of it could mean the loss of freedom so dear to us.

This three hour feature film in colour is the result of indefatigable effort of over ten years by Mr. H.M. Patel who was a close confidant of the Sardar and worked in several capacities with him as, Home Secretary, Cabinet Secretary to Sardar Patel and so on.

The Foundation for Films on India's War of Independence is a trust started at his behest to produce films on the subject of the fight for India's Independence and the key players in this monumental saga. The film features the well known actor Paresh Rawal as Sardar Patel, Annu Kapoor as Mahatma Gandhi, Benjamin Gilani as Jawaharlal Nehru, Sri Vallabh Vyas as Mohamad Ali Jinnah and Tom Alter as Lord Mountbatten. The cast is in thousands. The film tells the story as it happened. It entertains as it educates us all. The film is directed by Ketan Mehta, and the music is by Vanaraj Bhatia.

To Order A copy of the Film:

Kindly contact at the following address:

Rameshbhai Prajapati
Sardar Patel Trust
Anand-Sojitra Road,
Karamsad - 388 325
Anand (District)
Gujarat
Ph: +91 (2692) 223005 / 223006
Email:sardarpateltrust@yahoo.com

Back to Entertainment