Prabhas to Play an Azad Hind Fauj Soldier; Is Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Back?
The film follows a British secret agent who ultimately gets an opportunity to foil a British conspiracy targeting Subhas Chandra Bose.
According to industry sources, reigning star Prabhas will reportedly essay the role of a soldier of the Azad Hind Fauj (Indian National Army) in director Hanu Raghavapudi's upcoming period drama set against the backdrop of the 1940s freedom struggle. "Legendary Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's Azad Hind Fauj forms the historical backbone of the story. Prabhas plays a British Indian Army soldier who defects to join the Indian National Army and fight for India's independence under the leadership of Netaji," says a source.
The source adds that the mega-budget period action-war drama revolves around the courage, honour, and sacrifices of Bose's Indian National Army. "Rather than being a conventional biopic on Netaji, the narrative follows a battle-hardened battalion undertaking an extraordinary mission for India's freedom while upholding the ideals of the Azad Hind Fauj," the source explains.
Director Hanu Raghavapudi had earlier hinted at the film's emotional and patriotic core by comparing it to an alternate take on the Mahabharata. "Imagine if Karna had fought the Kurukshetra war on the side of the Pandavas. That is the kind of emotional shift we are exploring," he had said.
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose has previously appeared in several Indian films, including Shankar's Bharateeyudu, where Kamal Haasan's Senapathy is portrayed as a freedom fighter associated with the Indian National Army. The sequences featuring Netaji, enhanced through visual effects, were widely appreciated by audiences.
In recent years, Telugu cinema has also revisited the legacy of the iconic freedom fighter. In Spy, starring Nikhil Siddhartha, the protagonist draws inspiration from Netaji's fearless patriotism while uncovering a secret mission linked to the legendary leader.
"It is encouraging to see Telugu filmmakers bringing Netaji into contemporary cinema. His patriotism, vision, and determination deserve to be introduced to the younger generation. If recreated authentically with quality visual effects, such films can educate as well as entertain," says producer Lagadapati Sridhar.
Similarly, Devil, starring Kalyan Ram, incorporated Netaji into its narrative. The film follows a British secret agent who ultimately gets an opportunity to foil a British conspiracy targeting Subhas Chandra Bose.
However, Sridhar believes filmmakers must treat such historical figures with due responsibility. "Legends like Netaji should be portrayed in the right perspective, highlighting their courage, ideological convictions, and unwavering commitment to the nation's freedom. They should not be reduced to brief references that dilute their larger-than-life legacy," he concludes.
