Gumnaami trailer: Makes it clear that the film doesn't give a verdict on Bose's death

The trailer of Srijit Mukherji’s much awaited film Gumnaami (2019) seems to concentrate on the outcome of the Justice Mukherjee commission, set up to reinvestigate Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s mysterious death. In the film, Prosenjit Chatterjee plays Bose.

The trailer begins with glimpses of Netaji’s disappearance from the country and then the plane crash in Taiwan (Formosa) in which the freedom fighter is believed to have died.

However, the announcement of his death comes with a question mark over its authenticity, and doubts are raised about it once again by Anirban Bhattacharya’s character before the Mukherjee commission.

While his claim of Netaji having survived the crash and living in disguise are dismissed by the commission, the question whether Netaji died in Russia or in India after living the life of a monk in disguise continues to pop up in the trailer with visuals featuring Bose in a monk's attire.

Bhattacharya's character seems to be adamant on his stand and is ready with various proofs to establish his claims. He delivers a few high-pitched but catchy dialogues and claims to embody the true spirit of Netaji's Azad Hind Fauj or Indian National Army.

The trailer also suggests that the Mukherjee commission did not accept the alternative testimonials in support of Netaji’s survival as Gumnaami Baba. Therefore, the film, which states that it is based on the hearings of the commission, seems to be erring on the side of caution by not arriving at any conclusion on Netaji's fate and trying instead to trigger a quest for the truth in the audience.

The song in the beginning by Sonu Nigam reminds one of the 'Desh Ki Mitti' song from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero (2005) by Shyam Benegal. A modern version of the popular INA marching song 'Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja' has also been used in the trailer but without revealing its context.

Gumnaami, directed by Srijit Mukerji, is slated for release on 2 October.