Mahesh Manjrekar joins hands with Sandeep Singh for biopic SwatantraVeer Savarkar

Producers Sandeep Singh and Amit B Wadhwani have joined hands with filmmaker Mahesh Manjrekar for a biopic on Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. Titled SwatantraVeer Savarkar, the Hindi movie will highlight his contribution to India’s freedom struggle. The makers made the announcement on Savarkar’s 138th birth anniversary, which is today. 

Singh, who has acquired the rights to tell the story, said in a statement, “Veer Savarkar is revered and criticized in equal measure. He has been made into a polarising figure today but I feel that’s because people don’t know enough. No one can deny that he was an important part of our freedom struggle and our attempt is to present a peek into his life and journey.” 

The producer's last film was PM Narendra Modi (2019), in which Vivek Anand Oberoi played the role of India’s prime minister. 

Wadhwani said that Savarkar has been a misunderstood historical figure. “I am happy that we are making a film that highlights the work of a freedom fighter. Veer Savarkar is an important part of India's history that needs to be told. Unfortunately, the optics have prevented the man from being understood, let alone from being celebrated,” he said. 

Manjrekar, who recently made the historical Bhaai Vyakti Kee Valli (2019), said, “I have forever been fascinated by the life and times of Veer Savarkar. I believe he is a man who didn’t get his due in history. The fact that he evokes such strong emotion points to a life that must have impacted so many. As a director, I know it's going to be a challenge but one that I want to take on.” Manjrekar has co-written the film with Rishi Virmani. 

SwatantraVeer Savarkar will be shot across Maharashtra, the Andamans and London. 

This isn't the first Hindi biopic on Savarkar. Ved Rahi made a film on the revolutionary 20 years ago. The film saw Shailendra Gaur play the central character. 

The Marathi movie What About Savarkar? (2015) also attempted to spread Savarkar's thoughts, although the film is set in the current era.