Ketan Mehta and Anubhav Sinha are joining hands for a film based on the life of the former’s aunt, freedom fighter Usha Mehta, titled Freedom Radio. Sinha will produce the film via his banner, Benaras Mediaworks.
Usha ran a secret radio station, aka Congress Radio, which broadcasted messages from Mahatma Gandhi and other leaders during the Quit Indian Movement in 1942. She had begun protesting against British rule even as a young girl and was even imprisoned for four years for her ties to the radio station.
The Indian government conferred the Padma Vibhushan upon her in 1998.
In a report in the Indian Express newspaper, Ketan was quoted as saying, “Developing this story has been pure joy. Sifting through her (Usha Mehta) personal diaries, and delving into my own memories have been a crucial part of work.”
According to the Mirch Masala (1987) filmmaker, who will direct the story, the biopic will capture the spirit of freedom and show how the youth of the country contributed to the fight for freedom, joining leaders like Gandhi, Vallabhbhai Patel and Jawaharlal Nehru, who were also jailed for their actions.
Ketan also added that he was glad to join hands with Sinha as he understood “the vision of a filmmaker”.
Speaking about his role as a producer, Sinha said, “It’s been a sheer joy working with Ketan on this project. I was taken in by Usha Mehta’s courage and grit. It’s the kind of patriotism that we need to revisit in today’s day and age.”
The cast of the film has not yet been announced.