– Spoorthi Muralidhar, Bengaluru
Back in childhood we were always told “Don’t watch movies. They spoil you. Give more time to books.” Isn’t it funny that today’s movies are spelling out facts than most of our “so called” History textbooks?!
One such beautiful movie that I came across was ‘Tashkent files’ it’s a tight slap on the volatile dynasty politics, concentration of power in the hands of a few! (Ah! We talk about wealth concentration. But what about powers?!)
The plot of the movie which revolves around the death conspiracy of Former prime minister Sri Lal Bahadur Shastri ji is an eye opener to all of us for a fact that there are ‘terrorists’ around us and amidst us, in the name of intellectuals, historians, writers, journalists, politicians etc. ‘Terrrorism’ as understood from the movie is the Intention! An intention to weaken the system, an intention to use the system for a personal edge, an intention to supress the one’s who question them, an intention to falsify facts to prove oneself right all the time!
In an era where the 5th pillar of democracy- the media should’ve played a vital role in keeping a check on the system, while the reality is on contrary, this movie highlights the importance and significance of qualitative political journalism! The unseen forces coming together for whatever motive it is, in bringing out the “conspiracy” behind Shastri Ji’s death is indeed a melodrama when the Chairman of the committee becomes an actor for the entire show directed by him throughout!
Shweta Basu has done a brilliant job in being the “Voice of the country” and “Voice of the youth” oppression and mismanagement in the pages of Indian history though cannot be erased, undone or changed, has been brought out to public domain and spoken about! And I feel that’s where the job is done, for the movie!
However, Sweta is still not the protagonist of the movie because the story’s and the country’s true hero is Shastri ji who remains and rests as a Protagonist in its real sense!!
