About The Waking of a Nation
| Title: | The Waking of a Nation |
|---|---|
| Plot: | ‘The Waking of a Nation' explores the events surrounding the Jallianwala Bagh massacre through the eyes of Kantilal, a fictitious member of the Hunter Commission. When General Dyer orders his troops to open fire at a gathering in Jallianwala Bagh, Kantilal takes it upon himself, with his life under threat, to uncover the dark conspiracy that led to the massacre. |
| Cast: | Nikita Dutta, Sahil Mehta, Paul McEwan, Taaruk Raina, Alex Reece, Bhawsheel Singh Sahni |
| Director: | Ram Madhvani |
| Cinematography: | Dhawalika Singh |
| Editor: | Amit Karia |
The Waking of a Nation
Srivathsan Nadadhur
Independent Film Critic
History Lesson Lacks Impact
The unrest surrounding the oppressive Rowlatt Act culminates in the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. London-educated advocate Kantilal Sahni, witnessing the carnage, loses his childhood friends Hari and Allahbaksh amidst the political chaos. Haunted by their deaths, Sahni exposes the systemic injustice of the British Raj that facilitated the massacre, while leading the Hunter Commission inquiry. Taaruk Raina, popular for his lighter roles, makes a welcome departure from his strengths, in a heavy role packed with old-fashioned drama – an arena he’s not fully comfortable with, though he delivers a sincere performance. Sahil Mehta, as the angsty journalist with firm opinions, is at ease with his portrayal and is helped by his strong screen presence.
The Waking of a Nation
Bharathi Pradhan
Lehren.com
The Conspiracy Behind The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
The Waking of a Nation' tells the story of Kantilal, a fictional member of the Hunter Commission, who tries to uncover the truth behind the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, risking his life after General Dyer orders the shooting.
It was a blood splattered Baisakhi on April 13, 1919. When a jashan (celebration) turned into a janazaa (funeral) for the hundreds gunned down at Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar. General Dyer went down in history as the butcher. He was the cruel perpetrator, also the puppet. But mastermind, ringmaster and puppeteer Lieutenant-General Michael O’Dwyer was never formally indicted. (Udham Singh did shoot him dead more than 20 years later.) Is it time for an unwritten chapter to be brought to the fore? Director Ram Madhvani who had shown glimpses of how well he can segue imagination into history when he made the short film That Bloody Line (on how Sir Cyril Radcliffe cut off bits of India on the west and on the east), goes down the same path, same era.This time to recreate the Amritsar of 1919.
The Waking of a Nation
Rahul Desai
The Hollywood Reporter India
All Gunpowder, No Bullets
Ram Madhvani’s period drama lacks the technical finesse to explore the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
In cricket, when the fielding team challenges an LBW (Leg Before Wicket) call, the DRS (Decision Review System) comes into play. This DRS process is a lot like reviewing a film or show. Every stage corresponds to real-world parameters. First, the third umpire checks if it’s a legal delivery — the equivalent of checking if the craft and shot-taking and basic staging are fundamentally sound. Then they move onto Snickometer to see if there’s an edge off the bat or glove — the equivalent of checking if the storytelling is engaging. Finally, Ball Tracking is used to project the trajectory of the delivery. Even here, it doesn’t matter if the ball is hitting the stumps, it has to pitch in line — the equivalent of checking if the intent and politics of the narrative add up. If all checks out, the on-field decision can be reversed and the batsman is ruled out — the equivalent of defying an anti-art industry and making a good show.