Rang De Basanti

I know it's pretty late to comment on this movie but I couldn't resist after watching it today yet another time. And even still, I am not sure what impact has this movie on the youth. You know there are a lot of places where they have actually said what you would say after watching the movie - "Ye sab movies mein hi achcha lagta hai yaar. Real life mein kuch bhi aise nahi hota." (All this looks good in movies only. It doesn't happen like this in real life). But given a choice, wouldn't you like to change the situation as it is today. Wouldn't you like to be the Bhagat Singh, Rajguru or Chandrashekhar Aazaad of today ? We all discuss it in the dorms, on the mess table about the relevance of the sacrifices made by these people and their significance in the present day context. But do we really care ?

What I remember most about this is a story, I read in Standard 7th or 8th. It's titled - Drawing-Hall Ke Veer (Brave men of drawing hall). I can't recall the author's name (probably Dharamveer Bharati, please correct me if I am wrong) but ironicaly, it was very true in its essence. What it basically conveyed was that when we listen to national anthem on the independence day or the republic day with the tricolor being unfurled, there's a sudden rush of adrenalin in our blood which you know, inspires us to really do something worthwhile for your country. But as the day passes, the fever goes down and you go back to your daily mundane life. In part, I think this is what Rang De... has achieved. How many of us do really believe that this movie will create the Bhagat Singhs and the Chandrashekhar Aazaads ? Well, maybe your eyes well up after watching the movie but do you really carry forward the message back with you. NO ! You go back, have a nice meal, go to bed and then begin a new day with something else on your mind.

I am not asking you to pick up a gun and shoot the politicians. And so does the movie ! If you can recall the message - Become an IAS^*, be a part of politics, join the military but play a role in making this country better. What is to be remembered from the movie is "Koi bhi desh perfect nahi hota. Use perfect banana padta hai" (No nation is perfect. You have to work to make it perfect). And that's what I beseech you and would like to do myself. When you walk past a poster of the movie next time - just try and catch a glimpse of the line "Mera Bharat Mahan OK !" (My India is Great OK !). Just try to be a little bit more honest with yourself. You will make a great deal of difference.

^*IAS - Indian Administrative Services