While "Swatantra Veer Savarkar" chronicles Vinayak Damodar Savarkar's life as a freedom fighter, some aspects of the film have generated criticism for their historical accuracy. Here's a review exploring these points:
Oversimplification of Ideology:
The movie portrays Savarkar's ideology primarily through the lens of fighting British rule. However, Savarkar was a complex figure who advocated for Hindutva, a concept that some view as nationalistic, while others see it as exclusionary. The film doesn't delve deeply into these nuances.
Gandhi vs. Savarkar Duality:
The film presents a binary of Gandhi's non-violent struggle versus Savarkar's revolutionary approach. Reality was more layered. Savarkar's views on violence evolved over time, and there was occasional cooperation between different factions of the independence movement.
Portrayal of the Indian National Congress:
The movie criticizes the Indian National Congress (INC) for being soft on the British. The INC's role in the freedom struggle was multifaceted, and it employed various strategies besides outright violence.
Selective Focus on Struggles:
The film focuses on Savarkar's imprisonment but offers a limited view of the hardships faced by other freedom fighters, both violent and non-violent.
Length and Pacing:
With a runtime of nearly three hours, the movie's pacing might feel slow for some viewers.