Film on Maulana Abul Kalam Azad set to hit theatres on Jan 18
Kolkata, Jan 13 (PTI) Scholar and freedom fighter Maulana Abul Kalam Azad's firm belief in Hindu-Muslim unity and his opposition to partition in the pre-Independence days will be the highlight of a new feature film, which is set to hit the theatres on January 18.
Rajendra Sanjay, who penned the story and co-directed the film 'Woh Jo Tha Ek Massiah-Maulana Azad', said the younger generation should get to know what the freedom fighter stood for, in times of crisis.
"The film talks about Azad's principles, his belief in communal harmony, secularist views which was not coloured by any religion and faith in humanity," Sanjay, who visited the city along with lead actor Linesh Fanse and co-director Sanjay Singh Negi, said at a press meet Saturday.
The film will show the events that shaped Azad's life, turning him into a "true mass leader", he said.
"As someone who believed in united India and Hindu- Muslim unity, he had fervently hoped the partition can be avoided. But that wasn't the case," the director-script writer told PTi after the press meet.
'Woh Jo Tha Ek Massiah-Maulana Azad' will also dwell on the phase Azad came into contact with Mahatma Gandhi in 1920 in Delhi, his house arrest for publication of two magazines which propagated nationalist ideas in Kolkata and other defining moments, he stated.
The film will also have references to post- Independence period, following Gandhiji's assassination, Sanjay added.
Co-director Negi said "very few remember Azad as education minister had introduced science and technology as subject in our education system".
The censor board has passed the two-hour-long Hindi film, mostly shot in Kolkata, Mumbai and Delhi, without a single cut, he claimed.
Sharing his experience, Fanse, who plays the titular role, said he had auditioned for Muhammad Ali Jinnah's role, but the directors insisted he played Azad.
"The directors suggested that I would be suitable for the role of Azad. I had to learn Hindu and Urdu for the role," he added.
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Rajsthan Royals beat Punjab Kings by 6 wickets
Mullanpur (PTI): Rajasthan Royals defeated Punjab Kings by six wickets in their Indian Premier League match here on Tuesday.
Invited to bat, opener Prabhsimran Singh scored 59 up front while Marcus Stoinis provided the final flourish with an unbeaten 62 off 22 balls as Punjab Kings posted 222 for 4.
The Royals then put up a collective batting effort to overhaul the target with four balls to spare.
Earlier, leg spinner Yash Punja picked up two wickets for the visitors.
Brief Scores:
Punjab Kings: 222 for 4 in 20 overs (Prabhsimran Singh 59, Marcus Stoinis 62 not out; Yash Punja 2/41).
Rajasthan Royals: 228 for 4 in 19.2 overs (Yashasvi Jasiwal 51, Donovan Ferreira 52 not out; Yuzvendra Chahal 3/36)
