Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan, who essays the role of freedom fighter Surjya Sen in his next film, Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey, based on the Chittagong Uprising, feels ashamed of having remained ignorant about the revolution. He said the film awakened patriotic feeling in him.
"When I was offered the role by director Ashutosh Gowariker, I felt embarrassed that I did not know about freedom fighter Surjya Sen. Shamefully, I did not know about the Chittagong Uprising too. I got to know everything through Ashu," Bachchan said.
The 34-year-old actor was quick to clarify. "History was one of my favourite subjects in school time. I love learning about culture and past events. When I was eight, I was sent to boarding school in Europe so I have learnt more of European history. Hence, I don't know much about Indian History.
"Also, I felt a strong patriotic feeling during the making of the film. It awakens a huge patriotic sentiment. I was much into the role as one is mentally involved into it," he said.
The actor feels the story of Surjya Sen needs to be told to the people. "Surjya Da and the kids are not mentioned in great detail in Indian History. I feel it needs to be told to the common man on the same breath as Chandrashekar Azad and Bhagat Singh."
The film is based on journalist Manini Chatterjee's book Do and Die: The Chittagong Uprising 1930-34. It showcases the true story of a revolution against British Empire in Chittagong, a district in undivided Bengal back then.
Bachchan, who plays Sen (also called Masterda), says his favourite patriotic character is Chandrashekhar Azad. Alexender is another historical character that fascinates him.
"I like Chandrashekhar Azad. While I was growing up I read and heard a lot about him. His heroism and the fact that he sent shivers down the British Raj always attracted me. In fact my father used to tell me that my grandfather had met him," Junior Bachchan said.
When asked if he would like to portray Azad's character on-screen, Bachchan promptly said, "If given an opportunity why not. I would love to play that."
On the film the actor said, "the film is on the group of 56 teenagers influenced by Surjya Da, who risk their lives to fight for freedom and become a part of the revolution. At the age of 13, these kids decided to fight for the freedom and walked the path of self-sacrifice."
To what he did at that age, Bachchan said, "I was playing, having fun, engrossed in studies and all. But I was surprised to learn about kids who stood up for freedom of the country at such a young age."
The film also stars Deepika Padukone as Kalpana Dutta in the opposite Bachchan. The film releases on December 3.
