Directed by Ashutosh Gowariker, Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey is based on the book DO and DIE: The Chittagong Uprising 1930-34 by Manini Chatterjee.
Ashutosh Gowariker's back with another history lesson. Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey is a period piece based on Manini Chatterjee's book, DO and DIE: The Chittagong Uprising 1930-34.
The film, and book, deals with the Chittagong Armoury raid in 1930. It tracks the story of 56 innocent yet fearless boys, 5 defiant revolutionaries, 2 determined young women, and an idealistic leader – school teacher Surjya Sen.
This group makes up a little known chapter in history books: a forgotten night that took the British by surprise, disrupting communication and train movement.
Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey is a true story of these forgotten heroes and the narrative takes us through their daring escapes and tragic captures, and most importantly, their undying legacy.
The movie recounts the true incident of a series of attacks executed in one single night on 18th April 1930 and its aftermath.
Director Ashutosh Gowariker said in an interview, "Little to almost nothing is known about the Chittagong Uprising and I thought it important to be brought forward to the nation. It is a true story and yet we know so little about it, hence my desire to bring it onto the big screen. Few realise that the Chittagong Armoury Raid is one of India's greatest freedom struggles. The film is about young revolutionaries who play with their very lives, hence the reason behind the title."
Abhishek Bachchan plays Masterda Surjya Sen, school teacher turned leader of a band of 64 revolutionaries.
Deepika Padukone portrays Kalpana Datta, the daughter of an extremely rich and influential landowner, who is independent and highly educated for a woman of that era, and has an interest in the science of bomb-making.
Nirmal Sen, played by Sikander Kher is one of Surjya's closest friends, and a passionate revolutionary who had already been sent to jail once prior to the Chittagong attack.
Vishakha Singh plays Pritilata, Kalpana's best friend and sister-in-arms.
Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey has been produced jointly by Ajay Bijli, Sanjeev K. Bijli and Sunita A. Gowariker, with a lasting soundtrack composed by Sohail Sen.
Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey comes to a cinema near you on December 3, 2010.
Talking about his role Abhishek said in an interview, "The responsibility is definitely huge...because you don't want to be dishonest or disrespectful to the person. That was something I was very conscious of. Surjyoda was a great man, he made the supreme sacrifice for the country and I don't want to disrespect that. I also somewhere back of the mind understand that this current generation doesn't not know who Surjyoda is and may be after watching the film they might start seeing the character as we have presented in the film. Film is a very influential medium. Tomorrow when somebody refers to Surjyoda they'll recollect what Abhishek played and did in Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey. So certainly you have to be responsible and as accurate as possible, you have to accord them the respect and dignity which they deserve."
To maintain the authenticity of the era, Ashutosh has even used vintage cars from the period in the film. Lawrence D'Souza, who's the production executive on the film, got in touch with a car collector in Goa and got hold of the vehicles. The vintage cars seen in the film are a Black Open Morris, Black Open Baby Austin and a Green Peugeot 303. Besides them, there are also two vintage trucks used in the film.
Deepika Padukone said, "Yes, it has made me aware about these incidents. If I was living in those times, I'm sure I'd have been a part of the freedom struggle in some way! Now after doing the film, I am surprised that so many people are still unaware of the Chittagong Uprising, about Surjya and his several associates. History textbooks have just a mention of it, but I feel there has to be an entire chapter on it. It is such an important part of the Independence struggle. People are aware of other revolutionaries but not Surjya Sen. It is shocking how he is overlooked."
Other characters in the movie include:
Ambika Chakraborti: The most senior and experienced of the group, Ambika was responsible for finance and procurement.
Anant Singh: The only non-Bengali in the group, Anant is a fiery, slightly flamboyant Punjabi who is a combination of physical strength and intelligence.
Ganesh Ghosh: His physical presence itself is dominating and he is by far the strongest and fittest of the entire group; a master of hand-to-hand combat as well as a weapons expert.
Lokenath Bal: Sophisticated and suave, he was often mistaken for an Englishman and that is what he used to his advantage on the fateful night of 18th April as he infiltrated the British Cantonment posing as a British officer.
Haripada Bhattacharjee: He was one of Surjya Sen's students in school and hence has a deep admiration and respect for him. He is witty and loves a good laugh but is equally passionate about the cause.
Bidhu: Another of Surjya Sen's students, he is also Haripada's best friend. Bright and well read, he too has a deep admiration for Masterda.
