Mahesh Manjrekar to direct a biopic on Veer Savarkar

Mahesh Manjrekar and Sandeep Singh

Almost a year after courting controversy following the death of Sushant Singh Rajput, producer Sandeep Singh is back in action. On Friday, on the occasion of Veer Savarkar's birth anniversary, he announced a biopic on the freedom fighter. Swatantra Veer Savarkar will be written and directed by Mahesh Manjrekar. Singh, who was at the forefront of arranging SSR's funeral, claimed to be the actor's friend. Later, Rajput's family alleged that they did not know him. Singh's last production was the Vivek Oberoi-starrer PM Narendra Modi (2019).

Sandeep Singh who acquired the rights to tell the story of Savarkar, while making the announcement on the freedom fighter's 138th birth anniversary said "Veer Savarkar is revered and criticized in equal measure. He has been made into a polarising figure today but I feel that's because people don't know enough. No one can deny that he was an important part of our freedom struggle and our attempt is to present a peek into his life and journey."

While many revere Veer Savarkar for his role in the freedom struggle there are others that decry him for his role in the freedom struggle and the aftermath of that along with the philosophy of Hindutva. But Vinayak Damodar Savarkar's story is one that needs to be told and it is that very emotion that will drive the narrative, says Sandeep as he announced the film.

Producer Amit B Wadhwani says, "I am happy that we are making a film that highlights the work of a freedom fighter. Veer Savarkar is an important part of India's history that needs to be told. Unfortunately, the optics have prevented the man from being understood, let alone from being celebrated. "

"I have forever been fascinated by the life and times of Veer Savarkar. I believe he is a man who didn't get his due in history. The fact that he evokes such strong emotion points to a life that must have impacted so many. As a director, I know it's going to be a challenge but one that I want to take on", said Mahesh V Manjrekar.

Veer Savarkar played a significant role in India's freedom struggle and was also a member of the Hindu Mahasabha. Fifty-five years after his death he continues to evoke strong reactions from both sides of the political spectrum. May 28th marks the 138th birth anniversary of the freedom fighter. To be shot across London, the Andamans and Maharashtra, 'Swatantra Veer Savarkar' promises to change the narrative of the Indian freedom struggle and history