ROAD TO SANGAM 2010
by
Amit Rai
Gandhi's ashes are found in a bank locker in Orissa. Tushar Gandhi applies to have them relased, and receives them on court order. There is a government plan afoot to take the ashes aboard the same Ford vehicle which was used to transport the Mahatma's ashes to Sangam.
The original vehicle is found out of order. The engine of Ford V8 Lorry is sent to Hashmat Mian, an Allahabad-based godfearing mistry for repairs.
Meanwhile bomb blasts occur in court premises of Varanasi, Allahabad and Lucknow on November 23, 2007. UP Police goes all out in its hunt for the terrorists, their enablers and sympathizers. Local Muslim community resists these pressure tactics and 'labeling'. They strike work, and close down the markets for indefinite period. This creates dilemma for Hashmat, played by Paresh Rawal, who wants to not only come good on his promise to repair the engine, but also be seen as doing some service in the honour of the 'apostle of peace' who he sees as a saviour of Muslims.
There is sanitized debate on the communal issue. The whole problem is presented as government versus Muslims issue. Noakhali is discussed, as are other terrorist attacks. Victimhood is questioned, attitudes on both sides are shown as suspicious. But there is no clear cut solution to these problems. Hashmat chooses work over community, and defies Masjid Action Committee orders.
Finally, with his dedication and perseverance he wins over his detractors, and impresses upon his people to join the final procession of Gandhi's ashes. This is shown as some kind of a huge exercise in building national unity and communal amity.
Rawal is good, but seems too sure of himself all the time. That, to me, makes him an average actor. No doubts ever creep into his mind. Om Puri as an orthodox Muslim leader is damn good. Pawam Malhotra as a bigoted maulvi is also presented as a flat character. Javed Shaikh as the good doctor is also too goody good to leave behind any cinematic imprint. Road to Sangam is a watchable, but forgettable flick.
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