Last year I was watching a web-series, Bose, which tells the truth behind the disappearance of freedom fighter Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. The web-series was remarkable telling the events which led to his disappearance and conspiracies surrounding his death. One of the activities of Netaji which led to more suspicion was his appearance in The Tashkent peace treaty agreement between India and Pakistan in 1966 and his rendezvous with Lal Bahadur Shastri after the farewell party about some information which would put the insiders in trouble. Obviously, Lal Bahadur Shastri died just few hours after the meeting and only his dead body, wrapped in Indian flag arrived. This led to my interest in the last week's release, The Tashkent Files.
The Tashkent Files is an attempt to know the truth behind the mysterious death of Lal Bahadur Shastri, 2nd Prime Minister of India, which has led to many conspiracies.
Directed by Vivek Agnihotri (Hate Story), The Tashkent Files will remind you of a classic movie, Ek Ruka Hua Faisal, where panel of experts are called in to discuss a murder trial. Similarly, a journalist who had to submit a scoop to her chief editor at a leading media channel, gets involved in knowing the truth behind death of the 2nd Prime Minister of India and a senior leader of the Indian National Congress political party, Lal Bahadur Shastri. The thriller successfully puts forward few questions :-
1. How come the color of dead body of Lal Bahadur Shastri changed when it was received in India and why were there so many cuts on the body if he died of a natural death ?
2. Why was there no post-mortem performed after his death ?
3. Why did Indian Government refused to reveal any documents relating to his death ?
4. There were two people beside Lal Bahadur Shastri - his servant Ram Nath and Dr. Chugh who were the only witness to the case and co-incidentally got hit by a moving vehicle.
The movie also raises the point on the how the Russian spy agency, KJB, sent suitcases of money, amounting to 10.6 million. Unfortunately, the truth is harsh and is never told but as a citizen of India, everyone has right to information and the film ask very gently - Why there should be a change in the Indian History books, we have all studied in school. I think the movie should be watched by people of India and decide what is the best for our country rather than blindly following someone.
Coming to the technical aspect, The Tashkent Files has good background score and tight screenplay, though it misses few marks in the second half. Art direction is decent and so is the cinematography. Writing by Vivek Agnihotri is strong along with his direction. Performances by the star cast is good, especially Shweta Prasad.
Overall, The Tashkent Files is the hard-hitting truth that is painful but is better than make-believe. Excellent 4/5
