Actor-director Kamal Haasan on Tuesday released a remastered version of his 2000 historical crime-drama Hey Ram for free on YouTube to celebrate India’s 77th Independence Day.
The Vikram actor announced the news via his social media handle. “Today on our country’s Independence Day, my ode to Bapu (Mahatma Gandhi),” he wrote on Twitter.
Written, directed, produced and headlined by Kamal Haasan, Hey Ram was the story of a man named Saket Ram (Haasan) who goes on a mission to assassinate Mahatma Gandhi, only to undergo a change of heart after meeting him. It is an alternate history film that depicts the Partition and the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi by Nathuram Godse.
The film, which stars Shah Rukh Khan in a key role, also features an ensemble cast of Hema Malini, Rani Mukerji, Saurabh Shukla, Atul Kulkarni, Girish Karnad, Vaali, Abbas, Nassar, Vasundhara Das, Naseeruddin Shah, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Om Puri. Its music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja.
Hey Ram went on to win three National Awards at the 47th National Film Awards, though it had a dismal run at the box office after receiving criticism for its supposed ‘negative’ portrayal of Mahatma Gandhi. However, the film was praised highly by critics for its distinct style and cinematography.
