There are very few films that portray the equal yet neglected contributions of our brave female revolutionaries in the freedom movement. I want a film to be made on Captain Lakshmi Sahgal (nee Swaminathan) who has left an indelible mark on the road to the freedom of India with her unwavering bravery. Born in 1914 in Madras, she studied medicine, earned an MBBS from Madras Medical College and specialised in gynaecology and obstetrics. While staying in Singapore, she got acquainted with Subhas Chandra Bose’s Azad Hind Fauj (INA). In 1943, she discussed with Bose and formed an all-women regiment in the INA and women whole-heartedly joined the regiment named Rani of Jhansi regiment where Lakshmi Swaminathan stepped into the shoes of the captain and donned the eternal identity of Captain Lakshmi. In 1945, while marching towards Imphal, she was arrested in Burma but later freed. After Independence, she joined the Communist Party of India. She offered medical help to the common people during the Bangladesh crisis and the Bhopal gas tragedy of 1984. She was conferred the Padma Vibhushan in 1998. In a nutshell, she was way ahead of her time and her biopic would inspire us greatly. (On which other Indian revolutionary would you want a film to be made... October 18)

Sikrity Ghosh

As a passionate history aficionado, I believe a film based on the inspiring life of Indian revolutionary Matangini Hazra would be a fitting tribute, honouring her selfless sacrifice towards her country. Fondly remembered as Gandhi Buri, she advanced towards activism in 1905 and successfully propagated the ideas of nationalism among the masses, particularly women, encouraging them to play a larger role in our freedom struggle. Her remarkable personality was ingrained with grit, compassion and resilience, guiding her through the toughest trials of her life. The fact that she kept chanting ‘Vande Mataram’ as well as holding high the national flag until her last breath lucidly expressed her vision of a free and independent India. Whenever I pass by the statue of Matangini Hazra near the Maidan, holding the national flag with a wide smile on her face, my heart brims with pride and reverence and I salute her admirable spirit and contributions. Very few women revolutionaries were remembered by history: a majority of them have been forgotten. Therefore a feature-length film covering the life of an unsung hero will play an instrumental role in infusing unity and compassion among the masses, inspiring us to hold the ideals of our nation and take on the vicious cycle of hatred and intolerance circulating us.

Aayman Anwar Ali

There were several revolutionaries and revolutionary organisations in India that shook the core of the British empire. However, when it comes to featuring Indian revolutionaries on the silver screen, filmmakers are often inclined towards the story of male revolutionaries. We must not forget that India is the land of Goddess Durga and also the home of the fearless Rani Laxmibai. Having said that, I would like to see a female revolutionary being portrayed on the silver screen.

I think among all the female revolutionaries, the story of Bela Mitra is worthy enough to be a part of a well-made film. As a key member of the Jhansi Rani Regiment, the women’s wing of the mighty Indian National Army, she along with her husband played an active role in operating Azad Hind Radio to send out information from Calcutta to Singapore. She was also active in giving shelter to the revolutionaries as an aid of the secret service team of Azad Hind Fauj. Her story has all the ingredients of a successful commercial film and, above all, it will make people aware of her journey from an ordinary girl to a freedom fighter who fought the British with her wit and unmatched courage. The Indian government has also paid her homage by naming a station Bela Nagar on the Howrah-Bardhaman cord line route. The station is operational till date.

Nilutpal Maitra

My favourite unsung hero is Rani Chennamma Kittur of the Kittur province (present-day Karnataka) who dared to clash with the might of the East India Company in 1824. She fought valiantly and won the first battle, pushing the Company beyond the borders of her kingdom. This occurred when she held the reins of her kingdom after the death of her husband Raja Mallasarja in 1817. In 1825, due to the constant meddling of the British, she was forced to go to war again. This time she lost and was taken prisoner. She died in the Bombay Presidency in 1829 at the age of 50. One of the lesser-known heroes of the struggle for Independence, it is high time we venerated these souls who gave up their kingdoms, families, riches and lives. We need to remember their sacrifices.

Pampa Paul

I want a film to be made on the gallant-hearted but unsung, unrecognised revolutionary Ullaskar Dutta. After being convicted in the Alipore bomb case in 1909, he was transported to the notorious Cellular Jail, Andaman Islands. He was subjected to brutal torture including electrocution, thanks to which he eventually lost his mental balance. He was released in 1920. What is awe-inspiring is that despite the inhuman torture, Dutta had neither asked for mercy nor given any undertaking to serve the British to escape brutalities and free himself from prison life.

Yet, far from acknowledging the valiance and contribution of Dutta, this real veer has been practically relegated to oblivion in his mother country, for the freedom of which he sacrificed so much. The least the country can do is to make a film based on his life and deeds so that future generations feel indebted to him.

Kajal Chatterjee

The Indian revolutionary on whom I would want a film to be made is Captain Lakshmi Sahgal. She was undoubtedly one of the greatest women freedom fighters in our country. The legendary figure of the Indian independence movement was renowned as the first woman in India to head an all-women infantry regiment, the Rani of Jhansi regiment of the Indian National Army (INA). It would surely be a tribute to her if any director made a biopic on the life of this extraordinary revolutionary.

Sourish Misra