He fought for the country and now 70 years later he had to fight against the same country. He fought to free his country from British and the people of that free country not only refuse to acknowledge his sacrifice but even question his identity as was he indeed a freedom fighter !!! I can relate to this as I come from a freedom fighter's family...Thought provoking as did he really help free the country? What is a freedom really???? Are we free?
Excellent screenplay based on true story and commendable performance by Vinay Pathak and superb exemplary direction by Anant Mahadevan.
13 Reviews
Good
zkzuber28 September 2020
The line "there is no future in this country " Seems so realistic now in 2020. I always felt and many share the same view but can't admit it, British should have stayed for few more hundred years.
All my respect to freedom fighters but i am sure they never imagined this is the india they were struggling for.
The future will definitely more strongly say we did not deserved this freedom we would have been much better in British rule.
We are not free in true sense, we are in much worse condition now we still are slave but only with freedom to spit & pee where ever we feel like.
We are not free in true sense, we are in much worse condition now we still are slave but only with freedom to spit & pee where ever we feel like.
Slow and steady wins the race
gouravsharma8918 May 2019
I m not going to talk about anything about this film except the subject. Because if I start commenting on anything about this film on a technical aspect , it will be an insult .This is a very important film, movies like these should be promoted by every individual who watches it. It was only when the movie ended I realised its based on a true story and is actually a biography. Only the thought that a person had to go through so much only to prove that he is a freedom fighter , breaks my heart. I think every parent should make their children watch this movie.
Grit & Strength !!
madhukar3020 August 2020
Gour Hari Dastaan: The Freedom File is a biopic of Sri Gour Hari Das, a freedom fighter who struggled for 32 years to get his citation and acknowledgement from the Government of Maharashtra. In a newspaper article it was written that for 32 years Gour Hari Das went inside 321 doors, climbed 66,000 steps, wrote 1,043 letters, pleaded 2,300 times in the post-Independent India just to prove that he was the same Gour Hari Das, whom Mahatma Gandhi had blessed and who was jailed for being a part of the freedom movement against the British Raj.
Ably supported by an array of support cast, Vinay Pathak projects the subtle struggles of Gour Hari Das in an almost calm demur. Technical aspects of the film is par but the focus here is on the story and the struggles endured by the heroic man, which the film does justice to.
India would be a much better place if all its citizens have the resolve of Gour Hari Das. The Grit & strength shown by the man leaves a deep mark within ourselves. A must watch movie for everyone.
Ably supported by an array of support cast, Vinay Pathak projects the subtle struggles of Gour Hari Das in an almost calm demur. Technical aspects of the film is par but the focus here is on the story and the struggles endured by the heroic man, which the film does justice to.
India would be a much better place if all its citizens have the resolve of Gour Hari Das. The Grit & strength shown by the man leaves a deep mark within ourselves. A must watch movie for everyone.
Subtle, nuanced and important viewing for the everyday Indian.
Krishna_Sriram16 August 2015
In a highly attention deficit generation of Indian cinema, Gour Hari Dastaan manages to stand out by being down-to-earth and unpretentious. Here is a film that silently pulls you into a relationship of engagement, rather than by being loud and calling attention to itself. The heavy subject matter is brilliantly contrasted by the contextual humour that results from the relationship between Gour Hari Das, the protagonist, and Rajeev Singhal, the jaded but supportive journalist who tries to bring his story to the eyes of the public through the newspaper, Mid-Day.
This is really a film of contrasts, between the India of the Raj and contemporary India. The characters are archetypal metaphors for the differences in thoughts between the older generation and the new. In a rapidly accelerating country, this is an important dialogue to be had. 'Gour Hari Dastaan' manages to raise these questions by allowing the audience to use its intelligence to navigate the thoughts, desires and beliefs of its characters - it reveals the complexity of India as a nation, exposing its stifling bureaucracy.
The cinematography by Alphonse Roy carries the story beautifully, highlighting the contrasts between the two India's that are shown in the film. Having been shot on film, the accurate skin tones with the right amount of detail as well as the limited color palette make this a new landmark in contemporary Indian cinematography. Mr. Roy's breathtaking, classical European cinematography combined with beautiful locations and the beautiful production design brings out the beauty of Ye Olde India.
The risk of not using a regular 'filmy' soundtrack with songs and dances has resulted in a tight, focused screenplay and direction. Mr. Ananth Mahadevan does an excellent job at bringing out regularly recurring themes onto the screen, moving the story towards the right direction and keeping the audience engaged with the characters' goals.
The casting is downright excellent. Vinay Pathak delivers as Gour Hari Das, the purist freedom fighter who slowly and quietly fought for his right. Ranveer Shorey is convincing and humorous as Rajeev Singhal, and pulls off the cynical journalist archetype. Konkona Sen Sharma does the job of being the wife of Gour Hari Das, though ardent fans might have wished for more screen-time for her character. The focus is on believability as the screenplay is based on a true story.
God bless this film to receive the accolades and recognition that it deserves. The level of success of this film will reflect on us as the audience, whether we are interested in addressing the state of the country.
Coming back to the question again, was the India of yesteryear better than the India of today?
This is really a film of contrasts, between the India of the Raj and contemporary India. The characters are archetypal metaphors for the differences in thoughts between the older generation and the new. In a rapidly accelerating country, this is an important dialogue to be had. 'Gour Hari Dastaan' manages to raise these questions by allowing the audience to use its intelligence to navigate the thoughts, desires and beliefs of its characters - it reveals the complexity of India as a nation, exposing its stifling bureaucracy.
The cinematography by Alphonse Roy carries the story beautifully, highlighting the contrasts between the two India's that are shown in the film. Having been shot on film, the accurate skin tones with the right amount of detail as well as the limited color palette make this a new landmark in contemporary Indian cinematography. Mr. Roy's breathtaking, classical European cinematography combined with beautiful locations and the beautiful production design brings out the beauty of Ye Olde India.
The risk of not using a regular 'filmy' soundtrack with songs and dances has resulted in a tight, focused screenplay and direction. Mr. Ananth Mahadevan does an excellent job at bringing out regularly recurring themes onto the screen, moving the story towards the right direction and keeping the audience engaged with the characters' goals.
The casting is downright excellent. Vinay Pathak delivers as Gour Hari Das, the purist freedom fighter who slowly and quietly fought for his right. Ranveer Shorey is convincing and humorous as Rajeev Singhal, and pulls off the cynical journalist archetype. Konkona Sen Sharma does the job of being the wife of Gour Hari Das, though ardent fans might have wished for more screen-time for her character. The focus is on believability as the screenplay is based on a true story.
God bless this film to receive the accolades and recognition that it deserves. The level of success of this film will reflect on us as the audience, whether we are interested in addressing the state of the country.
Coming back to the question again, was the India of yesteryear better than the India of today?
This film deserves much more response than what it received.
Tejas_Vinda_AITS29 January 2019
A very beautiful heart touching story of freedom fighter who is still fighting with system to prove his existence ...Vinay pathak at epitome of his act..Such a superb actor he is ..his dedication to role is absolutely brilliant...
Real portrait of approach of post-independence administration.
India surely such talented actors ... Screenplay ,script ,direction is superb too..!!
We must recognize the struggle of freedom fighters and this movies is a tribute to such great Indian personalities!!! Kudos!!!
Surely its a worth watching.
Real portrait of approach of post-independence administration.
India surely such talented actors ... Screenplay ,script ,direction is superb too..!!
We must recognize the struggle of freedom fighters and this movies is a tribute to such great Indian personalities!!! Kudos!!!
Surely its a worth watching.
A 'just' fight for truth and identity
ridi-arahan20 May 2020
One of the very few Bollywood movies with the greatest ensemble casts. The movie works in every aspect, and by far one of the few complete movies.
What worked:
- ensemble casts; finest actors from the Bollywood industry
- it's based on the true story and strong concept
- narrative and screenplay
Slow, Reality
shikhar-bhargava3029 March 2020
Gour Hari Dastan is a biographical film which showcases the struggle of Indians, they face in daily life against the government, whether it is regarding any pension/freedom fighter paper, it shows the struggle of how government is in INdia, How the working class people in India are, not caring about work, just waiting for bribery, to get the work done. A slow movie in its pace. But a must watch.
Great movie. Great acting by all.
rudra-0923 March 2018
Thanks for this story C. P. Surendran
faisalfaves3 February 2016
Vinay Pathak always show the real life image of the character. His acting is damn amazing. Many Many Thanks to Bindiya Khanolkar and Sachin Khanolkar for producing this Movie. Director Anant Mahadevan done it brilliantly, i congratulate him for this kind of direction.
Vinay Pathak surrenders himself to the role (Gour Hari Das) and strikes the right note without any overt attempt to reach out to the audience. He reflects the optimism of a man who believes in his truth but also knows that he is pushing against a wall.
Konkona Sen did her best and remains in the shadow of Pathak, she brings her skills into play as the supportive wife. Like Pathak, she has also perfected the walk of an old woman.
As always Ranvir Shorey did his best. These actors are the real actors i admit.
The silence in the movie really hit you. I love it. 5/5
Vinay Pathak surrenders himself to the role (Gour Hari Das) and strikes the right note without any overt attempt to reach out to the audience. He reflects the optimism of a man who believes in his truth but also knows that he is pushing against a wall.
Konkona Sen did her best and remains in the shadow of Pathak, she brings her skills into play as the supportive wife. Like Pathak, she has also perfected the walk of an old woman.
As always Ranvir Shorey did his best. These actors are the real actors i admit.
The silence in the movie really hit you. I love it. 5/5
Perfect blend of ethos, pathos, logos, impeccable direction, acting by ensemble cast, excellent screenplay.
binducherungath16 August 2015
Warning: Spoilers
Gour Hari Dastaan: The Freedom File – A film by National Award Winning Filmmaker Anant Narayan Mahadevan. Gour Hari Dastaan is the story of Gandhian Freedom Fighter Gour Hari Das (Vinay Pathak). The film begins with Andre Gide's quote: "To know how to free oneself is nothing; the arduous thing is to know what to do with one's freedom." This quote actually sets out the whole tone of the movie. Gour Hari Das, an unsung hero of our freedom struggle, who first fought for the country, but later on had to fight against the country.
The initial frame of the movie shows a teenager trying to escape on railway tracks with a train running parallelly. Background dialogues mention that the freedom struggle is not only fought by Nehru or Gandhi, but these young people are also fighters. They were making mention of Mahatma Gandhi's Vanar Sena who was part of freedom struggle. Vanar Sena was basically children's army, who used to pass on the secret messages to revolutionaries. Gour Hari Das joined freedom struggle at the age of 14 in 1945, was also part of this Vanar Sena, fought for country's freedom, went to jail.
Frames move to the decade of 70's where Gour Hari Das is shown in his house with his son Alok. Alok wanted to have his father's Jailer Certificate, which could have fetched him Engineering college admission in special quota assigned to freedom fighters. But college principal denies to acknowledge Gour Hari Das as a freedom fighter on the basis of this certificate. Disappointed Alok vents out his frustration at his father and asks in doubt – "Were you actually a freedom fighter". Here begins the story of Gour Hari Das versus India's systems. Alok decides to go abroad for his studies and further career. But Gour Hari Das consistently continues writing to the Indian Government to grant him Tamarapatra (Certificate of him being a Freedom Fighter). Standing along with him is his wife Lakshmi (Konkana Sen Sharma, what a performance by her!), a strong pillar of support. Lakshmi's unconditional support reflects so beautifully through her body language. She is neither judgmental for her husband's 32 years of fight nor for her son's flying abroad for better prospects.
For Gour Hari Das, it was a matter of restoring his own identity. When asked by others whether it is his fight to get the freedom fighter's pension, he soulfully conveys, no, it isn't about pension or any sort of ego. He was part of the freedom struggle, who fought from Balasore (Odisha) and was jailed for almost 90 days. This was so much part of his identity that if the Tamarapatra was not given to him, he felt that his identity itself was at stake.
Journalist Rajiv Singhal (Ranvir Shorey) is trying to cover the story of Gour Hari Das in Mid Day for which he is questioned by his boss, who wants him to focus on gay rights, the stories which could sell more. Rajiv does not pay heed to his boss and wants to further explore the truth associated with Gour Hari Das' story. Anita (Tannishtha), Rajiv's colleague, supports him to explore the truth.
Gour Hari Das' dastaan continues. It is his struggle for 32 years, knocking 321 doors, writing 1043 letters to different officials, climbing 66000 steps, pleading 2300 times in the Post-independence period to prove that he was the freedom fighter who was even blessed by Mahatma Gandhi and jailed for fighting against Britishers. He visited government offices, influential politicians, ministers, media, jail officials etc. During this turbulent journey, he was called 'fraud', 'thief', 'crazy', 'eccentric' by others. But he continued his journey with strong determination. But it took away from him 3 decades of lifetime to finally get justice.
One has to watch the movie and experience his journey. It is amazing to see his perseverance. A dialogue which stayed with me was: "I feel The British did lot of good, at least we knew, who the enemy was?" The tragedy which is depicted in this film is that Gour Hari first fought for the country's freedom, but in spite of getting freedom, later on he had to fight against the country.
Gour Hari Dastaan, a must-watch film by every Indian. Perfect blend of ethos, pathos, logos, impeccable direction, acting by ensemble cast, excellent screenplay. This film is going to move you, touch your hearts. One question which pops up in mind –"When will we be free in real sense, and what will we do with this freedom?" This movie is beyond any rating, I want to give it 5+.
The initial frame of the movie shows a teenager trying to escape on railway tracks with a train running parallelly. Background dialogues mention that the freedom struggle is not only fought by Nehru or Gandhi, but these young people are also fighters. They were making mention of Mahatma Gandhi's Vanar Sena who was part of freedom struggle. Vanar Sena was basically children's army, who used to pass on the secret messages to revolutionaries. Gour Hari Das joined freedom struggle at the age of 14 in 1945, was also part of this Vanar Sena, fought for country's freedom, went to jail.
Frames move to the decade of 70's where Gour Hari Das is shown in his house with his son Alok. Alok wanted to have his father's Jailer Certificate, which could have fetched him Engineering college admission in special quota assigned to freedom fighters. But college principal denies to acknowledge Gour Hari Das as a freedom fighter on the basis of this certificate. Disappointed Alok vents out his frustration at his father and asks in doubt – "Were you actually a freedom fighter". Here begins the story of Gour Hari Das versus India's systems. Alok decides to go abroad for his studies and further career. But Gour Hari Das consistently continues writing to the Indian Government to grant him Tamarapatra (Certificate of him being a Freedom Fighter). Standing along with him is his wife Lakshmi (Konkana Sen Sharma, what a performance by her!), a strong pillar of support. Lakshmi's unconditional support reflects so beautifully through her body language. She is neither judgmental for her husband's 32 years of fight nor for her son's flying abroad for better prospects.
For Gour Hari Das, it was a matter of restoring his own identity. When asked by others whether it is his fight to get the freedom fighter's pension, he soulfully conveys, no, it isn't about pension or any sort of ego. He was part of the freedom struggle, who fought from Balasore (Odisha) and was jailed for almost 90 days. This was so much part of his identity that if the Tamarapatra was not given to him, he felt that his identity itself was at stake.
Journalist Rajiv Singhal (Ranvir Shorey) is trying to cover the story of Gour Hari Das in Mid Day for which he is questioned by his boss, who wants him to focus on gay rights, the stories which could sell more. Rajiv does not pay heed to his boss and wants to further explore the truth associated with Gour Hari Das' story. Anita (Tannishtha), Rajiv's colleague, supports him to explore the truth.
Gour Hari Das' dastaan continues. It is his struggle for 32 years, knocking 321 doors, writing 1043 letters to different officials, climbing 66000 steps, pleading 2300 times in the Post-independence period to prove that he was the freedom fighter who was even blessed by Mahatma Gandhi and jailed for fighting against Britishers. He visited government offices, influential politicians, ministers, media, jail officials etc. During this turbulent journey, he was called 'fraud', 'thief', 'crazy', 'eccentric' by others. But he continued his journey with strong determination. But it took away from him 3 decades of lifetime to finally get justice.
One has to watch the movie and experience his journey. It is amazing to see his perseverance. A dialogue which stayed with me was: "I feel The British did lot of good, at least we knew, who the enemy was?" The tragedy which is depicted in this film is that Gour Hari first fought for the country's freedom, but in spite of getting freedom, later on he had to fight against the country.
Gour Hari Dastaan, a must-watch film by every Indian. Perfect blend of ethos, pathos, logos, impeccable direction, acting by ensemble cast, excellent screenplay. This film is going to move you, touch your hearts. One question which pops up in mind –"When will we be free in real sense, and what will we do with this freedom?" This movie is beyond any rating, I want to give it 5+.
Vinay Pathak I bow before you
atulp-2830125 August 2020
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