Vikrant Massey’s latest release, The Sabarmati Report, hit cinemas on Friday, November 15, and has since stirred conversations nationwide. The film, which delves into events leading up to the 2002 Godhra train burning incident, has received mixed reviews. However, it received a significant endorsement when Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his support for its portrayal of historical events.
The Prime Minister weighed in via a tweet shared by Alok Bhatt, who had highlighted key aspects of the movie. Resharing the tweet, PM Modi wrote, “Well said. It is good that this truth is coming out, and that too in a way common people can see it. A fake narrative can persist only for a limited period of time. Eventually, the facts will always come out!” His remarks have added a political dimension to the film’s reception and sparked debates about its narrative.
The Prime Minister’s endorsement appears to have boosted the film’s box office performance. The Sabarmati Report opened with a modest Rs 1.25 crore on Friday but saw a steady rise over the weekend. Saturday collections stood at Rs 2 crore, while Sunday saw a significant jump to Rs 3.25 crore, bringing its total domestic earnings to Rs 6.35 crore. The positive word of mouth has been a key factor in driving this growth.
Directed by Anubhav Sinha, the film features Vikrant Massey in a lead role, supported by Raashii Khanna and Riddhi Dogra. Massey, who recently received acclaim for his performance in 12th Fail, has been praised for his nuanced acting in the film. 12th Fail was a sleeper hit, cementing his reputation as a versatile actor. Massey was last seen in the OTT release Haseen Dilruba 2.
The film’s focus on a sensitive and controversial chapter of Indian history has naturally drawn diverse reactions. While some applaud its effort to shed light on lesser-known details, others have raised questions about its accuracy and objectivity.
As The Sabarmati Report continues its theatrical run, its trajectory will likely depend on sustained word of mouth and the broader public discourse it has ignited.