Nine Hours to Rama. Review on Mee Nathuram Godse Boltoy

Last year, finally I got the DVD of one of the most controversial Marathi plays in recent times called Mee Nathuram Ghodse Boltoy  (I, Nathuram Ghodse, speaking). Thoroughly enjoyed it, not just because of the way Sharad Ponkshe anchors as Nathuram Ghodse but because of the way Nathuram Ghodse was unfolded. It was extremely important to understand the background of where Nathuram Ghodse came from, what was he capable of, what made him to do what he did which made him the Villain within the country? and decide for yourself.

Believe me, the play is worth every moment. If you understand Marathi, even better. For fellow MSians, read zuludancing’s revu on the same which is more complete. https://mouthshut.com/review/Mee_Nathuram_Godse_Boltoy-77483-1.html. My attempt is just to write about another Hollywood movie on Nathuram Ghodse for which rating would be 2 stars less than what I gave for this.

"Controversies create opputunities for some." Hollywood director Mark Robson proved the above statement by trying to adapt the bookish version of Stanley Wolpert in this 1963 movie

called Nine Hours to Rama.Yesterday being a holiday here(in USA), was just killing my time by changing channels on a HDTV at disposal to see if I can find an action or fiction movie. Suddenly, glanced upon Delhi Railway Station in one of the channels. Usually Discovery Channel keeps showing interesting programs covering India. but it was nto discovery, some movie channel.

On pressing INFO button, found that it was a movie on a Fana- tic who ass-asin-ated Gandhi and the policemen trying to trace him. WHAT? I could not change the channel and found that it had started just a minute ago. So perfect timing. Storyline For some who are unaware (so foolish of me;-( ) of Ghodse, Ghodse shot Gandhi as Ghodse along with others believed that Gandhi was responsible for the partition of India and the subsequent wrath of communal riots.

The story revolves around the main character of Ghodse and his Nine hours of stay since the time he reaches Delhi to his shooting Gandhi.There is a love interest also shown for Ghodse.Performances:

Ghodse is played by Horst Buchloz, the German actor who is one of the survivors from The Magnificent Seven. Horst is way too good looking and flamboyant for the character of Nathuram Ghodse. However, he seems at ease flirting around and at the same time being a nationalist ass-a/ssin.

The other one that impressed me was the SP Gopal Das, played by Jose Ferrer who is aware of the attack on Gandhi and is trying to trace Ghodse and his associate.Rest all do normal stuff including Jairaj as Birla and David as the Detective.

Analysis:

After talking to a person of that era, I found that this movie was released worldwide and banned in INDIA. AM GLAD THEY DID. You see, sometimes I feel we Indians are politically more correct. ;-)

The authentic backgrounds, locales, sets, etc seem so true and this being a Hollywood film in the 60s, no doubt the technical details seem much better in comparision to Indian movies of those times.The way they showed Delhi is really authentic.The best thing of this movie are "the dialogues" by Gandhi. He seems so genuine of what he says and they force you to fathom into his philosophies.

Then why the 2 stars less.?

The author on whose book this movie is based, tried to emphasize on the lack of preparation for such an impending attack and the handling of the situation by the political and bureacratic circles against the background of the love interest between Ghodse and Rani Mehta, wife of aan acclaimed tennis player.

Instead the film(or the Director) involves in putting unnecessary romantic scenes between the two leads in the forefront, portraying Ghodse as the womaniser who constantly smokes and drinks alcohol and even goes to a in Chandni Chowk hours before killing Gandhi. THe movie seems like a love story of a troubled, confused, frustated killer than a nationalist who has a reason to be in Delhi.

Whatever may be the conclusion, just like "children learn what you teach them", "an unknown audience will tend to accept what is shown to them". Where as there is always the Your Side, My Side and The Truth. Whether Nathuram Ghodse was a fa-n-atic or he was a saint is to be decided by the audience.

I was really surprised after coming to know that such a movie existed and distributed to a wider audience as though there is only one side for a coin.

And that is the reason one should watch Mee Nathuram Ghodse Boltoy, which does not preach but gives you an oppurtunity to understand that Ghodse admires Gandhi for his philosophies and at the same time contradicts when Gandhi went wrong.

Its not like Bush’s bipartisanship (if you agree with what I say then only we are bipartisan) ;->

Pros: Authentic Locales, Sets, Background music (escpecially Veena tunes)

Cons: Weak StoryLine