Jayatri Nag (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 30, 2019)

Srijit Mukherji’s upcoming directorial Gumnaami has landed in trouble after Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s family raised concerns over his portrayal in the film. Signed by 33 members of the family, including Netaji’s daughter Anita Pfaff, niece Chitra Ghosh, grandnephew and BJP leader Chandra Bose, nephew Dwarkanath Bose and niece-in-law Krishna Bose, the statement has called for an end to the “long-running and sinister campaign to malign the image and legacy of the legendary leader”.

According to the family, a Delhi-based private organisation has been propagating the theory that a penniless recluse, Gumnami baba, who left behind trunk-loads of Netaji-related fake collectibles, is Netaji.

The statement, which doesn’t mention the film, read, “The Justice Mukherjee Commission inquiry in 2005 provided conclusive proof through DNA test at the respected central forensic science laboratory in Kolkata, that there was no match between Netaji and this Gumnami baba. Handwriting comparisons carried out at the same Kolkata laboratory…delivered a similar, negative outcome.”

Chandra Bose tweeted: “What nonsense is going on-Justice Mukherjee Commission, Justice Sahai Commission based on evidence have rejected the outrageous claim that one Gumnami Baba was #Netaji! Rumours can’t prove impossibility! No one has the right to denigrate Netaji by comparing him with a recluse.” Harvard Professor and former TMC MP, Sugato Bose agreed with him, saying, “Portrayal of this kind is a sheer insult of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.” Krishna Bose, Director of Netaji Research Bureau, concurred, “I am really saddened by the fact that the great patriot is insulted. Otherwise anyone can make a film.”

Srijit (inset) has said that the film, which was reportedly cleared by the CBFC on Wednesday, does not portray Bose as Gumnaami Baba and pointed out that the Mukherjee Commission had also mentioned Gumnami Baba in their report. “Even if you discount a theory, you have to give references, you have to mention it... We have no intention to insult Netaji, we have shown our respect to him in the film. It is a democracy, a filmmaker has every right to show all possible theories and talk about the mysteries surrounding the great icon we are all proud of,” he said.