Story:
The film explores the events and underlying causes of the 2002 Godhra incident, which resulted in the tragic deaths of 59 passengers aboard the Sabarmati Express.
Review:
The Sabarmati Report takes on the challenge of examining the 2002 Godhra tragedy, where 59 train passengers perished. With a concise two-hour runtime, it largely succeeds in maintaining the audience’s interest. The film questions conventional narratives, suggesting that historical accounts may often be skewed by bias and advocates for a fresh perspective. However, a more realistic and grounded approach could have enhanced its impact.
The first half of the film shifts focus away from the Godhra incident itself, concentrating instead on the operations of a media channel. This channel, influenced by its close ties with the ruling party, manipulates its coverage for political advantage.
The story follows Samar Kumar (Vikrant Massey), a Hindi journalist, who joins forces with Mahika (Ridhi Dogra), a determined and shrewd journalist working for a leading broadcast network. They travel to Godhra to cover the incident. However, Mahika receives instructions from her superiors to frame the tragedy as a mere accident. Samar’s independent investigation reveals a different and unsettling reality that contradicts his channel’s narrative. When he confronts his employer, he is dismissed from his job. Unable to secure new employment, he falls into a cycle of depression and alcohol abuse.
As the fifth anniversary of the incident approaches, the network assigns producer Amrita Gill (Raashi Khanna) to revisit the story. Seeking clarity, she turns to Samar for assistance, and together, they work to present an unvarnished account of the events.
Vikrant Massey delivers a heartfelt and convincing performance as Samar Kumar, embodying the integrity and struggle of an honest reporter. Raashi Khanna, portraying Amrita, offers a commendable performance, while Ridhi Dogra steals the spotlight as Mahika, the manipulative journalist. Her commanding portrayal of arrogance and entitlement is particularly striking.
However, the film falters in its technical details and research. For instance, depicting journalists traveling long distances to Delhi just to deliver tapes is unrealistic, as such tasks were typically handled by drivers or flight passengers during that era. Moreover, by 2002, OB vans were widely used to transmit footage via satellite. Additionally, Mahika’s character relies heavily on stereotypes, which may require viewers to approach it with some skepticism.
While The Sabarmati Report succeeds in keeping viewers engaged and shedding light on the lasting effects of the Godhra tragedy, its polished, commercial treatment detracts from its authenticity. Although informative, the dramatic embellishments dilute its potential as a true-to-life narrative.