Inquilbad Zindabad, Youth Culture and Recognition of History in Rang De Basanti

Mark Wiebers

Inquilbad Zindabad, Youth Culture and Recognition of History in Rang De Basanti

In contemporary India there is a constant reminder of the revolution for independence and empowerment. A picture of Gandhi or Nehru is on many walls in government offices, Gandhi’s face is on all rupee notes, and there are thousands of statues of Gandhi, Neru and Ambedkar. All only material remnants with symbolic left over ideals of the empowerment of all Indians. The phrase Inquilab Zindabad (long live the revolution) seems to have as much meaning in the present as the past. The revolution of the empowerment of all Indians and to end their suffering is still in effect. But in the current day this idea has seemed to passed as the Indian youth are becoming more cosmopolitan. This is similar to how some groups during the Independence movement are emphasized, and others like the Hindustan Socialists Republican Association and Subas Bose are put to the background. These groups that used violence were also a part of the revolution. Rang De Basanti was a monumental film, that targeted the young Indian and challenged them the recognize other groups in Independence movement, and realized that Inquilab Zindabad was still in effect.

Rang De Basanti starts with a British filmmaker (Sue) whose grandfather was jailer of Bhagat Singh. The jailer received Bhagat Singh’s journal. The jounal was going to be used for Sue’s film. Sue learns Hindi and goes to Delhi University to find the cast for her movie. She soon finds that college students now days are much like their Western counterpart enjoying partying and being with friends. She has a difficult time finding the characters but soon finds DJ Sonia Karan Sukhi Laxman Ajay, and Aslam. They were going to play members of the Hindustan Socialists Republican Association. After some trials Sue makes the crew realize that they are doing more than a movie, they are reenacting their own history. Through making the movie and by their best friend dying during duty with the air force, they transform their perception about their country, empowerment and their inquilab. Then during a candle light visual for Ajay (air force pilot) Ajays mother is beaten to death by the police. Interesting enough, the students at this point realize Bhagat Singh’s writings.

In Bhagat Singh’s writing he warned about tyranny. Bhagat Singh explained that the changing of power from the White Sahib to the Brown Sahib, maybe would only pass the tyranny on. Thus the true empowerment of the people would be impossible. In the film, after the police beatings, the students understand the writings of Bhagat Singh, and the slogan Inquilab Zindabad. The revolution was not over nor a piece of history. The students decide to take action and destroy a radio station giving miss information. In their quest they are shot and killed by the police. Like during the HSRA movement, like the character the students played, all sacrificed their life for their revolution.

One very interesting aspects of this film is that it was partly made for a renascences in history. The main characters were like many contemporary Indian student. Because of this the movie spoke directly to students, reminding them of their lesser known or publicized history. The film also brought up the point that empowerment preached by revolutionaries of independence has not been met. And the revolution is not over, nor will be over until the goal is met. The phrase Inquilab Zindabad was used in the film numerous times, possibly with the hope that it will re-resonate with the youth, so that the dream of revolution and empowerment will not end.