Prakash Jha’s film *Satyagraha*, which recently marked its twelfth anniversary, departs from the director’s earlier political dramas. It’s not a sequel to *Raajneeti*, contrary to some media reports, and draws inspiration from Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption movement. The film’s portrayal of Dwarka Anand (Amitabh Bachchan), affectionately called Dadujee, and his complex relationship with Maanav Raghvendra (Devgn), an NRI-turned-Gandhian-nationalist, mirrors the dynamic between Anna Hazare and Arvind Kejriwal. Jha and his co-writer, Anjum Rajabali, crafted a gripping drama by integrating the themes of Hazare’s movement. The film explores the issue with as little creative violence as possible. Jha’s drama and emotions have always been his challenge. In *Aarakshan*, the emotional austerity was evident in the portrayal of Mr. Bachchan’s relationship with his screen-daughter Deepika Padukone. In *Satyagraha*, the relationship between Mr. Bachchan and his widowed daughter-in-law (Amrita Rao) could have been explored further. There is a powerful scene between Mr. Bachchan and Amrita Rao, and it is easy to draw parallels to the bonding in *Sholay* and *Babul*. The film is a study of political awakening. In the film, Dwarka Anand has a moment when he misses his son. It is a moving scene that shows the father’s grief. In another scene, Mr. Bachchan shares camaraderie with Devgn, which is a contemplative moment. These moments are infrequent. The film focuses on the country’s future. Jha prioritizes socio-political reform. The narrative focuses on the mobilization of youth power through the internet and mobile. The film questions the motivation of mass movements born out of an individual’s passion. Manoj Bajpai plays a corrupt politician. Devgn, as an ambitious entrepreneur, could have further developed his character. Arjun Rampal, as a youth leader, has limited scope. While the actors perform well, some supporting characters are played broadly. The message is clear: the nation must address corruption. The film is a call for conscience, highlighted in Prasoon Joshi’s title song. The film deserves recognition for its portrayal of present-day corruption. Kareena Kapoor Khan played a seasoned political journalist, whose character was modeled on CNN’s Christiane Amanpour. Prakash Jha wanted Kareena to understand how much heart Amanpour brings to her news reportage. Amitabh Bachchan’s character in *Satyagraha* was based on the anti-corruption campaign of Anna Hazare. Jha explained that the movement of Anna Hazare is unprecedented and remarkable. However, Jha is bothered that only one opinion is prevailing in this movement towards eradicating corruption, and that could damage the whole noble purpose of the protest.
