Liz Mathew
New Delhi, Sep 13 (IANS) It was a step back in time for India’s communist veterans. The heyday of the Left revolution was relived and leaders who made it possible flickered on the screen as the present day apparatchiks watched a film on the life and times of legendary left leader A.K. Gopalan Nambiar.
There was nostalgia and more as the entire top leadership of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) gathered at the Mavlankar Auditorium here Wednesday evening to watch “AKG”, a docu-fiction on one of the leading lights of the Indian communist movement.
The Malayalam film, directed by National Award winner Shaji N. Karun, provided an occasion for the present day leadership to be reminded of their role in “emancipation of the oppressed and the struggle against imperialism”, as CPI-M general secretary Prakash Karat put it.
Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, CPI-M general secretary Prakash Karat, politburo members Sitaram Yechury and Brinda Karat were among the many who watched the 70-minute film, which starts with a mundu-clad Karat introducing AKG to the audience.
The film also features Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan, Kerala party secretary Pinarayi Vijayan and Chatterjee sharing their memories about the leader.
Addressing the gathering ahead of the screening, Karat remembered how he as a young party worker learnt many lessons from AKG.
Chatterjee recalled the respect the Marxist veteran earned in parliament despite being a leader of a small party. “I wish MPs of today were told about how he conducted himself in the highest forum. What dignity even a leader of a small party earned because of his intrinsic commitment to people’s issues.”
Born in 1904, AKG was an outstanding leader of the CPI-M and a member of the Lok Sabha for five consecutive terms from 1947 till his death on March 22, 1977.
The film has scenes of AKG’s encounters with Indira Gandhi – shot in parliament building – and his strong friendship with India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru that was filmed in Teen Murti Bhavan.
According to parliament officials, Parliament House has been opened to cameras only twice earlier – for Richard Attenborough’s “Gandhi” and Jabbar Patel’s “Dr. Ambedkar”.
While noted artiste P. Sreekumar plays the role of “AKG” in the film, Shaji has chosen two National School of Drama artistes to play Indira Gandhi and Nehru. Archana, an upcoming television artiste, is the politician’s wife Susheela Gopalan, who was industries minister in Kerala.
Kerala MP Lonappan Nambadan plays the role of former West Bengal chief minister Jyoti Basu and former Kerala chief minister E.K. Nayanar’s role has been enacted by his son Krishnankumar.
P. Karunanakaran, MP from Kasargode and AKG’s son-in-law, said the director had a tough job as there were no videos or audios available of his famous speeches.
“It is very unfortunate that we have not documented the realities of India and lives of these leaders. This film is made for the purpose of informing the new generations about the message AKG’s life has given,” Shaji told IANS.
He said the film was showing in 100 theatres across Kerala and would be screened in other parts of the country after the English and Hindi subtitles were ready.