The Sabarmati Report”: Exploiting Tragedy for Drama

Ekta Kapoor’s upcoming film The Sabarmati Report is already drawing ire, and not for the reasons it probably hoped. Set against the backdrop of the 2002 Godhra train burning incident, the film, directed by Dheeraj Sarna, attempts to delve into one of India’s most traumatic events, but the trailer raises more questions than it answers. While Kapoor claims the film is based on "research" and "facts," it quickly becomes clear that the makers have tailored the story to provoke rather than inform.

The film purports to tell the story of the Sabarmati Express tragedy, but it doesn’t bring much new to the table. The Godhra incident is already well-documented in two prominent reports—the Nanavati-Mehta Commission and the UC Banerjee Commission—which explore the event’s causes, its aftermath, and its ongoing impact. However, The Sabarmati Report bypasses these comprehensive investigations in favor of a simplified, dramatized version of the incident, clearly designed to stir emotions rather than engage with the complexities of the tragedy.

What's most troubling is that the filmmakers have conveniently omitted any real exploration of the political and social tensions that led to the incident. Instead, the trailer focuses on the event itself, reducing a national catastrophe to little more than shock value. This approach risks turning the tragedy into a tool for exploitation rather than a subject for reflection or healing.

The trailer also includes a subplot about the supposed condescension of English-speaking journalists towards their Hindi-speaking counterparts. This feels like an unnecessary addition that misrepresents the real issues facing the media and merely serves to create division where none exists. It’s a forced commentary that detracts from the actual focus of the film and feels out of place.

As for the cast—Vikrant Massey, Ridhi Dogra, and Raashii Khanna—one can’t help but wonder what drew them to this project. They’re all talented actors, but signing up for a film that appears more interested in stirring controversy than handling a sensitive subject with care seems like a questionable choice. It begs the question: What role does integrity play in selecting a project like this?

Ultimately, The Sabarmati Report feels like a missed opportunity. Rather than approaching a painful chapter in India’s history with the nuance it deserves, the film opts for sensationalism. Instead of healing or educating, it risks reopening old wounds for the sake of drama.

As the film prepares for its theatrical release on November 15, 2024, one thing is clear: if the makers truly wanted to honor the tragedy, they might want to rethink their approach. Otherwise, The Sabarmati Report might be remembered less for its storytelling and more for its failure to treat the subject matter with the respect it deserves.