Indira Gandhi Was Scared of Suchitra Sen’s Movie ‘Aandhi’
NEWS CHARIOT : – In an interesting turn of events, it was reported that former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was reportedly scared of the 1975 Bollywood movie ‘Aandhi,’ which was directed by the legendary lyricist and filmmaker Gulzar. The movie was a political drama that many believed was based on the life of Indira Gandhi herself. The plot of the film seemed to mirror her political career, with Suchitra Sen playing the lead role of a strong, resilient woman in power, drawing striking similarities to the Prime Minister at the time.
Ahead of its release, Aandhi‘s promotional posters prominently featured texts such as “Watch the real life of your Prime Minister,” which fueled rumors that the movie was directly inspired by Gandhi’s life. As a result, it caused significant concern within the government. Fearing that the movie could be perceived as a direct commentary on her life and politics, Indira Gandhi and her administration took action against it.
In 1975, when Indira Gandhi declared a state of emergency in India, the film was banned. According to sources, the Prime Minister had asked officials from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to screen the film and assess whether its content was harmful to her political image. The movie’s release was blocked, and it remained under wraps during the emergency period.
However, after Indira Gandhi‘s defeat in the 1977 general elections and the rise of the Janata Party, the film was eventually cleared for release. The new government lifted the ban, and Aandhi was finally premiered on national television. The film received critical acclaim and was well-received by audiences for its bold take on political and personal life.
Today, ‘Aandhi’ remains one of Bollywood’s iconic films, remembered not only for its gripping narrative but also for its significant political context during the time of its release.
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