‘Accident or Conspiracy: Godhra’ has been mired in controversy ever since its announcement. The movie is finally out, and it promises to tackle one of the most calamitous events in Indian history—the Godhra train burning of 2002, which resulted in the loss of 59 lives when the Sabarmati Express caught fire. This MK Shivaaksh film handles this highly complicated issue with a balanced view rather than taking sides and looks at the mindset of division behind this tragedy.
The Story:
The film opens with the immediate aftermath of the Godhra incident, with charred bodies being taken to the hospital. It then goes on to show the large-scale violence that hit Gujarat after the event. Intense and often debilitating moments are enacted as the film reveals the extent of the violence. At the helm lies the courtroom drama between two lawyers, Mahmood Qureshi and Ravindra Pandya, who argue the Godhra debate from diametrically opposite ends. Their legal battle is to unravel whether the train fire was an unfortunate accident or a well-thought-out conspiracy. Then there is also a college student, Abhimanyu—played by MK Shivaaksh—who takes up the incident as a project, further deepening the inquisitive plot.
Highlights:
‘Accident or Conspiracy: Godhra’ excels in the courtroom, where Ranvir Shorey and Manoj Joshi dig deep. The movie dialogues have been smartly drafted given the intensity of the situation; each debate in the court seems very real and leaves an impact. The music has been composed by V Rakx and Yug Bhusal, and it works accordingly with the emotional graph of the film. Kailash Kher’s “Ho Mangalam” stands as a standout track.
Also Read: ‘Bad Newz’: Vicky Kaushal Steals The Show In A Flawed Sequel
shortcomings:
Though there are some very strong points in its favor, the film bogs down toward the end. Slow screenplay and certain scenes stretched to their limits were the main defects. The gory scenes of violence overstretched. Where on one hand, director MK Shivaaksh must be lauded for his worthy effort, this slack pace brought down the effect as a whole. Also, the treatment of a sensitive subject at times seems less deep, which cannot relate the audience to the intricacies of the Godhra incident.
Behind the Scenes:
The ‘Accident or Conspiracy: Godhra’ involves laborious research and sensitivity to ensure the two sides of this highly controversial event. MK Shivaaksh has handled the subject in a way that keeps the viewer thinking of the actual incident and not sermonizing. Ranvir Shorey and Manoj Joshi added authenticity to the courtroom scenes with their A-game performance.
Final Score:
‘Accident or Conspiracy: Godhra’ is an emotionally charged film bound to strike a chord with all those who love films based on real-life incidents and courtroom dramas. No doubt, the film has its flaws, but some powerful acts and really bright direction make this flick a definite watch. The controversial subject has been handled sensitively in the movie, which will definitely appeal to a sensible viewer while extracting a conclusion for the commotion in Godhra and its subsequent fallout.
IMDB Rating: 8.2/10
Bookmyshow Rating: 8/10
Also Read: The Haunting Continues: ‘Stree 2’ Brings More Frights And Fun