Filmmaker Srijit Mukherji's next outing 'Gumnaami', based on theories surrounding Netaji's disappearance, has landed in trouble, with the freedom fighter's family claiming that "a defamatory campaign was being made to malign the image of the legendary leader".
In a counter argument, the director, however, said that the film, cleared by the CBFC on Wednesday, sought to project all three theories surrounding the "disappearance" of Netaji in a balanced manner.
The film did not portray Gumnaami baba, a monk spotted in Faizabad in the 1970s, as Netaji, he said.
A statement signed by 33 members of the Bose family, contended that "a long-running and sinister campaign is being organised... which features a penniless recluse known as Gumnami baba, who left behind trunkloads of Netaji-related fake collectibles".
It also said that "a misleading and defamatory campaign was being made to malign the image and legacy of the legendary leader".
Among the signatories were Netaji's daughter Anita Pfaff, niece Chitra Ghosh, grandnephew and BJP leader Chandra Bose, nephew Dwarkanath Bose and niece Krishna Bose.
Noting that Justice Mukherjee Commission of Inquiry of 2005 provided conclusive proof through DNA testing to establish there was no match between Netaji and this Gumnami baba, the letter demanded "an end to the campaign".
Krishna Bose, who is also the director of Netaji Research Bureau, said, "Everyone has the right to make a film for commercial reason but none has the right to insult the great patriot."