Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have praised The Sabarmati Report, a film based on the 2002 Godhra train tragedy, for its courageous portrayal of the incident and its aftermath. Directed by Dheeraj Sarna, the movie follows the events leading up to the tragedy, where 59 people lost their lives and communal riots spread all over Gujarat.
On Sunday, PM Modi highlighted the importance of the film in addressing long-standing misconceptions. Responding to a review shared on X, he appreciated the filmmakers for “revealing the truth” behind the tragedy. “It is good that this truth is coming out, and that too in a way common people can see it,” he said. The review described the film as a must-watch and praised its sensitive handling of the subject, adding that the narrative exposes how vested interest groups politicized the incident to tarnish the reputation of a leader.
A day later, Amit Shah lauded the film’s efforts to present the truth with bravery. In his post on X, he wrote, “The Sabarmati Report defies the ecosystem with unparalleled courage and exposes the truth behind the fateful episode to broad daylight. No matter how hard a powerful ecosystem tries, it cannot keep the truth hidden in darkness forever”.
The Godhra train tragedy occurred on February 27, 2002, when the Sabarmati Express was attacked near Godhra railway station in Gujarat. According to reports, a mob burnt four coaches killing 59 passengers including women and children. The incident led to one of the worst communal riots in Indian history.
The Sabarmati Report is a film starring Vikrant Massey, Raashii Khanna and Ridhi Dogra, released on 15 November. It has picked up pace subsequent to this, more so after the advocacy of PM Modi and Amit Shah. This movie then narrates the chain of events associated with the catastrophe, stating the perspective from which one can ward off all misconceptions and provide the audience with a more balanced account.
Both leader’s appreciation of the film underscores its potential to initiate meaningful discussions about one of India’s most controversial incidents. The Godhra tragedy and its aftermath remain etched in the collective memory of the nation and The Sabarmati Report seeks to provide clarity while addressing the human cost of the events. The film’s success at the box office reflects its resonance with audiences, who are engaging with its nuanced depiction of a pivotal moment in history.
