Reviews are underwhelming yet Satyagraha cracks the boxoffice

Despite some underwhelmed reviews that claim Prakash Jha’s latest film Satyagraha trivializes the politics of corruption the film has had a rousing welcome at the boxoffice with the first two days’ standing at Rs 24.29 crores. Is it a good time then for political dramas? It was Shoojit Sircar’s Madras Café the week before which has raked in the moolah. Satygraha is doing astonishing business in many areas. In Patna the film has had tremendous opening. Suman Sinha an exhibitor in Patna says, “Satyagraha is rocking in Patna. In my 30 years’ career and the 85-year existence of my theatre this is the first release during which crowds were so uncontrollable that I had to introduce an early morning 7.30 am show from Saturday onwards. Incredibly the film is showing to packed house even that early in the morning.” It definitely looks like a great time to be finally breaking the taboo on political topics. Says trade analyst Taran Adarsh, “The viewer is interested in watching films that defy stereotypes and mirror reality. Both Shoojit Sircar and Prakash Jha are sensible and responsible filmmakers who know the craft of filmmaking. That explains why Madras Cafe and Satyagraha were lapped up.” Adds Prakash Jha, “Sure, it will always be an uphill task making political films in India. But someone has to do it.”