“I do not feel guilty that it’s releasing on the digital platform” – Shoojit Sircar on releasing Vicky Kaushal starrer Sardar Udham’ on Amazon Prime Video

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Vicky Kaushal-starrer Sardar Udham will be released on OTT platform- Amazon Prime Video on October 16.The announcement came a few days before the Maharashtra government declared that cinema halls will reopen from October 22.

At a press conference in Mumbai after the trailer launch, director Shoojit Sircar was asked why he did not wait to release the film in theatres, despite the fact that the film was made for the big screen. To which, Shoojit said, “It’s a tricky question. There’s a destiny for every film and Sardar Udham landed with Amazon Prime. When I shot the film, this wasn’t the situation. We shot the film for cinemas. However, I do not feel guilty that it’s releasing on (Amazon Prime Video). We decided that this will go on the digital platform. I didn’t feel that this was a mistake I was making,”

The 2020 released Amitabh Bachchan and Ayushmann Khurrana starrer Gulabo Sitabo director received flak for his decision to release the film an OTT platform when Covid-19 lockdown was announced in India last year. Addressing the same he said that when Gulabo Sitabo happened, there was a lot of talk about why he released that film (on OTT) and he gave his clarification. The situation was such that we could not hold on to the film and he was also quite impatient in nature when a film is done. So, he just want to quickly reach out to people.

Explaining further, he said that after that film he experienced the reach the film received. He thought the film needs a huge global platform, apart from our Indian territories and that was also a good reason for me to go ahead. He also added that the cinematic experience of a theatre will surely be missed, but it is not a compromise on the cinematic narrative that he has done. It’s as cinematic on a big screen as it is on a small screen.

The movie also stars Shaun Scott, Stephen Hogan, Banita Sandhu and Kirsty Averton in pivotal roles and Amol Parashar in a special appearance.  The film, Sardar Udham, is a story of Sardar Udham Singh, a gallant and patriotic man who fought selflessly and courageously against the British subjugation of India. The film focuses on the undeterred mission of Sardar Udham to avenge the lives of his beloved brethren who were brutally killed in the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre of 1919.

“The story of Sardar Udham Singh is one that enthralled and inspired me. It represents the strength, pain, passion, extraordinary courage and sacrifice, and many such values that I have tried to do justice through my character in the film. The role called for a lot of physical, and even more mental preparation to get into Udham Singh’s shoes and bring to life the story of a man whose heroism and grit stand unmatched,” said lead actor Vicky Kaushal who essays the role of Sardar Udham. “I look forward to sharing an intriguing page from the history of India’s freedom struggle through this film. This is one story that needs to be shared not only in India but also across the world and I am happy that, with Amazon Prime Video, Sardar Udham will cut through geographies and take a piece of our history across the world.”

“Sardar Udham to me is not just a film, it is a dream come true. It took years of in-depth research to unearth and share with the world the valiant story of a martyr who sacrificed his life to avenge India’s most dreadful tragedy,” said Shoojit Sircar, about his experience of directing Sardar Udham. “The true essence of Udham Singh’s patriotism and bravery lives in the hearts of each and every person in Punjab even today. My aim was to make a film that familiarizes the viewers with Udham Singh’s valour and inspires them. This film is my ode to his lionhearted spirit, his fearlessness and sacrifice in the fight for the country’s independence. The entire team is extremely proud to have had an opportunity to work on bringing forward a story of a revolutionary who played a key role in India's freedom struggle.”

Directed by Shoojit Sircar, Sardar Udham will stream on Amazon Prime Video from October 16.

Also Read: ‘I got 13 stitches on my face’: Vicky Kaushal reveals that the scar he has in Sardar Udham is real