New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend a special screening of the film “The Sabarmati Report” at the Balyogi Auditorium in New Delhi. The film, directed by Dheeraj Sarna and starring Vikrant Massey, Raashi Khanna and Ridhi Dogra, centres on the burning of the S-6 coach of the Sabarmati Express near Godhra station in Gujarat on February 27, 2002, an event that triggered widespread communal violence in the state then ruled by Narendra Modi as the CM.
The movie’s release has been met with significant political attention. Last month, PM Modi himself endorsed the film on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Well said. It is good that this truth is coming out…A fake narrative can persist only for a limited period of time. Eventually, the facts will always come out!” This statement, coming from the then Chief Minister of Gujarat during the 2002 Godhra riots, adds considerable weight to the film’s narrative and its potential to reignite a highly sensitive and controversial chapter in Indian history.
The film claims to present a new perspective on the events surrounding the train fire, which resulted in the death of 59 passengers returning from Ayodhya. While the official narrative has long been contested, “The Sabarmati Report” aims to bring a different interpretation to the forefront, potentially challenging established accounts.
The screening, which is also expected to be attended by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, comes just a day after Vikrant Massey, the lead actor, announced his retirement from acting. His decision, which shocked many fans, adds an element of unexpected timing to the event. “The Sabarmati Report” will be among Massey’s final cinematic appearances.
“Hello, The last few years and beyond have been phenomenal. I thank each and every one of you for your indelible support. But as I move forward, I realise it’s time to recalibrate and go back home. As a Husband, Father & a Son. And also as an Actor. So, coming 2025, we would meet each other for one last time. Until time deems right. Last 2 movies and many years of memories. Thank you again. For everything and everything in between. Forever indebted,” Massey wrote on Instagram.
The film’s initial box office performance has been described as decent, with an estimated Rs 7.45 crore nett in its first four days. Areas such as Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Bhopal, Jaipur, and Bengaluru reportedly showed the highest audience turnout.
High-profile figures from the BJP have openly praised the film. Union Home Minister Amit Shah lauded the movie’s attempt to expose what he called “lies and misleading facts” about the Godhra incident, while Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath went so far as to declare the film tax-free in the state after attending a screening.
