By the time i came to know of the news it was a bit late and i missed the opening minutes of the movie.
Dr.Ambedkar is a movie which walks you through the history of India (of course from the perspective of the protagonist) from a period of around 1916 to 1956.
The movie in its initial minutes deal with the education of Bheem Rao Ambedkar in London and his though process getting cemented. He pursues his higher education in London School of Economics and at the same time prepares to be a Barrister. He struggles to support his family back home and his wife Ramabhai (Sonali Kulkarni).
The fact that Ambedkar is a man who stands for what he believes in, is portrayed by the creative argument he gets into with his research guide and even expressing hope that he will correct the formers views. He refuses to take racial remarks from the white lying down, and retorts back in equally effective terms. For various reasons he decides to discontinue his studies and returns to India to take up a Govt Job at Baroda. It rises on Ambedkar that the oppression that the "untouchables" in India has to face is equal to the racism he had to face in London, if not more. He is even denied the right to take drinking water from the same pot and is refused lodging in almost all hotels. He takes up another career as a professor and has to face the same hardships. The Maharaja of the state who is in agreement with him in principle and concept expresses his helplessness in overturning the system overnight. But by now Ambedkar has made up his mind to retaliate and not take this crap lying down any more.
He prepares to organize the oppressed class and the untouchable to fight for basic human rights and political representation. For the same purpose he starts a fortnightly "Mook Nayak" which creates a sort of revolution in the Indian political class. But then he has to return to London to complete his thesis and barrister-ship which brings out another face of Dr.Ambedkar.
His thesis is refused by the guide under the excuse that his conclusions are "empire bashing" and not in appropriate tone and language. A furious Ambedkar travels back to India and decides to re write the thesis at a later date. He starts another fortnightly for bringing on the uprising and succeeds in a major way.
By now Ambedkar is seen as the savior of the oppressed class and they rally behind him. The 'sathyagraha' to open up the main water tank for the untouchables of Mahad was the spark of a new rebellion in India. Ambedkar was not afraid to call a spade a spade, and took on the Congress and Gandhiji with out fear. He even termed the Independence movement as inconsistent and selfish.
India gained independence and Ambedkar was invited by Nehru and Gandhi to be the Law Minister of independent India and head the Constituent Assembly. Then he makes the classic dialog " It is reassuring to know that one was still be Nationalist without being part of the Congress"
Ambedkar finally quits his post, when the Hindu Code bill is disowned by the Congress and embraces Buddhism.
That was a synopsis on the movie. In concept the movie details the life of the oppressed class in India in the Pre-Independence era and how various leading political parties viewed it. The numerous drawbacks of the practitioners of Hinduism has been drawn out very clearly and Jabbar Patel deserves a pat on the back.
Mammooty, stood tall as the protagonist Br Bheem Rao Ramji Ambedkar and took total control of the movie. His efforts to look like the character is commendable and his performance was just mind blowing! The transition from the mild research student to the leader of the masses is just chilling to watch. Absolute gem of a performance which truly deserved the recognitions he received. Even the private life of Ambedkar has been portrayed and the emotions conveyed by the great actor.
Hats off!
I have difference of opinion about the accent that he has used through out the movie, but do not wish to belittle the towering performance on that count. The movie moves at a leisurely pace to begin with, and then turns it a gripping one, once the mass movement begins. It does not bore you at any point of time, though its over 3 hours I guess.
The art direction has been splendid, and the way the parliament etc are recreated is stunning!
Over all: A must watch movie for any cine lover, and look out for the towering presence of Mammooty as Dr BR Ambedkar!