33 minutes agoAuthor: Virendra Mishra
- Copy link
The film ‘Anjay: The Untold Story of a Yogi’, made on the life of CM Yogi Adityanath, will soon be released in theaters. The film’s director Ravindra Gautam recently had a special conversation with Dainik Bhaskar. The director said that the film will give a big message.
The film was stuck in crisis due to the objections of the censor board. Now on the order of the court, the censor board has given a certificate. Director Ravindra Gautam also told that CBFC wanted NOC from Yogi ji, while he did not have the right to ask for NOC.
Read some major parts of the conversation with director Ravindra Gautam …
The ‘invincible’ is inspired by the life of CM Yogi Adityanath, or have you shown his life completely in the film?
The film is completely inspired by the life of Yogi Adityanath ji. When I read the book ‘The Monk Hu Bikem Chief Minister’, I was surprised how unique the democracy of our India is. Think, a boy from a small village becomes the Chief Minister of the largest state in the country, renounced home and family at such a young age.
When boys have fun at the age of 22, Yogi Adityanath thinks of doing something for the society. In this film, I have tried to show the personality of his college days, his thinking and that turn when he chose the path of retirement. This film also gives a big message to the youth.
Have you ever met Yogi Adityanath for this film?
No, I have not been able to meet yet due to his busyness. But the book got so much information that a film could be made. The author of the book Shantanu Gupta was with us and he guided us with this film. He is very close to Yogi ji.
The film will be released on 19 September 2025.
How many problems were there in casting? Because it is obvious, playing such a character is not a matter of everyone.
Casting was a big challenge. In the eyes of everyone, Yogi Adityanath ji has a different image. I see an innocence and honesty in them. We were searching for an actor in which these feelings were there, who could clearly see justice and injustice. Then we shortlisted Anand Joshi, who are from Uttarakhand. Seeing them, it seemed that what our character is needed can be fulfilled by them.
Yogi Adityanath’s struggle and journey is very long. How difficult it was to cover him in a 2-3 hour film?
It is not possible to show his entire life in a film. We have shown a part of his life, especially the journey till becoming Chief Minister. Such as childhood in Uttarakhand, then studying in Rishikesh, graduation in Kotdwar and then entry into Gorakhpur. All these stops are shown in the film. This is the beginning of his life, not the whole story.
Did Yogi ji get any response to this film? Would you like to show them a film?
No response has been revealed yet, but I am confident that they will definitely know that the film has been made on his life. I am sure when they see it, they will love it.
There was also a controversy over the film. What did the censor board object?
We also did not understand what was the problem with the censor board? In June, our producer gave the film to CBFC, but no response came. Then we applied under the immediate process. The screening date was fixed and we also took out the print of the film, when the news came that the film has been rejected. CBFC said that we need NOC from Yogi ji.
We told that we have the rights of the book and all the other things have been done in the legal way. When we went to court, the court also asked that CBFC finally needs NOC? Then the film was shown to the Examining Committee, he told 30 cuts, but he did not say that after the cut, submit the film, just said that the film is rejected due to these scenes.
The court ordered not to reject the film due to the cuts. Then the Review Committee also did not pass it. In the end, the court himself watched the film and he liked the film. On the court’s order, CBFC gave us a certificate of release.
Where did you shoot the film? How was Gorakhpur shown and a challenge during shooting?
We shot the film in places like Rishikesh, Lucknow, Dehradun. We did not show Gorakhpur directly, but have used in Montaz as a stock shot. Due to sensitivity, we avoided some places so that they do not get caught in any dispute. The biggest challenge was not to make any mistake. Before the shooting of each scene, the opinion of experts was taken, such as how to show it to the Nath sect.
What is the scope of music in such films?
There is a very big scope. The film has 5 songs, sung by singers like B pre -B, Sonu Nigam, Micah Singh. If you are making commercial cinema then music is very important, because it connects the mass audiences. We have paid special attention to music to show Yogi ji’s inspirational journey. Music meat brothers have given.
Prior to this film, you have done films like web series’ Maharani 2 ‘and ’21 cannon’s salute’. How was the journey before? Was always a dream of getting in direction?
I am from Lucknow, there was a big craze of theater. Mumbai also brought the same dream that I would become an actor, but came here and realized that my face is not like a star. Then I started with editing and gradually came under direction. Ekta Kapoor gave me the first big break in shows like ‘Kasauti Zindagi Ki’.
Apart from this, shows like ‘Utran’, ‘Pratiya’, ‘Kumkum Bhagya’, ‘Madhubala’, ‘Pritha Rishta’, ‘Bade Achhe Lagte Hain’ were directed. In 2013-14, it felt that something big should be done now. Then the producers of ‘Madhubala’ Saurabh Tiwari and Abhinav Shukla offered me my first film ’21 cannon salute ‘. Then got the opportunity of ‘Maharani Season 2’ through Subhash Kapoor ji. The caravan continued to grow, but even today there is an actor alive inside me.