Review of the film Tashkent Files: Vivek Agnihotri kills logic in the mystery of the death of Lal Bahadur Shastri

The Darna Rumors say, yes, yes, yes, yes, but the rumor is that you're talking about nature, said Naseeruddin Shah's character in the Tashkent Files. [1965]

In two and a half hours, Vivek Agnihotri's The Tashkent Files attempts to reveal the truth behind the mysterious death of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, who died in Tashkent on January 11, 1966, hours after the signing of A peace agreement with Pakistan

The Tashkent files raise pertinent questions: Why was no autopsy carried out? Why did the government refuse to downgrade a document in its possession regarding Shastri's death?

Conspiracy theories are discussed at length and "state murder" is often used. "Evidence" is presented to reveal the "truth", but the last slide of the film reveals that the authenticity of the facts exposed could not be verified.

Inconsistencies do not stop there. A political journalist named Ragini Phule is looking for her next big "scoop". In her opening scene, it is established that she has a dubious ethic and her claim to fame fabricates a viral story by citing false sources. "I'm done with this ethic … Kisko chahiye? Yahaan sab chalta hai," she said on the phone.

However, after an anonymous caller told him of Shastri's death, she inexplicably became a crossroads of the truth and even put her life at risk for the same thing.

Shweta Basu Prasad tries to give seriousness to his character, but exaggerated theatrical acts sometimes outweigh his performance. Despite boasting of an exceptional cast including Naseeruddin Shah and Pankaj Tripathi, the actors are wasted in limited roles that do not do justice to their caliber. Mithun Chakraborty, however, has a fleshy appearance in which he pinches his teeth.

Tashkent's records are bogged down by the chaotic scenario and the deafening background music. Nuance and subtlety are goodbye shortly after the start of the opening credits.

Ironically, The Tashkent Files is very insightful when it does not intend to be. One character asks another what he realized when describing Shastri's death. The answer? "Agle Lok Sabha".

Consider this in the context of Shweta's statement that "the country was for sale" and was recolonized after Shastri's death and the death of Indira Gandhi. The target of Vivek Agnihotri is obvious, as is the fact that the film and its timely release is "Lok Sabha chunaav ke liye ek zabardast mudda". Skip the Tashkent files at ease.

ALSO READ: The grandsons of Lal Bahadur Shastri seek to remain on the record of Tashkent Files, Vivek Agnihotri cries

. READ ALSO: Vivek Agnihotri says that only an idiot or a culprit can call Tashkent's Propaganda

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