A Film That Seeks to Reopen India's Greatest Historical Mystery

 

"This film was never just about revisiting history. It was about asking questions that generations have continued to ask and telling a story that encourages people to think, reflect and explore." With these words, director Rajesh Gupta explained the idea behind The Bose Files – Sach Ya Sazish. He said the film is more than a historical drama. It is an attempt to revisit one of India's biggest unsolved historical questions. After a long certification process, the film received censor clearance and is set for a nationwide release on 30 July 2026. The makers hope it will encourage fresh discussion on the disappearance of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

The film was announced in Kolkata on 27 July. Director Rajesh Gupta was joined by actor Yatin Karyekar, who plays Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, and actor Rajiv Kumar Aneja, who plays Mandal. The story is based on the research of authors Anuj Dhar and Chandrachur Ghose. It follows Veerali Prasad, a young woman, and investigative journalist Anuj Gupta, who spends more than twenty years searching for answers about Netaji's disappearance. Using classified documents, eyewitness accounts and historical records, the film looks at one of independent India's most debated mysteries and invites viewers to study the evidence and form their own opinion.

In an exclusive interaction, with  Sreeja Ghosh Editor of  BongJournal, director Rajesh Gupta spoke about the inspiration behind the film and why he believes the conversation around Netaji's disappearance remains as relevant today as ever.

There has already been a National Award-winning film on Gumnami Baba. Have you watched it, and does your film share any similarities with it?

Rajesh Gupta: Yes, I have watched that film several times. In fact, I may have drawn some inspiration from it because it was one of the first attempts to present a part of the truth. We are taking that conversation further by presenting stronger evidence. That film concludes with the Mukherjee Commission Report in 2005. My film carries the narrative forward to 2026, exploring everything that has entered the public domain over the last twenty years. We focus on the evidence and facts that have emerged during this period.

The earlier film was in Bengali and, despite its significance, remained largely confined to Bengal. It did not reach audiences across India or even many viewers outside Kolkata. Our film is being released nationwide.

Did you consult or speak to any members of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's family while making the film?

Rajesh Gupta: No, I have not spoken to any members of the family.

For decades, history has been taught in a particular way. You believe many historical narratives were distorted. How receptive do you think today's younger generations like Gen Z and Generation Alpha will be to revisiting these questions?

Rajesh Gupta: Someone has to take the first step. In my opinion, this conversation about Netaji should have begun long ago, but it didn't. That is why I am making this effort.

You have described Netaji as "the first James Bond." What do you mean by that?

Rajesh Gupta: Absolutely. If you look at world history, you will not find another example of a single individual secretly crossing multiple international borders without anyone knowing where he was going or how he managed it.There is another important historical connection that we discuss in the film. The creator of James Bond was Ian Fleming. Ian Fleming's brother, Peter Fleming, served in British intelligence. One of Peter Fleming's key informants was Bhagat Ram Talwar, the man who helped Netaji escape from India to Afghanistan during 1941–42.

So there is a remarkable historical chain of connections: Ian Fleming → Peter Fleming → Bhagat Ram Talwar → Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. This forms one of the intriguing aspects explored in the film.