The Sabarmati Report Movie Review: A Bold Take on Godhra Tragedy Where Vikrant Massey Shines Powerfully

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The Sabarmati Report was a movie that had created waves when its trailer was released. So when it finally premiered even our Prime Minister along with some ministers had a chance to watch it. Being busy with my schedule I missed the opportunity to watch it in theatres. So when the release date for its OTT was out I was excited and was ready to share my thoughts on this movie. So, let us take a deep dive into what the movie is all about.

Dheeraj Sarna's The Sabarmati Report is a powerful exploration of the tragic Godhra incident in which 59 passengers who boarded the Sabarmati Express lost their lives in 2002. Starring Vikrant Massey, Riddhi Dogra and Raashi Khanna this two-hour run-time film manages to keep the audiences glued to the screen for most of its parts. The film which promises to be a thought-provoking thriller does excel at times but starts to falter in its dramatic interpretation of real-life events. The film unfolds through the lens of the reporter in determining whether it was indeed a tragic incident or a sinister ploy that is yet to be revealed.

The film follows Samar Kumar (Vikrant Massey) a Hindi journalist and Mahika (Riddhi Dogra) a tough-minded journalist working in a prominent broadcast channel. Together they travel to Godhra to report the tragedy that had suddenly created chaos among people. On reaching the place both of them started to cover and explore what really went wrong. But after a call from her boss Mahika decides to alter the truth and present it in a way framing the entire account as a mere tragedy. Startled by the recent happening Samar decides to carry out an investigation of his own that reveals a murky truth that contradicts his channel's coverage.

On finding that his version was covered up he confronts the employer and ends up losing his job. Struggling to find another job he turns his resorts to alcohol and ends up living a depressing life. As the incident approaches its fifth-anniversary broadcast assign Amrita Gill (Raashi Khanna) to revisit the case. Amrita being a Mahika fan happily takes the case and decides to research and create a report that supports the finding of her idol. But in her journey, she finds the same tape of Samar and is shocked to find the reality of the Godhra accident. To understand what went wrong she along with Samar embarks on a journey to prepare a new and unfiltered report. To know if they uncovered the horrific acts behind the tragedy or if it is an incident that really is a mishap that took the lives of those 59 souls is something that you guys need to watch.

After his last outing in Sector 36, Vikrant Massey is back as Samar Kumar who portrays the role of a truth-seeking journalist. His character is a Hindi-speaking journalist who is determined to reveal the truth is performed with utmost authenticity and precision. Riddhi Dogra as Mahika reminds us about seasoned journalists who are eager to present the truth in their version. Her perfect nuances and her conviction to present such a role are highly commendable. Raashi Khanna as Amrita Gill is impressive as a trainee journalist who transforms from a fan girl to a reporter who seeks bold truth. Every character in this film does add depth making this one a thought-provoking film.

The Sabarmati Report is undeniably engaging with strong performances and a thought-provoking one. But its tendency to prioritize drama over truths may leave viewers wanting for some more. Even though the film does commercialize it highlights the reality of the disturbing truth that is out in the movie. The film may not be able to find its balance between entertainment and reality it still is a courageous attempt that deserves to be seen for its performances and the questions it raises.