Aandhi: The Film That Stirred a Political Storm

In 1975, the film 'Aandhi' faced a ban amid political tensions in India. The movie, featuring a love story intertwined with politics, drew parallels to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, sparking controversy. Despite protests, its release continued after minor adjustments, as documented in Saba Mahmood Bashir's book.


Devdiscourse News Desk | New Delhi | Updated: 25-06-2025 16:14 IST | Created: 25-06-2025 16:14 IST
Aandhi: The Film That Stirred a Political Storm
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In a twist of cinematic and political intrigue, the 1975 film 'Aandhi' found itself at the center of a storm after its release in India. Set against the backdrop of political elections, the film's narrative follows a love story between a hotel manager and his estranged politician wife, played by Suchitra Sen.

Saba Mahmood Bashir's book, 'Gulzar's Aandhi: Insights into the Film,' delves into the controversy that erupted shortly after the film's release. The resemblance of Sen's character to then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi led to a temporary ban in India, despite the I&B ministry initially finding no objections.

With high political drama on-screen and off, Gulzar recounts the efforts to have the ban lifted, including modifying scenes to distance the character from real-life inspirations. Nevertheless, the striking similarities continued to fuel debates, highlighting the film's enduring intersection with political narratives.

(With inputs from agencies.)

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