Watch Hey Ram

Hey Ram is a 2000 Indian historical fiction movie, directed and written by Kamal Haasan, who also plays the lead character Saketh Ram. This film deals with the theme of communal violence and the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi by Nathuram Godse. The film begins with a middle-aged Saketh Ram shot in the head, lying in a hospital bed in the year 2000. The story then moves back to the year 1946, with India on the brink of gaining independence from British rule. Saketh Ram is an archaeologist, who is in love with a woman named Aparna (Rani Mukerji), who is a devout Hindu. Saketh, on the other hand, is an atheist, who believed that religion is the source of all problems. One day, while going to the library, Saketh witnesses the partition riots in Calcutta, which leave him traumatized. These riots are a forewarning of the impending inter-religious discord that would accompany the partition of India.

Saketh and Aparna get married, but their happiness is short-lived. Aparna is brutally raped and killed by a group of Muslim men in front of Saketh during a train journey to Punjab, which is now Pakistan. Saketh is devastated and joins the extremist Hindu Mahasabha group in his quest for revenge. He is assigned to kill Mahatma Gandhi, the man he once admired. Saketh finds himself torn between his duty to the cause, his love for the nation, and his admiration for Gandhi.

Shah Rukh Khan plays a pivotal role as the Muslim extremist Amjad Ali Khan, who is Saketh's friend. Amjad is a peace-loving man who merely wants to help his family and people in his village. He becomes an extremist in the face of Hindu aggression, after one horrific incident. Shah Rukh Khan's performance is one of the highlights of the movie. He plays his role with sincerity and delivers a nuanced performance. Rani Mukerji is also excellent as Aparna. She is charming and vulnerable in equal measures.

The movie is a visual treat, with stunning cinematography and authentic sets that transport us back to pre-independence India. The music, composed by Ilaiyaraaja, is beautiful and haunting. The songs provide a lyrical backdrop to the story and enhance the emotional impact of the movie.

Hey Ram is not an easy movie to watch. It is a powerful commentary on the futility and violence of religious extremism. The story is narrated from Saketh's point of view, and we see the extent to which one man's life is influenced by the events around him. The movie is a stark reminder that the actions of a few can have important consequences for the many.

In conclusion, Hey Ram is a masterful movie that tackles complex themes with finely crafted narratives, brilliant performances, and remarkable production values. It is a movie that is relevant even today, more than two decades after its release. Hey Ram is a must-watch for every cinema lover and anyone interested in the history of India.

Hey Ram is a 2001 history movie with a runtime of 3 hours and 22 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.9.