After several controversies, Vivek Oberoi starrer PM Narendra Modi has finally hit theaters. The biopic on Prime Minister Narendra Modi had to shift its release date multiple times owing to the nature of the movie. Various political parties demanded that the Modi biopic should not be released during election season as it might influence voters.
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The movie will showcase Modi’s journey and how he eventually became the influential, powerful leader he is today.
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Post the announcement of the new release date, producer Sandip Ssingh had said, “As a responsible citizen, we respect the law of the country. After a lot of discussions and keeping the curiosity and excitement about the film in mind, we have decided to release the film immediately after the Lok Sabha Election results. We are now releasing our film on 24th May 2019.”
“This is the first time a film will be promoted for only four days. I hope now nobody has any problem with the film and we are hoping for a smooth release this time,” he added.
Vivek Oberoi had also taken to Twitter to share the news. “#PMNarendraModi the inspiration, the warrior, the legend! He never gives up and neither do we! Against all opposition,roadblocks and hurdles we will rise on 24th May to share our dream with you all! #DekhengeModiBiopic,” read the post.
PM Narendra Modi is helmed by Omung Kumar, who is best known for directing the Priyanka Chopra starrer Mary Kom. The movie has been shot primarily in Gujarat, Mumbai and Uttarkashi. The Modi biopic will release simultaneously in 23 languages.
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The Indian Express film critic Shubhra Gupta gave the film two stars. She wrote, "In keeping with its tone and tenor, the film is completely reverential towards its subject, projecting him as noble and sacrificial and wise beyond his years even when very young, whose love for his own ‘ba’ (Wahab) is never more than the love he has for Bharat Mata. The Opposition is shown as weak and venal (Manmohan Singh doesn’t have a single speaking moment, only keeping ‘maun’); a corrupt businessman (Narayanan) is shown to be in cahoots with a complicit journalist (Kumar) as they plot Modi’s downfall; Sonia and Rahul Gandhi and their cohorts come off as ineffective hand-wringers."
Also read: PM Narendra Modi movie review: An unabashed hagiography
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Vivek Oberoi had told indianexpress.com, "It does touch upon the controversies because controversies are also challenges and overcoming those challenges is what makes a man. Does the film have a representation of his critics? It does. Does it have a representation of people who have a different ideology? It does. Does it have a representation of people who dislike him for multiple reasons? It does. Our film focuses on how to rise above all of this and how a tea selling boy at a railway station became the PM."
Also read: PM Narendra Modi is a patriotic film: Vivek Oberoi
Manikarnika actor Ankita Lokhande seemed to be in awe of the film. Mohit Suri' sister tweeted, "I loved watching #PMNarendraModi. It is an inspirational film and will surely touch a million hearts. Best wishes to @sandip_Ssingh @vivekoberoi @OmungKumar @anandpandit63 and the entire team."
Film trade analyst Girish Johar told indianexpress.com, “The buzz around PM Narendra Modi has died down a bit. Earlier, the talk about the movie was more concentrated towards a political agenda and now you see at it purely as a biopic of a political leader. So, I peg it’s opening day collection somewhere around Rs 2 crore.”
Also read: PM Narendra Modi box office prediction: Vivek Oberoi starrer to mint Rs 2 crore on Day 1
Kalyug actor Smilie Suri seemed to be in awe of the film. Mohit Suri' sister tweeted, "Another awesome #biopic by the maverick @omungkumar and @vanita_ok and their brilliant team. @vivekoberoi at his best. A story and journey told so beautifully and so motivating. A must watch guys, #Now...Bravo! Take a Bow! #respect #love #gratitude #narendra_modi"
While wishing Narendra Modi on his big win, director Omung Kumar had also asked people to watch his film. He wrote on twitter, "Congratulations Pm Narendra Modiji on your landslide victory. Come and celebrate the Epic victory with us in a theatre near you ?? @vivekoberoi @sandip_Ssingh @anandpandit63 @AcharyaManish7"
Filmmaker Milap Zaveri sent a combined wish for PM Narendra Modi and India's Most Wanted, both of which have released together today. He tweeted, "Best of luck to @arjunk26 @vivekoberoi @rajkumar_rkg @OmungKumar @roo_cha @amarbutala @anandpandit63 @foxstarhindi for the release of #IndiasMostWanted and #PMNarendraModi today! May both films find love from audiences!"
Actor Neil Nitin Mukesh tweeted, "Here is wishing my dearests @sandip_Ssingh @anandpandit63 @OmungKumar and the entire cast and crew all the best for their film releasing today. God bless ??"
Kamaal Rashid Khan aka KRK tweeted, "All the very best to @sandip_Ssingh @anandpandit63 and @vivekoberoi and the team for their film releasing today!"
Singer Aaman Trikha, who has sung the song "Namo namo" from PM Narendra Modi tweeted, "?????? , ??? ??? ???? ???? ???????????? So proud to sing #NamoNamo & be a part of this amazing movie #pmnarendramodi @vivekoberoi @OmungKumar #NarendraModi"
Trade analyst Girish Johar wrote on Twitter, "Strong. Simple. Unapologetic. #PMNarendraModi by @vivekoberoi is robust, undeterred yet restrained??? @OmungKumar excels in bringing out a story of common man who is loved by all across the nation??? @narendramodi ji fans ?will swell with pride & 56inch ka seena ! #ModiAaGaya
In an interview with indianexpress.com, Vivek Oberoi said, "There is a whole constant projection that Narendra Modi is a very arrogant man and I think it is a designed projection by his opponents, maybe giving them some political benefit. Otherwise, his story is such a brilliant story. The general tendency of people is to grow up and chase money, but imagine having no money and yet not chasing money, committing yourself to the nation and building the country. To me that’s incredible. No matter if you are a Modi fan or not a Modi fan, this film is all about the spirit of patriotism. This is a patriotic film. It’s an inspirational take on what’s possible in this amazing country."
Also Read | PM Narendra Modi is a patriotic film: Vivek Oberoi
"Thank you for the great response ? Humbled ? #PMNarendraModiOn24thMay @vivekoberoi @sandip_Ssingh @anandpandit63 @AcharyaManish7," tweeted Modi biopic director Omung Kumar.
"My bestest of wishes to my dear friend to @vivekoberoi @OmungKumar @sandip_Ssingh and the entire cast and crew of #PMNarendraModi. Wishing them all the luck for this magnum opus. I am sure it is here to break all records. Go watch it in cinemas this Friday!" tweeted Bollywood actor Shreyas Talpade.
"The film offers up no debatable points, no what-ifs, no grey areas. There’s no mention of ‘hindutva’, only ‘Hinduism’ which is also, as he helpfully points out, a ‘soch’. As a bio-pic, it inhabits muddled, post-truth territory. As a hagiography though, genuflecting at the altar of the man, it’s perfect. It’s uncritical, unquestioning, high on rhetoric. And there’s nothing accidental about it," writes The Indian Express' film critic Shubhra Gupta.
Also read | PM Narendra Modi movie review: An unapologetic hagiography
"Last night watched #PMNarendraModi film and it is very inspirational just like our H'ble @narendramodi Ji . Would like to wish @sandip_Ssingh and team all the best for the film release and Modi ji for another 5 years to create magic and make India proud globally," tweeted actor-filmmaker Divya Khosla Kumar.
The Chief Minister of Gujarat Vijay Rupani shared a few photos from the Modi biopic screening (Source: Twitter/vijayrupani).
"All my best, @vivekoberoi. May his real-life victory translate to reel triumph too! #PMNarendraModi," tweeted producer Tanuj Garg.
"Just watched biopic #PMNarendraModi .... @narendramodi sir we are proud and lucky to have you lead the nation...inspiration for generations to come..big congrats for 2nd term..we are with you," Arjan S Bajwa said via Twitter.
Filmmaker Ram Kamal posted on Twitter, "Congratulations @vivekoberoi on your latest film #PMNarendraModi You were honest and depicted the journey of an extraordinary man sincerely on celluloid. We missed our selfie, saving it for our next meeting. Congrats @OmungKumar on your biopic series! ?"