Zakhm turns 25: Why this 90s film on Mahesh Bhatt’s mother should be an inspiration for today’s filmmakers

Beyond being a biographical account, Zakhm intricately weaves together the aftermath of the 90s Babri Masjid riots in Mumbai. Its impact is profound as it encapsulates the genuine emotions of a personal story against the backdrop of the turbulent events that shook the nation.

Yet, reducing Zakhm to a mere biography would be a disservice to its depth. The film addresses various subjects still relevant today, reflecting contemporary headlines. It begins with a fundamental question many Indian youth grapple with — whether to build their future in their homeland or seek opportunities abroad. Ajay (played by Ajay Devgn) and Sonia (portrayed by Sonali Bendre) fight over this dilemma amidst the chaos of Mumbai burning during the riots following the Babri Masjid demolition. While Ajay fights to accept his nation’s ugliness, his wife seeks for a safe haven abroad.

Right from this opening scene, Zakhm manages to get us hooked, and the credit here goes to its relatability and its sleek storyline. Ajay, its lead character, never resorts to chest-thumping or violence to prove his love for his nation. His brother Anand, played by Akshay Anand, a member of a Hindutva party, however, is the exact opposite. After their mother is charred by miscreants, Anand attempts to kill the Muslim man responsible for this horrific deed. Ajay, on the other hand, quickly comes to his rescue and hands him over to the police. Through these two characters, Mahesh shows us the two faces of India—one fueled by rage and the other grounded in the court of justice.

The film astutely exposes the exploitative nature of politicians, embodied by the character of Subodh Malgaonkar (Ashutosh Rana), who manipulates religion for political gains. It exposes the flaws of national leaders while also emphasising how it’s the unknown, common people who uphold our nation’s secular fabric. For instance, the character of Ajay’s mother Noor is the living embodiment of secularism. She is a Muslim woman who goes to church to pray and also wears a mangalsutra and bindi to honour her partner. She says Namaz in the same house, and she touches the feet of the Ganesha idol. It was also refreshing to watch a politician be intimidated by a fearless journalist and the power his pen holds. Seemed like another world.

Zakhm, releasing six years after Mumbai faced communal violence, was a bold move by Mahesh Bhatt, leading to clashes with political parties and the censor board. The filmmaker, however, stood firm, and it was released with an ‘A’ certificate. It earned Ajay Devgn his first national award and received the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration.

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This year, it was Vivek Agnihotri’s controversial The Kashmir Files that won the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration. I will just leave it there.