Spoilers ahead…
The form does not match the powerful content, but this is a very effective and very watchable drama.
Dijo Jose Antony’s Jana Gana Mana opens with a voiceover that says truth always triumphs. That is what we are taught to believe, right? But is that statement itself true? Because, today, aren’t we surrounded by so many lies and manipulations and so much militant wokeness that the “truth” is no longer tangible. Take the case of a married woman who died while eloping with her lover. The news appears on the last page. Take the case of a college professor who is murdered. That becomes the headline. Both are women. Both are dead. But isn’t there a discrimination being made based on the “assumed character” of the individual? Take another instance. Let’s say we are asked who is likely to be a criminal: a fair-complexioned, middle-class looking man vs. a dark-skinned, lower-class (and possibly oppressed-class) man? The film includes us in these situations. It points a finger at not just its bad characters but also the audience.
You can read the rest of the review here:
https://www.galatta.com/malayalam/movie/review/jana-gana-mana/
And you can watch the video review here:
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Baradwaj Rangan 
Saran
May 3, 2022
Thanks for the review 😊
Now having read it, the film looks really interesting and am looking forward to catch it sometime soon.
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Kaushik Bhattacharya
November 12, 2022
Caught this last night on Netflix and am slightly surprised that there’s hardly any comments on a film like this. Somewhat amateurishly made as BR said and I thought it was a bit over expository as well in parts, but touches upon a lot of really important issues with absolute honesty and thus is much needed in today’s India.
Sadly not enough people will see it.
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Satya
February 25, 2023
*** Spoilers ***
Revisited the film today, and it might just be me alone. But the Prithviraj’s Lawyer charcter reminded me of Lord Shani. He wears black and walks with a limp, and not many find his company pleasant (we even swear at people equating them with Shani). The God of Karma, retribution, justice and the truth. Every unpleasant truth he drops is a consequence of the sins of those involved. And that is what I saw happening with Prithviraj’s character here.
Having said that, the film hits home in a very terrifying manner and still retains its masala moments. I am not surprised by S S Rajamouli’s interest in that encounter scene. It is something he would have really explored well in his pre-Magadheera days.
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musical v
February 26, 2023
Jana Gana Mana is one of the most interesting films and I liked Suraj V more. Driving Licence by this duo is also a good watch where Prithviraj excels and shines more than Suraj V. I dont know why Selfiee failed miserably at bo. Akshay is a decent actor.
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