The Sabarmati Report

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Riddhi Dogra’s character, Manika Rajpurohit, a seasoned TV journalist, remarks that the masses follow TV narratives rather than reading reports themselves. This aligns with the film’s foundation on the Sabarmati Report, which analyzed the Godhra train tragedy of February 27, 2002, where 59 people, mostly Hindu pilgrims, perished when their train coach was set on fire.

Key Findings of the Sabarmati Report:

Fire Cause: The fire was deemed pre-planned, orchestrated to provoke communal unrest, though the perpetrators were not conclusively identified.
Local Authorities: The report criticized the authorities for failing to act promptly, questioning their preparedness and role in escalating violence.
Incident Manipulation: It suggested political elements exploited the attack as a pretext for widespread anti-Muslim riots in Gujarat.
Investigation Gaps: Concerns were raised over biases and irregularities in the investigation, leaving questions about the full conspiracy unanswered.
No Evidence of External Involvement: The report found no proof of terrorist group involvement but indicated local groups with political motives.
The report concluded that the incident was a major trigger for the Gujarat riots, exacerbated by administrative failures and political manipulation.

The film explores this through Samar Kumar (Vikrant Massey), a principled journalist whose investigation into Godhra is suppressed by his senior, Manika, for political reasons. Seven years later, with rookie reporter Amrita Gill (Raashi Khanna), he revisits the event, uncovering uncomfortable truths.

Vikrant Massey delivers a restrained yet compelling performance, portraying a journalist torn between integrity and political pressures. Raashi Khanna shines as the idealistic rookie reporter, offering a mix of vulnerability and resolve, while Riddhi Dogra convincingly portrays a journalist prioritizing power over truth.

Despite strong performances, the film falters due to a disjointed screenplay. While tackling timely political themes, the narrative leans heavily on popular perspectives, offering limited nuance or counterarguments. This approach dilutes its exploration of media, history, and state narratives, missing the opportunity for a more balanced and thought-provoking discourse.