Exploring the Mystique of Subhash Chandra Bose in ALTBalaji's 'Bose: Dead/Alive'

Unraveling the Legend of Bose

Fans of conspiracy theories surrounding Subhash Chandra Bose's fate after the alleged plane crash in Taiwan on August 18, 1945, will find much to ponder in ALTBalaji's latest web series, Bose: Dead/Alive.

This nine-part series, helmed by director Pulkit and penned by Reshu Nath, is now available for streaming on the ALTBalaji platform. It draws inspiration from Anuj Dhar's 2012 publication, India’s Biggest Cover-up, which posits that Bose may have lived on as a recluse in Uttar Pradesh. The narrative suggests that the leader of the Indian National Army survived the crash, portraying him as one of history's most elusive figures.

With a vibrant storytelling approach, the series adopts a youthful and dynamic tone, suggesting that the history of India's freedom struggle is too dull for traditional storytelling. Instead, it presents Bose, portrayed by Rajkummar Rao, as a Houdini-like character who can appear and vanish at will.

One episode is aptly named “Catch Me If You Can,” drawing parallels to Leonardo DiCaprio's character in the 2002 film. Bose is depicted as always staying one step ahead of his adversaries, represented by British officer Stanley (Edward Sonnenblick) and his Indian counterpart Darbari Lal (Naveen Kasturia).

The series does not pose the question of Bose's identity; rather, it presents him as a figure of immense charisma and audacity from the outset. The more pressing inquiry is his whereabouts as he navigates various locations, including Afghanistan, Russia, and Germany, in search of allies against British rule, ultimately leading to the Manchurian region after surviving the crash.

A group of men pursues the elusive leader throughout his real and imagined escapades, with only two characters emerging as admirers. Initially skeptical, Stanley transforms into a follower, as does Darbari Lal.

The series captures the essence of Bose's exploits through the lens of its master-servant duo, with Sonnenblick portraying earnestness and Kasturia embodying a more mature perspective. Their reactions upon discovering Bose's potential survival add a layer of unintended humor.

Rich in historical context, the series covers Bose's 48-year life, including his split from the Indian National Congress over non-violence, his leadership of the Indian National Army, and his relationship with Austrian typist Emilie Schenkl, which resulted in his only child, Anita.

While Bose: Dead/Alive includes these historical elements, it notably omits the Indian National Army sections, likely due to their exploration in other recent works. Instead, the series presents Bose's radical politics in a light-hearted manner, infused with contemporary music and a playful admiration for its larger-than-life protagonist. Rajkummar Rao, known for his ability to portray character depth, plays Bose with a serious demeanor, though he sometimes seems less at ease in a role that remains static from his first appearance.

Naveen Kasturia delivers a more relaxed performance as Darbari Lal, easily overshadowing the less convincing portrayals of British officers who seem perpetually outmatched by the comic-book hero in a dhoti.