This production company of Siddharth Roy Kapur, Roy Kapur Films (RKF), is notorious for championing an assortment of unconventional and distinctive stories and plans to bring one more unwritten story about another Indian hero after the success of Rocket Boys. Roy Kapur Films in partnership with Trickitainment Media, has bought the rights to make a film on Sukumar Sen’s life. Sen was the first Chief Election Commissioner of India who masterminded the general elections of 1951-52 that established India as a fledgling democracy.
A mathematics prodigy turned administrator, Sukumar Sen played a pivotal part that exceeded all expectations at independence when nobody had thought a republic could be realized in our country with such limited resources and it is these very foundations that have stood the test of time today. According to him, “It was the biggest experiment in democracy in human history” since he had two years to perform all this work before January 26th, 1950 when India became a republic having its first general elections. Though other challenges have come up against Indian administrators, there has not been any challenge as big as this before.
In some remote hilly areas, bridges had to be built so as to facilitate voters’ access while for small islands on Indian Ocean electoral rolls were transported by naval vessels for booth officers use. Some tribals from certain jungle districts went to vote with bows and arrows showing off 70% turnout at one booth versus elephants and tigers going alone into another neighboring booth! Passionate voters prepared to cast their votes reached booths only after days spent trekking through uninhabited jungles; they camped at night around bonfires singing songs and dancing.
After counting all ballots in, approximately 60 percent out of registered population expressed their opinions for the first time ever. The first general election in India was a great event which surpassed all predictions and became an epoch-making event in world political history.
On the eve of India’s 18th General Elections vote counting day, we are pleased to announce this biopic which aims to make people remember how audacious and ambitious it was to hold the first election in India (and indeed the largest one worldwide), now taken for granted by many. It is all due to Sukumar Sen that we now have this process.
Speaking about the film, Siddharth Roy Kapur, the producer said “We feel very privileged to be able to tell this amazing story of one of our national heroes Sukumar Sen who played a key role in shaping India democratic history. From a system where political parties were identified with different symbols for illiterates and colors; to inventing indelible ink on finger nails as an antidote against voter impersonation… he has left so much legacy behind him! We must celebrate his contribution towards laying down the architecture for our democratic process and hope that both Indian and global audience will find it an interesting narrative on our first ever election and its protagonist.”
“Sukumar Sen’s tale is legendary and historical; it is full of colossal happenings that would appeal every Indian citizen who casts their vote.” Trickitainment Media’s Romanchak Arora spoke.
One of India’s greatest achievements as a nation state is its democracy. The foundation stone for any democracy is free and fair elections; they can be attributed partly to Sukumar Sen-my grandfather-who happened to be Independent India’s first CEC. I wish the producers success in unfolding out untold story of a great unsung hero from this nation.” Sanjiv Sen said.
The producers deserve congratulations and best wishes. This represents an important attempt toward enlightening our population about an outstanding individual.” added his other grandson Debdatta Sen.
