PM Narendra Modi biopic is to be re-released and screened as the first film when theatres reopen on October 15 post-lockdown, tweeted the film producer Sandip Singh. The government of India had issued guidelines regarding the reopening of cinemas with adequate COVID-19 protocol measures from this Thursday onwards. The Vivek Oberoi starer was first released in May 2019 and claims to portray the true-life story of Narendra Modi and his journey from a tea-maker to the powerful position of Indian Prime Minister.
Sandip Singh tweeted that the decision to re-release the biopic is an attempt to make available the film to a larger audience who couldn't watch it the previous year since the film fell prey to political agenda upon its initial release. The cast and crew of the film expect to gain a fair box office collection with the re-release. "PM Narendra Modi has been the best Prime Minister of the country, which was proven in the 2019 elections. What can be better than watching the inspiring story of the most inspiring leader of today's times as theatres reopen? I'm proud to be a part of this historical moment", added Sandip with the hashtag 'Begin again'.
The biopic's release last year during election poll period was deferred by the Election Commission of India until the results were declared alleging that such hagiographies could manipulate and influence the voters. Film critics like Raja Sen and Shubhra Gupta in their two-star reviews have criticized the biopic for being a hagiography of one-toned narrative with complete lack of facts and equated it to a mere Whatsapp forward that is sure to find some believers despite its untruthfulness.