Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar (2000)

“Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar” (2000) directed by Jabbar Patel Historical documentary drama in English-Hindi Language. It stars Mammootty in the titular role, with Sonali Kulkarni, Marinal Kulkarni and Govind Namdeo appearing in supporting roles. The film beautifully depicts the life of B. R. Ambedkar as he fights for the rights of the oppressed particularly his role as the chairman of the Drafting Committee in framing the Constitution of India. Bhimrao Ambedkar, during his studies at Columbia University, is invited by Lala Lajpat Rai to join his home rule league. He turns it down as he has accepted a scholarship from Sayajirao Gaekwad III from Baroda State. Not able to finance his education in the United States, he takes a part-time job washing silverware. He earned his M.A. in economics and completed two theses, influenced by John Dewey’s ideas on democracy. In 1916, Ambedkar entered the Bar course at Gray’s Inn and the London School of Economics to specialize in his doctoral thesis. Once his scholarship terminated in 1917, he had to return to India but was allowed to complete his work within four years. The bad fortune is compounded when the submarine sinks the ship carrying all his books and with them his entire life’s work. Upon reaching Baroda, he works in the Accountant General's Office but faces discrimination as a low-caste individual, even struggling to find a place to stay. Unable to bear the continued insults and being expelled from Baroda, he indeed moves to Bombay, where he applies for the professorship at Sydenham College. Faced with prejudice, there too, he goes on to experience discrimination and racism. Moved by the plight of his people, in 1920, he launched a newspaper Mooknayak and, after an encouraging meeting with Shri Shahu Maharaj, emerged as a probable leader of social transformation. “Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar” is a solid historical drama that tells the epic story of an extraordinary leader who fought for social justice and equality. As musically resonant as it is visually stunning, the film provides a multi-layered escape into Ambedkar’s fight against caste discrimination, his academic genius and his vital contribution to composing the Indian Constitution. It’s an uplifting and mind-expanding homage to a world-changing leader who is unfortunately little known outside of India.