The 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) opened with a surge of patriotic emotion as ‘Kakori’, directed by Kamlesh K. Mishra, made a powerful impact on festival audiences.

The film revisits the iconic Kakori Rail Action of 1925, marking its centenary with a cinematic tribute that blends historical depth with emotional intensity.

In its release note, a PIB press statement highlighted how the film pays homage to the bravery of the revolutionaries whose sacrifice shaped India’s freedom movement. Addressing the media at IFFI, Director Kamlesh Mishra called ‘Kakori’ “a film carved out of fire and sacrifice,” recalling how four revolutionaries were martyred within forty-eight hours of the action. “Their bravery still echoes through generations. With the centenary arriving on 9th August 2025, it felt like history nudged us to retell this story—with honesty, grit, and a whole lot of emotion,” he said.

Mishra underlined the extensive research behind the project, ranging from archival texts and old newspapers to consultations with historians and visits to memorials in regions like Shahjahanpur. What began as a documentary gradually evolved into a narrative film, he noted, adding that the challenge was to condense such a defining historical moment into a visually compelling thirty-minute story without losing its emotional weight or historical integrity.

Producer Jaswinder Singh credited the cast for bringing the revolutionaries to life with sincerity and depth. “This film is our tribute to their indomitable spirit. We hope ‘Kakori’ inspires future generations with a renewed sense of patriotism,” he said.

Set in the 1920s during British colonial rule, ‘Kakori’ traces the Hindustan Republican Association’s daring attempt to seize British treasury funds through a bold train raid led by Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqulla Khan, Chandrashekhar Azad and their comrades. As the operation unfolds into one of the most defining episodes of India’s independence movement, the film dives into their ideals, camaraderie, betrayals, imprisonment and eventual martyrdom. At just 31 minutes, the film captures the essence of youthful courage and unwavering dedication to freedom.

Directed and written by Kamlesh K. Mishra, ‘Kakori’ is produced by KSR Brothers and features Peeyush Suhane, Manwendra Tripathy, Vikas Shrivastav, Santosh Kumar Ojha, Rajneesh Kaushiq, and Hirdeyjeet Singh. The film’s visuals are helmed by cinematographer Dev Agrawal, with editing by Abhishek Vats and Aron Ram, and music by Bapi Bhattacharya.

Trailer link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LZNbiwdQ6e33ag-CIXbSfsUpnUcPs7QE/view?usp=drive_link