Thirty years since its release, Nana Patekar’s 1994 film Krantiveer remains notable for how its leading man challenged typical notions of heroism prevalent in Hindi cinema at the time. Set against the backdrop of the 1993 Mumbai riots, the film sees Patekar play Pratap, a character who departs from the machoism commonly associated with protagonists in the 90s.
Following the standard conventions of films from that decade, Krantiveer includes elements like a sorrowful widow, a youth rebelling against his family, and predictable dance sequences. However, it is Patekar’s nuanced portrayal of Pratap that sets the movie apart. Rather than portraying a savior leading revolution against injustice, Pratap offers a more cynical take, urging people to address their issues independently.
In one scene, when prompted to join a movement, his simple response is “Go save yourself.” Throughout the film, Pratap subverts expectations with his sardonic tone. He does not present rousing speeches but instead holds people accountable for their own indifference towards wrongdoings. His evolution into a vigilante towards the climax is also preceded by critiquing mass apathy rather than glorying a lone crusader narrative.
Even three decades later, Patekar’s gritty, logical Pratap provides a refreshing reality check to the glorification of heroes commonly seen in cinema. In an era where films tend to exaggerate larger-than-life saviors, Krantiveer and its protagonist’s emphasis on empowering self-reliance continues to make an impact. By shunning simplistic good vs evil binaries, the movie and Patekar’s performance leave viewers with a thoughtful critique of hero worship still pertinent even today.
