Marketing and release
The first look of the film was released on 6 June 2017 through Anupam Kher's official Twitter handle. [14] [15] A new poster of the film was released on 27 December 2018, [1] giving an 11 January 2019 release date. [16] [1] A new look poster of the film was released by TAP official on 3 January 2019. [17]
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party promoted the trailer through their official Twitter account. [18] Reacting to this, a Congress spokesperson alleged that the film was "political propaganda". [19] Upon the release of the trailer, the Congress party's Maharashtra youth wing in a letter to the producers of the film raised objections for the "incorrect presentation of the facts" and demanded a special screening of the film. [20] They later withdrew the letter, intending to not publicize the film. [21] [22] [23]
On 2 January 2019, lead actor Anupam Kher tweeted that people were reporting that the film's trailer was unseen as a top search result while being directly searched for on YouTube. [24] The newspaper India Today conducted their own search, and confirmed Kher's allegations, noting that only on the following day did the trailer return to its position as a top search result. This led to speculation that the trailer had initially been removed intentionally as part of an anti-propaganda campaign. [24] On 8 January 2019, a local court in Bihar ordered an FIR against Anupam Kher and thirteen other associated with the film for defaming political leaders. [25] However Congress party was heavily criticised by people for its dictatorial acts against the movie and freedom of speech.
The Hindi version film was released on 11 January 2019 on 1300 screens in India and 140 in overseas. The Tamil and Telugu dubbed versions released on 18 January 2019. [26]
Reception
The Economic Times has given the film 3.5 stars out of 5, describing the film as "well-crafted" and Kher's portrayal of Manmohan Singh "a convincing act". [28]
Utkarsh Mishra reviewing the film for Rediff.com, gives the film 3.5 stars out of 5, observes that the movie if carefully watched comes out as "well made", he criticises Kher for over dramatising Singh's walking style. [29]
Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV gave the film 1.5 stars out of 5, noting that “The Accidental Prime Minister is neither hugely entertaining nor engagingly dramatic.” [30] Shubra Gupta of The Indian Express sums up the retort: "The Accidental Prime Minister is an out-an-out propaganda film, created for the specific purpose of making the former prime minister look like a weak, spineless man, a puppet whose strings were controlled by then Indian National Congress President Sonia Gandhi". [31]
However Saibal Chaterjee and Shubra Gupta and other biased critics were heavily criticised by the audience saying they gave poor reviews to the movie , purposely due to their ideological affiliations with Congress and other left leaning parties. People actually praised Anupam Kher and Akshaye Khanna for their acting skills and the movie for its well presentation.
The Times of India's Ronak Kotecha gave the film 3.5 stars out of 5 stating "Bollywood has produced several political dramas that are intense, complex and dark, The Accidental Prime Minister has all of that in measured tones." [32] Koimoi's Umesh Punwani gave the film 2 stars out of 5 stating "A Silent Disappointment. Akshaye Khanna is outstanding. I could just watch this movie again to fast-forward and go through just his scenes." [33]
Ajaz Ashraf writing for the Firstpost felt that the trailer of the film seemed to suggest that Sanjaya Baru was the media adviser and chief spokesperson of Manmohan Singh during 2011 Indian anti-corruption movement. However, Baru was only in this position during May 2004 to August 2008. The book ends in May 2009 when UPA returned to power following 2009 Indian general election. Baru had written 14-page epilogue with speculations and questions which is used as a pivotal subject in the film. [34]
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