Rakesh Revives History Through Khudiram Bose Film

Actor Rakesh Jagarlamudi, who plays the title role in Khudiram Bose, described portraying the legendary freedom fighter as one of the greatest privileges of his life. The film is based on the inspiring life of revolutionary hero Khudiram Bose, who sacrificed his life for the nation at the tender age of just 18. Sharing his experience, Rakesh said the moment he heard the story, he was deeply moved.

He revealed that Khudiram Bose’s fearless sacrifice and smiling acceptance of death left a lasting impact on him. Knowing that he would be portraying such an iconic figure filled him with both pride and a strong sense of responsibility. Rakesh also shared that the opportunity came through his father and producer Vijay Jagarlamudi, and while the role came naturally to him, doing justice to it required intense dedication and hard work. His father’s deep patriotism and desire to introduce this inspiring story to the younger generation led to the making of the film. Rakesh underwent nearly 90 days of rigorous training for the role. He received acting training at the Mayukha Film Institute under senior actor Uttej and also underwent physical training to adapt his body language to the era depicted in the film. He said learning about Khudiram Bose’s role in popularizing the slogan “Vande Mataram,” his association with Sister Nivedita, and his efforts to introduce the first Indian national flag to the public deeply impressed him.

The gallows sequence, he said, was the most emotional moment of the film. He explained that smiling in the face of death for the sake of the nation is not an ordinary act, and performing that scene instilled in him greater courage and a stronger commitment to stand for truth. Working alongside senior actors and technicians proved to be a valuable learning experience. Sharing screen space with stalwarts like Atul Kulkarni, Vivek Oberoi, and Nassar felt like attending a living school of cinema. Rakesh also mentioned that Superstar Rajinikanth is a major inspiration in his life, and the blessings he received from him after watching the trailer gave him immense strength. He stated that the film received an overwhelming response at special screenings held in Parliament and at the Goa Film Festival, where audiences gave it standing ovations.

Rakesh concluded by saying that patriotism must be reflected through one’s actions and not just words. He emphasized that films like Khudiram Bose serve as rare reminders of India’s glorious history and heroic sacrifices. The movie is available for free streaming on the Government of India’s official OTT platform Waves, in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, and Bengali, without any subscription. He also expressed his aspiration to portray legendary figures like Chhatrapati Shivaji in the future.