“History was written, but was it the truth?” This piercing question, posed by protagonist Namit (played by Subodh Bhave) to a prominent Indian historian, forms the crux of ‘His Story of Itihaas’—a bold cinematic exploration of how history is recorded, taught, and manipulated. Directed by debutant Manpreet Singh Dhami, the film compels audiences to scrutinise the narratives ingrained in textbooks and question whether generations have been fed fact or fabrication.
Originally slated for May 23, the film’s release was postponed to May 30 due to escalating tensions between India and Pakistan—an ironic twist, given the movie’s focus on how historical conflicts shape present-day politics.
Early screenings have sparked heated debates, with some praising its courage while others accuse it of revisionism.
Regardless, the film has succeeded in its primary goal: forcing audiences to rethink what they know.
The film follows Namit, a dedicated physics teacher whose faith in the education system begins to crumble when he notices glaring inconsistencies in historical accounts. What starts as a quiet scepticism soon transforms into a passionate mission to uncover suppressed truths.
Some key questions are also asked in the film, like “Are We Being Taught the Right History?” Namit challenges widely accepted narratives, such as whether Emperor Ashoka converted to Buddhism before the Kalinga War—a pivotal moment in Indian history that textbooks often oversimplify.
The film scrutinises how historical events are selectively presented, omitting uncomfortable truths that contradict dominant political or cultural narratives. Second questions which was asked –
Myth vs. Reality: Through Namit’s journey, the movie dissects popular myths, revealing how legends are often conflated with facts. It questions whether figures like Chanakya, Shivaji, or Akbar have been reduced to one-dimensional heroes or villains based on modern biases rather than historical evidence. ‘His Story of Itihaas’ is based on the true story of Neeraj Atri, a physics teacher turned historian-activist who exposed discrepancies in India’s historical narratives. Like Namit, Atri faced backlash for questioning established accounts, proving that the film’s themes are not just theoretical—they reflect an ongoing battle over India’s past.
By centring these questions around a relatable protagonist—a teacher and parent who wants a better future for the next generation—the film makes history feel personal, urgent, and impossible to ignore.
