Manpreet Singh Dhami’s latest film, His Story of Itihaas, has sparked controversy online with its bold themes and strong claims regarding Indian history and whether or not it was fabricated.
As the film appears to be primarily screened in Maharashtra, with limited or no availability in other regions, people from many states outside of Maharashtra are tagging cinema halls and dropping their locations in efforts to get a screening of the film in their region.
Complying with this request, producers are arranging theaters as per the requests of the audience, as many wish to experience this movie do some serious historical fact-checking.
Released on 30 May, 2025, the film, inspired by real events, follows a physics teacher who notices and challenges the inaccuracies in his daughter’s history textbook.
The film has started a wider conversation about historical narratives being manipulated institutionally.
While all this might stir some emotionally, it’s important to reflect on the reality of the matter.
Many on social media debate that historical misrepresentation in academia, backed by just one side of the story, promotes particular agendas under the disguise of historical storytelling.
One user pointed out the film’s trailer makes some bold statements that resonate with the sentiments of a partisan crowd, further pushing the boundaries between an already divided society.
Following the controversy, many believe historians and academics are responsible for guiding us through history with solid proof and a narrative without any spin on it. But as it turns out, reality isn’t all that important if you ought to make a film about historical fact-checking.
As the release of this film brings forth all types of arguments, His Story of Itihaas joins other recent Indian films that have faced similar accusations of promoting agendas.
The representation of history and politics in cinema is always tricky, but given the filmmakers did their homework, this film could have shed some light on the real condition of our education system beyond some discrepancies in textbooks.
