While Manika and the news organization frame the incident to suit political agendas, Samar uncovers evidence suggesting the fire was not an accident but a planned attack. The Struggle:
While official reports and mainstream media narratives initially suggest the fire was an accident or a spontaneous reaction, Samar’s firsthand reporting at the site reveals evidence of a pre-planned conspiracy
Critics have noted that the film succeeds in its technical execution—maintaining a tense, thriller-like atmosphere—while serving as a tribute to those who lost their lives in the tragedy. Why It Matters Today
Questioning the initial findings and media narratives that dominated the headlines. The Sabarmati Report
The tragedy resulted in the deaths of 59 people, predominantly kar sevaks (pilgrims) returning from Ayodhya. This catastrophic event served as the flashpoint for the devastating 2002 Gujarat riots.
Over the years, various commissions investigated the tragedy, resulting in deeply conflicting conclusions—ranging from assertions of a pre-planned conspiracy to claims of an accidental electrical fire. The film directly challenges accidental-fire theories, positioning the event as a deliberate act of violence covered up by elite institutions.
(played by Raashii Khanna) seeks out Samar to reopen the investigation. Together, they navigate threats and political pressure to expose the "buried report" and present what they believe is the actual truth behind the tragedy, aiming to dismantle years of "fake narratives". While Manika and the news organization frame the
: Alongside Samar is Amrita Gill, a young, tenacious reporter portrayed by Raashii Khanna .
The film follows a fictional news journalist (played by Vikrant Massey) who revisits the events of February 27, 2002. The narrative is broken into three acts:
Driven by a commitment to what he sees as "righteous journalism," Samar teams up with the determined (Raashii Khanna), a fellow reporter, and his senior anchor, Manika Rajpurohit (Ridhi Dogra). The trio delves into a dangerous investigation, digging through sealed records, interviewing reluctant witnesses, and facing threats and intimidation from powerful figures who want the truth buried. Their journey leads them to expose a web of political manipulation and media bias, challenging the conventional narratives that have dominated public memory for over two decades. The tragedy resulted in the deaths of 59
is precisely such a phenomenon. While the title might suggest a dry governmental white paper or a historical documentary about the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad, the actual project—and the controversy surrounding it—touches upon one of the most sensitive and debated events in modern Indian history: the Godhra train burning of February 27, 2002, and its subsequent riots.
The movie is deeply rooted in a historical event that changed India's social landscape. On , a mob attacked and set fire to the S-6 coach of the Sabarmati Express train at the Godhra railway station in Gujarat.
Critics have labeled the film as "propaganda," arguing it is designed to push a specific political narrative, especially in the context of it being released during election cycles, as discussed in Inkstick Media .