First biopic of Sir Syed resonates with contemporary Muslim issues

Syed Ahmed Khan biopic
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

He is one of the architects of modern India or a proponent of the two-nation theory. However, moving away from easy binaries, the first biopic of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan attempts to find answers to the contested legacy of the founder of the Muhammedan Anglo-Oriental College that took the shape of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). Long in the works, a two-hour cut of the OTT series, The Messiah premiered at the iconic Kennedy Auditorium in AMU on Monday, before the series streamed on Apple TV.

Coming at a time when the minority status of the Central University is being hotly debated in courts and society, the series details how Sir Syed confronted a section of the clergy and conservative elements within the Muslim community by creating a modern centre of learning to build bridges between the Muslims and the British government after the revolt of 1857, when the colonial power held the community largely responsible for the rebellion. “He held the ignorance as the primary reason behind the political decay of Muslims and thus pushed for modern education,” says Shoaib Hussain Chaudhary, who not only directed the series but also played the title role. “The role fell into my lap after big names declined to take up the challenge, perhaps because of the stigma attached to him.”

A known name in the television circuit, Chaudhary sees Sir Syed as an advocate of Hindu-Muslim unity, who was wrongly associated with the two-nation theory. “The theory came into being long after his demise in 1898. What he asked for was Muslim representation in legislative bodies and it remains relevant considering the political status of the community today.”

As someone who believed in answering a book with a book, Sir Syed responded to William Muir’s controversial commentary on Prophet Muhammad with a rational interpretation of Islamic tradition in Khutbat-e-Ahmadiya.

An adaptation of Hayat-e-Javed, Khwaja Altaf Hussain Hali’s biographical account of Sir Syed’s life, the series puts him in the league of reformists like Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Ishwar Chand Vidyasagar and argues that he was not a communal figure but a communitarian who was conscious of the fact that Hindus of Bengal were at least 50 years ahead of Muslims in taking up modern education.

Interestingly, the spark came from Mirza Ghalib. When Sir Syed approached the poet to write the preface of his translation of Ain-e-Akbari, he advised him to concentrate on the contemporary issues of the community and said there was no point in celebrating Akbar’s rule when the constitution of the world was being written in Calcutta.

‘Controversial ideas’

The series also critiques Sir Syed’s point of view on girls’ education and backward Muslims and debates whether he made a mistake by not joining hands with the Indian National Congress. It also explores his tumultuous relationship with his son Syed Mohammad, the first Muslim judge of a High Court during the British Raj, whose proclivity towards alcohol created problems in his personal and professional life. “Sir Syed’s character appears dichotomic but if you see him as a product of his times, things fall in place,” says screenwriter Mutyim Kamalee. “While Islam abhors slavery, he opted for pragmatism as after the revolt of 1857, the community was not in a position to take on the colonial power. Mahatma Gandhi also didn’t take the path of armed rebellion.” Kamalee says Sir Syed didn’t join the Congress but towards the end of his life he showed a change in his point of view and perhaps would have joined the Congress had he lived longer.”

Describing the series as an authentic portrayal of Sir Syed’s life and works, Prof. Shafey Kidwai, an authority on Sir Syedsays, “Sir Syed views on women’s education and backward Muslims are widely misunderstood. The film tries to put the record straight in a convincing manner.”

Made on a tight budget, the series was shot on sets after AMU declined permission. “Filmmakers in the past didn’t live up to their promises, so the previous administration was circumspect about our intentions but I am glad now the university has embraced the film,” says Chaudhary.

Apart from Chaudhary, the series stars Akshay Anand, Zarina Wahab, Arif Zakaria, and Deepak Parashar in important roles.