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Hybrid documentary explores history, controversies and evolution of the organisation
February 20, 2026: Shatak presents an ambitious 1-hour-52-minute account of the century-long journey of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), tracing its origins, ideological evolution and major controversies. Beginning with its founding in 1925 by Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, the film examines debated questions surrounding the organisation — including its alleged links to Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination, its role in India’s freedom struggle and its position during key wars. The first half focuses on Hedgewar’s early life and the formation of the RSS, while the second shifts to Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar (Guruji) and the expansion of the organisation’s network.
The film adopts a largely voiceover-driven narrative, moving chronologically through major milestones and offering lesser-known accounts that aim to shed light on the RSS’s internal decisions and public perception. Historical figures such as Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi appear briefly, though the primary focus remains on presenting the RSS perspective. The makers claim the project blends human storytelling with AI-assisted visuals, particularly noticeable in war sequences.
Written by Anil Agarwal, Utsav Dan, Rohit Gehlot and Nitin Sawant, and directed by Aashish Mall, the film is produced by Kridhan Mediatech and backed by producer Veer Kapoor. Music composed by Sunny Inder and Shantanu Shankar complements the tone, with vocals by Shankar Mahadevan, Shaan and Suresh Wadkar adding depth. While dense with information, Shatak succeeds in condensing a century of organisational history into an engaging cinematic format.