Documentary on Amichand Rajbansi set to highlight the legacy of a political icon

Political icon,  Amichand Rajbansi, is a man who will forever be remembered as a people’s person.

Renowned for his fight for the rights of the minority Indian community, Mr Rajbansi, the leader of the Minority Front, poured his heart into leading his political party.

His journey has been commemorated in an upcoming documentary titled The Bengal Tiger: The Rajbansi Story, directed by the insightful Arish Sirkissoon.

“I wanted to make Bengal Tiger: The Rajbansi Story because I believe there are stories in our country that remain hidden beneath the surface—stories that shaped South Africa yet are rarely told with the nuance and honesty they deserve,” said Mr Sirkissoon.

As a South African of Indian descent, Mr Sirkissoon has always understood the immense contributions and sacrifices made by the Indian community during apartheid. He acknowledged that “so few of these narratives have been documented in a way that reflects both the pride and complexity of that journey.”

This documentary aims not to glorify or condemn but to explore the truth with integrity. Mr Sirkissoon seeks to provide a balanced examination of Rajbansi’s life, hoping to inspire reflection and dialogue among viewers.

“The purpose of the documentary is to ensure that future generations understand the full spectrum of those who shaped our democracy, even those whose stories history tried to simplify.”

The film is scheduled for release on Friday, October 3, with plans for theatrical showings across South Africa, followed by international festival screenings and digital distribution throughout the globe.

Shameen Thakur Rajbansi, the late politician’s wife, serves as both producer and executive producer for the project, driven by a personal motivation to honour her husband’s remarkable legacy.

“This project is a deeply personal endeavour, celebrating his enduring impact on South Africa’s political landscape,” she said.

Ms Rajbansi also remembers her late son, Pradhil Thakur Kooblall, and his fiancée, Priyanka Nunkumar, both of whom were integral to the documentary's research team and tragically died in a car accident in November 2022.

The documentary also features interviews with significant figures, including Narend Singh of the Inkatha Freedom Party and Mr Rajbansi’s former right-hand man, Visven Reddy, now part of the uMkhonto weSizwe party.

“This film is about more than one man; it’s about identity, resilience, and the power of representation. It’s time we tell the stories that have been sidelined for too long,” said Mr Sirkissoon.