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8 times the Bhopal gas tragedy has been portrayed on the big screen

Speed News Desk | Updated on: 13 February 2017, 11:26 IST

Wednesday, 2 December marks the 31st anniversary of the Bhopal gas tragedy. Many in Madhya Pradesh are still reeling from the devastation caused by the gas leak at the Union Carbide India Limited pesticide plant in Bhopal in 1984. While 2,259 people were reported dead immediately, the effects of the toxic gas affected over a million people.

The tragedy has also been portrayed on the silver screen a number of times. Here are a few films made on the incident that you must watch:

01
Bhopal Express (1999)

This drama, starring Kay Kay Menon, Naseeruddin Shah, Zeenat Aman and Vijay Raaz, is a tale of a newly-wed couple. Watch this Mahesh Mathai directorial to see how their life unfolds after the leak.

02
Bhopali (2011)

While most films focus on the leak, this particular film by director Van Maximilian Carlson tells the story of a survivor. This documentary chronicles the life of the families affected by the gas. Watch the trailer here:

03
One night in Bhopal (2004)

This BBC documentary is a reconstruction of the event through the eyes of the witnesses. It includes both experiences from witnesses as well as responses made from Union Carbide. Take a look:

04
Twenty years without justice (2004)

This documentary looks at the event, the aftermath and the campaigns against Union Carbide. Watch the trailer here:

05
The Yes Men Fix the World (2009)

A documentary made by Andy Bichlbaum and Mike Bonanno. The documentary consist of a prank made upon big cooperates and government in which they visit Bhopal to meet the survivors.

06
Secrets and Lies (2007)

This documentary by Stavros Stagos is a look at the policies of the multinational companies as well as their functioning in third world countries. It also shows the negligence and the carelessness that may have led to such disaster.

07
Litigating Disaster (2004)

This 2004 film by Ilan Ziv depicts how the legal system in both countries were manipulated against each other, to avoid being penalised. This documentary raises some serious question like how case number 99CIV 11239, a case filed by the victims of the event in the federal District Court in New York, survived two motions to dismiss.

While the sheer scale of the tragedy is difficult to portray, these films may help you understand why that fateful night of 2-3 December, 1984 is considered to be the world's worst industrial tragedy.

08
Bhopal: A Prayer for Rain (2014)

Directed by Ravi Kumar, this film talks about a rickshaw puller who lives in Bhopal and starts working with Union Carbide. On the night of his sister's wedding, gas leaks from the factory killing his wife and other relatives. The movie is based on a series of events that follow the leak. Watch the trailer here:

While the sheer scale of the tragedy is difficult to portray, these films may help you understand why that fateful night of 2-3 December, 1984 is considered to be the world's worst industrial tragedy.


-Text by Siddharth Sharma

First published: 2 December 2015, 4:59 IST