Filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj on Friday said "Rangoon" is a "humble tribute" to Indian revolutionary Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and the Indian National Army for their "lesser known" sacrifices and contribution to India's freedom struggle.
"The contribution of the INA (Azad Hind Fauj) is a basis of the film which we didnt want to disclose before the release. It is very necessary for us to show it to his family because Netaji's and the INA's sacrifice has never been seen in a mainstream movie," Bhardwaj said here at the screening of the period drama for Bose's family.
The "Omkara" and "Haider" maker hoped the "unknown" facets of the Indian history will reach the masses.
"The young generation has no clue about INA's contributions to India's freedom struggle. This film is a humble tribute to the struggle which is lesser known," he said in the presence of Netaji's grand-nephew Chandra Kumar Bose.
Asked about controversies on the INA and Netaji, the multi-talented Bhardwaj -- a writer, singer, composer, director and producer -- clarified he never intended to stir up debates.
"My aim was not to play around with controversies or create a controversy. You will get references to the 1940s. I have not meddled with the facts but mixed them with fiction," the Natioanl Award-winner observed.
The period drama is set in the 1940s amidst the turmoil of India's independence struggle.
The film, starring Kangana Ranaut, Saif Ali Khan and Shahid Kapoor, released on Friday.