There are many musical performances that manage to capture the hearts of the audience. But there are only a few performances which manage to find a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records. Kabir Khan’s The Forgotten Army- Azadi ke Liye accomplished this difficult feat.
Amazon Prime Video, in partnership with LIVE 1000 organized a huge celebration of the Amazon Original Series The Forgotten Army- Azadi Ke Liye. The live operatic recreation of the album of The Forgotten Army- Azadi ke Liye, included more than 1,000 instrumentalists and singers who hailed from various parts of the country. This musical feast ended up making history. As in, it created a Guinness World Record for The Largest Indian Cinematic Music Band.
This operatic musical extravaganza also served as a prelude for a country that was gearing up to celebrate its 71st Republic Day just a few days later. It’s no coincidence that the web television series was released just days from Republic day.
The web television show depicts the life of Lieutenant Sodhi as he and his army fight as part of India’s National Army for India’s independence in World War II. In short, The Forgotten Army shows the sacrifice and journey of the soldiers from the Indian National Army.
The beautiful album of The Forgotten Army- Azadi ke Liye is composed by famous musical maestro and Bollywood composer, Pritam Chakraborty. In fact, this web tv-series album saw music director Pritam and playback singer Arijit Singh team up for the first time.
They are the best in their own fields so this album was bound to be extraordinary. Regarding this huge event, Pritam said:
“I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to witness and be part of this unique live performance with this collective of talented musicians, in memory of the valiant soldiers of the Azad Hind Fauj. This Republic Day, let’s all take a moment to understand the forgotten history and the sacrifice of the Indian National Army.”
The Forgotten Army- Azadi Ke Liye, is created and directed by famous National Award-winning Bollywood filmmaker Kabir Khan. Talking about the tv series and the musical event, Kabir Khan said: “My first filmmaking project was a documentary by the same name – ‘The Forgotten Army’.
More than two decades back I traveled with INA veterans, retracing their journey from the 1940s, only to realize that so few Indians knew of their struggles or their fight for freedom. Despite their valour, they became a footnote in India’s Independence history.
I vowed to tell their story to India and to the world. On the occasion of India’s 70th Republic day, the release of ‘The Forgotten Army – Azaadi Ke Liye’, is my attempt to take their story to the world. The album from the show, today’s musical serenade by the LIVE 1000 band, all capture the very spirit of the Azad Hind Fauj.”
The web tv-series is streaming on Amazon Prime Video and has premiered in more than 200 territories and countries on January 24, 2020.
Gaurav Gandhi, Director and Country General Manager of Amazon Prime Video India, said: “This live musical evening is our humble tribute to the Azad Hind Fauj. The show endeavors to bring back to public memory, the long-forgotten sacrifice of the brave Indian National Army (INA) soldiers and serve as a tribute to our soldiers- those remembered and cherished and those forgotten.”
It’s not every day that we see such great feats being accomplished. The fact that this Guinness World Record was made by an Indian operatic team of a thousand strong artists, makes this win that much sweeter. If you are looking for some genuine patriotism and love for one’s motherland then this web tv-series should be on your to-be-watched list.