Guddu Dhanoa’s ’23rd March 1931 Shaheed’ distinguished itself in a crowded field of Bhagat Singh biopics. While not matching the finesse of ‘The Legend Of Bhagat Singh,’ it offered its own compelling intensity, though at times the narrative became overly dramatic. The film’s courtroom and jail scenes occasionally fell short, but its overall focus on intense drama was appropriate. The visuals were remarkable, particularly the cinematography by Thiru. The film’s emotional core highlighted the bond between Bhagat Singh and Lala Lajpat Rai, and also Bhagat Singh and his mother. There was a perceived lack of empathy between Bobby Deol’s Bhagat Singh and Sunny Deol’s Chandrashekhar Azad. Sunny Deol was quoted as saying that he believed in the project, and that Bobby’s performance was more historically accurate. Sunny felt his brother Bobby fulfilled his dream.
Sunny mentioned he was angry that his ex-protegee Raj Kumar Santoshi was making his own Bhagat Singh biopic and asked the public to decide who was the most authentic. Sunny further added that their film was not a remake of the 1960s starrer Shaheed, but completely original.
Sunny also mentioned history showed Chandrashekhar Azad was Bhagat Singh’s inspiration. He felt they had gone into detail of Bhagat Singh’s life. He also touched upon his wish to include Mr. Manoj Kumar but it could not work out. Sunny further added that their film was not a remake of the 1960s starrer Shaheed, but completely original.