31 October 1984 was a dark and black-lettered day in the annals of Indian history. The film is Director Patil’s effort to recreate an episode emanating in the aftermath of Indira Gandhi’s assass-ination by her two Sikh bodyguards on that day.

As Devender Singh (Vir Das), his wife Tejinder (Soha Ali Khan) along with their young twins sons and a toddler indulge in their daily chores, comes the news of the killing. And as bloodthirsty mobs, obliquely aided by politicians and the police, go about clinically butchering hapless Sikhs, Devender tries to protect his family, evacuating them to a safer place.

Shown at the Vancouver and London Film Festivals last year, 31 October, based on a true event, seems to be an honest effort at portraying the agony of the victims. It even shows actors playing H.K.L. Bhagat, Sajjan Kumar and Jagdish Tytler, tacitly inciting violence. Where the film fails is the overdose of the gory violence, with mobs shown every few minutes running around street corners. It eschews the origin of the assassination (Khalistan movement). Vir Das tries too hard at playing the simpleton, righteous husband. Where the film succeeds, however, is the social message sent out — of Hindus providing succour and shelter to fellow Sikhs, even as some hand them over to be coolly massacred.

The background music by veteran arranger Surinder Singh Sodhi is apt and keeps convenient pace with the film. An earnest effort, no doubt — though not the ultimate film on this subject