In January 1941, Netaji made a dramatic escape from his Calcutta residence where he had been kept under house arrest by the British. Prior to that, he had been a member of the Indian civil services, but resigned to fight for his country's independence.

His public life was stormy and eventful, culminating in his appointment as Congress president even against the wishes of Mahatma Gandhi.He organized the Indian National Army, turning men into officers, uniting them in the country's cause, irrespective of religion, caste, sect or region. The Red Fort trials revealed his story, as well as that of the INA, to the Indian people, inspiring them to rise one last time against the British before finally being granted independence.