Cuttack: Students of Ravenshaw University have made a film on the courage and valour of Baji Rout, the youngest freedom fighter as well as youngest martyr in the history of the country's freedom movement.

The British forces had gunned down 12-year-old Baji, who was born in Dhenkanal district, as he had refused to ferry them across the Brahmani on the night of October 11, 1938. The short film, Baji Rout: India's Youngest Freedom Fighter, is an initiative of a group of young creative minds who have come together to narrate the life story of Baji, the events that inspired him to join Banar Sena wing of Praja Mandal Movement and his contributions to the movement.

It's a 30-minute-long film. "We wanted the story of India's youngest freedom fighter to reach the people of the country with utmost clarity. Hence, we opted to make the film in Hindi language," said co-director of the film Riyan Farooq.

The film has been shot entirely in Cuttack and made by undergraduate students of Ravenshaw University.

Chandi Prasad Nanda, a history professor at Ravenshaw University, said the film by the students was "a classic example of youth participation in construction of the past".

"The film gives a new dimension about Baji Rout by making an attempt to fill up the gaps in the mainstream history. It would not be wrong to say that the film is a pointer to the limits of history," Nanda said.

Farooq said: "We wanted to bring to limelight his life story as his story as India's youngest freedom fighter as well as youngest martyr has never received due attention as compared to other freedom fighters."