For those interested - A review
Rang De Basanti - 2006
I don't remember when I last saw a movie that had a story to tell
and a message to give -- and did so in a real, gritty manner
without being either preachy or dreary.
Some people say history is boring. But sometimes walking through
the lanes of the past can be enjoyable and gratifying, especially
if your guide is someone as gifted as Rakyesh Mehra and companions
as spirited as Aamir Khan, Siddharth, Kunal Kapoor and Soha.
If Mehra's directorial debut "Aks" was unusual, his latest "Rang De
Basanti" is atypical and awe-inspiring. It is not a patriotic film
that bores you by glorifying the past. Instead, it meticulously
draws a line between the past and the present, both of which move
in parallel lines. If the past shows a group of young martyrs
sacrificing their lives to uproot the British from the country, the
present has a bunch of college pass-outs clueless about their
future.
The film records their transition while they work on a documentary
film based on the lives of freedom fighters, a gradual awakening to
what life around them is all about.
If Bhagat Singh and Sukhdev fought against British rule, these
youngsters wage a war against corrupt politicians who rule and ruin
the country.
The film opens in London where young British girl Sue, played by
Alice Patten, chances upon the diary of her grandfather, who served
as a jailor during the British rule in India. She decides to make a
film on the young Indian revolutionaries mentioned in the
diary.
The company she works in refuses to sponsor her. It doesn't dampen
her spirit and she flies down to India where she meets Sonia,
played by Soha Ali Khan, who helps her in realising her dream.
Sonia introduces her to DJ (Aamir Khan), Karan (Siddharth), Sukhi
(Sharman Joshi), Aslam (Kunal Kapoor). After meeting them, Sue
decides to make a film with them on martyrs like Bhagat Singh,
Chandrasekhar Azad and Rajguru.
Initially, they surprise her with their cynicism about freedom
fighters, India's future and corruption. The youngsters are
convinced nobody can propel India in the right direction.
But once they begin enacting the lives of the historical characters
comes the transformation in their outlook about the present and
their own role in changing it. The death of their friend, Flt. Lt.
Ajay Rathod, played by R. Madhavan, ignites their anger against the
system and they explode.
The film sends out the message that every generation fights its own
set of battles for the country.
Hindu fundamentalists are also targeted in the film through Atul
Kulkarni, an extremist who fights to retain his Indian-ness. After
watching the film, the pre-release hype over MiG fighter planes
seems pointless.
Most films these days have a predictable story and viewers are
usually a step ahead in foreseeing what's next. But Mehra proves to
be cleverer and keeps the curiosity alive till the end. The climax
comes as a big 'surprise'.
Aamir proves his mettle as a cheerful extrovert, though at some
places his age betrays him. Anyway, "Rang De Basanti" cannot be
termed an out and out Aamir film because the rest of the cast gets
equal opportunity to showcase their talents and they don't
disappoint you even once.
The film has stellar performances by the entire cast. British
actress Alice Patten is brilliant and Soha surprises by her acting
prowess. In fact, this could be called her best performance so
far.
Om Puri, Kirron Kher and Waheeda Rehman walk in and out of the
script in minuscule roles.
A.R. Rahman's music complements the story, but the editing is a
little loose and at times obstructs the flow of the story.
In sum, an entertaining film -- and an enlightening one too. Well
worth the money spent.
