Mangal ... Review on Mangal Pandey - The Rising

Wow! It couldn't be a better way to celebrate the Independence day than watch the patriotic film Mangal Pandey.

It could be ideal if you could really manage to do something for the country. But I guess the fight that took 90 years, the sacrifices made by our ancestors is quite forgotten by our current generation.

Hence Mangal Pandey is a great lesson in history.

One did not really get to learn a lot about the first brave warrior who initiated the fight for independence.

So instead of looking at Mangal Pandey as an entertaining film, it would make more sense if one looked at it as a chapter in history.

About the screenplay, a lot of importance is given to the friendship between Mangal Pandey and Captain Gordon. A British soldier who was an Indian at heart.

At every step he covers Mangal Pandey's back and is a loyal friend and a loyal to his country at the same time.

The first half moves somewhat slowly. And hence Rani Mukherjee. She not only adds glamour but also provides a romantic relief in Mangal Pandey's otherwise mundane life.

There are lot of facts stated in the film that one didn't really know about.

The fact that Indians were forced to grow opium and the Brits sold it to the Chinese.

The fact that women were sold as slaves and bought by Brit soldiers for their personal entertainment.

And finally the fact that Mangal Pandey was actually the man who started the revolution movement.

Aamir Khan as Mangal Pandey is as convincing as could be. Toby as captain Gordon is phenomenal. Although Brit actors speaking Hindi is still quite hillarious. Rani Mukherjee and Amisha Patel in their respective cameo roles prove to be the right choice.

Fact-o-file

Did you know that the mahurat of the film was attended by Prince Charles.

Aishwarya Rai was to do the role of Amisha Patel but quoted an exorbitant price.

Aamir Khan actually sat through the edit of the entire film.

This is A R Rahman's last period film, or so he says.

Aamir Khan loves the last scene when he walks the walk to be hanged. The sense of pride and the fact that he feels what he is doing is so right and a new beginning is reflected in his eyes.

It is the most amazing scene of the film. One that will stay with me for a long time.