''Khoon jo ab na Khaula...woh Khoon nahi paani hai...
Jo Desh ke kaam na aaye...bekar woh jawani hai...''
I won’t change the world tomorrow nor I intend to do something exceptional or out of ordinary. But there are times when even small contributions that exemplify one’s role towards one’s nation are forgotten by us and I need a push, an urge to at least contribute towards it.
Rang De Basanti isn’t a movie that intend to provide solutions for the problems but what it portrays is that Indian Youth needs to keep alive the fire in them so that they don’t succumb or get used to the wrongs around them and forget the rights needed to be in them.
Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra films and UTV brings to you the movie that truly begins the bollywood for the year 2006. It delves the fun of enjoying a life plus realizing the responsibilities towards our nation.
What’s Rang De Basanti about?
The movie takes off from the diaries of a police officer James Mckinley during British rule in India. His tenure brings him up close with revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh. The persona, the patriotic urge among them completely mesmerizes the officer and he is intrigued by these individuals. The extracts of his diary prove to be an enough script for Sue his granddaughter to direct a documentary on it. Lack of funds doesn’t affect her decision to go ahead with the movie and hence she comes in touch with the Gang of Delhi University comprising of DJ, Sonia, Laxman, Ajay, Sukhi, Aslam and Karan. All of them after an initial reluctance agree to be a part of her dream. The next 4 weeks of the movie shoot turn out to be a route to self discovery and this way the Generation Awakens.
~The on goings~
The movie has a good pace throughout the first half probably a little slow whenever they get into the movie about the revolutionaries. The good thing about the flow is that songs are pretty much well moved and I didn’t find many people going out. That’s where Screenplay by Rensil D’silva is good. The initial about Sue’s arrival in Delhi and her audition round with the Delhi University students is hilarious.
I was disappointed not to see the horse riding shot of Aamir Khan which could have been a superb addition to the Title track. The shots when the gang rehearses their roles and makes fun of the dialogues given to them are too good.
~The scenes that stand out for me ~
1)DU students’ auditioning for their roles.
2)The interaction between the gang in the lounge when they talk about country and issues and watch out for DJ’s dialogue which will come later in this review :).
3)The interactions between DJ and Sukhi in their respective Punjabi and Haryanvi accent are worth a watch.
4)Aamir’s interaction for the first time with his mom Kiron Kher is too good and the Punjabi interaction is not only adorable but makes everyone smile.
~Weak links~
Well I think Sue’s dialogue in the initial scenes about India confused me about her intentions as a whole i.e. ”I have worked in Bloody India for this”. The way the whole episode of Defense Minister and the gang’s attempts to execute him while on his morning walk looked a bit superfluous. I felt that they could have still thought a bit more complex.
Once again the solutions offered can be debated upon. As Karan said to a caller when he receives a call from the whole nation that we will join politics, we will become an IAS, IPS. Well yes they seem good but the system itself isn’t that clean to really change it around.
The Generation of RDB:
Aamir Khan as DJ: The best thing about Aamir Khan is that he never ever overshadows his co actors and as DJ he is fun to watch, I liked his Punjabi accent and his effort to woo Sue is something that viewers will enjoy. He provides energy to the gang. After Mangal Pandey this is completely new Aamir Khan.
Soha Ali Khan as Sonia: Well she has taken good long strides especially after watching Shaadi no.1 I hadn’t had any hopes but she is good and looks cute as a Delhi gal.
Atul Kulkarni as Laxman Pandey:He is plus from Page 3. Good and watch out for him when he recites the poem of Bismil while auditioning to Sue. He plays an extremist role in the initial part but then gradually becomes more moderate and saner.
Siddharth as Karan : Cool dude really, the ray bans and his cigarette plus his quiet mannerisms are good. His cynical nature about the country is well enacted by himself and successfully shows a youth completely disgruntled with his country.
Kunal Kapoor as Aslam: He is serene, poetic and is the one who plays the sidha sadha role. He has acted very naturally and I think audience will like him and girls will like his persona as a whole :-)
Sharman Joshi as Sukhi: Comic timing and his interactions with Aamir in the movie are sure to make every one laugh. Sharman has put up an able performance.
Alice Patton as Sue: Well she is a pivot that takes the story ahead. She is really sweet the way she spoke hindi and her dialogues and timing in the movie were kept well. Watch out when she says ”Tumhari Maa ki Aankh”. I still feel that foreigner lack expressions in comparison to Indian actors.
R.Madhavan is decent in a special appearance plus Kiron Kher as mother of Aamir has done the good job of really playing akin to a Punjabi mother. Anupam Kher, Om Puri, Mohan Agashe and KK Raina are apt to their roles.
Technicalities :
Director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra has done really well and has moved ahead from his previous movie Aks. I was in doubt about his treatment for RDB but he has kept the tone of the movie balanced and the end product isn’t preachy plus it isn’t absolute fun and mock.
Cinematography by Binod Pradhan is perfect, I didn’t had any screech or strain watching the movie. Look out for the free fall of Aamir into the Paathshala pond its shot well plus the DJ and Chandrashekhar Azad in the same frame is shot well too. The story by Kamlesh Pandey is a new one and is well crafted i.e. relating the youth to a serious issue is done in a new manner. The audience thus can enjoy the fun part and be serious enough for the serious part. Background score is rhythmic and pulsates especially when needed. Read the music review for my opinion on music which is good especially the title track and Robaroo song which comes in the end.
~Dialogues~
”Tera ek pper Future par hai aur doosra Past par…aur to aaj par khade hokar moot raha hai”
Your one foot is on past and the other is on future, you are pissing on your today.
”Hello Madam which country”; “I am in India I think”
Cticize’s Quote:”Well watched another good Aamir Khan movie. All said and done, the movie is youthful, joyful and handles some serious issues well. The conflicts and difference of opinion isn’t portrayed in a loud manner”
Rate the review and interact with me in the Comments section
PS: Watched a special premier show today. The movie releases from 26th Jan allover.
© Cticize 01, 2006
